There are many different ways to master Genshin Impact, but one great way to progress in the game is to build the best Hydro characters. With so many characters with different functions and abilities, deciding who to build in Genshin Impact can be daunting. However, for players looking to build a team with powerful Elemental Reactions, Hydro users are a great choice. The Hydro element has both great Support and DPS units, meaning players have plenty of options to choose from if they want to build a Hydro unit, and some of the best characters with the element can prove versatile across multiple roles.

While Genshin Impact only has a few Hydro characters compared to other elements, they all thrive within their specific roles, making Hydro one of the best elements in the game. As of now, there are nine playable Hydro characters in Genshin Impact. This includes the 5-Star units Kokomi, Mona, Yelan, Kamisato Ayato, Tartaglia, and Nilou, as well as the 4-Star units Barbara, Candance, and Xingqiu. Players will have to pick which characters they want to build based on their needs and playstyle. All of these characters can be good party members if built properly, but players should prioritize building the best Hydro characters if they have them.

Related: The Best Electro Characters To Build In Genshin Impact

Best 5-Star Hydro Characters To Build In Genshin Impact

Kamisato Ayato standing in the middle of a Hydro effect in Genshin Impact.

Kamisato Ayato is a 5-star sword-wielding Hydro character in Genshin Impact who is best suited for the DPS role. Ayato can perform quick attacks that deal considerable damage, and good Hydro application can enhance that DPS. Ayato’s Elemental Skill deals heavy-hitting Hydro Slashes and also an AoE attack on enemies. His Kyuoka art increases his attack speed and damage, releases an illusion that explodes, and uses up to 15 Hydro slashes. Finally, Ayato’s elemental burst skill increases the attack of other characters present in the zone and unleashes Hydro blades from the sky with high damage stats.

The other main DPS Hydro option for Players is Tartaglia, who can use his fun and unique kit to deal massive amounts of damage. Tartaglia is a powerful character who functions fantastically in a Freeze composition with another Cryo unit, and focusing on leveling up his Elemental Skill can make him a seriously formidable foe. For a 5-Star sub-DPS or support unit, Yelan is an excellent character to build. A strong bow like her Aqua Simulacra can let her do serious off-field damage. Her Elemental Skill allows for both a burst of speed and explosive damage, and her Elemental Burst has excellent AoE possibilities.

Best 4-Star Hydro Characters To Build In Genshin Impact

An illustration of blue-haired Hydro Support Xingqiu in Genshin Impact.

In terms of 4-Star units, Xingqiu is one of the best Sub-DPS units in the game. His Elemental Burst allows him to constantly deal Vaporize damage when paired with a Pyro DPS. Both his Burst and Elemental Skill offer some passive healing, helping to keep his HP up in the midst of battle. Xingqiu is one of the units that players basically need to build if they’re struggling with getting full stars in Spiral Abyss or just want an extra boost of damage during battle. This isn't a character to build because of the 4-star accessibility, but because he can genuinely outperform many 5-star units.

While Barbara and Candace are considered underperforming units by some Genshin Impact players, these 4-Star characters can be perfectly feasible in battle with a good amount of time and investment. The best Barbara character builds offer solid healing and Hydro application, keeping a team that's struggling to stay alive in play against challenging enemies. Candace makes for a solid support, increasing damage with an Elemental Burst that can unfortunately be slow to generate. However, with all of this in mind, as long as players choose characters that interest them most, they’re likely to have a fun time playing and creating combinations with any of these Genshin Impact Hydro units.