One of the most unique characters inGenshin Impactis none other than its main character, otherwise known as the Traveler or MC, who has the ability to change their element and unlock a new set of skills and mechanics. After unlocking Fontaine, the Traveler gains the power of Hydro, arguably the most important element in the game.
Just like their past elemental counterparts, the Hydro version of the Traveler incorporates core gameplay aspects of Fontaine and the Hydro element, HP-scaling and HP fluctuation mechanics. With Hydro being in demand in team compositions for enabling most Elemental Reactions, the Hydro Traveler’s kit is definitely worth learning.
6Their Elemental Skill Has Both Press And Hold Effects
The Traveler’s Elemental Skill, Aquacrest Saber, performs multiple things depending on whether you tap or hold it.
This Skill is the Traveler’s primary way of applying Hydro, both to deal DMG, as well as enable different Hydro Elemental Reactions.While holding their Skill, you will be unable to move, dodge, or switch characters, so ensure to use your other characters’ abilities before unleashing this Elemental Skill.
5Manage Their HP Fluctuation
Like most Fontaine characters, the Hydro Traveler also undergoesHP fluctuationswhen using their kit. When using thehold versionof their Elemental Skill, if theTraveler’s HP is above 50 percent, its DMG will be increased,and the Traveler will continuously lose their HP.
When the Traveler’s HP falls below 50 percent, they will still continue to lose HP but will no longer benefit from the DMG increase.
Additionally, after unlocking theirfourth Ascension Passive, Clear Waters, using the hold version of the Traveler’s Skill while above 50 percent HP willincrease the DMG of the Torrent Surgeat the end. Pairing them with characters that have powerful off-field healing abilities will be the way to go to keep the Traveler’s HP above 50 percent, and maintain all their buffs.
4HP Substats Are Useful
Despite the Hydro Traveler’s abilities scaling primarily with ATK, they also havesecondary HP scalingwhich allows them to make use ofmultiple statsat the same time. The DMG increase from holding their Elemental Skill while above 50 percent HP will scale from the Traveler’s Max HP.
Moreover, the DMG Bonus to the Torrent Surge granted by their fourth Ascension Passive will also increase based on 45 percent of the HP drained from performing the hold version of their Skill.This means the more HP they have, the more DMG the Hydro bullets and the Torrent Surge will deal.
The maximum DMG Bonus that can be gained by Torrent Surge is five thousand.
3Look Out For Sourcewater Droplets
After unlocking the Traveler’s first Ascension Passive, Spotless Waters, their Elemental Skill will gain an additional effect. When the hold version of their Elemental Skill hits an enemy,a Sourcewater Dropletwill be generated near the Traveler.
One droplet can be created every second, and each use of the Traveler’s Elemental Skill can summon up to four droplets.
You can then pick up these Sourcewater Droplets to restore HP for the Traveler, for up to seven percent of their Max HP.Make use of this mechanic to effectively keep their HP above 50 percent and prevent them from being taken down.
2Constellations Make Them Easier To Use, And They’re Free
One of the things that make the Traveler unique from other five-stars, and characters in general, aside from being able to change their element, is that you canobtain all their Constellations for freejust by progressing through the game. This allows you to gain notable power ups that would’ve required you to spend wishes if it were any other character:
Casting the Hydro Traveler’s Elemental Burst, Rising Waters, will unleash a moving bubble that deals continuous Hydro DMG to enemies it passes by, but it tends to move too fast and will only deal DMG a few times before moving away.Their second Constellation provides a huge quality of life update by making the bubble move a lot slower, allowing it to hit enemies more times.
1They Can Deal Pneuma-Aligned DMG
Characters from Fontaine all have a unique mechanic to them known as their Arkhe alignment, which, like their elemental alignment, allows them to deal either Pneuma (golden) or Ousia (purple) DMG at set intervals. As someone who has been blessed by the Hydro nation’s power, the Hydro Traveler also possesses this ability.
When Ousia and Pneuma meet, either through contact with an enemy or puzzle with the opposite energy as your character, you can trigger Arkhe Annihilation, which will disable enemies or activate puzzles.The Traveler can deal deal Pneuma-aligned DMG every nine seconds through their Elemental Skill.
