Hydro Characters Genshin Impact (2025 Guide)
Hydro characters in Genshin Impact play a vital role across all kinds of team setups. Whether you’re freezing enemies in place, boosting Pyro reactions with Vaporize, or triggering Hyperbloom with Dendro and Electro, Hydro units offer unmatched flexibility. From Fontaine’s powerful new additions to long-standing favorites like Xingqiu and Barbara, this guide breaks down each Hydro character based on how well they perform, who they pair best with, and what makes them stand out in today’s version of the game.
All Hydro Characters in Genshin Impact
Here’s how every Hydro character in Genshin Impact stacks up right now:
- S-Tier: Neuvillette, Yelan, Xingqiu, Kokomi
- A-Tier: Tartaglia, Furina, Mona, Ayato
- B-Tier: Barbara, Candace, Hydro Traveler
Let’s dive into what makes each character shine.
Neuvillette – The Charged Shot Monster
Neuvillette has redefined what a Hydro DPS can do. His charged attacks melt through enemies, and his HP scaling gives him natural durability. He excels in both mono-Hydro and reaction-heavy teams.
Role: Main DPS | Best Artifacts: Marechaussee Hunter | Best Pairings: Furina, Baizhu, Fischl
Yelan – Off-Field Hydro Damage
Yelan is a powerful sub-DPS that works similarly to Xingqiu but scales better in late-game builds. Her burst delivers consistent off-field Hydro damage, perfect for Vaporize and Hyperbloom teams.
Role: Sub-DPS
Best Artifacts: Emblem of Severed Fate
Use Case: Quick-swaps, consistent Hydro application
Xingqiu – F2P Friendly, Meta Stable
Even after years, Xingqiu remains one of the best Hydro characters in Genshin Impact. His ability to apply Hydro while off-field makes him a core in National Teams and ideal for Vaporize comps.
Role: Sub-DPS
Best Weapon: Sacrificial Sword
Works With: Hu Tao, Xiangling, Yelan
Sangonomiya Kokomi – Healer with AoE Utility
Kokomi offers unmatched AoE healing while applying Hydro non-stop. She’s irreplaceable in Freeze teams and excels in Spiral Abyss where survivability and status uptime are critical.
Role: Healer / Support
Best Artifacts: Ocean-Hued Clam
Great With: Ayaka, Rosaria, Shenhe
Tartaglia (Childe) – Melee Stance Hybrid DPS
Childe’s ranged and melee stances allow him to switch styles mid-combat, making him flexible and dangerous. He’s great for applying Hydro fast and triggering Vaporize or Electro-Charged reactions.
Role: Main DPS
Artifacts: Heart of Depth
Furina – HP Buffing Support
Furina boosts team performance by converting HP fluctuations into damage. She works best in HP-scaling comps and pairs well with Fontaine characters like Neuvillette.
Role: Off-field Buffer
Best Weapon: Splendor of Tranquil Waters
Team Tip: Pair with high-HP characters
Mona – Burst Damage & Buff
Mona’s burst increases damage taken by enemies, making her great for nuke teams. While her Hydro application is slower, her utility in freeze and vaporize teams is still very relevant.
Role: Support / Burst setup
Artifact Recommendation: Noblesse Oblige
Ayato – Fast Hydro Strikes
Ayato provides fast Hydro slashes, excellent for driving reactions. While not top-tier, he’s easy to build and works well in casual and mid-level Abyss teams.
Role: DPS
Artifacts: Echoes of an Offering
Barbara – Early Game Healer
Barbara is a starter Hydro unit with strong healing, but little value in late-game damage or support. Still, she’s valuable in early Freeze and Hydro-Charged teams.
Role: Healer
Best Use: Overworld support
Candace – Niche Hydro Infusion
Candace enables Hydro infusion for melee units. While fun in co-op and exploration, she’s rarely used in high-tier Spiral Abyss comps.
Role: Utility Support
Artifact Choice: Noblesse Oblige
Hydro Traveler – Basic Utility
The Hydro Traveler offers average Hydro application with minor healing and energy support. Not ideal for serious teams, but decent for exploration.
