Highlights

• Genshin Impact has original gameplay components and features that go beyond being a Breath of the Wild clone, with a unique element-based combat system and diverse elemental abilities.
• The Hydro element in Genshin Impact has seen a surge of attention with the release of the Fontaine region, introducing characters with innovative HP-related mechanics.
• The game features a variety of Hydro characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, such as the Hydro Traveler offering support abilities, Candace as a powerful support character, and Mona with formidable combat abilities and burst damage potential.

When Genshin Impact first came out in September 2020, many players and reviewers unjustly slapped a "Breath of the Wild clone" tag on it. Sure, there were quite a lot of similarities between the two games that could not really be ignored, but the original features and gameplay components that were implemented in Genshin surely deserve some recognition.

One of the unique aspects present in Genshin Impact is the element-based combat and original elemental abilities and powers of various characters that really diversity the gameplay and makes the game's underlying systems much deeper and more complex than they may seem at first glance.

With a total of seven elements, all of which can combine with each other in unique and destructive ways, the combat system in Genshin Impact is easy to grasp but very difficult to master. One of the most underrated elements in the game is Hydro, which doesn't mean that it does not have some useful and formidable characters to choose from.

Updated on November 18, 2023, by Elara Leclair: The release of the version 4.0 update, introducing the Fontaine region associated with Hydro, has brought the Hydro element into the spotlight. Hydro, traditionally associated with healing and HP mechanics, has seen a surge of attention, especially with the introduction of new characters in the region. Notably, many characters in Fontaine, regardless of their elemental affinity being Hydro, incorporate a unique HP drain and gain mechanic into their kits. This thematic emphasis on HP dynamics is evident in the abilities and playstyles of characters like the Hydro Traveler, Neuvillette, and the recently introduced Furina. As players explore the Fontaine region, they can anticipate encountering more characters with innovative kits centered around these distinctive HP-related mechanics. The upcoming release of Hydro characters like Sigewinne further suggests a continuation of unique and engaging gameplay mechanics within the Fontaine region.

12 Hydro Traveler

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Sword
• Best Role: Sub-DPS

The Hydro Traveler, despite being a character that players can obtain for free, may not meet the high expectations set by some of the newly introduced Hydro characters. In comparison to their Dendro counterpart, who is a solid F2P alternative for other Dendro characters, the Hydro Traveler falls short in terms of their performance. The Hydro Traveler is best suited as a Sub-DPS character, although their low damage modifier limits their potential in this role.

Their additional constellations do unlock some support abilities, making them a viable team member for specific setups, such as a Bloom team alongside characters like Nilou. While this setup allows the team to benefit from Hydro resonance and some support abilities, it doesn't go much beyond that. This is primarily because Hydro Traveler's Hydro application capabilities are lacking when compared to other characters, which diminishes their overall value. In many scenarios, other Hydro characters, including some 4-star options, can perform tasks better than the Hydro Traveler. This leaves the Hydro Traveler with a limited role and less desirability in the game's current meta.

11 Candace

• Rarity: 4-star
• Weapon: Polearm
• Best Role: Support

Candace is one of the latest characters to be introduced in the Genshin Impact 3.1 update for Hydro. As a supporting character, she brings a range of powerful abilities to the party, making her a fun character to include in the team composition. Her biggest strength is enhancing party members' Elemental Normal Attacks with her Elemental Burst. She also has a powerful shield and parry mechanic similar to Beidou that can help mitigate damage and protect the team from harm. She can be a great supplemental damage dealer with her Elemental Burst, and at sixth constellation, she can be a top-notch off-field Sub-DPS.

However, she has some significant weaknesses that make other Hydro units rank higher than her. Her buff is below average compared to other characters, and she has quite a low Elemental Particle generation, making it difficult to utilize her Elemental Burst, which is her biggest strength. Additionally, Hydro infusion from Elemental Burst can be detrimental to some team compositions.

10 Barbara

• Rarity: 4-star
• Weapon: Catalyst
• Best Role: Healer

In the lore of Genshin Impact, Barbara is the Deaconess of the Church of Favonius. She provides care and support to all those who may need it and is a beloved character in the city of Mondstadt. Plenty of characters in the game refer to her general kindness and devotion, not only to the cause of the Knights of Favonius but to the entire city. She is Jean's younger sister and is very much determined to do everything in her power to help her out.

RELATED: Genshin Impact Tier List (March 2021)

Combat is definitely not Barbara's strongest suit. Her normal attack is shooting out water droplets that deal moderate damage even to the weakest of enemies. As for the Elemental Skill, she is able to summon a spinning shield of water around her that heals her and her allies over time. However, players should note that this skill also applies wet status to the active character and could be a little annoying if they are affected by another element. As this skill is very low range, she also doesn't provide great Hydro application.

