Genshin Impact Version 5.3 launches in the New Year with an epic battle for Natlans’ future

Version 5.3 of Genshin Impact is scheduled for January 1st, and the Puro Traveler variant will finally be released, which is about bloody time. If it is a letdown with how long we have waited, I will riot. Besides that, Incandescent Ode of Resurrection is also packed with a host of other, less important, goodies.

Act 5 of Natlan’s Archon Quest will see the region's six mighty heroes together, battling against the Abyss’ hoard, backed by the Ode of Resurrection infrared on all Natlanese warriors' last patch. The story culminations in a fight against the Lord of Eroded Primal Fire, a fearsome Abyssal Mimic Dragon.

To help in the fight, the Pyro Archon Haborym, aka Mavuika, will be available to recruit. She switches between two combat styles; a massive claymore, or riding her Flamestrider and flattening foes. It can also be used to explore. Our second five-star is Granny Itztli, known as Citlali, a Cyro Catalyst user. She can deploy Cryo shields in battle, and deal AoE Cryo damage. These two will be available in Part 1, with Part 2 seeing Arlecchino and Clorinde return.

Away from the grand battles, Liyue Harbour is again enjoying the Lantern Rite. Join in and you will earn 1,600 Primogems, and the Wings of Fate’s Course Interwined glider. You can also pick up ten Intertwined Fate through daily logins, a new outfit for Ziangling by engaging in minigames, and a free 4-star character by completing the whole event.

Focusing on Fun, Hoyo is adding a ton of minigames. You can share gift envelopes with companions and other players to spread the holiday spirit or engage in combat challenges as well as the block-clearing Immortal Combat game. These will accumulate Festive Fever, which can be traded for Xiangling’s New Year’s Cheer outfit.

In optimisation news, the character interface now has a button to take you to the Training Guide directly, with Artifacts, Weapons, and Character overviews being made clearer. The Artifact cap has been increased to 2,100, and Bosses will respawn in 5 seconds after claiming rewards to make farming smoother.

Genshin Impact is available to download from the App Store and Google Play.