Overview
The Solitary Suanni is a Normal Boss in Genshin Impact that was added in Version 4.4 - Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze. It's accessible as soon as you reach the new area added, Chenyu Vale. The Solitary Suanni's difficulty is mostly focused around which Elements you bring to the fight, as there are periods where it can be stunned for a long time and multiple ways to do so. Other than that, its attacks are pretty easy to telegraph and avoid, so there should be little trouble defeating it with a little practice. It's considered a Mythical Beast in the Archive, and essentially serves as a boss version of the Xuanwen Beasts, both being mythical creatures with ties to the adepti and a mastery of the Anemo and Hydro Elements. In spite of this, the relation between the two species is unknown, although the Solitary Suanni's Archive entry suggests the theory that the Xuanwen Beasts may be direct descendants, even though this contrasts other theories of their origin and their own Archive entry.
The Solitary Suanni can be found underground directly under Chizhang Wall in Chenyu Vale: Southern Mountain. As of Version 4.4, It's pretty close to the empty space in between Liyue, Sumeru and Fontaine, so it shouldn't be too hard to find on the map.
The location of the Solitary Suanni and the two entrances to its cave.
Archive Bio
These elegant and proud mystical beasts only live in mountains shrouded with adeptal energy.
Since ancient times, they have been considered a good fortune, and their preference for living aloof from the material world has been admired by intellectuals for generations. In ancient legends from Chenyu Vale, the leader of the suanni was called the Mountain Lord and was considered to be of the same standing as the adepti.
Another theory claims that the Xuanwen Beasts that roam the mountains these days are the descendants of the suanni, but that the thinning of their blood over the years has caused them to devolve into violent creatures. Although this contradicts another theory regarding the origin of Xuanwen Beasts, the few records of the suanni often show them attended by a large number of Xuanwen Beasts.
These days, the well-known Wushou Dance in Chenyu Vale came from the movements of the suanni. But since only a handful of people have actually seen such creatures, most can only imagine what they look like. After thousands of years of changes and different artistic interpretations, the Wushou Dance costume head has developed into its current style.
The Solitary Suanni as depicted in the Archive.
Battle Notes
During two of its moves, the Solitary Suanni is vulnerable to various Elements, which will allow you to stun it if you can use the correct Elemental Reaction. Bringing a Cryo Character will allow you to Freeze it during Spirittide Deluge, and inducing any Elemental Reaction involving this Frozen status will stun the beast for a short time. Additionally, during Spiritwind Storm, it's possible to stun it by using Swirl Reactions to destroy the three Spiritwind Pearls it summons.
For F2P players, I would heavily recommend bringing Kaeya as he will be able to Freeze the Solitary Suanni during two of its attacks and trigger Swirl to paralyze it in a third attack, making him excellent for keeping it down when it reaches a certain amount of health. Lisa's quick application of Electro is also useful when triggering Swirl and Superconduct to stun the beast, and Barbara can also be used if there are no better options to inflict Swirl as well. As per usual, Barbara's healing and Noelle's shield are good safety nets if something goes wrong, and both Xiangling and The Traveler are useful for quick damage, although I would avoid using Traveler (Anemo) and Traveler (Hydro) due to the Solitary Suanni's resistance to those Elements.
Otherwise, there are many combinations of characters you can use to efficiently defeat the boss. Quick Cryo attackers such as Kamisato Ayaka or Wriothesley are extremely useful in this fight to stun the Solitary Suanni, and Kamisato Ayaka is actually my preferred DPS for this boss, especially with Artifacts that increase damage against Frozen opponents. Whilst I would mostly avoid using Hydro Characters, Mona may be useful due to her quick application of Hydro for Swirl reactions, and I would recommend any Catalyst user if you have a Cryo Character on your team. Otherwise, prioritize bringing Catalyst users that can trigger Swirl to stun the boss quickly. Really though, the Solitary Suanni's moveset is simple enough that you can just use your favorite Characters to battle, so feel free to go wild. Personally, I just used Kamisato Ayaka as DPS and Furina to heal as a failsafe, but even then I didn't need it at all.
Moveset
Circling Winds, Crashing Waves - The Solitary Suanni will levitate using Anemo before sweeping its tail across the air, dealing 80% AoE Anemo DMG. After this, it will crash into the ground, creating waves of Hydro in front of it that deal 100% AoE Hydro DMG to those close to it. This attack is easy to dodge, as all you need to do is run behind it as it rises in the air.
