I already posted last month on my initial thoughts on Escoffier, but I wanted to go into more detail on which existing Cyro characters that I feel Escoffier helps out the most:

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Ayaka
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In my opinion, Ayaka is the character that is benefits the most from Escoffier. Her primary source of damage is her burst, but due to its it’s rapid cyro application of many small hits, it is ill suited for reverse-melt. So Ayaka is effectively locked into freeze and mono-cryo. Escoffier’s strong off-field cyro damage and massive cyro resistance shred is a massive boon for Ayaka teams.

Ayaka’s burst Soumetsu does 20 hits during it’s 5 second duration (19 initial hits and then a final, stronger one). If all of the hits connect to an enemy, she gets a total scaling of 4143.87 % of at talent level 10. With Escoffier, Ayaka’s burst damage should be roughly on par with what the recent Natlan DPS units are able to achieve (not including Mavuika). Escoffier off-field damage will be a great boom during the downtime while Ayaka is doing normal or charged attacks during and after Soumetsu expires.

The biggest downside is that Ayaka’s burst damage can be quite inconsistent. The damage potential goes down considerably if most (if not all) of the burst doesn’t hit. Freeze does a lot in alleviating this, but positioning is going to be very important. Un-freezable bosses who are mobile or smaller enemies will be the biggest issues.

Alongside Escoffier, Shenhe and Furina should be Ayaka’s best team. However, Yelan could be used instead of Furina since Ayaka can use normal attacks after her burst ends. Mona’s use as a solo hydro has issues due to the hydro application being weak. However, the Omen debuff should last long enough to cover the entire duration of Ayaka’s burst. Mona should work better as a second hydro character with Furina if Shenhe is not available.

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Ganyu
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The 2nd most buffed Cyro character. Actually has access to viable reverse-melt teams, but are difficult to use since Ganyu will be almost exclusively relying on her charged shot. Escoffier will allow Ganyu to use her entire kit, and frozen enemies will make it easier for Ganyu to land her charged shots.

Ganyu has amazing AOE from her burst, Level 2 Aimed shots, and skill. She is also more consistent in how she does damage and is more flexible in her team rotations (thanks to her having 100% uptime on her burst and no cooldown for her aimed shots). It is relatively easy to ensure that Ganyu is constantly getting her hits.

The primary downside is that Ganyu’s raw damage is less impressive compared to other 5* cyro DPS. I also see her as being more restricted in terms of additional teammates. Furina is all but required as the hydro teammate. Yelan cannot be used because Ganyu does not normal attack and Mona’s hydro application is too weak to sustain the freeze reaction for any extended time period. Shenhe should be the best offensive option for the 4th team slot, but Layla could be used instead for some interruption resistance if Shenhe is not available.

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Shenhe
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Shenhe was previously outclassed by more general supports (like Xiolen or Kazuhua) for freeze teams, but she should shine with Escoffier as 3rd most buffed Cyro character.

The main benefit is that Shenhe’s quills can be used to buff Escoffier’s damage even further, in addition to the Cyro main DPS. This should make her very valuable.

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Wriothesley
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Wriothesley is a more recent character who I able to perform quite competently in reverse-melt teams (or as an on-field Cyro-Driver for Mauvika forward-melt teams) so he doesn’t benefit as much from Escoffier’s inclusion.

Despite this, Escoffier should make Wriothesley freeze teams competitive with his existing reverse-melt teams. His main benefit is that his normal attack play style affords him the most flexiblity in terms of hydro teammates. While Furina is still the best hydro option, he can also make effective use of Yelen, Xingiqu, or even a C6 Candace as a solo Hydro option, or combined with Furina as a 2nd hydro option instead of using Shenhe.

His major downside is that outside of his burst (which is not a major focus for him) he is mostly single target focused. Scenarios with multiple enemies could be a struggle.

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Chongyun
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I consider Chongyun to be the 4* character whom is most heavily buffed by Escofffier. He is the closest to a that 4* Cyro characters have to a main DPS due to his elemental infusion and elemental burst.

For a 4* character, he has decent base attack (223 at level 90) and decent multipliers on the initial hit of his elemental skill and the damage from his elemental burst.

While he previously had his reverse melt team, he should be much more consistent with a premium freeze team (Escoffier, Furina, and Shenhe). At C6, he should almost function like a discount Ayaka, in he delivers very good front loaded damage from using his burst (4 hits at C6, 302.6% attack scaling max per hit) and then initial hit from his elemental skill (365.58% max attack scaling).

Chongyun does have his reverse melt teams (his burst has no ICD so every hit of it can trigger melt) and his normal attacks can disrupt freeze by causing shatter. However, I still see Escoffier teams as being quite competitive, to the point that Chongyun may compensate with Noelle for 2nd best 4* main DPS (Gaming being better than both).

In addition, Chongyun would be the best choice for Escoffier if only 4* teammates are being used. This is due to Chongyun’s Cyro infusion being very good for Kaeya and Rosaria in such teams thanks to superior normal attack speed and damage.

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In conclusion, while discussion has focused her being a dedicated Skirk support, I feel that Escoffier is much more than that.

She seems to be designed to make Freeze (and by extension the Cyro element) relevant in the meta again.

I’m really looking forward to her release!