Neuvillette: The Iudex of Fontaine – A Comprehensive Guide

(Image: A striking image of Neuvillette using his Charged Attack, with the Hydro dragon aura visible.)

The murmurs started long before Fontaine’s release. Whispers of a powerful Hydro user, a dragon perhaps, holding immense authority in the nation of justice. Now, Neuvillette, the Iudex of Fontaine, has finally arrived in Genshin Impact, and the question on everyone’s mind is: is he the Hydro DPS powerhouse we’ve been waiting for? This article dives deep into Neuvillette’s abilities, lore, recommended builds, effective team compositions, and ultimately, helps you decide if he’s worth spending your precious Primogems on. Prepare to be enlightened, traveler, as we unravel the mysteries surrounding Fontaine’s enigmatic chief justice.

Delving into the Lore: The Enigmatic Iudex

Neuvillette’s presence in Fontaine is shrouded in an air of quiet authority. As the Iudex, he holds the highest judicial position in the nation, overseeing trials and maintaining order within the intricate legal system. His pronouncements carry immense weight, and his decisions are respected by all, including the Hydro Archon, Furina. He is a pillar of stability in Fontaine, a nation grappling with both technological advancements and underlying social tensions.

But beyond his official duties, Neuvillette remains an enigma. He is known for his calm, collected, and almost detached demeanor. He observes everything with a keen eye, seemingly absorbing every detail of his surroundings. There’s a sense that he possesses knowledge beyond the ordinary, a deep understanding of Fontaine’s history and perhaps even its future. Some speculate about his origins, with theories suggesting a connection to the Hydro dragons of old. While official information remains scarce, it is clear that Neuvillette is more than just a judge; he is a vital part of Fontaine’s very being.

His relationships with other characters are equally intriguing. His dynamic with Furina, the Hydro Archon, is a subject of much speculation, marked by a formal respect that hints at a more complex dynamic. His interactions with other prominent figures in Fontaine, like the ever-vigilant Clorinde, the resourceful Navia and the Warden of Meropide Wriothesley showcase different facets of his personality. Finally, his encounters with the Traveler are always insightful and reveal tidbits of his true nature. He seems to harbor some feelings of trust toward the Traveler, which further entices players to get to know him more.

Unleashing the Hydro Power: Abilities and Gameplay

Neuvillette’s gameplay revolves around his unique Charged Attack, a powerful stream of Hydro energy that deals sustained damage to enemies. Mastering this ability is key to maximizing his damage output.

His Normal Attack, while present, is not his primary focus. It consists of a series of strikes that generate very little damage. The true power lies in his Charged Attack: Equitable Judgment. This attack requires a channeling time, during which Neuvillette summons Sourcewater Droplets. These droplets orbit him and increase his Interruption Resistance, ensuring he can maintain his Hydro stream without being knocked back by enemy attacks. Upon completion of the channeling time, he unleashes a powerful Hydro beam which damages everything in a line.

Neuvillette’s Elemental Skill, O Tears, I Shall Repay, unleashes a torrent of Hydro energy, dealing AoE Hydro damage and creating Sourcewater Droplets. This skill is crucial for generating the resources needed to fuel his Charged Attack and keep him safe during the cast time. The skill also has a moderate cooldown, requiring players to manage it effectively.

His Elemental Burst, Oceans I Have Seen, is a spectacular display of Hydro power. It unleashes two waves of cascading waterfalls, dealing significant AoE Hydro damage and generating additional Sourcewater Droplets. The burst has a moderate energy cost and cooldown, making it a valuable tool for both damage and utility. The AoE it provides is nothing to scoff at, and the damage it provides on-field makes Neuvillette a potent main DPS character.

Neuvillette’s Passive Talents further enhance his combat effectiveness. They amplify his damage based on his current HP and grants him additional buffs when he absorbs Sourcewater Droplets generated by his Skill and Burst. All of this makes him a fearsome foe on the battlefield. He also has the unique passive of moving faster underwater and increasing the party’s underwater exploration capabilities.

Neuvillette’s Constellations offer significant power increases, but he is perfectly viable even at Constellation Zero. Some of the most impactful constellations include those that increase his damage output, improve his survivability, and reduce the channeling time of his Charged Attack. Pulling for constellations depends on your resources and desire to further optimize his performance. If you’re a free-to-play player, he works wonders at Constellation Zero. However, those wanting to optimize his power should consider pulling for his constellations.