Slicing Water Blades - The Solitary Suanni's tail will glow blue before it does a backflip, launching a large blade of Hydro that deals 80% Hydro DMG. This attack is repeated twice in a row. To dodge the attack, flee as the Solitary Suanni's tail begins to glow, then Sprint through the blades or to the side of them.
Splash - The Solitary Suanni will summon a pool of water at the player's feet which will soon explode into Hydro energy, dealing 50% AoE Hydro DMG. To dodge this attack, simply Sprint away from the puddle as soon as it forms.
Golden Scalesurge - Anemo energy will cumulate at the Solitary Suanni's tail for a brief moment before it launches numerous giant scales that will home in on the player. Each of these scales will deal 60% Anemo DMG if they hit, and as they will all home in on you this will stack if you aren't careful. This is easy to dodge, however, as you can Sprint straight through the scales. It's also recommended to move away when you see the Solitary Suanni's tail glow yellow and green.
Stomp - The Solitary Suanni will quickly stomp the ground if the player gets too close, dealing 50% AoE Anemo DMG if it hits you. This attack can be dodged by Sprinting away at the right time and can be completely avoided by maintaining enough distance.
Lunge - The Solitary Suanni will imbue itself with Hydro energy before jumping across the arena. This isn't actually an attack as it can't deal damage, but it is still useful as you are able to Freeze the Solitary Suanni while it has been afflicted with Hydro. Using certain Elemental Reactions while it is Frozen will break the Solitary Suanni free but also paralyze it, meaning you can attack it for free without risk of being attacked in turn.
Spirittide Deluge - The Solitary Suanni will imbue itself with the Hydro Element as it begins to charge adeptal energy. While charging, it gains a 200% All RES increase in exchange for being vulnerable to Freeze Reactions while it charges. While the Solitary Suanni charges adeptal energy, it will begin to summon bursts of water around itself and the arena, each dealing 70% AoE Hydro DMG if they hit. After this, it will release four large bursts of water around itself, dealing 200% AoE Hydro DMG if you don't prevent them in time. To avoid being hit, you could either paralyze the Solitary Suanni or Sprint away from the boss, making sure to Sprint if any water starts to form under you. Keeping away from the beast will prevent the larger bursts from hitting you. When Frozen, if another Elemental Reaction that incorporates Cryo is used the Solitary Suanni will be paralyzed and the attack will be canceled. This attack is immediately used when the Solitary Suanni reaches 70% HP.
Spiritwind Storm - The Solitary Suanni will summon 3 Spiritwind Pearls to orbit around it while it begins to charge adeptal energy. While in this state, the Solitary Suanni will gain a 200% All RES increase. The Solitary Suanni will release 4 Anemo shockwaves around itself, each dealing 60% AoE Anemo DMG if they hit you. Eventually, it will release a large burst that deals 200% AoE Anemo DMG and turn any remaining Spiritwind Pearls into Anemo tornadoes that suck the player in, dealing 30% Anemo DMG if they hit. To avoid this attack, you can either paralyze the Solitary Suanni or simply Sprint far away from the Solitary Suanni as the attack starts so the Anemo blasts and the Spiritwind Pearls can't reach you. If you destroy all three Spiritwind Pearls with a Swirl Reaction, the Solitary Suanni will be paralyzed and you will be free to attack it. This attack is immediately used when the Solitary Suanni is at 40% HP.
Drops
After you defeat the Solitary Suanni, you'll be able to use 40 Original Resin to claim various rewards, which can be pulled from the following items:
- Varunada Lazurite (Hydro Character Ascension Material)
- Berserker (Artifact set)
- Instructor (Artifact set)
- Lucky Dog (Artifact set)
- Gladiator's Finale (Artifact set)
- Wanderer's Troupe (Artifact set)
In addition to the rewards from the above loot table, the Solitary Suanni also has a unique drop called the Cloudseam Scale. This appears to be one of the scales from the defeated Solitary Suanni, and it can be used as Character Ascension Material for Xianyun.
A Cloudseam Scale as depicted in the Archive
Writer's Notes
I've had a look at the previous guides I have made and tried to add a few subtle improvements to increase the quality of guides going forward. As always, feel free to leave a comment and like the guide if you enjoyed it and don't forget to ask if there are any questions on Genshin Impact you'd like me to answer. I hope everyone enjoys Version 4.4 and building the long awaited Cloud Retainer for that full Adeptus team. Be sure to follow if you want to see more guides, and have a great day!
