Genshin Impact’s Spiral Abyss has long been a measuring stick for high-level team building and DPS checks. But with version 5.6, Zajef Daily – known for his meticulous Genshin theorycrafting – shared a scathing first reaction to the newly leaked abyss lineup, calling it “the most cooked abyss we’ve ever had.” Let’s break down exactly what has players and creators so alarmed.
Highest HP in Abyss History (And It’s on a Seahorse)
One of Zajef’s major gripes is the absurd HP values of enemies in Floor 12. He points out that this patch features the highest HP total ever for a Spiral Abyss lineup, and it’s on one of the most frustrating bosses to fight: the Electro seahorse from Fontaine. This boss already has a reputation for being tanky and annoying due to its resistance profile and mobility. Now, it’s paired with bloated HP totals and tough mechanics.
And that’s just one half. The other side of Floor 12 starts with three Eremite enemies—infamous for their bulk and transformation mechanics—followed by a wave featuring the powerful Aeonblight Drakes (referred to jokingly as “yungasaurs”) with yet more inflated stats.
Abyss Buffs That Only Help Specific Units
Adding fuel to the fire are the Floor 12 leyline buffs. The first half grants a massive +75% damage boost for characters with zero energy—which effectively buffs only niche units like Skirk or Mulani who benefit from starting rotations with no energy. For everyone else, it’s essentially a non-buff.
In the second half, the buff targets Cryo normal attack damage, potentially boosting characters like Wriothesley—but it also restricts team-building flexibility and forces players toward narrow comps.
Spiral Abyss No Longer Four-Star Friendly?
Zajef laments that the sheer toughness of this lineup may finally gatekeep four-star-only teams from clearing all content. He mentions that under typical conditions, his Hyperbloom comp could clear a chamber in about 90 seconds. This time, he’s skeptical he can manage that—especially with the Electro seahorse eating up precious seconds and punishing long rotations.
He considers bringing Gaming as an alternative DPS, but even then acknowledges that it’s far from ideal, with weak elemental reactions and long cooldowns being punished in this Abyss.
“I Might Reinstall Star Rail”
Zajef’s frustrations build to a crescendo when he jokes about quitting Genshin altogether and reinstalling Honkai: Star Rail or Zenless Zone Zero—both titles by HoYoverse. But then he immediately walks it back, admitting that switching to another game made by the same developer isn’t really a protest. Still, the sentiment is clear: this Spiral Abyss is pushing even long-time, highly invested players to the edge.
Cryo Units… or Nothing?
Another concern is the overwhelming lean toward Cryo synergy. For the second half of Floor 12, you basically have to bring a Cryo unit. Zajef tests builds with characters like Kaeya and Kuki Shinobu, but even then, he’s unsure if they have enough Cryo application to reliably shatter shields or take advantage of buffs. If this lineup makes it to the live game without adjustment, players without strong Cryo units may find themselves locked out of full clears.
Final Thoughts
Zajef’s dramatic and unfiltered response is part of what makes him such a trusted voice in the community. His takeaway? This is “the most cooked Spiral Abyss lineup” Genshin Impact has seen yet—and not in a good way.
If the leaked enemy compositions and buffs go unchanged, players may need to rethink their team building entirely for Floor 12. That could mean investing in niche characters like Wriothesley, Skirk, or Mulani—or preparing for one of the toughest Abyss rotations in the game’s history.
For more Spiral Abyss tips and Genshin Impact content, visit ExploreGenshin.gg.
Frequently Asked Questions about Version 5.6 Spiral Abyss
Why is the new Spiral Abyss considered difficult?
Version 5.6’s Floor 12 features the highest HP totals ever, with enemies like the Electro seahorse and Aeonblight Drakes, making full clears harder than ever.
Which characters are favored by the Abyss buffs?
Only niche characters like Skirk and Wriothesley benefit from the Floor 12 buffs, which cater to zero energy and Cryo normal attack damage.
Can four-star-only teams still clear Floor 12?
According to Zajef, the new lineup may be too difficult for four-star-only teams due to enemy HP scaling and narrow team-building paths.
Should I invest in Cryo characters for this Abyss?
Yes. The second half of Floor 12 almost requires Cryo application to take full advantage of the buffs and enemy weaknesses.
Is this Abyss rotation confirmed?
The lineup is based on leaks and may still be adjusted before the patch goes live. Feedback from players like Zajef could influence changes.
Will this affect new or casual players?
Yes, especially if they lack strong five-star characters or key Cryo units. It may be difficult to complete Floor 12 without specific team comps.
