Even with the Fontaine story arc concluded, Genshin Impact still has a lot of stories to tell in its 4.4 update as we’ve seen with the latest Livestream. Time to make our yearly trip back to Liyue for another festival to meet some new (and old) faces.
Genshin Impact 4.4 Release Date and Banners
The 4.4 version “Vibrant Harriers Aloft the Spring Breeze” will be released on January 30, 2024, as soon as the current banners are over. The patch will hold another festival in Liyue, introducing the new characters Xianyun and Gaming both to the story and as playable. Although we already know one of them very well.
During the update’s first half, we’ll have Xianyun and Nahida as the main 5-stars in the Limited Banners. Nahida will be making another comeback, while Xianyun, the human version of the Cloud Retainer, will be making her debut. Gaming, our new 4-star, will also be featured in the same banner during the period.
For the second half, we have Xiao and Yae Miko as the featured characters. Xiao always makes his comeback during the year’s first new update, while Yae Miko is simply back due to her long absence. All of these characters’ signature weapons will also be featured during the period, so go for them if you feel like it.
New Content, Events, and Updates
The main event during the update is the namesake Vibrant Harriers Aloft the Spring Breeze, the latest Liyue festival that players know well enough. And as always, you can expect for the more generous-than-usual rewards of ten Intertwined Fates for logging in for a week and a selectable 4-star character. Gaming is also included in this selection, so don’t worry about pulling for him!
As for the playable events, we have some new minigames such as one based on the previous Theater event from last year and more multiplayer action, as well as some regular combat content. Completing all of these (or at least a good portion) is necessary for getting your free 4-star.
It’s been half a year since the last skins, so it’s time for us to get new ones. The lucky ones this time were Xingqiu, Ganyu and Shenhe. All of them have been graced with new outfits, with Xingqiu’s being free during the event period. Ganyu’s and Shenhe’s must be bought from the store but will boast a temporary discount until the 4.5 update.
For permanent content, the only thing announced was the new Solitary Suanni boss. We’ll probably need its drops for leveling Xianyun or Gaming, so get ready for a new grind.
We’ll also have other events such as Receiver of Friends from Afar where the Traveler takes a part-time job as a cook in Liyue, or Journey Through Hilinigmatic Terrain, where players can even play temporarily as Hilichurls. Triumphant Frenzy is also here as a combat event where you’re encouraged to constantly try out new teams.
Other Updates
The most important change is a feature that has been requested for years. Players will finally have an Artifact loadout! If you have a character that can use multiple builds (such as Raiden Shogun with her DPS and her EM builds), you can finally quickly swap between them with just one click. This will still be fairly recent, so expect more changes to the system to be introduced in later patches.
The TCG is also getting another update with Sayu and Thoma being introduced as new playable cards. If you haven’t been visiting the Cat’s Tail tavern lately, it might be time for a comeback.
Livestream Codes
Freebies from the live stream are always a thing, so here are the newest codes with a few Primogems. Grab them before they’re gone.
- BBQ8AZHUH2CZ
- MT88AYHCZ2UR
- FA9QAGYDZJEV
The newest update will be here in just a few more days, so take this time to clean up any remaining content so you can head into it with a clean log. Those Primogems for the upcoming characters won’t be farming themselves!