Her relative lack of attacking prowess does not make Barbara worthless, though. She has a very useful Elemental Burst, known as the Shining Miracle, which immediately restores more than half of the party's HP. If players have her sixth constellation, she can even resurrect a team member. Every party needs a healer just as much as a DPS — Barbara just ranks lower than some because she lacks versatility and additional benefits some other characters provide.

9 Mona

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Catalyst
• Best Role: Support

Mona is quite a quirky character. As an astrologist (which is apparently a real profession in the world of Genshin Impact), she is an incredibly smart and rather straightforward woman. Her blunt nature is not appreciated by other astrologists, which is why she does most of her research on her own. While a lot can be said about her intellectual abilities, she isn't particularly entrepreneurial and often runs into money problems.

As one of the four five-star Hydro characters in the game, Mona's combat abilities are understandably formidable. Her normal attack, Ripple of Fate, emits water splashes at enemies, much like Barbara's, except that her hits are much stronger than anything Barbara could throw at foes.

Mona's Elemental Skill is known as Mirror Reflection of Doom and allows her to deceive enemies by creating explosive Phantoms that deal loads of damage. Finally, with Mona's Stellaris Phantasm Elemental Burst, players can trap enemies within illusory bubbles that not only immobilize them but also make them susceptible to extra damage. In general, players often see her in showcases that highlight her immense burst damage buffing potential. Outside of that, she is most commonly used in freeze teams; with the addition of Dendro, she can also be used in Bloom teams. However, due to her weaker application in comparison to many other Hydro characters, her popularity has taken a hit in recent times.

8 Nilou

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Sword
• Best Role: DPS & Sub DPS

Nilou, an elegant dancer at the Zubayr Theater, has captured the hearts of many fans with her warm personality, involvement in the Archon quest, and unique play style. Her passion for the art of dance is evident in her work, and her enthusiasm during the Archon quest is inspiring. When it comes to her play style, she definitely brings a unique one. As a sub-DPS and Bloom reaction-focused character, she can do massive AOE damage with her Bountiful Cores, a special type of Dendro core she can create. Her second constellation can also apply a strong debuff to enemies, reducing their Hydro and Dendro resistance. Depending on how her Elemental Skill is used, she can be utilized differently.

Nilou's unique skill comes with an important limitation - she can only be used to generate her Bountiful Cores when the team composition consists of Dendro and Hydro units. This can be both beneficial and detrimental, as the AoE damage caused by the cores can deal great damage to enemies while also posing a risk to the team if not balanced with a dedicated healer. This makes Nilou a niche character, as the low availability of both Dendro characters and suitable healers limits her versatility.

7 Tartaglia

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Bow
• Best Role: DPS

Originally hailing from Sheznaya, Tartaglia, also known as Childe, is a valuable addition to any party if they are looking for a Hydro main DPS character. DPS output-wise, he is quite formidable, and for this purpose, players can pick either Ayato or Childe, depending on which character they like better. His normal attacks are ranged bow shots, and he can whip up as many as six consecutive strikes.

His Elemental Skill turns each and every attack into a Hydro DMG strike, with an incredibly powerful Riptide effect added to the mix. Havoc: Obliteration, Tartaglia's Elemental Burst, can take three different forms. These include Flash of Havoc, which entails shooting a Hydro-imbued arrow; Light of Obliteration, which is a slash that deals incredibly high Hydro DMG to all enemies within reach, applying the Riptide effect to each of them; and finally, the Riptide Blast, which explodes enemies who are affected by the Riptide effect. He can be a great asset in Dendro Element-related reactions as well.

6 Kamisato Ayato

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Sword
• Best Role: DPS

Coming in version 2.6, Kamisato Ayato was one of the biggest upsets in the Hydro hierarchy since the release of Tartaglia in version 1.1. A natural DPS with quick-paced heavy-hitting attacks, Ayato has become a Hydro DPS character like no other. Genshin Impact players can rely on Kamisato Ayato for both DPS and support purposes.

Kamisato Ayato utilizes an elemental skill that offers multiple quick-paced Hydro slashes and an elemental burst that creates a nifty AoE that works well for passive applications. On the skill side, once Kamisato Ayato activates his Kamisato Art: Kyouka, he will be able to use up to 15 Hydro slashes (which override his normal attack). These heavily increase attack damage and speed, in addition to an illusion that explodes.

On the elemental burst side, Ayato creates a garden of purity that rains down blades of Hydro-infused damage, much like Ganyu’s elemental burst does. In addition to the obvious damage and Hydro application, Ayato’s burst also increases the normal attack of anybody in the zone. This allows Ayato to fit in any team that requires Hydro Element.

5 Yelan

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Bow
• Best Role: Sub-DPS & Support

Although Yelan is another Hydro bow character right above Childe, her play style is significantly different. Her elemental skill adds a fast-sprint to the game, allowing players to move around much faster during exploration. Furthermore, this skill also generates a string that Yelan can tie around enemies, to apply Hydro damage and inflict great damage.

