Neuvillette vs Zhongli in Genshin Impact 5.2: Who Should You Pull?
Genshin Impact 5.2's Neuvillette vs Zhongli banner: pick Hydro DPS or Geo shield? Decide by your account's needs.
Genshin Impact version 5.2 has landed, and with it comes one of the most exciting banner dilemmas the community has seen in a while. Two absolute titans of the roster — Neuvillette and Zhongli — are sharing the spotlight, and players with limited Primogems are scratching their heads trying to figure out where to spend them. It's not an easy call, honestly.

The Short Answer: Both Are Worth It 🌟
Let's be real — in an ideal world, every player would just roll for both. Neuvillette and Zhongli each fill completely different roles, and having them both on a roster makes tackling nearly any content in the game a whole lot smoother. But since most players aren't swimming in Primogems, a choice has to be made.
Here's the thing: the "right" choice really depends on where a player currently stands with their account.
Neuvillette: The Hydro Damage Machine 💧
Neuvillette is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to raw damage output. He's a Hydro DPS character who leans heavily into his unique charged attacks, and when played correctly, he can melt through enemy health bars at a breathtaking pace.
His playstyle revolves around a fairly straightforward but satisfying loop:
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Trigger his Elemental Skill to generate water droplets on the field.
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Follow up with a charged attack — this is where the magic happens and the damage really pops off.
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Lean into his best teammates, which include Furina, Kazuha, and Xilonen for maximum synergy.
For players who already have a decent shielder or healer but are struggling to clear harder content quickly, Neuvillette is arguably the stronger pull from a pure damage perspective. His ability to output consistent, high-volume Hydro damage without relying too heavily on other characters for setup makes him one of the most self-sufficient DPS options in the game right now.
Zhongli: The Unshakeable Wall 🪨
On the other side of the fence, Zhongli remains one of the most beloved support characters in Genshin Impact — and for very good reason. His shield is, simply put, the best in the game. It's thick, it applies a Geo shred debuff, and it just doesn't break.
His role is less about flashy numbers and more about making every other character on the team feel invincible:
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His Elemental Skill plants a Stone Stele and, when held, creates a massive shield that scales with his HP.
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His Elemental Burst deals a decent chunk of damage and petrifies enemies, giving the team a moment to breathe.
To get the most out of Zhongli, players should:
| Priority | Focus |
|---|---|
| ⚡ Main Stat | HP% to maximize shield strength |
| 🤝 Best Teammates | Neuvillette, Lyney, Xiao, and other DPS units |
| 🎯 Playstyle | Set the shield, let the DPS characters do the work |
For newer players especially, Zhongli can completely transform the difficulty curve of the game. A lot of early frustration in Genshin comes from getting knocked around and interrupted, and Zhongli's shield essentially solves that problem overnight.
So, Who Should You Actually Pull? 🤔
Here's a simple breakdown based on player situation:
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New players or those without a reliable shielder → Pull for Zhongli. The quality-of-life improvement is massive and will be felt immediately across all content.
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Players with solid supports but lacking a strong DPS → Pull for Neuvillette. He'll carry through Spiral Abyss and timed content with ease.
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Players who already have both a good DPS and a good shield → This is genuinely a toss-up. Personal preference and enjoyment should guide the decision here.
It's also worth keeping in mind that Genshin Impact continues to evolve. Looking ahead into 2025 and 2026, new characters like Mavuika and Citlali have already shaken up team compositions, so thinking about long-term synergy is always smart.
Final Thoughts 🎮
At the end of the day, neither choice is a bad one. Neuvillette brings explosive Hydro damage and a fast, satisfying playstyle, while Zhongli brings unmatched stability and lets every DPS character shine brighter. The community has debated this matchup endlessly, and it always comes back to the same conclusion — the best pull is the one that fills the biggest hole in a player's current roster.
Spend those Primogems wisely, and may the 50/50 odds be ever in your favor. ✨