The Traveler is the generic name for the character you start with in Genshin Impact. When attuned to Anemo, this character is a decent Attacker that capitalizes on elemental abilities from Support characters.
Normal/Charged Attack – Foreign Ironwind
The normal attack combo of the Traveler, known as Foreign Ironwind, is a maximum of five hits. The damage of each hit increases as you get further into the combo (other than a small drop with the second hit). With the Traveler’s first passive trait, Slitting Wind, the fifth attack will also send out a wave of Anemo damage in the direction of the normal attack. Try to position yourself so that your Anemo wave hits as many enemies as possible.
The charged attack is a two hit attack that spends a small amount of stamina. This attack knocks back and knocks down small enemies. This can be used to stun enemies, knock them closer to their allies for more effective AoE, or potentially push them into the water, killing them instantly.
Elemental Skill – Palm Vortex
The Traveler’s Elemental Skill, when attuned to Anemo, is Palm Vortex. This ability differs based on if you hold down the ability or not. Tapping the ability will cause a quick frontal attack that knocks enemies back and causes a small amount of Anemo damage, potentially combining with another element for a Swirl.
Where this ability really shines is when it is held down. Holding it down will cause multiple hits, each of which can cause a Swirl. With the Traveler’s first Constellation Raging Vortex, Palm Vortex also pulls in nearby enemies. This pull helps to better spread Swirled elements.
Elemental Burst – Gust Surge
The Anemo attuned Traveler’s Elemental Burst is Gust Surge. This large tornado picks up small enemies are carries them with it as it moves slowly in the direction cast. Large enemies are not picked up, but are still hurt by it while in range.
Gust Surge will take on the first Swirl element it finds, changing the tornado into combined damage of Anemo and the Swirled element. This will also put the Swirled element on every enemy hit. The element doesn’t need to be on an enemy; burning grass, water, elemental fields, etc. can be used to transform the tornado.
Anemo Elemental Reaction – Swirl
Swirl is the elemental reaction of Anemo with one of the following other elements: Cryo, Electro, Hydro, or Pyro. In addition to the normal Anemo damage, Swirl reactions will cause additional elemental damage based on the reacting element.
For example, causing a Swirl on a group that includes an enemy currently effected by Pyro will spread Pyro to all nearby enemies. This will also cause the Anemo attack to deal additional Pyro damage. Additionally, Anemo and Pyro damage will effect the nearby environment, potentially causing grass fires or lighting torches.
Where The Traveler Fits on a Team
The Traveler is an Attacker that augments elemental Support characters. Both elemental abilities do increased damage when they can Swirl with another element. This makes the Traveler great at spreading elements caused by single target attacks. The Traveler is best suited to fighting large groups of small enemies.
Elemental Spreader
A good opening is to lead with a charge attack from an elemental archer, like Amber or Fischl, or a normal attack from caster, like Lisa or Barbara. This will proc an enemy with the corresponding element. Swap to The Traveler and use the held version of Palm Vortex close to the enemy you put the element on. This will spread the element to nearby enemies. It will also stack the group closer to each other (given you have the first Constellation) for follow up AoE attacks.
When to Gust Surge
When using Gust Surge, you will always want to make sure it Swirls with another element, greatly increasing its damage. Positioning is important for Gust Surge, as it moves in a straight line created between where you cast it and the enemy it was cast at. Position yourself so that the tornado will go through as many enemies as possible.
When facing large enemies that will not be picked up by Gust Surge, terrain can be used to stop the ability from moving. Cast Gust Surge into a wall to stop it from moving, making it easier to keep large enemies in the AoE.
Normal or Charged Attack
While the full combo is generally more flat damage, the charge attack has some great potential. You can effectively stunlock a small enemy by using your charge attack after the third combo hit. Use dodge to cover the launch distance quickly and continue the stun combo. The charge attack can also be a great follow up to stacking small enemies with Palm Vortex.