Guide
How the kit works
Start by tapping Windbound Execution. Varka leaps forward, deals AoE Anemo DMG and enters Sturm und Drang. Holding the skill charges a longer leap. While in the mode, his Normal and Charged Attacks deal corresponding Elemental DMG based on the party, and infusions cannot override it. He cannot use Plunging Attacks in this mode.
With a Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo teammate, the skill changes into Four Winds' Ascension, which deals Anemo DMG and corresponding Elemental DMG. You can also spend its uses on Azure Devour, a special Charged Attack that costs no Stamina. Weave these attacks between the strikes of Favonius Bladework: Dancing Radiance (NA).
Dawn Wind's March gives 10% Anemo DMG Bonus and corresponding Elemental DMG Bonus per 1,000 ATK, up to 25%, when an eligible element is in the party. Wind's Vanguard grants a stack when a nearby party member triggers Swirl or Stellar Swirl: each stack adds 7.5% damage to the listed attacks for 8 seconds, up to four stacks.
Build and why
For alternatives, consider Marechaussee Hunter if the team can change Varka's HP: it boosts Normal and Charged Attacks and gains CRIT Rate when HP changes. Scarlet Proof gives ATK and rewards triggering Stellar Swirl with CRIT Rate and more Stellar Swirl damage.
Choose ATK Percentage on the sands and goblet, and CRIT DMG or CRIT Rate on the circlet. For substats, look for CRIT DMG, CRIT Rate, then ATK Percentage. ATK also contributes to Varka's passive damage bonuses, while CRIT stats support his hits.
Gest of the Mighty Wolf is the first weapon choice. Its attack speed and damage stacks fit Varka's usual attacks and skill; Hexerei: Secret Rite adds CRIT DMG to those stacks. A Thousand Blazing Suns gives CRIT DMG and ATK after a skill or burst, with its effect extended by qualifying attacks. Beacon of the Reed Sea is another option: a skill hit grants ATK, and taking damage grants a separate ATK increase.
Leveling priority
A sensible leveling suggestion is Windbound Execution first, followed by Favonius Bladework: Dancing Radiance (NA), then Northwind Avatar. The skill starts his main combat mode, and his Normal and Charged Attacks are used throughout it. The burst still adds two slashes when available.
For ascension, gather Wolfhook, Vayuda Turquoise Sliver, Vayuda Turquoise Fragment, Vayuda Turquoise Chunk, Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone and Prismatic Severed Tail. You also need Broken Drive Shaft, Reinforced Drive Shaft and Precision Drive Shaft.
His talents use Teachings of Freedom, Guide to Freedom, Philosophies of Freedom, Ascended Sample: Rook and the same three Drive Shaft materials. Maxing all three also takes three Crown of Insight. Both ascension and talents cost Mora.
Constellations worth it
For a suggested look at the biggest changes, start with C6, C2 and C1. C6 lets a skill tap or held Normal Attack produce an extra Azure Devour shortly after Four Winds' Ascension. After Azure Devour, a skill tap can instead produce an extra Four Winds' Ascension. These extra attacks do not spend uses or trigger the exchange again. C6 also gives 20% CRIT DMG per Azure Fang's Oath stack.
C2 adds an AoE Anemo strike equal to 800% of ATK when Varka uses Four Winds' Ascension or Azure Devour. C1 gives an extra use of Four Winds' Ascension on entering Sturm und Drang and makes the next special skill or special Charged Attack deal 200% of its original damage.
C3 raises the skill level, C4 offers nearby teammates Anemo and corresponding Elemental DMG Bonuses after Varka triggers Swirl or Stellar Swirl, and C5 raises the burst level. You can leave those upgrades out if you are keeping Varka at a lower constellation; reaching a later constellation still requires the earlier ones.
Teams
Dawn Wind's March rewards either two Anemo characters or two characters sharing an eligible element: the listed attacks in Sturm und Drang deal 140% of their original damage. Meet both conditions and they deal 220%. A practical formation is Varka, an Anemo teammate and two characters sharing Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo.
Common mistakes
Don't fill the party without checking its elements. An eligible Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo teammate enables Four Winds' Ascension, while matching pairs determine the larger Dawn Wind's March bonus. If you bring several eligible elements, remember the burst's stated priority.
Don't plan on Plunging Attacks during Sturm und Drang, and don't spend Stamina expecting Azure Devour to need it. Keep using the special skill or special Charged Attack alongside Normal Attacks rather than ignoring their available uses.
Don't count on the CRIT Rate from A Day Carved From Rising Winds before completing Witch's Homework. Also, Homebound Wind's Paean reduces the held skill's cooldown for Mondstadt party members, but that effect does not work in Domains, Trounce Domains or the Spiral Abyss.
