Update 4.4 in Genshin Impact is the first patch in 2024, planned for the second half of winter. The update will feature a large-scale annual event “Sea Lantern Festival”, the territory of Li Yue will expand, new characters will be released and old ones will be reruns.
This article contains all currently available information about new banners, events, heroes and territories that are expected in update 4.4.
Release date for patch 4.4 in Genshin Impact
The update is expected to be released approximately January 31, 2024. As usual, pre-loading of the game will become available in a couple of days, and before the release there will be technical work, after which rewards in the form of 300-600 source stones will be sent to players’ in-game mail.
Developer Stream
According to the schedule, the developer broadcast dedicated to the new update will be released two weeks before the patch is released, that is January 19 2024 of the year. During the stream, the developers will talk about what awaits players in 4.4 and share promotional codes for 300 primogems.
New banners
Thanks to information from insider UncleChicken, the alleged banners in update 4.4 have become known. The list of characters in the prayers may change, but at the moment it is assumed that Cloud Guardian, Xiao, Gan Yu, Shen He and four-star Pyro Archer Ka Ming will appear in the patch.
The first phase
Judging by the leaks, with the release of the update, the banners of the Guardian of the Clouds (Anemo, catalyst) and Xiao (Anemo, spear) will become available. The weapon banner will include Xiao's signature - Jade Kite and a fan-shaped catalyst. You can find out which epic heroes will be included in the banner closer to the release of the patch.
The second phase
In the second half, we expect a rerun of Gan Yu (Cryo, bow) and Shen He (Cryo, spear), as well as their signature weapons – the Spear Soother of Troubles and the Bow of Amos. It is unknown which phase the new epic hero will fall into.
New characters
Cloud Guardian
Guardian of the Clouds is one of the Adepts of Li Yue. She appeared more than once in the plot of the region, only in the guise of a bird. In the winter of 2023, during the previous Sea Lantern Festival, the heroine was shown in human form. In the game, the Guardian of the Clouds will be called Xian Yun (闲云 / Xianyun). She will become Anemo's catalyst and take the position of support. Her abilities include healing, air travel, and the ability to buff attacks while falling.
lion boy
A mysterious four-star character from Li Yue, codenamed Lion Boy, recently received his announcement. Ka Min (Gaming) is a mercenary for a security company called “Sword and Scabbard”. Before this, the hero did not appear in the game as an NPC and was not mentioned in the lines of other characters, so there is little official information about him. It is known that it should be released in patch 4.4.
New weapon
Along with the Guardian of the Clouds, her signature weapon will also be released - a fan-shaped catalyst. Thanks to insider Foul, we know what it will look like. Judging by the description, there is a bird on top of the weapon, a few additional feathers on the right side, and three clouds in the middle. The catalyst is brownish-yellow, with turquoise and light blue hues. To the left and right of the fan are two spherical pendants with precious stones.
New skins
It has long been known that with update 4.4, three new characters from Li Yue will have skins. Judging by the leaks, the costumes will be made in traditional Chinese style. Gan Yu, Shen He and Xing Qiu will get new outfits.
- Ganyu will wear a short black and blue qipao with long sleeves, black shoes and jewelry on her hair.
- Shen He will acquire a long black dress with slits at the hips and black shoes, like Gan Yu’s.
- Outfit Xingqiu will be of epic rarity and will be given out in the main event of patch 4.4. Judging by the description, the young man’s costume is made in blue and white colors and with calligraphic patterns.
New Territories
Thanks to information from insider Foul, it became known that update 4.4 will release the territory connecting Li Yue and Fontein - the Qiaoying tea village in the Chenyu Valley. Two Geo Archon statues will appear in new areas. From the same insider, word came of a tea village deity named Fu Jin. It is not yet known whether the heroine will be a playable character or will remain just an NPC.
New World Quests
With the release of new territories, new quests will most likely be added. However, there is currently no information about this.
New events
Almost nothing is known about new events either. Most likely they will be mentioned on the developers’ stream closer to the release of patch 4.4.
Sea Lantern Festival
This event will be the main story event of the update. According to the plot, the Adepts will be revealed in it, in particular Gan Yu and Shen He. Rewards include many source stones, a Xing Qiu skin, and any four-star Li Yue character to choose from.