Overall, her skill helps to supplement the downtime of Main DPS characters extremely well. Her Elemental Burst particularly stands out, dealing great Hydro DMG when used with an Active character's normal attack, as well as applying Hydro application. She is a great unit that is suitable for a variety of team compositions and is especially effective in Vaporize and Bloom teams. To maximize her effectiveness, she may require a few constellations to improve her weaknesses, such as her energy regeneration and slightly inconsistent Hydro application with her burst.

4 Xingqiu

• Rarity: 4-star
• Weapon: Sword
• Best Role: Support

Xingqiu is an incredibly versatile 4-star character that has been a staple in many teams, often replacing 5-star characters. His Elemental Skill generates rain swords around him that deal Hydro damage to enemies while also providing protection: each time the active character takes damage, a rain sword will shatter to reduce the damage taken. This skill also increases the character's resistance to interruption.

Xingqiu's Elemental Burst is an extremely valuable attack that is quite similar to Yelan's burst. This attack generates rain swords that attack the active character with their normal attacks. Although the damage of these attacks is not as strong as Yelan's, Xingqui provides a more consistent Hydro application, and his passive skill will also slightly heal the active character once the rain swords expire. Furthermore, as he is a 4-star character, he is relatively easier to obtain constellations for, which allows him to reduce Hydro resistance on enemies inflicted by the swords and further increase the damage. He takes the spot as the best 4-star Hydro character due to the utility and versatility he brings to the party, as well as being relatively easy to build.

3 Sangonomiya Kokomi

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Catalyst
• Best Role: Healer

The head priestess of Watatsumi Island, Kokomi Sangonomiya is known in the story as the strategic genius that led the Resistance against the Inazuma Shogunate. However, amongst Hydro users, Kokomi is more than just a strategist. She is an excellent healer, Hydro applier, and a character with fairly limited weaknesses.

This isn't to say that Kokomi is completely without disadvantages, though. She does have a passive that reduces her critical hit rate in exchange for healing; players should not expect to be using Kokomi as a critical hit DPS anytime soon. However, Kokomi does redeem herself a little, based on her passives and elemental burst. During her elemental burst, Nereid's Ascension, her healing and attack are increased scaled to her HP, and her 4th passive increases this further based on her Healing Bonus.

In terms of support and healing ability, Kokomi excels as a mix of the two. Kokomi's healing is tied to the bake-kurage spawned by her elemental skill, Kurage's Oath, which both heals nearby teammates and attacks her foes. In this way, Sangonomiya Kokomi can both apply Hydro status and heal with her skill, increasing overall strength with her elemental burst. With the addition of Bloom to the Elemental Reaction, Kokomi is now much more popular for team compositions.

2 Neuvillette

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Catalyst
• Best Role: Main DPS

Neuvillette, introduced to players as the Iudex of Fontaine among his many other roles, plays a pivotal role in the Fontaine Archon quest and possesses considerable power both in the game's lore and in terms of gameplay. He stands out as an excellent main DPS character, offering a unique mechanic that allows him to hover and move while utilizing his charged attacks. These charged attacks unleash a powerful water beam that deals devastating damage to any enemy in its path. When built correctly, Neuvillette currently ranks as the best Hydro DPS character, surpassing Ayato and Tartaglia, thanks to his straightforward and easy-to-use charged attack. This aspect contributes to a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience for players.

Additionally, since Neuvillette scales with HP and features HP drain and self-healing mechanics, he can greatly benefit from Hydro Resonance. He can fit seamlessly into a wide variety of team compositions that rely on different elemental reactions, making him a versatile choice for players looking to diversify their rosters. All these considered, Neuvillette is a powerful and unique DPS character who offers a refreshing and engaging gameplay experience, which makes him deserve the high spot he currently has.

1 Furina

• Rarity: 5-star
• Weapon: Sword
• Best Role: Off-field support

Furina, long-awaited and finally playable with the release of the version 4.2 update in the Fontaine region, has proven to be one of the most versatile Hydro characters introduced. Her gameplay mechanics showcase a unique combination of off-field DPS, healing, and support abilities, making her a standout addition to the roster. Furina's distinctive feature lies in her ability to transform her appearance and summon by a simple charged attack, offering players the flexibility to switch between DPS and healer roles seamlessly.

What sets Furina apart is not only her adaptability but also the synergy she brings to the team. Her Elemental Burst provides a team-wide buff based on HP gain and drain percentage stacks, surpassing even the support capabilities of characters like Kazuha. This dynamic playstyle allows Furina to contribute significantly to both offense and support aspects of the team composition even without any constellations. Furthermore, Furina's ability to utilize both Arkhe variants adds an extra layer of utility during exploration and puzzle-solving, showcasing the depth of her kit. In short, Furina stands out as a character offering a refreshing and innovative approach to Hydro gameplay, and with that, being the best Hydro character up to date.

MORE: Genshin Impact: Other Games With Insane Gacha Features