Diving Deep into the Waters of Teyvat: A Comprehensive Guide to Hydro Characters in Genshin Impact
Hydro is vital to Teyvat. It may be the most versatile element in Genshin Impact. If you’ve ever seen enemies soaked and thought, “Who are these Hydro duelists causing chaos?” you’ve arrived at the right place. Let’s explore Hydro characters, from Archons’ tragic tales to top-tier DPS units. Get ready for a lot of knowledge.
The Splish-Splash Squad: An Overview of Hydro Heroes
Hydro characters do more than just wet their foes. They excel in reactions and heal when needed. Some even unleash serious damage, making enemies regret their choices. From stoic overseers to lively idols, the Hydro roster mirrors the ocean’s depth. Let’s meet the key players.
Individual Deep Dive: Hydro Character Analysis
Now, we analyze each Hydro champion. We will look at strengths, quirks, and why they might fit into your Genshin strategy.
Furina: The Fallen Archon, Still a Force
First is Furina, a former Hydro Archon. Her past is stormy like Monstadt’s monsoons. Picture being Justice for 500 years, only to admit it was an act, revealing you are human. That’s dramatic irony! Post-Archon life, she still proves valuable. Ignore whispers of ‘weakest Archon.’ She’s a genuine support.
Furina’s middle name is versatility, assuming Archons had one. She combines healing, damage amplification, and energy generation like a Fontaine magician. Need someone to sustain your team while boosting damage? Furina delivers. Her kit is pure support magic. Gameplay-wise, even after losing her Archon title, she performs great.
Imagine Furina as the ultimate utility Hydro unit. While she won’t solo domains soon, she ensures your DPS shines bright. Plus, who doesn’t appreciate a bit of Archon angst? It adds a charming layer to your team dynamics.
Kokomi: The Pearl of Wisdom and Hydro Application Queen
Next is Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island. Debates arise about her role; is she DPS or support? The answer: yes to all. Kokomi embodies versatility wrapped in strategic elegance.
Her Hydro delivery is where Kokomi shines best. Want a constant flow of Hydro? Kokomi is your choice. On or off-field, she applies Hydro like a professional. Vaporize, Bloom, Electro-Charged – Kokomi facilitates them instantly. Her healing ability is unmatched; she’s arguably the best Hydro healer in game.
While crits are not part of Kokomi’s repertoire (thanks to her passive), her damage can still impress when equipped properly. She balances solid damage with health and Hydro application. With Kokomi, you gain reliability and stunning visuals. Plus, her strategist vibe aids any team composition led by you, the Traveler.
Yelan: The Enigmatic Hydro Sub-DPS Powerhouse
So, is Yelan Hydro? Absolutely yes. She’s a sub-DPS and support that surpasses many main DPS characters. Often likened to Xingqiu, Yelan creates her niche with impressive damage and off-field Hydro application.
Yelan focuses heavily on damage while applying Hydro stealthily. Her Elemental Burst decimates enemies while your on-field DPS takes charge. She acts like a silent assassin of Hydro warfare, ensuring foes remain soaked while their health dwindles. If you want a team damage boost without hogging the limelight, Yelan is your go-to.
This powerhouse fits in numerous team setups, working excellently with Pyro DPS for Vaporize reactions or Electro characters for Electro-Charged action. Every player hopes to pull Yelan from wishes. Her sleek design and mystery add to her appeal.
Neuvillette: The Supreme Hydro DPS Dragon
Next is Neuvillette, Chief Justice of Fontaine and renowned as the strongest Hydro DPS now. He isn’t just a judge; he’s a powerhouse for Hydro damage output. Forget minor streams; Neuvillette unleashes serious torrents with charged attacks.
His charged attacks are potent and lethal. They are not average shots; they are massive beams of Hydro destruction that devastate enemies instantly. Setting up is essential—his Skill and Burst create Sourcewater Droplets to fuel these attacks. Once you find his rhythm, he becomes a swirling storm of pain.
