As Genshin Impact sails into its sixth year, the waves of excitement for the Natlan region continue to build. The latest ripple in the community comes from fresh details about Mualani, one of the highly anticipated characters set to make a splash in Version 5.0. While the official drip marketing gave us a stylish glimpse of her surf-ready aesthetic, it's the recent whispers from reliable sources that have truly painted the picture of her potential in battle. For players who've been waiting for a dynamic Hydro DPS, Mualani might just be the tidal wave they've been hoping for.
Riding the Wave: Mualani's Core Identity
Mualani isn't just another face in Teyvat; she's a vital part of Natlan's lore as a member of the enigmatic People of the Springs. Her role as a guide for her nation is reflected in her adventurous spirit and her unique combat style. Forget walking—this character prefers to ride. Her entire kit seems built around mobility and aggressive, fluid attacks, making her stand out in the Hydro roster. Let's break down what makes her tick.
Diving Deep into the Kit: Skills & Mechanics
Based on the latest information, Mualani's gameplay revolves around entering an enhanced state to unleash torrents of Hydro damage. Here’s the scoop on how she operates:
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Elemental Skill - Shark Rider: This is her signature move. Mualani summons a shark to ride on, entering what leakers call the 'Enhancement State.' In this state, she gains increased movement speed and, get this, immunity to interruption. No more getting knocked around mid-combo!
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Enhanced Normal Attacks - Shark Bite: While riding her aquatic companion, her normal attacks transform. They become powerful bites that deal Hydro damage scaling with her Max HP. This hints at a build focusing on HP% artifacts and weapons to maximize her damage output.
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The Prey Mark Mechanic: The fun doesn't stop there. Colliding with an enemy while enhanced applies a 'Prey Mark.' Hitting a marked enemy with her Shark Bite attacks triggers follow-up shark missiles, adding extra layers of damage. It encourages an up-close and personal playstyle.
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Elemental Burst - Tidal Barrage: Her ultimate ability is said to be a straightforward yet powerful AoE nuke. It launches a massive shark missile that deals area Hydro damage. With a reported 10-second cooldown and 60 Energy cost, it promises good uptime for consistent burst damage windows.
Character Profile & Speculation
Piecing together the leaks, here’s a quick overview of what we expect:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5-Star) |
| Element | 💧 Hydro |
| Weapon | 📖 Catalyst |
| Region | Natlan |
| Expected Release | Version 5.0, Phase II (Late 2026) |
| Primary Stat | Max HP (for damage scaling) |
Her choice of Catalyst is interesting—it means all her attacks will naturally be Hydro-infused, perfectly synergizing with her HP-scaling kit. Being a 5-star unit from a new region, she's likely to be a central figure in the Natlan storyline.
Gearing Up: Expected Ascension & Talent Materials
For travelers already saving up resources, here’s a preliminary list of materials you might need to level up Mualani in 2026:
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Talent Level-Up Materials:
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Teachings/Guide/Philosophies of Contention (new Natlan talent book series).
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Sentry's Wooden Whistle (a presumed local specialty or common enemy drop from Natlan).
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Ascension & High-Talent Materials:
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Crown of Insight (for crowning talents, as usual).
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Lightless Mass (a new boss material likely from a Natlan world boss).
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Varunada Lazurite gemstones for Hydro ascension.
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The Bigger Picture: Mualani in Version 5.0 and Beyond
Mualani's arrival is more than just a new character; it's part of the grand unveiling of Natlan itself. Version 5.0 in late 2026 is poised to be one of the biggest updates yet, expanding the map to the land of the Pyro Archon. Players can expect:
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A vast new region to explore with unique landscapes, puzzles, and treasures.
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A continuation of the Traveler's journey with new story quests and Archon interactions.
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The debut of other Natlan characters like Kinich and Kanicha.
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The usual suite of events, free Primogems, and rewards to celebrate a new nation.
In a meta that's constantly evolving, Mualani presents a fresh, HP-based, mobile DPS option for Hydro teams. Whether she'll vaporize the competition or find a niche in electro-charged or bloom compositions remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure—the prospect of surfing across the battlefield on a shark is an offer few adventurers would refuse. The waters of Natlan are calling, and Mualani looks ready to be the one leading the charge.
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