Guide
How the kit works
Start with Sacred Rite: Heron's Sanctum. A tap sends Candace forward and deals Hydro DMG. Holding it raises a barrier based on her Max HP. The barrier absorbs Hydro DMG 250% more effectively and lasts until she unleashes the Skill.
Release the held Skill, let its duration expire or let the barrier break to perform a leaping Hydro strike. If an attack hits Candace during the hold, Aegis of Crossed Arrows finishes the charge instantly.
Use Sacred Rite: Wagtail's Tide to deal AoE Hydro DMG based on Max HP and grant Prayer of the Crimson Crown. The active character gains increased Elemental DMG on Normal Attacks. Characters using a Sword, Claymore or Polearm also receive Hydro Infusion.
Switch to the teammate you want on the field. Each character who takes the field releases a Hydro wave against nearby opponents, though the number of waves is limited. Celestial Dome of Sand adds 0.5% Normal Attack Elemental DMG for every 1,000 points of Candace's Max HP.
Gleaming Spear - Guardian Stance (NA) has up to four Normal Attack strikes. Its Charged Attack consumes Stamina for a forward lunge. Candace can use these attacks herself, but the Burst bonus also works for the active teammate.
Build and why
Four pieces of Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City are an option for team damage. After Candace triggers a Hydro-related reaction, the set grants nearby party members a 12% Elemental DMG Bonus for the elements involved for 15 seconds. Its larger bonus requires the wearer to be in the Nightsoul's Blessing state.
Four pieces of Emblem of Severed Fate give Energy Recharge and increase Candace's Burst DMG based on that stat. Four pieces of Noblesse Oblige are a team-focused alternative: using her Burst grants the party 20% ATK for 12 seconds. That set's ATK effect cannot stack.
For a mixed build, use two pieces of Tenacity of the Millelith with two of Emblem of Severed Fate for HP and Energy Recharge. Two pieces of Tenacity of the Millelith plus two of Vourukasha's Glow give HP from both set bonuses instead.
Choose Energy Recharge or HP Percentage on the sands, HP Percentage on the goblet, and HP Percentage or CRIT Rate on the circlet. Look for Energy Recharge first in substats, followed by HP Percentage, CRIT Rate, HP and CRIT DMG.
Favonius Lance is the first weapon choice. Its CRIT Hits have a 60% chance to generate particles, with a 12-second interval, so CRIT Rate helps activate it. Staff of Homa gives 20% HP, while Engulfing Lightning grants Energy Recharge for 12 seconds after a Burst.
Leveling priority
For this support build, a sensible order is Sacred Rite: Wagtail's Tide, Sacred Rite: Heron's Sanctum, then Gleaming Spear - Guardian Stance (NA). The Burst provides the team buff, while the Skill is useful for its Hydro hit and barrier. Normal Attacks matter less if Candace mostly switches out.
For ascension, collect Henna Berry, Light Guiding Tetrahedron and the Varunada Lazurite Sliver, Fragment, Chunk and Gemstone materials. You also need Mora, Faded Red Satin, Trimmed Red Silk and Rich Red Brocade.
Talents use the same three red materials and Mora, along with Teachings of Admonition, Guide to Admonition, Philosophies of Admonition, Tears of the Calamitous God and Crown of Insight.
Constellations worth it
The Overflow adds an AoE Hydro wave when another character affected by Prayer of the Crimson Crown deals Elemental DMG with a Normal Attack. The wave deals 15% of Candace's Max HP as Burst DMG and can trigger once every 2.3 seconds.
Returning Heiress of the Scarlet Sands is useful earlier: it extends Prayer of the Crimson Crown by 3 seconds. Moon-Piercing Brilliance is also worth considering, since a Skill hit increases Candace's Max HP by 20% for 15 seconds.
Hunter's Supplication adds three Burst levels. Sentinel Oath reduces the held Skill's cooldown to the tap cooldown, while Heterochromatic Gaze adds three Skill levels. If you are not going for C6, stopping before C4 and C5 is reasonable for a Burst-focused build.
Teams
Pick an on-field teammate who uses Elemental DMG Normal Attacks to take advantage of Candace's buff. Kamisato Ayato is a Hydro Sword user who can receive her Hydro Infusion. The infusion does not apply to Bow or Catalyst users, although their Elemental DMG Normal Attacks can still receive the damage bonus.
For a Bloom-oriented group, Nilou brings Hydro and Yaoyao brings Dendro and healing. Candace adds Hydro hits and a Normal Attack buff; choose the active character and their weapon with the infusion in mind.
Fischl or Flins can add Electro to a Hydro team, while Kaedehara Kazuha is an Anemo option for Swirl. For defense, consider Xilonen as a healer or Zhongli as a shield teammate. Candace's held barrier does not stay up after she unleashes her Skill.
Common mistakes
Do not assume the Burst buffs every kind of attack. Its Normal Attack bonus applies to Elemental DMG, not to Charged Attacks or other damage sources. The Hydro Infusion also has a weapon-type restriction.
Do not stack HP while leaving Candace unable to use her Burst when you need it. Balance HP with Energy Recharge, and add CRIT Rate if you use Favonius Lance.
Do not hold the Skill expecting a lasting party shield. Use the barrier to block while Candace is on the field, then release it or let the Skill finish. Also remember that Burst switch waves have a limited count.