Comparisons to heavyweights like Ei (Raiden Shogun) and Zhongli are justified. Neuvillette holds his own among top-tier DPS characters, capable of tackling challenges with fearsome efficiency. Learn his rotation and droplet management, and you will see shocking Hydro damage. For witnessing enemies evaporate under Hydro’s force, Neuvillette fits the bill.
Mona: The Astrologer on a Budget (and Hydro Applier Extraordinaire)
Mona Megistus is the astrologist often short on Mora. Don’t let her financial status fool you; she boasts impressive Hydro powers and utility. She lives on the impoverished edge but excels in Hydro application and damage boosts.
Mona’s Hydro application is surprisingly effective. Her Elemental Skill applies Hydro twice, perfect for reactions. Her Elemental Burst shines with in-depth functionality; it applies Hydro while debuffing foes and boosting damage taken. It’s like a Hydro nuke packed with bonus damage. Want larger numbers? Mona is your woman.
Mona’s relationship with Barbeloth Trismegistus (or “B”) adds depth to her lore. “B,” part of the Hexenzirkel (coven of witches), is an adept hydromancer. Training under him sheds light on Mona’s powerful abilities. Pity she didn’t learn budget management from him as well—perhaps he was too busy with hydromancy.
Xingqiu or Mona? That’s a common query. Xingqiu reigns as king of consistent Hydro application while Mona shines in burst strategies. Each holds unique value; it’s akin to contrasting apples and magically enhanced oranges.
Childe (Tartaglia): The Mischievous Fatui Harbinger with Hydro Blades
Tartaglia, known as “Childe,” serves as the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger—and yes, he’s playable as Hydro character. Don’t let his Bad Guy affiliation deter you; Childe offers distinctive dynamics with a stance-switching mechanic that adds flavor.
Childe’s gameplay focuses on switching between ranged bow skills and melee Hydro blades mode. His melee stance allows for rapid attacks against enemies. He requires some skill management to maximize uptime in melee mode. When played well, Childe transforms into a whirlwind of slashing waters that decimate foes with style.
Beneath his Fatui facade (the antagonists), Childe boasts charm and charm alone…
He is popular and effective. His playstyle is unique on the Hydro roster. It’s more aggressive and melee-focused than other Hydro characters. Playing a villain has charm, even if he applies Hydro very well.
Xingqiu: The Bookish Hydro Application King
Xingqiu, the young master of Feiyun Commerce Guild, is a keen reader. He is known as the best Hydro applier in the game. This four-star character consistently performs better than five-stars in Hydro application and off-field support.
Xingqiu’s Elemental Skill and Burst apply Hydro effectively. His Rain Swords circle your active character, applying Hydro to foes while giving interruption resistance and minor healing. His Burst unleashes Hydro swords with your normal attacks. This creates a steady flow of Hydro application. Vaporize, Electro-Charged, Bloom – Xingqiu fuels them all smoothly.
Nilou: The Dancer of Bloom (and Hydro Support)
Nilou shines as a Hydro support who focuses on Bloom reactions. If you have a Bloom-centric team, Nilou is the essential dancer. She transforms Bloom reactions into Bountiful Cores that explode faster with greater damage.
Nilou’s kit maximizes Bloom damage. She boosts Elemental Mastery for your team while enhancing Bloom reactions. While she is niche compared to other Hydro supports, she’s vital in Bloom teams. She takes strong Bloom reactions and increases their power, turning Dendro cores into deadly Hydro attacks.
If you enjoy the chaos of Bloom reactions and want to demolish foes with Dendro cores, Nilou is your character. She proves that specialization can lead to domination. Who wouldn’t want a graceful dancer leading their team to victory with explosive plant-life?
Navia: Wait, Hydro Main DPS?
