With the game’s localisation team presenting the most recent version announcement in lieu of the voice cast due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes in the US, HoYoverse yesterday evening unveiled details on Genshin Impact Version 5.1: The Rainbow Destined to Burn, which is set to go live on all servers starting 9 October 2024. This update introduces a new region of Natlan, where they will meet Xilonen, a skilled forger and five-star Geo Sword wielder, a new extension to the Archon Quest, quality of life updates and more.
Version 5.1 will see the Traveler and Paimon continue their adventures in Natlan, where they, alongside Xilonen, must continue working to prevent its destruction. In the quest, Xilonen works with the player to forge an Ancient Name for the Traveler, while Citlali, a member of the Masters of the Night-Wind, also appears to aid in the fight. Meanwhile, Citlali’s fellow tribe member, Ororon, devises a secretive plan. Completing the new acts of this Archon Quest will reward players with 500 Primogems, with an additional 400 Primogems available through specific World Quests and Natlan Exploration.
Xilonen will be making her playable debut in the first half of Version 5.1, should lady luck shine upon you. To be available as a 5-star character, combat abilities focus on versatility, using her Samplers to record and activate Geo Source Samples that reduce enemies’ Geo Elemental resistance. In combination with Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro characters, Xilonen can trigger Elemental Conversion to further weaken enemy defences. If enough Source Samples change, she gains the ability to switch her Elemental Burst from damage-dealing to healing, allowing her to support her team in multiple ways.
In the upcoming Event Wishes, Xilonen will feature alongside the rerun of Chiori in the first half, with Nahida and Hu Tao returning in the second. Players will also face a new enemy boss, the “Secret Source Constructor,” an ancient and dangerous machine hidden in a forgotten cave who is bound to provide levelling up materials for Xilonen.
Meanwhile, Sumeru celebrates the Sabzeruz Festival in honour of Lesser Lord Kusanali’s birthday. Players will reunite with characters like Dehya, Tighnari, and Collei to plan a special birthday surprise for Nahida, assuming the role of the Knight of Flowers to escort her through the festival. The festival also brings new mini-games, such as “Rocking Carriage,” “Interreflection of Reality and Dreams,” and a combat challenge. Participating in these activities will reward players with Festive Fervor, which can be exchanged for various rewards, including the chance to recruit Candace for free.
Version 5.1 also brings several quality-of-life improvements. Players who have fully cleared Spiral Abyss Floors 9 and 11 in the previous update can now skip certain floors, expediting their progression. Character ascension and crafting have been made more intuitive, with new inventory displays and formula filters. In addition, Artifact Set filters and sorting preferences will now be saved between sessions. Lastly, new Envisaged Echoes challenges will offer players the chance to unlock Zhongli and Keqing’s Echo Cosmetics.
Genshin Impact is a free-to-play action-adventure game supported by gacha-mechanics, now available to download on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS and Android – with an Xbox version slated for release in the future.
