Genshin Impact 4.0: How Hydro Traveler Compares To Other Elements (2024)

Genshin Impact 4.0’s new Hydro Traveler is a big change in comparison to their other elemental forms so far, offering a different type of gameplay. The new version not only started the third year of planned content for the action RPG but also introduced the region of Fontaine, otherwise known as the Nation of Justice. This area of Teyvat is led by the Hydro Archon and, as such, is also considered the Nation of Hydro. With this region’s affinity to the water-based element, the Traveler can now absorb the power of Hydro and use it in combat.

So far, the main character had unlocked Anemo in Mondstadt, Geo in Liyue, Electro in Inazuma, and Dendro in Sumeru. Now, the Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0 allows for a different approach to gameplay, with more focus on damage output than supporting abilities – though support is not completely out of consideration. This specific gameplay kit, which is unlocked by interacting with a Statue of the Seven in Fontaine, may be considered somewhat better than a few previous ones, while still standing far away from the potential of others that have already been introduced.

Related:

How The New Hydro Traveler Works In Genshin Impact

The Hydro Traveler’s gameplay kit in Genshin Impact 4.0 focuses on dealing damage and boosting that damage via HP loss prompted by the usage of their Elemental Skill. This will require them to stay continuously on the field, which prompts them to become the team’s main DPS character. Hydro Traveler has a way of recovering HP lost to the drainage mechanic, thus easing off the pressure on the team’s healer. At C6, the character gets a support skill, which allows them to heal a nearby party member based on their own Max HP% – as their build is required to have a high HP count, this could be effective.

Anemo Traveler Vs. Hydro Traveler In Genshin Impact

Comparing the Anemo Traveler and the Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0 may be the most just comparison, as both are somewhat focused on dealing damage, though each does it in their own way. The Anemo Traveler thrives at being a sub-DPS character that contributes with Swirl reactions boosted by Elemental Mastery, while the Hydro Traveler takes to the field to deal pure Hydro damage boosted by traditional DPS stats, such as ATK and a gold standard 2:1 CRIT DMG / CRIT Rate distribution. When it comes to the overall damage output, the Hydro Traveler has more potential, as that is their main focus with this kit.

On the other hand, however, the Anemo Traveler can be considered a better contributor to a team comp, as they can trigger Swirl reactions and allow a much better main DPS to take the stage. While the Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0 can help a multiplayer team with healing, they only do that at C6, which can take a while to unlock. They can help with Hydro application, but when playing solo, this elemental spread may be suboptimal, as it quickly dissipates and the only way of getting off-field Hydro application is through their Burst, which demands too much energy to use.

Geo Traveler Vs. Hydro Traveler In Genshin Impact

Another fair comparison is putting the Geo Traveler and Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0 side by side. Their two gameplay kits are focused on dealing damage and operating as the team’s main DPS character. While both do that job poorly in comparison to other 5-star heroes available in the playable roster, the Hydro Traveler may actually be better than Geo Traveler. This is because the Geo Traveler has a series of complicated scaling issues and is poorly rounded out. The Geo constructs created by their powers can deal a great amount of damage, but they can also be an obstruction in the middle of the field.

Related: Genshin Impact: It’s About Time The Traveler Gets A New Outfit

Additionally, the main Elemental Reaction involving Geo, namely Crystallize, does not contribute with damage, only creating shields, which in turn are less effective than those created by shielder characters. The Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0, in opposition, has a much more direct build and can contribute with more damage – if they have a strong off-field DPS, the Traveler can mix their own attacks to prompt continuous Elemental Reactions that put them in a much better position than the Geo Traveler. The Geo Traveler is best used for exploration purposes, as the Geo constructs can help reach higher locations.

Electro Traveler Vs. Hydro Traveler In Genshin Impact

To compare the Electro Traveler and the Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0, it is necessary to evaluate each of them in their own roles in a team comp. The new Hydro form is focused on dealing damage in the main DPS slot, while the Electro form takes on a support role, applying Electro for others to trigger Elemental Reactions, as well as helping with the group’s Energy Recharge rate. The Electro Traveler is a suboptimal support battery character when compared to other heroes, but they do contribute a lot to a team comp in this aspect. Pairing them with a solid build can see them continuously recharging Bursts.

The Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0 is a suboptimal DPS altogether, even when not directly compared to some of the best heroes for the job. They have better scaling than Geo Traveler, but their overall damage output is still minimal. As such, the Hydro Traveler relies on very strong teammates, capable of dealing damage through off-field skills and subsequent Elemental Reactions. Because of this, Electro Traveler seems to be a better individual choice than the Hydro Traveler, as they can help the team more rather than rely on other characters to do their own job.

Dendro Traveler Vs. Hydro Traveler In Genshin Impact

Debatably the best form so far (and possibly the only actual good one), the Dendro Traveler poses the most significant competition for the Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0. Like the Electro Traveler, the Dendro form of the main character is focused on providing support for the team instead of dealing damage. The Dendro Traveler is a great support hero, capable of spreading Dendro effectively and triggering various Bloom-based Elemental Reactions for immense damage output. This character can essentially set the stage for some of the best damage-dealing teams to operate.

In its own role in a team comp, the Dendro Traveler is much better than the Hydro Traveler in Genshin Impact 4.0, as they do not rely on others to adequately work. Prioritizing the Hydro Traveler over the Dendro Traveler is not recommended, as the new Fontaine-empowered version is not nearly as valuable as the one unlocked in Sumeru. While the gameplay kit concept for the Hydro Traveler seems interesting, it does translate into actual gameplay value, leaving the Dendro Traveler in Genshin Impact as the best form of the character so far.