Genshin Impact’s 5.1 update, The Rainbow Destined to Burn, drops on October 9, 2024, and fans are buzzing with excitement. With new characters, fresh quests, engaging events, and quality-of-life improvements, this update continues to build on the rich world miHoYo has crafted for players. Whether you’re itching to explore the fiery lands of Natlan, or curious about the Sabzeruz Festival in Sumeru, this patch has something for everyone. So let’s dive into what we can expect from Version 5.1!
Check out the official trailer below:
New Region and Story Progression in Natlan
The spotlight of Version 5.1 is undoubtedly the newly revealed region of Natlan, a land brimming with volcanic energy and mystery. Players will be tasked with helping Natlan as it faces destruction, with a dark threat from the Abyss looming over. This will expand the Archon Quest, following the previous one with two new acts to deepen the story.
Enter Xilonen, the master forger who joins your team as both a powerful ally and a five-star character. Known for crafting the legendary Pyro Archon’s sunglasses (yes, really), Xilonen also brings some fresh gameplay dynamics as a Geo Sword wielder. And she’s not just another heavy hitter—Xilonen’s ability to skate along cliffs and shift between offensive support and healing roles makes her an adaptable addition to your roster.
But she’s not alone. Citlali, a member of the Masters of the Night-Wind, will make her grand debut as well, joining you to defend Natlan from destruction. Meanwhile, her tribal counterpart, Ororon, is cooking up a secret plan that will surely shake things up.
Xilonen’s Unique Combat Style
Speaking of Xilonen, her combat mechanics are a real game changer. Equipped with Samplers, she records Geo Source Samples, which can be triggered to lower enemies’ Geo resistance while boosting her attacks. But here’s the kicker: When paired with other elements like Hydro or Pyro, these samples can undergo Elemental Conversion, shifting her combat capabilities based on the teammates you bring along. Oh, and did we mention that she can heal nearby allies when her Elemental Burst is triggered? Xilonen’s versatility in combat will definitely open up new tactical possibilities.
And in the first Event Wish, you can try your luck to get Xilonen alongside the returning Chiori, while the second half brings back fan-favorites Nahida and Hu Tao.
New Events: Celebrating Nahida’s Birthday in the Sabzeruz Festival
Back in Sumeru, things are heating up for Nahida’s birthday, celebrated during the Sabzeruz Festival. This event is not just about fun and festivities—it’s a way to reconnect with familiar faces like Dehya, Tighnari, and Collei. Players will take on the special role of Knight of Flowers, escorting Nahida’s carriage through the streets.
The festival comes packed with mini-games, from the whimsical Rocking Carriage, where you’ll guide a carriage collecting flowers, to more dream-like challenges like Interreflection of Reality and Dreams. Earn enough Festive Fervor, and you’ll even have the opportunity to recruit Candace for free!
Quality-of-Life Upgrades
One thing miHoYo does well is listening to the player base, and the 5.1 update brings several quality-of-life improvements to make things smoother. The Spiral Abyss now has a skip feature for Floors 9 and 10 if you’ve already maxed out your stars on higher floors—saving you time and frustration. Inventory and crafting management have also become more intuitive, with new filters and quantity displays to streamline character ascension and artifact enhancement.
For the Echo Cosmetics fans out there, you’ll be thrilled to know that Zhongli and Keqing are getting fresh new Echoes, available through new Envisaged Echoes challenges.
What’s Coming from 5.0: Fourth Anniversary Recap
Let’s not forget about the updates that came just before in Version 5.0, which dropped on August 28, 2024. Celebrating Genshin Impact’s fourth anniversary, the update gave players plenty of rewards like Intertwined Fate x10, Primogems x1600, and a free 5-star character selector. And if you’re still catching up, don’t worry—there’s plenty of time to enjoy those benefits before the next wave hits in 5.1.
Looking Ahead
Between new storylines, exciting characters, and fresh events, Version 5.1 of Genshin Impact is shaping up to be another can’t-miss update. Whether you’re eager to explore the molten lands of Natlan, celebrate Nahida’s birthday, or master Xilonen’s versatile playstyle, this patch has something for everyone.
So, mark your calendars for October 9, 2024, and get ready for your next adventure in Teyvat. And for those with Xbox Series, November 20 is the date to finally jump into Genshin Impact, with a Switch version coming later on. Keep those Primogems handy and happy wishing, Travelers!