Illuga is a highly anticipated 4-star Geo Polearm character hailing from the mysterious region of Nod-Krai. As a dedicated member of the Lightkeepers - specifically a Ratnik and squad leader - he embodies unwavering resolve in the face of the Wild Hunt's nightmares. His kit positions him as a versatile Geo support, excelling at amplifying Geo damage through Elemental Mastery scaling, Critical buffs, and synergies with Geo constructs and the new Lunar-Crystallize reaction (a lunar variant of Crystallize involving Geo and Hydro).
Expected to debut in Version 6.3 Phase 2 (around February 3-24, 2026) alongside Zibai's banner, Illuga's design rewards EM stacking on him while enabling explosive Geo damage for carries like Navia, Albedo, or Noelle. His bird companion, Gale (or A'Dong/Aedon), adds thematic flair to his attacks.
Normal Attack: Oathkeeper's Spear / Oath-Taking Spear Technique
Illuga performs up to four (or five, per some leaks) consecutive spear strikes, dealing Physical damage that converts to Geo in his kit context.
- Charged Attack: Consumes stamina to lunge forward, dealing AoE Geo damage along the path.
- Plunging Attack: Dives from mid-air, damaging enemies on descent and AoE upon impact.
Standard for Polearm users, but his personal damage is secondary to support utility.
Elemental Skill: Dawnbearing Songbird / Dawn-Breaking Messenger
Cooldown: 15 seconds.
Summons his loyal messenger bird, Gale, to dash at foes:
- Tap: Gale lunges forward, striking enemies in its path for Geo damage.
- Hold: Aim mode allows precise targeting; Gale charges the marked enemy for Geo damage on impact.
Gale, born in coexistence with the Moonforce, serves as a steadfast sentinel against the Wild Hunt. This skill triggers his key passive for team buffs and provides minor off-field damage.
Elemental Burst: Shadowless Reflection / Light Unshaded
Energy Cost: 60 | Cooldown: 15 seconds | Duration: 20 seconds.
Illuga lights his lantern, dealing AoE Geo damage and activating Haunted Night's Oriole-Song / Nightingale's Nocturne. He gains 21 stacks of Nightingale's Song:
- Party members' Geo damage (from Normal/Charged/Plunging Attacks, Skills, or Bursts) consumes 1 stack per hit (multi-hit enemies consume more).
- Each Geo hit gains a damage bonus scaling with Illuga's Elemental Mastery (exact % TBD in final talents).
- Lunar-Crystallize Bonus: Further amplifies the increase.
- Geo Construct Synergy: +5 stacks per on-field Geo construct (e.g., Zhongli's dome, Geo Traveler constructs) from party members, max +15 stacks.
Effect ends when stacks deplete or 20 seconds pass. This is Illuga's core: a stack-based Geo amp that shines in construct-heavy teams and rewards frequent Geo application.
Passive Talents
| Passive | Effect |
|---|---|
| Torchforger's Covenant / Pact of the Lanternbearer (1st Ascension) | After Skill/Burst, party gains Lightkeeper's Oath / Oath of the Lamp (20s): +5% Geo DMG, +5% CRIT Rate, +10% CRIT DMG. Moonsign: Ascendant Gleam: +50 EM to affected members. |
| Demonhunter's Dusk / Dusk of the Demon-Slayer (4th Ascension) | Burst buff scales: With 1/2/3 Hydro/Geo party members (excl. Illuga), base +7%/14%/24% of his EM; Lunar-Crystallize: +60%/120%/200% of EM. |
| Moonsign Benediction: Unwithering in Winter (Utility 1) | Party Moonsign level +1 with Illuga in team. |
| Night Warden's Stride / Rapid Movement of the Night Watchman (Utility 2) | Nighttime (18:00-06:00): Party +10% Movement Speed (excludes Domains/Abyss). |
These make Illuga a CRIT/EM enabler for Geo, with exploration utility.
Constellations
Worth pulling to C2+ for sub-DPS and DEF shred potential.
| Constellation | Effect |
|---|---|
| C1: Vigilant Sentinel | On-field: +12 Energy after Geo reaction (15s ICD). |
| C2: Elk with Fanged Antlers | Every 7 stacks consumed: Summon Gale for Geo DMG (400% EM + 200% DEF). |
| C3: Earthshaking Bear | Burst Lv. +3 (max 15). |
| C4: Solarhunter Wolf | During Burst: Party +200 DEF. |
| C5: Hurricane Steed | Skill Lv. +3 (max 15). |
| C6: Nightmare Orioles | Oath enhanced: +10% CRIT Rate, +30% CRIT DMG; EM +80. |
C6 elevates him to premium support status.
Ascension and Talent Materials
Ascension (Totals):
| Material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Prithiva Topaz (Sliver/Fragment/Chunk/Gemstone) | 1/9/9/6 |
| Pine Amber | 168 |
| Drive Shafts (Broken/Reinforced/Precision) | 18/30/36 |
| Cyclic Military Kuuvahki Core | 46 |
| Mora | 420,000 |
Talents (Per Talent to Lv. 10):
| Material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crown of Insight | 1 |
| Elysium (Teachings/Guide/Philosophies) | 3/21/38 |
| Drive Shafts (as above) | 6/22/31 |
| Eroded Horn | 18 |
| Mora | ~1.65M |
Farm Nod-Krai enemies and bosses for efficiency.
Playstyle and Teams
Build Illuga with EM sands (e.g., 1,000+ EM), ER goblet if needed, and EM/Geo DMG circlet. Weapons: Favonius Lance (ER), Black Tassel (EM/DEF hybrid), or Deathmatch. Artifacts: deepwood/EM-focused like Gilded Dreams or Scroll of the Hero (for DEF in C2).
Teams:
- Lunar Geo: Zibai, Columbina, Gorou/Illuga (C2+).
- Mono Geo: Navia, Zhongli, Furina/Jean.
- Crystallize: Albedo, Furina, Zhongli.
Illuga revitalizes Geo supports, bridging classic resonance with lunar mechanics. A must-pull for Geo mains - his lantern promises to light up the Abyss.