- Durin passive A1 determines his role: Purity Mode provides 20-35% RES shred, while Darkness Mode grants 40-70% personal reaction DMG.
- A4 Primordial Fusion rewards high ATK investment, providing a massive 75% DMG increase once you hit the 2500 ATK threshold.
- Hexenzirkel Resonance is non-negotiable for meta teams, as it increases A1 passive effectiveness by a staggering 75%.
- Rotation timing is critical; you must select your mode via Elemental Skill before casting the Burst to avoid defaulting to Purity.
Binary Form: Understanding the A1 Passive
The core of any build relies on mastering the durin passive known as Binary Form: Convergence and Division (A1). This passive forces a choice between team utility and raw personal power. Unlike traditional Pyro units, Durin does not have a static role; his passive adapts based on the input used immediately following his Elemental Skill.
Video Highlights:
- Detailed breakdown of Purity vs. Darkness burst animations.
- How the Hexenzirkel Resonance interacts with the A1 passive.
- Visual guide to the 2500 ATK threshold for the A4 passive.
- Recommended team rotations to ensure 100% passive uptime.
The A1 passive functions as a toggle. If you trigger a Pyro-related reaction (Overload, Swirl, Burning, or Crystallize) while in Purity Mode, enemies lose 20% RES to both Pyro and the reacting element. In Darkness Mode, Durin pivots to a selfish carry, boosting his own Vaporize and Melt damage by 40%.
The RES shred in Purity Mode does not apply to Vaporize or Melt. If you are running a Hydro or Cryo support, you must utilize Darkness Mode to see any benefit from his A1 passive.
| Mode | Trigger Action | Primary Benefit | Best Team Archetype |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | Skill > Skill | 20% RES Shred (Pyro + Element) | Overload, Burning, Mono-Pyro |
| Darkness | Skill > Normal Attack | 40% Vape/Melt DMG | Vaporize, Forward Melt |
| Default | Burst (no skill) | Purity Mode (Orange) | Quick-swap Support |
Primordial Fusion: The A4 ATK Scaling Cap
While the A1 passive defines his role, the durin passive unlocked at Ascension 4, Chaos Formed Like the Night, defines his gear requirements. This passive grants Durin 10 stacks of "Primordial Fusion" upon casting his Burst. Each stack increases the damage of a Burst hit by 3% for every 100 ATK Durin possesses.
To maximize this effect, players aim for a specific "sweet spot" in stats. Because the maximum damage increase is capped at 75%, any ATK beyond a certain point yields diminishing returns compared to Crit stats.
| Total ATK | DMG Increase per Hit | Percentage of Max Buff |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 ATK | 30% | 40% |
| 1500 ATK | 45% | 60% |
| 2000 ATK | 60% | 80% |
| 2500 ATK | 75% (MAX) | 100% |
Do not sacrifice a Crit DMG circlet just to hit 2500 ATK. The A4 passive increases your multiplier (motion value), meaning Crit stats still act as a final multiplier on top of this buff. Use Bennett or Noblesse Oblige to bridge the ATK gap.
The A4 stacks are consumed one by one as the "Dragon of White Flame" or "Dragon of Dark Decay" strikes. If a single attack hits multiple enemies, it still only consumes one stack, making Durin exceptionally potent in AoE scenarios where his Purity Mode shines.
Hexenzirkel Synergy: Boosting Passive Potency
One of the most unique aspects of the durin passive system is the Hexerei: Secret Rite resonance. If Durin is paired with at least one other Hexenzirkel member (such as Albedo, Alice, or Nicole), his A1 passive receives a massive 75% effectiveness boost.
This resonance transforms Durin from a "good" sub-DPS into a "broken" support/carry hybrid. The math behind this interaction is essential for high-end Abyss floor clearing.
Purity Boost (Support)
- Base RES Shred: 20%
- With Resonance: 35%
- Effectively replaces a Viridescent Venerer Anemo unit in Overload teams.
Darkness Boost (Carry)
- Base Reaction Bonus: 40%
- With Resonance: 70%
- Provides more Vaporize scaling than a dedicated Elemental Mastery sands.
Currently, Fischl is the most accessible Hexenzirkel member for F2P players. Pairing her with Durin in an Overload shell allows for 35% Electro and Pyro RES shred simultaneously without needing a Swirl setup.
| Character | Hexerei Status | Synergy with Durin |
|---|---|---|
| Albedo | Confirmed | Provides EM and triggers A4 scaling buffs |
| Mona | Confirmed | Best for Darkness Mode Vaporize nukes |
| Fischl | Confirmed | Premier Overload partner for Purity Mode |
| Nicole | New (6.6) | Best-in-slot support for DEF shred stacking |
Operational Guide: Activating the Correct Passive
Activating the specific durin passive you need requires muscle memory. Because his Burst defaults to Purity Mode if cast without a prior Skill, many players accidentally lose out on the Darkness Mode buffs in Vaporize teams.
Initial Skill Cast
Press E (Elemental Skill). Durin will perform a quick dash and enter a transitional state for 5 seconds.
Mode Selection
- For Purity: Press E again.
- For Darkness: Perform one Normal Attack.
Burst Execution
Cast Q (Elemental Burst). The animation will be Orange for Purity or Dark Red for Darkness.
Passive Maintenance
The chosen mode lasts for 30 seconds. You can swap Durin off-field, and the Dragon will continue to benefit from the selected passive.
In a standard rotation, use Durin's Skill twice (Purity) to generate particles first, then swap to your main DPS. The 35% RES shred (with resonance) will persist even if Durin is off-field, significantly boosting your team's total output.
Optimizing Passive Performance
To ensure your durin passive is working at peak efficiency, follow this optimization checklist. Achieving these milestones will separate a casual build from a meta-defining one.
Passive Perfection Milestones:
- Reach 2500 total ATK (including buffs) to cap A4 scaling.
- Maintain at least one other Hexenzirkel member in the party.
- Level Elemental Burst to 10 to maximize the energy refund mechanic.
- Ensure 100% uptime on Purity RES shred by refreshing every 18 seconds.
- Equip Athame Artis or Freedom-Sworn to stack additional team-wide passives.
The Noblesse Oblige 4-piece set is highly recommended for Purity Durin. The 20% ATK buff helps him reach the 2500 ATK cap for his own A4 passive while simultaneously buffing his teammates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Durin passive snapshot stats?
No. Durin's Burst is dynamic. If Bennett's field expires or an ATK buff ends, the damage from the A4 passive will decrease immediately for the remaining hits.
Q: Can I trigger both Purity and Darkness passives at once?
No, they are mutually exclusive. Entering one mode cancels the other. You must choose between team RES shred or personal reaction damage.
Q: Is the 2500 ATK cap for the A4 passive based on Base ATK?
No, it is based on your total effective ATK during combat, which includes weapon stats, artifact percentages, and flat buffs from teammates.
Q: Why is my Purity Mode not shredding Hydro resistance?
The A1 Purity passive specifically excludes Vaporize and Melt from its RES shred trigger. It only works with Overload, Swirl, Burning, and Crystallize.