When is Genshin Impact 2.6 coming out? Release date and what we know so far
By Andrew Lin
Unusually for Genshin Impact, we got glimpses of a new version in its previous update’s preview. With 2.5 closing out, the new update promises to expand the map and bring some anticipated characters to the game. So when is Genshin Impact 2.6 coming out? Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Genshin Impact 2.6 coming out? Release date, details
Updates last six weeks in Genshin Impact, with each Banner session lasting three weeks. Genshin Impact 2.6 will kick off right when 2.5 ends on March 29.
Dear Travelers,
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact) March 16, 2022
It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 03/18/2022 at 08:00 AM (UTC-4)!
>>>https://t.co/iSfDaDRH9w#GenshinImpact pic.twitter.com/HqphZnBqJ0
The game will go into maintenance that day, and in the United States the update won’t be playable until about 10-11 p.m. EST.
Another oddity is how early we’re seeing info for 2.6. The 2.5 update was on the lighter side, so I bet Hoyoverse gave us some early looks at 2.6 to tide us over. Preview streams for new versions typically go live a week before the update comes, but we’re getting 2.6’s two weeks before it goes live.
The 2.6 Special Program will kick off on March 18, and the event will be titled “Zephyr of the Violet Garden”.
There’s a few things we already know that are coming in 2.6. The much anticipated Ayato will be a new five-star Event character, and we’re expecting re-runs of Venti and Ayaka based on preview materials for the 2.6 steams across the different regions.
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We’ll also be heading into The Chasm, a massive new area in Liyue that expands that map just like Dragonspine expanded Mondstadt’s. Instead of going up, we’re heading down into an abandoned mine where Azhdaha and Rex Lapis had their epic battle.
There’ll be a new boss in The Chasm, but we already know Ayato will not need to fight it for Ascension.
In some key art, we can also see Albedo making an appearance. Characters who appear on key art have always been featured on Event Wish banners, but it feels too soon for another Albedo re-run since we saw him last in 2.3.
We’ll know for certain what to expect in the upcoming Special Program, but 2.6 still feels a ways away.