Crafting the Perfect Build: Weapons and Artifacts

To maximize Neuvillette’s potential, you need to equip him with the right weapons and artifacts. Here’s a breakdown of the best options:

His signature weapon (if applicable) is undoubtedly his best-in-slot option. Its stats and passive ability are specifically designed to complement his kit, providing significant damage buffs and utility. However, alternative weapons can also be effective. Five-star options like the Tome of Eternal Flow provide excellent stats, while four-star options like the Sacrificial Jade can offer decent stat boosts. Free-to-play players can consider options like Prototype Amber, which provides Energy Recharge and healing. When it comes to refinement levels, signature weapons typically benefit greatly from refinement, but the cost may not always be worth it for free-to-play players.

For artifacts, focus on maximizing his Hydro damage, Crit Rate, Crit Damage, and HP. The ideal main stats are HP% on the Sands, Hydro Damage Bonus on the Goblet, and Crit Rate or Crit Damage on the Circlet. Aim for substats that further increase these stats, as well as Energy Recharge to ensure consistent Burst uptime.

The best-in-slot artifact set will depend on your team composition and playstyle. Some viable options include the Marechaussee Hunter which increases Charged Attack Damage, Heart of Depth which increases Hydro damage and Nymph’s Dream which increases Hydro Damage. The best option depends on the availability of artifacts. It’s possible to use two-piece combinations to make do until you can get a full set of suitable artifacts.

Talent leveling priority should focus on his Normal Attack and Elemental Burst, as these are his primary sources of damage. Leveling his Elemental Skill is also important, but should be prioritized after his Normal Attack and Elemental Burst. Prioritizing his main forms of damage allows him to perform the best in the field.

Assembling the Dream Team: Team Compositions

Neuvillette excels as a Main DPS, dealing consistent Hydro damage with his Charged Attack. He synergizes well with characters who can provide off-field support, buffs, and reactions.

He can team up with characters that resonate with Hydro, making Hydro teams a popular option for his gameplay. You can also use Vaporize teams, making Xiangling and Bennett extremely helpful, allowing you to greatly increase your damage output. Freeze teams are also a popular choice, with Ganyu, Ayaka, and Shenhe being able to help freeze your opponents. Finally, you can assemble Electro-Charged teams by using Raiden Shogun, Fischl, and Beidou.

Example team compositions include:

• Vaporize Team: Neuvillette, Xiangling, Bennett, Kazuha/Sucrose. (Focuses on maximizing Vaporize reactions for massive damage.)
• Freeze Team: Neuvillette, Ganyu/Ayaka, Shenhe, Kokomi. (Utilizes consistent Freeze to control enemies and amplify damage.)
• Electro-Charged Team: Neuvillette, Raiden Shogun, Fischl, Jean/Sayu. (Deals sustained Electro-Charged damage while providing healing and crowd control.)
• Hyperbloom Team: Neuvillette, Nahida, Raiden Shogun, Zhongli. (Utilizes Hyperbloom reactions to deal sustained dendro damage while providing survivability.)

When building a team around Neuvillette, consider his Energy Recharge requirements, the buffs and debuffs your team provides, and the types of enemies you’ll be facing. Balancing these factors will ensure optimal team performance. Having a good shielder or healer helps greatly with his survivability as well.

The Verdict: Is He Worth Your Primogems?

Neuvillette’s damage output is impressive, rivaling some of the best DPS characters in the game. His unique Charged Attack allows him to deal sustained Hydro damage to multiple enemies, making him highly effective in both single-target and AoE situations. However, his damage relies on sustained uptime, so having reliable protection or interruption resistance is crucial.

He is relatively easy to play effectively. His gameplay revolves around charging his attacks, which can be easily learned. He does require specific team compositions to maximize his potential, but he is still viable in a variety of scenarios.

The investment cost for Neuvillette can be high. He requires a good weapon, artifacts, and talent levels to reach his full potential. However, he is still viable at low investment levels, making him accessible to both free-to-play and pay-to-win players.

Overall, Neuvillette is a valuable addition to any Genshin Impact account. He is a strong Hydro DPS character who is easy to play effectively and can be used in a variety of team compositions. Players looking for a reliable Hydro DPS or who enjoy his playstyle should definitely consider pulling for him. Players who already have strong Hydro DPS characters or who don’t like his playstyle might want to skip him.

Conclusion: The Dragon’s Legacy

Neuvillette stands as a compelling addition to the Genshin Impact roster. His unique gameplay, intriguing lore, and impressive damage output make him a force to be reckoned with. While team composition and gear investment play a crucial role in maximizing his potential, his core strength lies in his ability to deliver consistent, sustained Hydro damage.

As the Iudex of Fontaine, he embodies justice and composure, traits that translate into his calculated and powerful combat style. Whether you’re drawn to his dragon-like essence or simply seeking a potent Hydro DPS, Neuvillette is undoubtedly a character worth considering. Will you be pulling for Neuvillette? Only time will tell if you will witness his dragon-like Hydro might.