What is the best way to counter the Hydro Abyss Herald in Genshin Impact?

The Hydro Abyss Herald is one of the more challenging enemies in Genshin Impact, especially due to its ability to summon a Hydro shield that significantly reduces incoming damage. To effectively counter this enemy, you need to understand its mechanics, utilize the right elemental reactions, and build a team that can exploit its weaknesses. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to tackle the Hydro Abyss Herald.

First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of the Hydro Abyss Herald. This enemy has two phases. In the first phase, it uses Hydro-based attacks and can summon water blades to strike from a distance. Its attacks are relatively easy to dodge, but the real challenge comes in the second phase. When its health drops to a certain point, the Hydro Abyss Herald activates a Hydro shield. This shield absorbs a significant amount of damage, making it difficult to deplete its health further. The key to breaking this shield is to use Cryo or Electro elements, as these elements are particularly effective against Hydro shields.

To counter the Hydro Abyss Herald, you should focus on a team composition that includes characters with strong Cryo or Electro abilities. Cryo characters like Ganyu, Ayaka, or Rosaria are excellent choices because their Cryo attacks can freeze the Herald and deal consistent damage to its shield. Electro characters such as Fischl, Beidou, or Raiden Shogun are also effective, as their Electro attacks can trigger Electro-Charged reactions, which deal additional damage over time.

When building your team, consider including a healer or shielder to sustain your team during the fight. Characters like Zhongli, Diona, or Bennett can provide both healing and shielding, ensuring your team stays alive while you focus on breaking the HeraldÔÇÖs shield. Additionally, having a character with strong crowd control abilities, such as Venti or Sucrose, can help manage the HeraldÔÇÖs movements and keep it in place for your DPS characters to deal damage.

In terms of artifacts and weapons, prioritize those that enhance your charactersÔÇÖ elemental damage and energy recharge. For Cryo characters, the Blizzard Strayer set is ideal, as it increases Cryo damage and provides a critical rate bonus against frozen enemies. For Electro characters, the Thundering Fury set is a great choice, as it boosts Electro damage and reduces the cooldown of elemental skills. Weapons like the Skyward Harp for Ganyu or the Engulfing Lightning for Raiden Shogun can further enhance your charactersÔÇÖ damage output.

During the fight, start by focusing on the Hydro Abyss HeraldÔÇÖs health in the first phase. Use your DPS characters to deal as much damage as possible before the shield activates. Once the shield is up, switch to your Cryo or Electro characters and focus on breaking the shield. Use elemental skills and bursts frequently to maximize damage output. Be mindful of the HeraldÔÇÖs attacks and dodge when necessary to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

One common mistake to avoid is using Pyro characters against the Hydro Abyss Herald. While Pyro can trigger Vaporize reactions, it is not as effective against the Hydro shield as Cryo or Electro. Additionally, avoid using characters with long cooldowns or low energy recharge, as you need to consistently apply Cryo or Electro damage to break the shield quickly.

Advanced techniques include timing your elemental bursts to coincide with the HeraldÔÇÖs shield activation. For example, using GanyuÔÇÖs burst right as the shield appears can deal significant Cryo damage over time. Similarly, using Raiden ShogunÔÇÖs burst can provide a sustained Electro damage output that quickly depletes the shield.

In summary, to counter the Hydro Abyss Herald, build a team with strong Cryo or Electro characters, prioritize artifacts and weapons that enhance elemental damage, and focus on breaking the Hydro shield quickly. Avoid using Pyro characters and ensure your team has sufficient healing and shielding to sustain through the fight. With the right strategy and team composition, you can effectively counter the Hydro Abyss Herald and emerge victorious.