Or, Headcanons of Kaeya In Battle
A/N: This has been gnawing on my brain and rotting in drafts for a while so I thought it was best to get it out of the way. These are completely based on my interpretation of his voiceovers (ENG specifically), in-game animations and some DnD mechanics (if you’re familiar with it, why don’t we try a fun spotting game? Let me know which abilities you can spot in here in the comments!)
As always, you’re welcome to your own interpretation. This is me just having fun (I’m just a girl </3)
Now obviously he uses a sword, but more specifically I see him using a bastard sword.
It suits his versatile nature. Especially as he frequently casts spells with his free hand (as seen in the webtoon where he summons ice walls and the sort) but gives him the freedom to switch to two-handed when blocking or landing a heavy hit.
Though his preference lies with the bastard sword, in formal public appearances I see him with a rapier. It’s something of a silent boast, considering the effectiveness of a rapier heavily depends on footwork and precision— especially since most of the attacks are thrust-based.
Both are techniques Kaeya excels at, making him an intimidating foe in duels— whether it’s ceremony or personal grievance that calls for it.
But like I said, if Kaeya knows he’s facing more than one combatant he’ll always pick the bastard sword, since it allows both slashing and thrusting damage. This is the sword he carries on expeditions or day-to-day knight business.
Now, here comes the matter of range. In his fight animation, he does this little step-bounce back, effectively creating distance. In his fight with Collei, we see him utilising his elemental powers more rather than going in for the kill. Though obviously this is because the whole fight was just a plan to force out her dark power and confirm his suspicions— if he actually wanted her dead, I’m sure the time she spent evading his ice walls was more than enough to land a killing blow. Or so I think so anyway.
This makes me think that Kaeya changes his technique with his combatant. If he is unsure about the true extent of their strength, he will maintain a defensive stance at the maximum possible distance. If however they have a predictable style, he will evade the offensive action but strike immediately during a moment of rest. So he switches constantly between close-range and long-range combat.
Not only does this technique help him analyse the combatant, but it makes him unpredictable in battle. There is no definite way to predict if Kaeya will attack or defend. It’s like flipping a coin, a game of chance.
Another factor of his unpredictability is the way he moves. His strikes and footwork have the elegance of a dancer yet with the sting of death. To the point it’s more of a waltz rather than a deadly fight. It’s easy to get confused by the smooth would-be strikes he flashes, especially when paired with his offensive-defensive switch.
Kaeya’s weakness lies in his durability. Now I’m not saying this man is weak. Both a rapier and bastard sword range from 1.1 - 1.8 kg and though that’s easy to carry, he flings it around in rapid strikes with one arm alone.
But he prioritises dexterity and agility. Compared to a civilian or new recruit, his stamina is formidable. But if you were to compare him with Diluc, the latter lasts longer in battle than Kaeya. Kaeya can hold up a fight, but he drains quick if the battle grows extensive. It’s why he switches to defensive— to recuperate as much as he can without taking a hit.
Thankfully he recognises this and so tries to tire his combatant out early into the fight— focusing on quick strikes and evasion. Given his swift footwork, this is usually a successful technique. But if he’s going up against someone clever enough to read through his strategy— or someone who relentlessly goes on the offensive against him— Kaeya will struggle.
I like to think it’s why his low hp lines get snappy (“You’re getting on my nerves!”, “I’m getting tired of this game.”), he can’t keep up with his growing fatigue. However, that makes him more reckless — and whether that’s a good or bad thing for his combatant relies heavily on chance.
When Kaeya does reach his breaking point, i.e. when his endurance and patience have finally been pushed to their limits, he enters this desperate frenzy.
His stance has more openings, but his strikes get more wild and brutal— he will play dirty. He’s prone to missing, but picks himself up fairly quickly. His elegance turns barbaric, his will to live (and I’ve already mentioned how strong that is in his headcanons) manifesting with every swing of his blade.
If he survives, when this frenzy ends he is immediately weakened. It pains the simp in me to say this but Kaeya would not make it if he was attacked in this state. A healer would be great for him, but there is a sluggishness that comes over him once he’s ready to fight again. To fully recover, Kaeya needs to be rested completely.
Now this was a hard one. If we’re considering a dungeons-and-dragons like set up, I’d say he went with Studded Leather armour. Unfortunately, whether studded leather armour ever existed in our history is another debate altogether.
But assuming if some parts of Teyvat are technologically advanced enough to create elevators and metro-like trains, then why not have them hook studs into leather?
Still, if that doesn’t satisfy you, then you could imagine it more as a brigandine armour set instead.
As I said before, Kaeya seems to specialise speed and dexterity, so either of those seem the perfect choice for him as they provide decent protection along with enough freedom of movement.
I see him personalising it beyond the accoutrements granted to his title. A stray band of blue or gold here or there, a trinket hooked to the boot (as in his in-game outfit- Icy Featherflight). He isn’t above adding a customised fur-lined collar either, distinguishing him with that iconic white fluff. Though it’s a shame it ends up yellowed, limp and splattered with flaking, dried blood once the battle is done. Not to mention what a nuisance the slimy, little lumps of flesh are to pick out from it.
“I suppose it may as well be. Fashion requires sacrifice after all.”
His ceremonial armour however is full steel plate, shined to the likeness of a mirror. It similar to Jean’s and the one Diluc used to wear, bearing the mark of Ordo Favonia on the chest-piece and elaborate, curling gold florals and mythic designs carved into flowing patterns.
As always, he adds his own personal touches (the fur mostly) , but not to the point of completely altering the design. It is his pride as a knight and protector of Mondstadt personified after all, one of the few physical proofs left of a meaning to his beyond his destiny.
Along with the fur, a constant in his armours is his wing-like cape (sorry Edna Mode).
It makes him easily discernible on the field (can’t have his own men stabbing him in the confusion after all) and he often uses it to bind incoming weapons to throw his opponents off balance.
Knowing Kaeya’s flair for the dramatic, I see him using it to confuse his opponent through a sudden, unexpected move that disguises the incoming swing of his blade.
It is designed to be detachable and isn’t directly attached to his armour- I’m thinking something like a harness- and if it gets restrictive, he can easily unclasp it. Especially if caught by an opponent.
No boob window :( . At least when in battle. Kaeya is way too strategic to give the others a free strike to the heart. But don’t worry, most of his civil shirts still do that important social service.
I actually don’t have much for this portion because I’m still unsure of the exact limitations of a vision save for the gameplay mechanics. I think for offence he focuses on quick bursts of energy or something to distract the enemy (think Colour Spray from DnD but make it ice so … Ice spray?).
For a more ranged attack it might be something like Ice Spike from TES, I think he even utilises a similar spell like that in the webtoon? The shard he shoots at Collei.
I think his spells would definitely be more defensive, shields and walls. So he makes up for his lack of durability with it. His Frozen Kiss constellation further demonstrates this with his ice shield.
I think he would work a lot like an Eldritch Knight, a spellsword, and might utilise his cryo vision in the style of abjuration and evocation spells.
A/N: Had a lot of fun with this. But seriously, I’m reading the first of the Malazan: Book of The Fallen series and I’m in love with Paran so much that it’s ridiculous.