Wait… Navia? Described as a Hydro Main DPS? There seems to be some confusion. Navia is actually a Geo character, known for her strong Geo damage and Crystallize reactions. Perhaps there was an elemental mix-up in the notes. Navia does great Geo damage but is not Hydro. We make mistakes with Genshin Impact elements. Let’s note this as “minor elemental misidentification” and move on.
Egeria: The OG Hydro Archon
Egeria is the original Hydro Archon, the Mistress of Many Waters. She predates Focalors (and Furina), and her story is part of Fontaine’s history. Egeria granted Oceanids human forms through the Primordial Sea. Her legacy is vital in Fontaine’s lore, even though she is absent in today’s storyline.
Egeria’s legacy is tied to the essence of Fontaine. She shaped the land and its people, setting the stage for events in-game. While we do not play as Egeria, her impact is felt throughout Fontaine’s story, making her a crucial historical figure in Hydro lore.
Hydro Traveler: The Elemental Tourist (Not Exactly Top Tier)
Lastly, we have the Hydro Traveler. The Traveler tries out new elements like they are sampling food. Yes, the Hydro Traveler exists, but they do not set the meta ablaze. Their kit? Quite underwhelming compared to other Hydro characters.
The Hydro Traveler has a limited role and less desirability in the current meta. Their Hydro application lacks power, their damage is minimal, and their support capabilities are outclassed by most Hydro support units. While it’s cool to resonate with Hydro, it’s often better to choose other elements or dedicated Hydro characters for better performance. The Hydro Traveler feels like a vacation souvenir — nice to have but not very useful back home.
Hydro Element: The Best Element in Teyvat?
Is Hydro the top element in Genshin Impact? Many argue this point, and rightly so. Hydro features strong reactions, great synergy with other Hydro characters, and superb versatility, hard to match elsewhere. While Geo and Cryo have specific niches, Hydro’s adaptability makes it often rank highest in the elemental hierarchy.
Hydro reactions are the main event. Vaporize with Pyro, Electro-Charged with Electro, Bloom with Dendro, Freeze with Cryo – Hydro plays a part in powerful reactions across the game. This reaction variety increases Hydro character value in many team compositions. Adding two Hydro characters provides extra HP through Hydro Resonance, enhancing survivability.
However, even strong elements have weaknesses. Hydro’s biggest weakness is Cryo. Freeze can be frustrating, and Cryo shields are tough for Hydro to break alone. But with these weaknesses accounted for, Hydro’s strengths typically outweigh drawbacks, making it a consistently favored element.
And just to clarify, when discussing “Hydro One competitors” in Genshin Impact, we do not refer to energy companies like Enbridge or Kaiser Aluminum. Those are real energy companies. In Genshin, Hydro’s competitors are elements competing for team spots and reaction supremacy. Consider Pyro for direct damage, Dendro for fresh reaction strategies, or Electro for AoE chaos. But often, Hydro stands out due to its versatility and reaction power.
Hydro Hierarchy: Rankings and Comparisons
Let’s settle some debates about the Hydro ranks now. Who ranks as best? Who is… least best? Let’s explore some comparisons and rankings.
Best Hydro Character: A Matter of Perspective (But Maybe Neuvillette?)
Who ranks as the best Hydro character in Genshin Impact? This largely depends on your needs. For pure DPS, Neuvillette is at the top. His Hydro damage output is impressive, making him a leading contender. However, “best” can also mean “most versatile” or “most impactful overall.” In this regard, characters like Xingqiu and Yelan also excel due to their remarkable Hydro application and support abilities. Kokomi stands out as the best healer while Furina serves as versatile support too. Priorities and team composition shape “best.”
Weakest Hydro Character: Sorry, Hydro Traveler
Who gets labeled the weakest Hydro character? Sadly, that goes to the Hydro Traveler. Although no character is truly “useless,” the Hydro Traveler’s abilities are simply outdone by other units in nearly all areas. They lack damage of DPS characters, healing of healers, and Hydro application of focused supports. They’re kind of just there. Hopefully, they will receive buffs in future updates.
