Best Hydro characters in Genshin Impact, ranked

Genshin Impact‘s roster expands with every patch, and with Fontaine taking a bow as we prepare to set off to the upcoming nation of Natlan, Hydro characters got a lot of love during the 4.X versions.

Since collecting characters is the main mechanic of Genshin, you’ll often find yourself low on pulls, so it’s important to know which units are worth your resources. To help you make the right choice in collecting the best units, below you can find the best Hydro characters ranked by their strength, utility, and overall value.

How many Hydro characters are there in Genshin Impact?

As one of the best elements in Genshin, Hydro is the most flexible one because it has access to a ton of elemental reactions. Although Hydro was considered a defensive element in the beginning, its current stacked roster has everything covered from DPS to healers, and utility supports. As of writing, there are currently 10 five-star and three four-star Hydro units, but only some fit the criteria of the best Hydro characters.

6) Ayato

Ayato is a powerful Hydro DPS who also has decent supporting capabilities thanks to his big Elemental Burst. Although he’s mostly a damage dealer, he can also function as a sub-DPS in a quick-swap team. He mostly excels in AoE scenarios and he’s a very flexible Hydro carry that fits a lot of teams. Thanks to his unique and valuable kit, he has access to some of the best elemental reactions, such as Bloom, Hyperbloom, and Vaporize. 

5) Sangonomiya Kokomi

If you’re looking for a powerful Hydro healer with amazing Hydro application, then Sangonomiya Kokomi is the perfect unit for you. She’s arguably one of the best healers in Genshin who has a strong Hydro off-field application, making her versatile and valuable to have. Sangonomiya Kokomi performs the best in Freeze team comps and Dendro teams and as a healer with a ton of utility and easy build, she can make any account stronger.

4) Xingqiu

He deals off-field damage, has the best Hydro application, has damage reduction, and small heals. Xingqiu does it all and he’s only a four-star you can get for free, and the best part is, his Constellations make him even better. As a Hydro sub-DPS with a ton of utility, the amount of value he brings to the table is unmatched, and he’s often regarded as one of the best characters in Genshin.

3) Yelan

If one Xingqiu wasn’t enough, then having two of them is the way to go. Yelan is a strong five-star Hydro sub-DPS that deals big off-field damage. While Yelan’s Hydro application is weaker than Xingqiu’s, she deals more damage and even boosts the damage of your main DPS. If that’s not enough, Yelan makes exploration a breeze with her Elemental Skill, making her one of the best units to have.

2) Neuvillette

Neuvillette is the Iudex of Fontaine, and as the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, he’s the strongest damage dealer in Genshin. He’s easy to play, and he excels in both single-target and AoE situations. As the strongest Hydro DPS, Neuvillette has a ton of team options, and thanks to his front-loaded damage, he can help you clear the Spiral Abyss easily, making him a must-have character. 

1) Furina

This comes as no surprise to anyone, but Furina is the best Hydro unit you can get. She’s the Hydro Archon that has outstanding buffing capabilities and big off-field damage potential. Although she drains the health bar of her team members, Furina makes it up with her massive buffs and the damage she brings. She’s so powerful and flexible, and she makes every other character better.