The release of Genshin Impact 5.3 is imminent and after several leaks, developer HoYoverse confirmed the contents of its upcoming patch during the update's official livestream. This includes details on the Archon's final quests set in the Natlan region, which should conclude the main story arc for now, as well as details on the four new playable characters. Among them are the long-awaited Pyro Traveler and Citlali and Mavuika in Genshin Impact. The patch will also introduce the 4-star character Lan Yan from the Liyue region, who will be part of the 2025 Lantern Rite.
Natlan-related content should take up the majority of the patch, considering this is the conclusion of the main story arcbut there is a lot more content in store for players during version 5.3, as confirmed by HoYoverse. This includes the annual Lantern Rite Festival and all of its subsequent content, such as story missions and even character skins in Genshin Impact 5.3. All of this shouldn't take long to arrive, as the release date for version 5.3 is set for early 2025.
Genshin Impact 5.3 – Release date
The new patch will start in 2025
The next patch will not only arrive in early 2025, but on the first of the year. As confirmed by HoYoverse, version 5.3 will be released on January 1, 2025, on all platforms where the game is currently available.. The information was shared during the Version 5.3 live broadcast, which was broadcast on the official channel Genshin Impact channel on Twitch.
The release date confirmation shows that the game has not suffered internal development delays and should continue to follow the six-week schedule for each patch. With the official release date already established, the chances of a delay are very low, as delays to HoYoverse games are usually preceded by a delay in the presentation of the respective live stream – With the version 5.3 live stream out of the way and an official date, players likely won't have to worry about delays and you can play Genshin Impact 5.3 on the first day of 2025.
Genshin Impact 5.3 – New characters and banners
Four new characters arrive
As mentioned, HoYoverse has confirmed four new playable characters for the next patch. One of them is the Pyro Traveler, who will finally unlock his new set of powers at a pivotal moment in the story mission. All players will have access to Pyro Traveler as long as they progress through the new Archon Quests in Natlan. According to the leaked Pyro Traveler kit in Genshin Impact 5.3, the main character will operate as an off-field sub-DPS – and could finally offer a viable replacement for Xiangling, who has been used as a Pyro sub-DPS since launch.
The other new character released is Mavuika, the Pyro Archon. Mavuika is a new 5-star Pyro character who wields a claymore in battle. The Pyro Archon will have two combat styles: her regular form will see her fight with her claymore, while the second form will see her ride her Flamestrider motorcycle into battle.. She will be able to operate as both a main DPS and a Pyro sub-DPS off the field, as per Mavuika's in-game kit in Genshin Impact 5.3. Her Flamestrider will also allow her to increase movement speed and traverse various types of terrain.
The other new 5-star character release in 5.3 is Citlali. The Cryo character will use a catalyst in combat, meaning that even her Normal Attacks will be able to apply Cryo to enemies. Citlali's main focus will be providing protection to his team with shield as well as Cryo application – which in turn opens the field for cryo-related reactions such as fusion and superconducting. With her Nightsoul Transmission state, Citlali's kit in Genshin Impact 5.3 will allow players to jump and glide, just like Ororon, but in an improved state.
The final new character is Lan Yan. Liyue's 4-star Anemo unit uses a catalyst in battle, allowing her to deal Anemo DMG to enemies with normal attacks. Just like Citlali, Lan Yan's kit is centered around creating a shield for her team composition, as well as triggering whirlwind reactions. Your shield can change elements depending on your teammates, the shield's DMG absorption power for certain elements. Lan Yan in Genshin Impact can also use his Ultimate to rally enemies, such as Sucrose and Kazuha.
As was previously speculated by leaks, HoYoverse confirmed that Phase 1 banners will feature Mavuika and Citlali, while Phase 2 banners will feature reruns of Arlecchino and Clorinde. Lan Yan will debut in Version 5.3 Phase 2 banners with an increased drop rate and, as a 4-star unit, will be added to the standard loot pool upon her debut. Version 5.3 could also represent a massive update for banners across Genshin Impactwith Phase 1 banners lasting the entire patch, although HoYoverse has not covered the rumors.
In addition to regular banners, HoYoverse has confirmed a new Chronicled Wish for version 5.3, which will feature several 5-star characters from Liyue: Baizhu, Shenhe, Keqing, Ganyu, Xiao, Tartaglia, and Qiqi. The developers recognized that the restrictions on characters entering Chronicled Wish were too severe and prevented Shenhe, who was only replayed once, from being added. As such, requirements have been relaxed to give rise to characters highly anticipated by players.
Genshin Impact 5.3 – Updates to Natlan's story, Lantern Rite and other events
Various activities will offer players a lot of rewards
Version 5.3 will add Archon Natlan's final quests to the game, and should see Mavuika and the Traveler joining forces to repel the Abyss's incursion and influence over the Pyro Nation once and for all. Details of the story missions have not yet been revealed, but they will likely end with the fight against Lord of Eroded Primal Firewho will become the new weekly boss in Genshin Impact 5.3.
Additionally, a new world boss will be added with the patch, eliminating the materials used in the Rise of Citlali. In addition to the main Archon Missions, HoYoverse revealed that Mavuika will get a Story Quest and that Act 3 of the Masters of the Night Wind Story Quest will also be unlocked. Completing them during version 5.3 will reward players with Mavuika and Citlali materials at Genshin Impactrespectively.
Version 5.3 will also host the annual Lantern Rite Festival, in which Hu Tao is confirmed as the main character. Both she and Xiangling will gain new skins during the update, although Hu Tao's skin is a premium item, while Xiangling's skin can be obtained for free as a reward for the Lantern Rite event.which will have different activities to carry out. During the period, players will also be able to obtain a 4-star Liyue character for free.
Additionally, players will get 10 free wishes and various materials when logging inwhile another will offer players 1,600 Primogems and extra materials, which will be sent by mail. Players on platforms other than Xbox will also have a limited opportunity to obtain the Xbox Glider at Genshin Impactalthough they must log in during Version 5.3.
There will also be several other events during the patch, such as the addition of the new permanent rhythm game mode, a battle event, a new version of Beetle Battle, among others. Several quality of life updates are also confirmed, such as the removal of world boss cooldowns, an expansion to the artifact inventory limit, and more. With all this reserved for Genshin Impact 5.3, players should be very busy during the first month of 2025.
Source: Twitch/Genshin Impact