Summary
- Version 5.5 of Genshin Impact could introduce a Spiral Abyss designed to counter Neuvillette with enemies resistant to Hydro.
- The rumored Spiral Abyss in Version 5.5 may be the toughest challenge for Hydro characters, addressing powercreep introduced by Neuvillette.
- The growing difficulty in Genshin Impact's Spiral Abyss may pivot away from powercreep, affecting the dominance of Hydro characters like Neuvillette.
Recent information from the Genshin Impact beta servers has revealed that the Spiral Abyss for Version 5.5 could end up being even more difficult for Hydro characters. While the Spiral Abyss in Genshin Impact has evolved heavily since the game's launch, it has arguably never recovered from Version 4.1. Hydro was always considered a premium element and has played a pivotal role in several Spiral Abyss eras, from Ayaka Freeze to Alhaitham Hyperbloom, but it wasn't until the debut of Neuvillette that its dominance in the meta was established.
Neuvillette in Genshin Impact is a premium character in every sense of the word: he has plenty of options for Support but also brings a lot of firepower on his own. Relying on Charged Attacks to deal the bulk of his damage, Neuvillette's gameplay is simple, and there are several ways that players can build a team around him. It's no secret that he's one of the most popular characters in Genshin Impact, as he has already been featured thrice in just a bit over a year since his release.
Genshin Impact Leaks 4-Star Banner Characters for Version 5.5
The latest beta build for Genshin Impact reveals which 4-Star characters will accompany Varesa, Xianyun, Xilonen, and Venti in Version 5.5.
According to data gleaned via HomDGCat, Version 5.5 will introduce a Spiral Abyss designed to counter Neuvillette. While the exact chamber layout is unknown, it implies that both sides will feature enemies that are either resistant or immune to Hydro damage. This could potentially mean the return of both Hydro Heralds and Hydro Tulpas, which would force players to use Electro or Dendro characters in Genshin Impact. It should be noted that the Spiral Abyss in Version 5.5 is rumored to be the most difficult challenge for Hydro characters yet and is likely HoYoverse's latest attempt to address the powercreep introduced by Neuvillette.
Genshin Impact May Be Giving Hydro Its Biggest Challenge Yet in Version 5.5
Previous attempts have largely been responsible for the increase in hit points across all chambers of the Spiral Abyss in Genshin Impact, as the difficulty of clearing Floor 12 has doubled since Version 4.1. This necessitated the creation of stronger hypercarries, such as Arlecchino and Mavuika, but it would seem that HoYoverse is pivoting in a different direction for Version 5.5. Unlike other gachas, Genshin Impact prides itself on limiting the concept of powercreep, but it's become clear that Neuvillette has ushered the game into a new era, leaving a few older characters like Ayato behind.
While certain elements in Genshin Impact have had their rough periods, such as Geo and, most recently, Cryo, it remains to be seen if HoYoverse will commit to lessening Hydro's presence in the meta. After all, not only does it react with every other element, but it could be argued that Hydro enables the best reactions overall. It's certainly something for players to keep an eye on after Version 5.5 launches on March 26, 2025.
Genshin Impact
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 28, 2020
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.
You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.
Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds...
MASSIVE OPEN WORLD
Climb any mountain, swim across any river, and glide over the world below, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery each step of the way. And if you stop to investigate a wandering Seelie or strange mechanism, who knows what you might discover?
ELEMENTAL COMBAT SYSTEM
Harness the seven elements to unleash elemental reactions. Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo interact in all sorts of ways, and Vision wielders have the power to turn this to their advantage.
Will you vaporize Hydro with Pyro, electro-charge it with Electro, or freeze it with Cryo? Your mastery of the elements will give you the upper hand in battle and exploration.
BEAUTIFUL VISUALS
Feast your eyes on the world around you, with a stunning art style, real-time rendering, and finely tuned character animations delivering you a truly immersive visual experience. Lighting and weather all change naturally over time, bringing every detail of this world to life.
SOOTHING SOUNDTRACK
Let the beautiful sounds of Teyvat draw you in as you explore the expansive world around you. Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the soundtrack changes seamlessly with the time and gameplay to match the mood.
BUILD YOUR DREAM TEAM
Team up with a diverse cast of characters in Teyvat, each with their own unique personalities, stories, and abilities. Discover your favorite party combinations and level up your characters to help you conquer even the most daunting of enemies and domains.
JOURNEY WITH FRIENDS
Team up with friends across various platforms to trigger more elemental action, tackle tricky boss fights, and conquer challenging domains together to reap rich rewards.
As you stand atop the peaks of Jueyun Karst and take in the rolling clouds and vast terrain stretching out before you, you may wish to stay in Teyvat a little longer... But until you are reunited with your lost sibling, how can you rest? Go forth, Traveler, and begin your adventure!
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- PC Release Date
- September 28, 2020
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 20, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- April 28, 2021
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
