Genshin Impact Version 1.1 – ‘A New Star Approaches’ now live
Genshin Impact Version 1.1 is officially live. The first major update for MiHoYo’s F2P action RPG features new characters, story quests and more.
Late Tuesday evening, Genshin Impact Version 1.1 update went live. The first major update for the free-to-play fantasy action game adds four new playable characters, new story quests, a Reputation system and the first season event.
Much of the contents of Version 1.1 were already detailed but in case you missed it, here are the highlights.
New Characters
The update introduces four new playable characters, two 5-star and two 4-star.
“Childe” Tartaglia is a 5-star Hydro archer that can switch stances to attack with ranged or melee. His Elemental Skill, Foul Legacy: Raging Tide, deals AOE Hydro damage to surrounding enemies, while his Elemental Burst, Havoc: Obliteration, performs “Flash of Havoc” or “Light of Obliteration” depending on which stance he is in.
“Vago Mundo” Zhongli is the second 5-star character, a Geo polearm wielder with strong area of effect attacks. His Elemental Skill, Dominus Lapidis, deals Geo damage, while his Elemental Burst, Planet Befall, brings down a giant meteor, dealing massive Geo damage to surrounding enemies and petrifying them.
“Kätzlein Cocktail” Diona is a 4-star Cryo archer whose attacks damage and slow enemies, while buffing herself. Her Icy Paws elemental Skill not only deals cryo damage but also creates a self-shield on hit. Her Signature Mix Elemental Burst creates a Drunken Mist that deals cryo damage to enemies while simultaneously healing friendly characters within its area.
The last new character is “Blazing Riff” Xinyan, a 4-star Pyro Claymore wielder who uses the power of music to vanquish her foes. Her Elemental Skill, Sweeping Fervor, is pretty straight forward, dealing pyro damage to nearby enemies while creating a shield. Her Riff Revolution Elemental Burst creates sonic waves that deal AOE physical damage before lighting up her enemies in continuous pyro damage.
“Farewell of Snezhnaya” Wish
Kicking things off is the “Farewell of Snezhnaya” wish event. This will provide increased Wish drop rates for 5-star character “Childe” Tartaglia (Hydro) and the 4-star characters “Kätzlein Cocktail” Diona (Cryo), “Uncrowned Lord of Ocean” Beidou (Electro), and “Eclipsing Star” Ningguang (Geo). Vago Mundo” Zhongli (Geo) and “Blazing Riff” Xinyan (Pyro) will be getting an event wish afterward.
New Quests
New Archon Quests
As previously revealed, Version 1.1 update features the finale of the Liyue chapter. The Archon Quest Chapter 1: Act III – A New Star Approaches is now available. Here’s the teaser:
"The mysterious emissary Ganyu appears before you at Third-Round Knockout. Claiming to have come at Ningguang’s behest, she invites you to the skyfaring palace known as the Jade Chamber. To that end, you and Paimon have come to Mt. Tianheng, from where you can see the Jade Chamber in the distance…"
New Story Quests
While we wrap up one chapter, Version 1.1 will introduce two more story quests.
The Story Quest Monoceros Caeli Chapter: Act I – Mighty Cyclops’ Adventure is now live. It will be followed by Story Quest Historia Antiqua Chapter: Act I – Sal Flore at a later date.
New World Quests
The Adventurers’ Guild’s Affairs, Necessary Procedures, Words Worth Their Weight in Mora, Changchang’s Little Friend, The Secret of Nantianmen, An Ode to Yonder City, and Endless Research are all new World Quests that provide Mora, Character EXP Materials, and other rewards upon completion.
Reputation System
The all-new City Reputation system is live. Upon reaching Adventure Rank 25, you’ll be presented with a series of quests that unlocks the Reputation system, which is divided into Mondstadt Reputation and Liyue Reputation. As you increase your Reputation Level by completing Bounties, Requests, Region Quests and World Exploration, you will unlock special rewards.
Gadgets
The Wind Catcher allows you to create a wind current while the Portable Waypoint creates a temporary waypoint to your current location.
Providing some relief for the Resin system is Condensed Resin.
"Consume 40 Original Resin to create 1 Condensed Resin. Condensed Resin can be used to revitalize Ley Line Blossoms and Petrified Trees in Domains that require 20 Original Resin, yielding 2 sets of rewards at one time."
City Features
As you level up your reputation, you’ll unlock city features, like the Mining Outcrop Search. This reveals ore deposits in a specific region, marking your map with their location. You’ll also earn merchant discounts.
These are just some of the perks and unlocks you’ll get through Reputation. Namecard styles, recipes and wind glinders are also available.
And more!
dark. Next. Beginner's Guide to Genshin Impact
I suggest you check out the full patch notes because beyond these highlights there are a bunch of gameplay adjustments, fixes and optimizations and more that will drastically improve Genshin Impact.
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There’s a lot to digest in this update which is great considering it’s been over a month since Genshin Impact released. The free-to-play game got off to a hot start, but like any live-service game, it’s long-term success will depend greatly on not just how fast new content can arrive, but how appealing it is as well.
Obviously with a Gacha (summoning or pulling heroes and items at random) system, introducing new characters is imperative. These four new ones sound fun to use and definitely look awesome as well. The biggest complaint — the resin system — appears to have been slightly addressed though it’s still far from perfect. Now remember, it is a free-to-play game so I don’t think it will ever go away, but expect further tweaks down the road.