As for other “weak” characters mentioned in lore (Layla, Barbara, Dori, Nilou, Charlotte, Kaveh, Furina, Xinyan), rankings come from in-game lore strength instead of gameplay strength. Many of these characters (like Furina and Nilou) are strong and relevant meta-wise in gameplay. Lore strength differs from gameplay strength.
Best Hydro Healer: Kokomi, No Contest
Who emerges as the best Hydro healer? This one is easy: Kokomi. Her healing stands unmatched among Hydro characters while delivering respectable damage and effective Hydro application. If you need a Hydro healer, Kokomi sets the standard.
Strongest Hydro DPS: Neuvillette Takes the Crown
Who claims the title for strongest Hydro DPS? Once more, Neuvillette earns the crown. His charged attack damage remains exceptional which makes him the leading damage dealer in today’s game. Childe also performs well as a strong DPS option with varied playstyle but for raw damage alone, Neuvillette reigns supreme.
Xingqiu vs. Mona: The Application King vs. The Burst Queen
Is Xingqiu or Mona better? It depends on your needs. Xingqiu is the best Hydro applier. He provides reliable Hydro application for reactions. Mona shines in burst damage and damage amplification. She suits one-shot compositions or maximizing damage. They each fill different roles.
Hydro Application: Making it Rain Reactions
Hydro application is key for triggering reactions. Some characters excel here. Let’s discuss the ones that bring the most hydration to your party.
Hydro Application Masters: Xingqiu, Kokomi, and Yelan
Who has better Hydro application? Xingqiu leads in Hydro application. His Rain Swords and Burst are powerful. Kokomi follows close behind, providing consistent Hydro application. Yelan also delivers strong off-field Hydro, though it’s less reliable than Xingqiu. Still, her damage is high.
These three characters are essential Hydro applicators for reaction-based teams. Whether you’re creating vapor with Pyro, electro-charging with Electro, or blooming with Dendro, these Hydro heroes will keep your foes soaked. This way, reactions trigger consistently and reliably.
Hydro Archon: Gods, Thrones, and Sovereigns
The Hydro Archon is a powerful and intriguing figure. Let’s explore this mystery surrounding Fontaine’s deity.
Who is the God of Hydro? Meet Furina (Formerly Focalors)
Who is the god of hydro Genshin? The official Hydro Archon is Furina. She holds titles like the God of Justice and Focalors. Yet, the situation is complex. In Fontaine’s storyline, Furina acted as Archon while Focalors executed a devious plan. This lasted for 500 years.
The Hydro Archon’s Lineage: Egeria and Focalors
The Hydro Archon title belonged to two figures: Egeria, the first Hydro Archon, and Focalors, her successor. Egeria created human-like Oceanids using the Primordial Sea. Focalors, in a plan to restore power to the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, sacrificed herself, making Furina a human.
The Archon’s Form: Teenager with a Sword?
Is the Hydro Archon a child? No, Furina, the current Hydro Archon, appears as a female teenager model. She wields a sword. The Dendro Archon is a young boy who uses a catalyst. Archon forms and weapons vary by element.
The Demise of the Hydro Archon Seat
Is there a Hydro Archon? Technically, no Hydro Archon exists in the traditional sense now. Focalors sacrificed herself. The divine authority shifted to Neuvillette, the Hydro Dragon Sovereign. Furina remains but has no Archon status. The Hydro Archon seat is destroyed, altering Fontaine’s power structure.
First Hydro Character: A Question Lost to the Tides of Time
Who was the first hydro character? This question lacks a clear answer. Genshin Impact’s launch included multiple Hydro characters like Barbara, Mona, and Xingqiu. It is unclear who was *technically* first, as they all came in the initial roster. Perhaps it’s a mystery for Sumeru scholars.
And there you have it – a look into Hydro characters of Genshin Impact. From Archons to astrologers to dragons and supports, the Hydro element features fascinating characters. Embrace the Hydro and rain upon your enemies (metaphorically… or literally with Mona).
