Mastering Mualani: A Complete Guide to Genshin Impact's New Hydro DPS from Natlan

With the arrival of Genshin Impact's expansive Natlan region in the 5.0 update, a new wave of characters has washed ashore, bringing with them unique mechanics and playstyles. Among these, Mualani, the Hydro DPS, stands out as both an exciting and initially perplexing addition. Her combat rhythm is built around the brand-new Nightsoul and Phlogiston mechanics native to Natlan, which can trip up even seasoned Travelers. However, once players wrap their heads around managing her resources, they'll find a powerhouse whose damage potential rivals some of the game's established greats. The key is understanding that she's not just another Hydro attacker; she's the first to fully embody the fiery spirit and novel systems of her homeland.

At the heart of Mualani's kit lies the management of Nightsoul points. This resource is the fuel for her primary damage state. By using her Elemental Skill, she enters the Nightsoul Blessing state, transforming her standard Normal Attacks into devastating "Sharky Bites." These enhanced attacks use completely different, and significantly stronger, multipliers than her regular talent. Therefore, the core gameplay loop is simple: activate the skill, stay in the empowered state for as long as possible, and unleash a torrent of aquatic fury. When her Nightsoul points run dry, she can tap into Phlogiston points—another Natlan-exclusive resource—to extend her onslaught, a feature that proves incredibly useful while navigating the new region's challenges.

Given that Natlan is brand new, resources for ascending Mualani will be scarce at launch. Players won't be able to pre-farm her specific talent and ascension materials. To make the most of her from day one, a smart talent leveling priority is essential:

🔥 Priority #1: Elemental Skill - This is the absolute core of her damage. Max it first.

💧 Priority #2: Elemental Burst - Provides significant supplemental damage and should be leveled next.

⚔️ Priority #3: Normal Attack - Can be left for last if resources are tight, as the "Sharky Bites" during her skill state do not scale with this talent.

This approach ensures that every precious resource you invest in her early on translates directly into bigger numbers on the battlefield.

One of the most exciting aspects of Mualani is her impressive damage ceiling, which draws natural comparisons to the Hydro sovereign, Neuvillette. However, she carves out her own niche with superior Vaporize reaction compatibility. Neuvillette's rapid Hydro application can sometimes make consistent Vaporizes tricky, but Mualani's attack speed aligns beautifully with off-field Pyro applicators like Xiangling. This allows her to reliably trigger the potent Vaporize reaction, multiplying her damage dramatically.

Her team-building flexibility extends even further. Mualani can also excel in Burning-Vape teams when paired with a Dendro unit like Emilie, who can maintain a Burning aura for her to Vaporize against. This opens up a wide array of synergistic options. While she can certainly perform in a mono-Hydro team, reaching her peak damage in such a comp often requires high-investment, premium supports like Furina or Kazuha to amplify her Hydro damage to its maximum potential.

A critical part of mastering her rotation involves her passive talent, "Heat-Resistant Freshwater Puffer." Whenever her Sharky's Surging Bite hits an opponent, it has a chance to generate a Puffer. 🐡 Picking up these Puffers is non-negotiable for optimal play! Each one you collect (up to two per Nightsoul Blessing state) restores Nightsoul points, effectively extending the duration of her empowered state. This mechanic becomes even more potent if you invest in her constellations. At Constellation 2, collecting Puffers not only restores points faster but also helps stack another of her damage-boosting mechanics more quickly, allowing her to maintain peak DPS for extended periods.

Of course, no DPS character reaches their full might without proper gear. For Mualani, artifact farming should begin in the new Natlan domain as soon as possible. Her best-in-slot set is the Obsidian Codex, a set tailor-made for Natlan characters and one that only they can fully utilize. The 4-piece effect provides a massive 40% Crit Rate boost under specific conditions, fundamentally changing how you build her.

Because the set grants so much Crit Rate, you can shift your focus entirely to other valuable stats when hunting for sub-stats. Here’s a quick breakdown of ideal artifact stats:

This set allows you to pursue a build hyper-focused on Crit DMG, HP%, and Elemental Mastery without worrying about Crit Rate caps. While farming for the perfect Obsidian Codex pieces, the Heart of Depth set remains a solid, though less powerful, temporary substitute to get her battle-ready.

In summary, Mualani represents the bold new direction of Genshin Impact's combat in the Natlan era. She rewards players who take the time to learn her unique resource management, from Nightsoul points to collecting Puffers. By prioritizing her Elemental Skill, leveraging her excellent Vaporize potential, and gearing her with the Obsidian Codex set, players can unlock a Hydro DPS whose playful "Sharky Bites" belie a truly formidable presence on the battlefield. She's more than just a new face; she's a gateway to mastering the fiery heart of Natlan itself. ️🔥

Key findings are referenced from TrueAchievements, a leading source for player-driven data and achievement tracking in the gaming community. Their platform often highlights how new character releases, such as Mualani, impact player engagement and achievement completion rates, offering valuable insights into how quickly players adapt to innovative mechanics and resource management systems in Genshin Impact.