I still vividly remember the first time I pulled Mona from a standard banner wish back in 2021. That burst of Hydro damage, the dramatic starry animation, and her smug little pose – it was love at first sight. Fast forward to 2026, and the astrologist Astrologist Mona Megistus remains one of the most recognizable faces in Genshin Impact. But with the game now boasting over 100 playable characters and a meta that has shifted more times than the phases of the moon, you might be asking yourself: Is Mona still a top-tier unit, or has she been eclipsed by newer, shinier Hydro supports?

The short answer? Absolutely. Even in 2026, Mona’s unique kit ensures she remains an S-tier sub-DPS and support character for a huge range of team compositions. Let’s break down why this perpetually broke astrologer is still worth every last Mora you won’t have to spend on her.

Why Mona Still Shines in 2026

Mona is a 5-Star Hydro Catalyst user who specializes in amplifying your main DPS’s damage through her Elemental Burst, Stellaris Phantasm. This ability applies the Omen effect to enemies, which increases the damage they take from all sources for a few seconds. It’s one of the few true damage-multiplying effects in the game, and it hasn’t been powercrept by any new unit released up to version 8.0. If you’re chasing those juicy damage-per-screenshot numbers, Mona is essentially a cheat code.

Her Elemental Skill, Mirror Reflection of Doom, creates a phantom that taunts and gathers enemies, applying continuous Hydro damage. This not only provides off-field Hydro application for Freeze or Vaporize teams but also distracts mobs while your main DPS gets to work. Add in her alternate sprint that allows her to traverse water at lightning speed, and you have a character who simplifies exploration even in 2026’s most convoluted new regions.

But what about her ascension requirements? Have the materials become harder to farm with all the new zones? Surprisingly, no. The materials are still comfortably rooted in the early-game regions of Mondstadt and Liyue, making her incredibly accessible even for new players who just pulled her today.

Ascension Phases & Stat Gains at a Glance

Reaching level 90 with Mona provides a massive boost to her Energy Recharge, which in turn increases her Hydro damage due to her passive talent. Here’s a simplified look at what you need and what you gain at each milestone:

To fully ascend Mona, you’ll need a grand total of 168 Philanemo Mushrooms, 46 Cleansing Hearts, various tiers of Nectar, and plenty of Varunada Lazurite gems. It sounds daunting, but the farming loops are well-documented and haven’t changed significantly since 1.0.

Where to Farm Every Material in 2026

Let’s get practical. You’ve just pulled Mona in her latest rerun banner (yes, they still rerun standard characters as featured rate-ups). What now?

Philanemo Mushrooms

These delicate fungi still cling to the walls of houses in Mondstadt City, Springvale, and the Dawn Winery. If you see ivy or moss on a building, there’s a good chance mushrooms are growing there. I personally start at the city’s side gate and work my way clockwise along the outer walls – you can snag about 25 in under ten minutes.

Don’t forget about Chloris the botanist, who still wanders the road near Windrise. She sells 5 Philanemo Mushrooms every three days, no update has removed her shop inventory. If you have Klee, her passive talent marks Mondstadt specialties on the minimap, making this farm even faster. Using the official interactive map is still a reliable backup, though most veteran players can do this with their eyes closed by now.

Nectar Variants

Whopperflowers remain the source of Nectar, Shimmering Nectar, and Energy Nectar. Cryo, Pyro, and Electro Whopperflowers scatter across Teyvat, with dense clusters in Liyue’s mountain trails and Mondstadt’s Whispering Woods. I find the Cryo variant near Dragonspine the easiest to bully with a Pyro main DPS. Remember, the tier of nectar dropped scales with both your World Level and the individual enemy’s level. By AR 60 in 2026, you’ll be swimming in Energy Nectar just from daily commissions.

Cleansing Heart

You’ll need to face the Oceanid boss in Liyue, east of Qingce Village. This fight has become something of a rite of passage over the years. Hydro mimics can be annoying, but the addition of Dendro reactions since Sumeru made them significantly easier – just bring a good Electro or Dendro DPS and the fight is a breeze. Be prepared to spend 40 Original Resin per claim. With 46 Cleansing Hearts required, you’re looking at roughly 18–20 runs if you get the average two per kill.

Varunada Lazurite Gems

These Hydro gems drop from the Oceanid as well, but you can also convert lower-tier gems from other elements if you’ve built up a surplus. The drop quality still depends on your World Level: expect Slivers at WL 0–1, Fragments at WL 2–3, Chunks at WL 4–5, and Gemstones only once you hit WL 6 and above. Since 2026’s world levels go up to 9 (with stronger bosses), you’ll easily farm the required gemstones without needing to rely on the crafting bench too much.

Pro Tips for Playing Mona in Today’s Meta

Should you still prioritize Mona over newer Hydro units like the debuting release from Fontaine’s second chapter? If you need a pure damage support for one-shot setups, the answer is a resounding yes. Her Omen debuff still snapshots certain buffs and can make your Raiden Shogun or Hu Tao hit numbers that make Spiral Abyss floor 13 look like a joke.

Here’s how I build her: 4-piece Emblem of Severed Fate with an Energy Recharge sands, Hydro damage goblet, and crit circlet. The Emblem set capitalizes on her need for ER, turning it into burst damage. Weapon-wise, the Widsith remains her best-in-slot for nuke teams, while Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers lets her buff a subsequent party member by a whopping 48% ATK. A true budget queen.

Exploration tip: her alternate sprint isn’t just for crossing water. It has a slightly faster startup dash than normal sprints, which can be chained for efficient overworld movement. In 2026, when we’re exploring the aerial ruins of Celestia’s outskirts, every second counts.

Ultimately, Mona is a character who has aged like fine wine from Dawn Winery. Her ascension materials are rooted in areas that won’t be outscaled, her damage amplification is mathematically unique, and her character design remains iconic. Whether you’re a day-one player or someone who just joined for the 2026 Anni-Versary, investing in Mona is a decision you won’t regret – even if your in-game wallet is always as empty as hers.