The release of Genshin Impact 5.3 is imminent and following several leaks, developer HoYoverse has confirmed the contents for its next patch during the update’s official livestream. This includes details about the final Archon Quests set in the region of Natlan that should conclude the main story arc for now, as well as details about the four new playable characters. Among them is the highly awaited Pyro Traveler and Citlali and Mavuika in Genshin Impact. The patch will also introduce the 4-star character Lan Yan from the region of Liyue, who will be part of 2025’s Lantern Rite.

The contents related to Natlan should take over the majority of the patch considering this is the conclusion of the main story arc, but 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 its subsequent content, such as story quests and even character skins in Genshin Impact 5.3. All of this should not take too long to arrive as Version 5.3’s release date is set for early 2025.

Genshin Impact 5.3 - Release Date

The New Patch Will Kick Off 2025

The next patch will not only arrive in the early portion of 2025, but on the very first day of the year. As confirmed by HoYoverse, Version 5.3 will be released on January 1, 2025, across all platforms on which the game is currently available. The information was shared during the Version 5.3 livestream, which was broadcast on the official Genshin Impact channel on Twitch.

The confirmation of the release date shows that the game has not suffered any internal delays in development and is due to continue following the six-week schedule for each patch. With the official release date already established, the odds of a delay are very low, as delays in HoYoverse’s games are usually preceded by a delay in the respective livestream’s presentation – with the Version 5.3 livestream out of the way and an official date, players likely won’t have to worry about a delay and will be able to play Genshin Impact 5.3 on the first day of 2025.

Genshin Impact 5.3 - New Characters & Banners

Four New Characters Arrive

As was mentioned, HoYoverse confirmed four new playable characters for the patch. One of them is the Pyro Traveler, who will finally unlock their new set of powers through a pivotal moment in the story quest. All players will have access to the Pyro Traveler, provided they progress through the new Archon Quests in Natlan. According to the Pyro Traveler’s leaked kit in Genshin Impact 5.3, the main character will operate as an off-field sub-DPS – and one that may finally offer a viable substitute for Xiangling, who has been used as a Pyro sub-DPS since launch.

The other new character release 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 sees her ride her Flamestrider motorcycle in battle. She will be capable of operating as both a main DPS and an off-field Pyro sub-DPS, according to Mavuika’s gameplay kit in Genshin Impact 5.3. Her Flamestrider will also allow her to have increased movement speed and traverse several types of terrain.

Mavuika will even be able to fly for a short period with her Flamestrider.

The other new 5-star character release in Version 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 for her team comp with a shield, as well as Cryo application – which, in turn, sets the field for Cryo-related Reactions, such as Melt and Superconduct. With her Nightsoul Transmission state, Citlali’s kit in Genshin Impact 5.3 will allow players to leap and then glide, much like Ororon, but in an enhanced state.

The final new character is Lan Yan. The 4-star Anemo unit from Liyue uses a catalyst in battle, allowing her to deal Anemo DMG to enemies with Normal Attacks. Much like Citlali, Lan Yan’s kit is centered around the creation of a shield for her team comp, as well as triggering Swirl reactions. Her shield can change elements depending on her teammates, the power of the shield’s DMG absorption for certain elements. Lan Yan in Genshin Impact can also use her Ultimate to gather enemies, somewhat like Sucrose and Kazuha.

As was previously speculated by leaks, HoYoverse has confirmed that Phase 1 banners will feature both Mavuika and Citlali, while Phase 2 banners will see the reruns of Arlecchino and Clorinde. Lan Yan will debut in Phase 2 banners of Version 5.3 with an increased drop rate and, because she is a 4-star unit, she will then be added to the standard loot pool after her debut. Version 5.3 may also represent a massive update to banners in Genshin Impact, with Phase 1 banners lasting the entire patch, though HoYoverse has not covered the rumors.

In addition to the 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 acknowledged that the restrictions for characters entering Chronicled Wish were too severe and impeded Shenhe, who has only rerun once, to be added. As such, the requirements were loosened so as to bring forth characters that have been highly awaited by players.

Genshin Impact 5.3 - Natlan Story Updates, Lantern Rite, & Other Events

Several Activities Will Offer Players Plentiful Rewards

Version 5.3 will add the final main Natlan Archon Quests to the game, and it should see Mavuika and the Traveler ing forces to repel the Abyss’ incursion and influence over the Nation of Pyro once and for all. The details of the story missions have not yet been spoiled, but they will likely conclude with the fight against Lord of Eroded Primal Fire, who will then become the new weekly boss in Genshin Impact 5.3.

Additionally, a new world boss will be added with the patch, dropping the materials used in Citlali’s Ascension. In addition to the main Archon Quests, HoYoverse has revealed that Mavuika will gain a Story Quest and that Act 3 of the Masters of the Night Wind Story Quest will also be unlocked. Completing these during Version 5.3 will reward players with Mavuika and Citlali materials in Genshin Impact, respectively.

Version 5.3 will also host the annual Lantern Rite Festival, in which Hu Tao is confirmed to be the main character. Both her and Xiangling will gain new skins during the update, though Hu Tao’s skin will be a item, while Xiangling’s skin will be obtainable for free as a reward for the Lantern Rite event, which will have several activities to complete. During the period, players will also be able to obtain a free 4-star character from Liyue.

Players will be able to claim the recently released Lan Yan for free through this event.

Additionally, players will gain 10 free wishes and several materials by logging in, while another even will offer players 1,600 Primogems and extra materials, which will be sent by mail. Players on platforms other than Xbox will also have the limited opportunity of obtaining the Xbox glider in Genshin Impact, though they must 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 the Beetle Battle, and others. Several quality-of-life updates are also confirmed, such as the removal of world boss cooldowns, an expansion in the Artifact inventory limit, and more. With all of this in store for Genshin Impact 5.3, players should be very busy during the first month of 2025.

Source: Twitch/Genshin Impact