Guide
How the kit works
Start with Aquacrest Saber. Press it for a forward Torrent Surge, or hold it to aim and fire Hydro Dewdrops before the final Surge. While holding, HP above 50% activates Suffusion: Dewdrops gain damage based on Max HP, and Traveler loses HP each second. At intervals, the Surge also releases a Pneuma-aligned Hydro attack.
After held Dewdrops hit, Spotless Waters creates Sourcewater Droplets nearby. Pick one up to restore 7% HP. You can create one per second, up to four per skill use. Clear Waters adds 45% of the HP consumed through Suffusion to the final Surge's damage, up to 5,000.
Use Rising Waters to send out a slow bubble that continuously deals Hydro damage to nearby opponents. Foreign Stream (NA) is the sword attack, with a Charged Attack that strikes twice and costs Stamina.
Foreign Aqualis gives Traveler a special Charged Attack after three stacks from nearby party members' HP changing by 5%. You can gain one stack every four seconds. At 50% HP or more, the special attack consumes HP for more damage; below 50%, hitting an enemy heals Traveler. It can trigger once every 15 seconds.
Build and why
For a damage build, start with four pieces of Marechaussee Hunter. Its two-piece bonus increases Normal and Charged Attack damage by 15%. Its four-piece bonus gives 12% CRIT Rate for five seconds when HP changes, up to three stacks. Held skill HP consumption and picking up droplets can both change Traveler's HP.
Golden Troupe is another option: its two-piece bonus gives 20% Elemental Skill damage, and four pieces add 25%. The extra 25% for being off-field clears two seconds after Traveler takes the field, so do not count on it throughout a held skill. Nymph's Dream is an alternative for Hydro damage and bonuses gained by hitting with different attacks. You can also combine two pieces of Golden Troupe with two of Heart of Depth.
Use Hydro DMG Bonus on the goblet and CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG on the circlet. For the sands, consider HP Percentage, Energy Recharge or ATK Percentage. HP helps the held Dewdrops above 50% HP; Energy Recharge helps you get the burst back. For substats, look for CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, HP Percentage, Energy Recharge and ATK Percentage, in that order.
Splendor of Tranquil Waters is the first weapon choice: the wielder's HP changes increase Elemental Skill damage, while other party members' HP changes increase Max HP. Uraku Misugiri boosts skill damage and gains a stronger effect after nearby Geo damage. Primordial Jade Cutter gives 20% HP and an ATK Bonus based on Max HP.
Leveling priority
A useful leveling order is Aquacrest Saber, then Rising Waters, then Foreign Stream (NA). Start with the skill if you use the held attack often; the burst is next because its bubble deals continuous Hydro damage. Normal attacks can wait if you rarely use the sword strikes.
For ascension, gather Mora, Windwheel Aster, Brilliant Diamond Sliver, Brilliant Diamond Fragment, Brilliant Diamond Chunk and Brilliant Diamond Gemstone. You also need Damaged Mask, Stained Mask and Ominous Mask.
Talent upgrades use Teachings of Equity, Guide to Equity, Philosophies of Equity, Guide to Justice, Philosophies of Justice, Guide to Order and Philosophies of Order. They also require Transoceanic Pearl, Transoceanic Chunk, Xenochromatic Crystal, Worldspan Fern, Mora and Crown of Insight.
Constellations worth it
Trickling Purity is a useful upgrade to consider for the burst. It slows the bubble by 30% and extends its duration by three seconds, giving it longer to deal damage near opponents.
Pouring Descent is worth considering if you spend time aiming. It creates an Aquacrest Aegis while the skill is in use, with absorption equal to 10% of Traveler's Max HP. Dewdrop hits can restore or redeploy it once every two seconds. It ends when the skill finishes.
Tides of Justice adds team healing: picking up a Sourcewater Droplet heals the nearby party member with the lowest HP percentage for 6% of that member's Max HP. Swelling Lake also helps Traveler recover two Energy per droplet.
Turbulent Ripples and Churning Whirlpool can be lower priorities: they raise the skill and burst levels by three, respectively, rather than adding a new mechanic.
Teams
Pair Traveler with Dendro characters if you want to use Hydro in reaction teams. Nahida is one option, while Yaoyao can fill a Dendro and healing slot. Nilou is another Hydro option for a Bloom team.
For an Electro team, consider Kuki Shinobu, who can heal, or Raiden Shogun. Furina is another Hydro teammate to consider; changes in nearby party members' HP can help build stacks for Traveler's special Charged Attack.
You can also try Xiangling and Bennett on a Pyro team, with Kaedehara Kazuha as an Anemo option. Traveler contributes Hydro damage, but watch where the burst bubble travels and aim the held skill at the enemies you want to hit.
Common mistakes
Do not hold Aquacrest Saber without watching HP. Suffusion needs HP above 50%, and the skill consumes HP while it is active. Collect droplets after hits and bring a healer when you need more recovery.
Do not assume the special Charged Attack is always ready. It needs three stacks from party HP changes and can trigger only once every 15 seconds. Its HP consumption and healing also use different sides of the 50% threshold.
Do not build only Energy Recharge at the expense of all damage stats. Balance it with CRIT and Hydro DMG Bonus, and remember that Golden Troupe's off-field bonus does not last for the whole time Traveler is on the field.
