The Spiral Abyss Floor 12 in Genshin Impact Version 5.5 has proven to be one of the most difficult challenges we’ve seen to date—and in a recent video, Zajef Daily demonstrated that even the hardest content can be conquered using only four-star characters. If you’re looking for proof that skill, strategy, and a well-built roster can beat raw five-star power, this run delivers it in full.
Here’s a full breakdown of Zajef’s run, the enemies faced, the team performance, and key takeaways from this “cooked but doable” clear.
Floor 12, Chamber 1 – Chaos and Electro Seahorse
First Half: Zajef starts with a cautious approach due to concerns about the Pearl Seahorse, known for spawning Electro fields that can interfere with Hyperbloom triggers. In this case, the seahorse is doing the Hyperbloom reactions itself, which adds a layer of unpredictability. Despite a bit of early energy mismanagement, the team gets through with time to spare.
Second Half: Strong play leads to a comfortable clear. The focus here is on keeping pressure up and handling multiple dangerous enemy types with coordinated rotations.
Key Highlights:
- Energy was a bit tight, but overall manageable.
- Clear was smooth once rhythm was established.
- Managing crowd control and rotations is critical.
Floor 12, Chamber 2 – Slippery Shields and Tight Timing
First Half: Enemies come at you fast and hard. While Zajef jokes about the chamber being “cooked,” the AoE capabilities of his team allow him to get through without too much issue. Crowd control was difficult but ultimately handled.
Second Half: Energy issues again come up, but healing from Kuki Shinobu helps stabilize the team. Freezing and grouping mechanics were used, but not always consistently. Despite a surprise move from an enemy boss unit, the team manages to pull through.
Standout Moments:
- A nasty burst from an enemy threatens the run but is survived.
- Energy healing mid-fight with Cookie saves the team.
- Proves that correct team rotation and decision-making can overcome stat limitations.
Floor 12, Chamber 3 – The Real Test
First Half: The hardest chamber by far. Zajef runs into unstaggerable enemies with constant pressure and difficult-to-avoid attacks. He misidentifies the boss mechanics early on (confusing which boss stays still), which costs him time and position.
Despite some frustration with the mechanics—particularly with the AI and multiple enemies attacking together—he keeps his composure. He rotates to Chevreuse to tank a bit while managing stamina and cooldowns.
Second Half: The team faces tough boss-type enemies with more unpredictable patterns. Once again, energy is just barely adequate, and a surprise burst nearly derails the entire attempt. Still, with clever healing and rotation swaps, the run pushes through.
Takeaways:
- This chamber requires high stamina management and constant awareness of enemy patterns.
- Flexibility between characters like Cookie and Chevreuse is essential to handle pressure.
- Even with perfect strategy, one bad hit can nearly ruin a run.
Final Thoughts – “Cooked but Doable”
Zajef wraps the video by reflecting on the difficulty of Floor 12, calling Chamber 1 the most punishing part. He mentions that while this run was successful, doing a full continuous clear without breaks would be extremely difficult—especially without five-star powerhouses or strong constellations.
The key message? Yes, Spiral Abyss 5.5 Floor 12 is doable with four-stars only—but it requires exceptional execution, optimized builds, and in-depth knowledge of mechanics and timing.
Lessons & Tips from Zajef’s Run
- Energy management is crucial, especially on Floor 12. Plan rotations and burst timing carefully.
- Healing and sustain through Kuki Shinobu and Chevreuse can save a run when DPS windows are missed.
- Stagger timing and enemy patterns must be learned. Unstaggerable enemies will punish sloppy play.
- Don’t underestimate burst window setup—losing your burst can completely throw a run.
- Always be flexible: character swaps and tanking can buy enough time for cooldowns and energy to come back.
Will You Try the 4-Star Abyss Challenge?
Have you cleared Floor 12 this patch? Are you going for it with four-stars too? Let us know on ExploreGenshin.gg and check out more tips, builds, and abyss comps to help you tackle even the hardest Spiral Abyss content!
Frequently Asked Questions about Floor 12 Spiral Abyss 5.5
Is Floor 12 in version 5.5 harder than previous patches?
Yes, many players and content creators, including Zajef, consider it one of the most difficult iterations due to high HP enemies and punishing mechanics.
Can Floor 12 be cleared with only 4-star characters?
Yes, as demonstrated by Zajef, it is possible to clear Floor 12 with only 4-star characters, but it requires optimized builds and tight execution.
What are the best characters for Floor 12 Spiral Abyss 5.5?
Why is energy management so hard in this Abyss?
Enemies are more aggressive, and burst timing is crucial. Mistimed energy generation or wasted rotations can cost an entire chamber.
Is Floor 12 balanced for free-to-play players?
It’s a challenge. While it’s technically possible to clear without 5-stars or high constellations, it demands significant investment and player skill.
