During the Genshin Impact Special Program, HoYoverse announced the latest details regarding the latest update coming to the Genshin Impact game. Version 5.3, Incandescent Ode of Resurrection, will arrive exactly on New Year’s Day, which is January 1, 2025, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
In this version update, players will join Mavuika and Natlan’s warriors in a fateful battle in the newest Archon Quest. In addition, it’s that time of the year yet again for Liyue’s annual Lantern Rite, celebrating Teyvat’s new year with a plethora of rewards.
New Archon Quest
At last, the final battle tolls its bell, summoning Natlan’s warriors to rise in the new Act V of Natlan’s Archon Quest. In the previous main story, the six heroes of Natlan successfully united, and the sacred blessing of the Ode of Resurrection was extended to all Natlanese warriors.
At long last, the Traveler is on the verge of awakening their Pyro power. Meanwhile, the Abyss will unleash a new evil into the world for the final showdown, the terrifying Abyssal Mimic Dragon, a Boss known as the Lord of Eroded Primal Fire.
Version 5.2’s Characters
Three new characters are coming to Genshin Impact in Version 5.2. Revered as Natlan’s most radiant protector during the Abyss wars, Mavuika, also known as the Pyro Archon Haborym, joins the battlefield with two unique combat styles: Fighting with her claymore, or crushing opponents while riding her Flamestrider. By tapping her Elemental Skill, the Ring of Searing Radiance manifests, following Mavuika or the active character and unleashing continuous Pyro attacks.
By holding her Elemental Skill, Mavuika mounts her Flamestrider, allowing her to scale cliffs, drive across land and water alike, glide in mid-air, and charge into opponents in her path. By fighting alongside her teammates, Mavuika gains a unique resource called Fighting Spirit, used to activate her Elemental Burst, which unleashes a powerful AoE Pyro attack, and Mavuika will enter a special state with higher interruption resistance and enhanced combat power. Additionally, Mavuika can decrease the party’s Nightsoul Transmission Cooldown by 20%.
The second one is Citlali from the Masters of the Night-Wind, who brings a biting cold to the battlefield as a 5-star Cryo Catalyst user. A powerful Shaman revered by her tribe, Citlali is always accompanied by two little companions, Itzpapa and Citlalin. During exploration, they transform into cushions and pillows, allowing Citlali to comfortably float in mid-air.
While in combat, Citlali can deploy Cryo shields and summon a powerful Cryo storm of AoE DMG with her little companions. While in her Nightsoul’s Blessing state, “Granny Itztli” lowers the Pyro and Hydro RES of opponents affected by Frozen or Melt reactions, even when Citlali is off-field.
Lastly, a new Liyue character, Lan Yan, debuts as a 4-star Anemo Catalyst user in the second half of Version 5.3. One of her inherited Qimen Arts is the Swallow-Wisp Shield that can convert its Element into Hydro, Pyro, Cryo or Electro to absorb corresponding Elemental DMG.
After the conversion, she can also leap into the air to attack, dealing the same type of Elemental DMG to her opponents. In addition, more 5-star characters will return in another round of the Chronicled Wish banner, including Ganyu and Shenhe.
The Lantern Rite Returns Once More
Liyue Harbor is once again aglow with the cheer of Lantern Rite. Players can share in the festive joy through various free rewards, such as 1600 Primogems and a new glider via in-game mails, 10 Intertwined Fates through a daily login event, and of course, a free 4-star Liyue character selector by completing the Lantern Rite event.
This year, players can share their customized gift envelopes with companions and other Travelers, weaving their best wishes and sentiments into their works. They can also play the block clearing mini-game, Immortal Combat, as well as a combat challenge with Stratagem buffs to accumulate fun and Festive Fever alike.
Once Festive Fever reaches a certain level, players can claim Xiangling’s new outfit “New Year’s Cheer and more celebratory bonuses for free. Meanwhile, Hu Tao’s new outfit Cherries Snow-Laden will be on sale in the Shop at a limited-time discount.
Version 5.3 Optimizations
Version 5.3 continues to offer new features for different in-game modes. The popular rhythm game will become a permanent gameplay mode, allowing players to compose and share musical scores to showcase their talents. Additionally, Kazuha and Ganyu’s Echo cosmetics will be added to Envisaged Echoes in the Imaginarium Theater lobby, and can be obtained after completing the corresponding new challenges.
This version is also committed to further optimizing the character level-up process. The character interface now includes a button leading directly to the Training Guide. Artifacts, Weapons, and Character overviews in the Training Guide have been made clearer and easier to understand.
The Artifact Inventory Limit will also be increased to 2,100, affording players more space and flexibility in Artifact management. Additionally, Boss enemies will respawn in just 5 seconds after claiming rewards without the need to teleport away, ensuring a smoother, more efficient process for obtaining character level-up materials.
A Tease Into the Future
In the last few minutes of the Special Program, HoYoverse showed a brief sneak peek at some characters that we’ll be getting in the next coming updates. While only their shadows were shown, the hosts did mention that some of them are locals from Natlan, while others hail from nations we’re already familiar with. These characters are closely tied to the story in some way, so we’ll have to look forward to seeing them in the future.