Role: General Support
Use Case: F2P and overworld
Why Hydro Characters Matter in Genshin Impact
Hydro characters in Genshin Impact are at the heart of many elemental reactions. Their ability to apply Hydro consistently makes them ideal for teams that rely on Freeze (Hydro + Cryo), Vaporize (Hydro + Pyro), and Hyperbloom (Hydro + Dendro + Electro). They’re not just great supports some Hydro units are also top-tier DPS or dual-role units that balance healing and offense.
If you’re looking to build a reliable team in 2025, it’s nearly impossible to ignore the importance of Hydro. From early-game exploration to high-level Abyss clears, Hydro units make every team stronger.
How to Use Hydro Characters Effectively
Hydro characters are most effective when paired with the right reactions:
- Freeze: Combine Hydro + Cryo to lock enemies in place. Use Kokomi or Barbara with Ayaka or Ganyu.
- Vaporize: Pair with Pyro units like Hu Tao or Xiangling. Hydro should come second for more damage.
- Hyperbloom: Use Dendro + Electro + Hydro. Kuki Shinobu and Nahida work great with Yelan or Xingqiu.
Hydro characters also scale well with HP, especially in Fontaine. Knowing when to switch them in and which characters they support best can change the outcome of any battle or Abyss floor.
Hydro Characters and the Genshin Impact Map
Hydro characters in Genshin Impact are some of the most versatile when it comes to map exploration and puzzle-solving. Hydro plays a huge role across multiple regions.
- Fontaine: Naturally, Hydro reigns here. Characters like Neuvillette and Furina gain terrain advantages and special resonance bonuses in Fontaine’s aquatic zones.
- Sumeru Rainforests: Pairing Hydro with Dendro triggers Bloom, Hyperbloom, and Burgeon making characters like Kokomi and Xingqiu essential for clearing mobs and environmental puzzles fast.
- Liyue & Mondstadt: Many puzzles require Hydro activation. Barbara or Mona can trigger water-based mechanisms with ease for early-game exploration.
Across Teyvat, Hydro characters are vital for enabling Freeze, Bloom, and Vaporize making them essential for both combat and environmental interaction.
Best Weapons and Artifacts for Hydro Characters
Equipping the right weapons and artifacts can elevate Hydro characters from good to game-changing. Whether you’re building a healer, sub-DPS, or main carry, here are some top-tier gear suggestions:
Recommended Weapons
- Neuvillette – Tome of the Eternal Flow, Sacrificial Jade (F2P)
- Yelan – Aqua Simulacra, Favonius Warbow
- Xingqiu – Sacrificial Sword, Festering Desire
- Kokomi – Everlasting Moonglow, Prototype Amber
- Tartaglia – Polar Star, Rust
Best Artifact Sets
| Artifact Set | Ideal Users | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Heart of Depth | Tartaglia, Neuvillette | Increases Hydro DMG and Normal/Charged ATK. |
| Noblesse Oblige | Yelan, Xingqiu | Boosts Burst DMG and team ATK. |
| Ocean-Hued Clam | Kokomi, Barbara | Enhances healing and adds bonus damage via bubbles. |
| Tenacity of the Millelith | Support Hydro units | Increases team ATK and shield strength. |
| Emblem of Severed Fate | Xingqiu, Mona | Boosts Energy Recharge and Burst scaling. |
Conclusion
Hydro characters in Genshin Impact play a key role in almost every top-tier team. Whether you’re freezing enemies with Cryo, triggering Vaporize with Pyro, or unlocking Hyperbloom with Dendro and Electro, Hydro makes those reactions possible.
From powerful Fontaine units like Neuvillette and Furina to long-time favorites like Xingqiu and Kokomi, Hydro characters offer unmatched flexibility. They bring healing, support, off-field damage, and even main DPS potential, all while enabling some of the strongest reactions in the game.
If you’re serious about building teams that work in Spiral Abyss, bosses, and exploration, Hydro characters are a must. They’re reliable, easy to pair with other elements, and always useful no matter your playstyle.