Image: HoYoverse
Genshin Impact’s next big update is right around the corner.
HoYoverse has officially unveiled the contents of Genshin Impact’s Version 5.3 update in a livestream, featuring the release of the now-playable Pyro Archon, Mavuika. The game’s Lantern Rite event is also returning with lots of free goodies to offer players when the update launches next year, on January 1, 2025. Talk about kicking the year off with a bang.
Before we dive into this update however, don’t forget to redeem these new livestream codes:
UAMPGJASECZH - 100 Primogems, 10 Mystic Enhancement Ore
LT5NH2TTXUHM - 100 Primogems, 5 Hero's Wit
4SLPH3BSFVH9 - 100 Primogems, 50,000 Mora
Here’s a list of all the active codes in Genshin Impact, in case you’ve missed out!
Act V of Natlan’s Archon Quest makes its debut, plus Version 5.3 banner details
It looks like Natlan’s Archon Quest is heading into a climax. In what HoYoverse calls “the final battle,” the Abyss is set to unleash a new threat for players to face down called the Abyssal Mimic Dragon, a Boss enemy also known as the “Lord of Eroded Primal Fire.” Fortunately, you’ll have some help in taking this baddie down.
The Pyro Archon Haborym, Mavuika, is joining the playable roster (5-Star Pyro, Claymore) with two different styles of combat. She can either fight with her claymore or bear down on her enemies while riding her Flamestrider. She can mount her Flamestrider bike by holding her Elemental Skill, which gives her a whole bunch of nifty movement abilities like scaling cliffs, driving across land and water, or gliding in mid-air.
She can also activate her Elemental Burst by using a resource called Fighting Spirit, which she gains in battle. Mavuika will arrive with a Story Quest, but players will have to beat the new Archon Quest to unlock it.
Granny Itztli, or Citlali as she may be better known, offers a stark contrast to Mavuika as a 5-Star Cryo Catalyst user. She comes with two companions who transform into cushions during exploration, allowing her to float in mid-air. In combat, she can deploy Cryo shield and summon Cryo storms with their help. Mavuika and Citlali will appear as banners in the first half of Version 5.3.
The second half will see reruns for Arlecchino and Clorinde. A new Liyue character named Lan Yan will also debut in the second half, however. This 4-Star Anemo Catalyst user has a Swallow-Wisp Shield that converts its Element to absorb a specific type of Elemental DMG. After absorbing that damage, she can leap into the air to attack and deal the same type of Elemental DMG to her enemies.
More 5-Star characters are also set to return in the next round of Chronicled Wish, like Shenhe and Ganyu.
Lantern Rite returns in Version 5.3
Genshin Impact Version 5.3 will also see the return of the Lantern Rite event, giving players the chance to get some free goodies like 1,600 Primogems and a new glider via in-game mail. They can also get a free 4-Star Liyue character by completing the event, logging in every day to get 10 Intertwined Fate and grab a new ‘New Year’s Cheer’ outfit for Xiangling by gathering Festive Fever.
Lantern Rite comes with a few minigames and events to keep players entertained during the festivities, like sharing customised gift envelopes to their companions and other Travelers. Hu Tao’s new outfit ‘Cherries Snow-Laden’ will also be on sale with a limited-time discount.
More new content in Version 5.3
Version 5.3 is getting a rhythm game as a permanent game mode, allowing players to put together and share their very own musical scores. New challenges will also allow them to pick up Kazuha and Ganyu’s Echo cosmetics.
HoYoverse is also making character levelling a little more user-friendly. Certain overview pages have now been made easier to understand, the Artifact Inventory Limit is being increased to 2,100 and Boss enemies now respawn in a mere five seconds after claiming rewards. That makes grinding these Bosses out for key level-up materials a lot easier.
Genshin Impact Version 5.3 launches on January 1, 2024.
