Genshin Impact 4.4 Livestream Overview: Lanturn Rite, Cloud Retainer and New Skins

The Genshin Impact Version 4.4 Special Program just wrapped up, giving Travelers the world over a good look at the upcoming version update. This update will bring the return of Genshin’s most prestigious and important event, the Lantern Rite, alongside two new characters, one of whom has been highly anticipated for some time, and a new expansion to Liyue in the form of Chenyu Vale.

Before going any further, here are the redemption codes given out throughout the Special Program. By redeeming all three, you can snag yourself 300 Primogems for free. Just be sure to enter these quickly as they expire 24 hours after the end of the Special Program. 

• BBQ8AZHUH2CZ
• MT88AYHCZ2UR
• FA9QAGYDZJEV

Xianyun, Cloud Retainer’s New Form

As always, let’s start by going over the brand-new characters joining Genshin Impact in Version 4.4. The newest 5-star joining Genshin is none other than Cloud Retainer in human form. As a human, Cloud Retainer goes by Xianyun and she’s a 5-star Anemo Catalyst who has interesting versatility in terms of combat, mobility and support. Her Skill allows her to perform multiple swift leaps into the air, rapidly gaining height, before unleashing a devastating Plunging Attack where she transforms back into a crane. As for her Burst, Xianyun summons forth one of her mechanical creations to buff her and her allies, healing them over time and greatly increasing their jump height while allowing their Plunging Attacks to deal additional Anemo AoE DMG.

Xianyun isn’t the only new face in this Lantern Rite. Gaming is a new 4-star Pyro Claymore whose kit is based on Chinese Lion Dancing. Compared to other Claymores (and most other characters in general), Gaming’s kit is mainly focused on When Gaming uses his Burst, he unleashes his lion friend Man Chai to run around the arena: after using his Skill, if Gaming makes contact with Man Chai, he will immediately be able to recast his Skill and deliver another powerful Plunging Attack.

Gaming the Lion Dancer

As for how you can obtain these new playable characters, the 4.4 Special Program also revealed the upcoming Wish Banners. During Phase 1 of 4.4, Xianyun will be running alongside the Dendro Archon Nahida, with Gaming available as a rate-up 4-star on both banners. Meanwhile, in phase 2, the sly and devious Yae Miko will be available along with Xiao, the Adeptal protector of Liyue. A new 5-star Catalyst, Crane’s Echoing Call, will also be available during phase 1 as Cloud Retainer’s signature weapon. 

Aside from new characters, the biggest thing coming in Version 4.4 is a brand new area in Liyue called Chenyu Vale. This area, and Qiaoying Village in particular, have been spoken about in Genshin Impact lore for quite some time and, in 4.4, we finally get to visit and explore this area. Bordering both Fontaine and the greater Liyue area, Chenyu Vale is a place of mystery and intrigue, diverging from many of the traditional Liyue beliefs. In particular, they believe in a great Carp Adeptus called Fujin alongside Rex Lapis. 

Compared to other areas in Liyue, Chenyu Vale seems like it was ripped straight from a storybook with plenty of elevated mountains, raging waterfalls and beautiful scenery to explore and navigate through. Some of the most interesting landmarks in Chenyu Vale include the Jademouth, a massive piece of Jade which acts as a gate on the waterfront, and the massive waterfall which borders the Qiaoying Village. There will also be a new World Boss to combat, the Suanni, a large feline imbued with Anemo abilities.

Version 4.4 of Genshin Impact also sees the return of the game’s most important, and rewarding, reoccurring event in the form of the Lantern Rite. This year, the Lantern Rite theme for this year is kites, with Liyue and Fontaine joining forces to create Kites powered by Fontaine’s advanced technology.

Just like last year, players who participate in the Lantern Rite will be able to obtain one free copy of a 4-star Liyue character of their choice. You can pick from Xiangling, Beidou, Xingqiu, Ningguang, Chongyun, Xinyan, Yunjin, Yanfei, Yaoyao and the newest Liyue 4-star Gaming. Additionally, three new outfits will be added for Xingqiu, Ganyu and Shenhe, with Xingqiu’s Bamboo Rain Outfit being available to earn completely free in the Lantern Rite. His skin is modelled after Fontanian fashion, looking very similar to Furina, whereas Ganyu’s Twilight Blossom and Shenhe’s Frostflower Dew outfits are very high-class Liyue attire commissioned by Cloud Retainer. 

There are three main gameplay modes in this year’s Lantern Rite. The first is a cute mode where you move Guobu around a tiled board. The second is a co-op mode where players need to complete various stage objects to score points, whether that’s holding zones from other players or collecting enough resources before their opponents. Finally, the last activity is a series of mobility challenges where you aim to collect as many pieces of Jade as possible while moving through curate levels in Liyue.

Other events in this version update include a new cooking where you need to take over the duties of Smiley Yanxiao at Wangshu Inn, a new combat event where you must investigate a rise in strange activity by controlling and following various Hilichurls, and a new Domain event where you are given a random selection of characters to use. There will also be an update to Genous Invokation TCG with new character cards.

The Lantern Rite

Genshin Impact Version 4.4 will launch on the 31st of January 2024. 

SOURCE: Genshin Impact Version 4.4 Special Program