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 the power creep introduced by Neuvillette.
• The increasing difficulty in Genshin Impact’s Spiral Abyss may pivot away from power creep, 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 be increasingly difficult for Hydro characters. Although the Spiral Abyss in Genshin Impact has evolved significantly since the game’s launch, it has arguably never bounced back from Version 4.1. Hydro has always been a prestigious 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 fully established.

Neuvillette in Genshin Impact is a premium character in every sense: he offers a plethora of options for Support while also providing significant damage on his own. Relying on Charged Attacks for most of his damage output, Neuvillette’s gameplay is straightforward, with various ways players can build a team around him. It’s widely acknowledged that he’s one of the most sought-after characters in Genshin Impact, having been featured thrice since his release.

Genshin Impact May Be Giving Hydro Its Biggest Challenge Yet in Version 5.5

Previous attempts have largely contributed to increased 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 led to the creation of stronger hypercarries, such as Arlecchino and Mavuika, but it appears that HoYoverse is shifting direction for Version 5.5. Unlike other gachas, Genshin Impact prides itself on limiting power creep, but Neuvillette’s introduction has evidently ushered in a new era, leaving some older characters like Ayato behind.

While certain elements in Genshin Impact have struggled through rough periods, such as Geo and recently Cryo, it remains uncertain if HoYoverse will diminish Hydro’s prominence in the game. After all, given that Hydro reacts with every other element, it arguably enables the best reactions overall, making it a key character to watch after Version 5.5 launches on March 26, 2025.