Genshin Impact 5.5 Update: New Characters, Areas, and Events Arrive in Natlan

The Genshin Impact 5.5 update, titled “Day of the Flame’s Return”, brings exciting new content to the world of Teyvat. This major patch expands the Natlan region, introduces new playable characters, and adds fresh events for players to enjoy. Let’s dive into the key features coming with this update on March 26, 2025.

New Playable Characters

Varesa - 5-Star Electro Catalyst User

Varesa, a new 5-star character, joins the roster as an Electro catalyst wielder. Her unique playstyle revolves around plunging attacks:

  • Normal Attack: “By the Horns”
  • Elemental Skill: “Riding the Night-Rainbow”
  • Elemental Burst: “Guardian Vent!”

Varesa can use her Charged Attack to leap into the air, leading directly into a Leaping Attack. Her kit synergizes well with the new artifact set “Long Night’s Oath”, which boosts Plunging Attack damage.

Iansan - 4-Star Electro Polearm User

Iansan debuts as a 4-star Electro polearm character. Her abilities include:

  • Normal Attack: “Weighted Spike”
  • Elemental Skill: “Thunderbolt Rush”
  • Elemental Burst: “The Three Principles of Power”

Iansan’s Kinetic Energy Scale measures the distance traveled by other characters in combat, boosting her ATK based on that distance.

Natlan Expansion: The Sacred Mountain and Sanctified Land

The 5.5 update introduces a new area within Natlan called “The Sacred Mountain and Sanctified Land”. This expansion features:

  • A massive volcano with periodic eruptions
  • An ancient city hidden within the volcano’s depths
  • The Collective of Plenty tribe’s base
  • New puzzles and exploration mechanics

Players can earn limited-time exploration rewards by thoroughly investigating this new region.

New Saurian: Tatankasaur

The Tatankasaur joins as a new type of indwellable Saurian creature. Its abilities include:

  • Smashing rocks and objects by sprinting
  • Triggering a “fighting spirit” mode after striking with its horns
  • Performing a second, faster sprint that can briefly cross water or liquid phlogiston

New Boss: Lava Dragon Statue

A fearsome new world boss, the Lava Dragon Statue, awaits challengers in the depths of Natlan. This boss uses attacks based on scorching lava and rocks. Players will need to use Pyro attacks strategically to create openings for damage.

New Events

Tournament of Glory in Bloom

This flagship event features both combat and puzzle gameplay. Players can participate in two modes:

  1. Bloomflower Trials: Capture or defend strongholds against other tribes
  2. Saurian Treasure Seeker: Guide a Saurian to collect treasure while avoiding hazards

Completing this event allows players to invite Ororon to their party.

Quirky Quaking Arena

A co-op event where teams compete to collect adventure coins while navigating hazardous arenas.

Rhythm Ball Meztli

A rhythm game event requiring players to hit balls with a paddle to the beat of Natlan music.

Unlimited Fighting Championship

Face five stages of high-difficulty combat challenges, with each stage offering unique buffs and strategies.

Overflowing Favor

For a limited time, claim double artifact rewards from domains a set number of times per day.

New Artifact Sets

Two new artifact sets are being introduced in version 5.5:

  1. Long Night’s Oath

    • 2-piece effect: +25% Plunging Attack DMG
    • Particularly useful for Varesa, Xiao, Diluc, and Gaming
  2. Finale of the Deep Galleries

    • 2-piece effect: +15% Cryo DMG Bonus

Quality of Life Improvements

  • Enhanced boss tracking system for easier navigation
  • Updates to the Repertoire of Myriad Melodies, including new Natlan OSTs
  • Improved artifact upgrading system with guaranteed enhancements to targeted sub-stats
  • Enhanced treasure compass functionality

The Genshin Impact 5.5 update promises to deliver an exciting expansion to the world of Natlan, with new characters to collect, challenging bosses to defeat, and fresh events to enjoy. Whether you’re a veteran player or just starting your journey in Teyvat, there’s plenty of content to explore when the update drops on March 26, 2025.