Genshin Impact Introduces Fourth Major Update, Fontaine; Mid-August Release

Today, developer HoYoverse revealed the twenty-sixth Version Update for Genshin Impact, As Light Rain Falls Without Reason on their Special Program today. This update will be available on August 16, 2023, and will also mark the fourth major update to the game: Version 4.0, where players will be able to visit the Hydro Nation of Justice, Fontaine.

After the release of Version 4.0, players who complete the Archon Quest Prologue: Act III Song of the Dragon and Freedom will automatically unlock a Teleport Waypoint in the Realm of Farakhkert in Sumeru. You will be able to use this to quickly arrive near Fontaine. Still, it should be noted that for the best experience, it’s recommended to complete the Archon Quest Chapter III: Act VI Caribert.

Located northeast of the Sumeru desert, Fontaine is currently ruled by Focalors, the Hydro Archon and the God of Justice. Under her influence, trials have become important public events at the Opera Epiclese, where magic, farce, tragedy, and various sorts of performances also take place. The latest chapter of the Archon Quest also takes place here, and players will witness a masterful magic show by Lyney and Lynette as well as an ongoing trial.

Furthermore, Fontaine is also a hub of culture, art, and technology, where restaurants, opera houses, couture stores, workshops, and all manner of businesses thrive along lively streets packed with well-dressed individuals, creatures, and patrolling clockwork meka. However, apart from the glamorous upper town and bustling midtown, the city seems to have a seedy side in its sewers.

Since the nation is known as the Nation of Hydro, players will be able to undertake in underwater explorations. While underwater, players will not run out of oxygen thanks to a special blessing granted to them but instead consume Aquatic Stamina when sprinting. They will also be able to collect “Recovery Orbs” to restore their Stamina or swim through “Turbulent Bubbles” to speed up their movement.

Moreover, underwater combat will be performed using different techniques, and it will even be possible to absorb the abilities from special aquatic creatures to defend themselves, thwart traps and obtain treasures ensnared by seaweed.

It goes without saying that new Bosses can also be fought in Fontaine. The dancing meka duo Coppelius and Coppelia is one of the most intimidating yet elegant inventions of Fontaine. In the new dual boss challenge Icewind Suite, you can choose to challenge either Dirge of Coppelia and Nemesis of Coppelius, each performing a distinct combat sequence inspired by dance moves and figure skating. Once activated, Coppelius or Coppelia will unleash ferocious but graceful attacks that deal Cryo damage as it spins or dances.

As for the other boss enemy, it dwells in an underwater cave. The Armored Crablord, also known as the Emperor of Fire and Iron, not only possesses the defense ability of an iron crab, but can also unleash vicious Pyro attacks through its organs.

Next up, we have Version 4.0’s Event Wishes. Fontaine’s first three playable characters will make their debut in this Version Update. First we have Lyney, Lynette and Freminet, a trio of entertainers who are known for holding shows on Fontaine.

Lyney is the reliable elder brother of the trio, and he is known as one of the most dazzling magicians in Fontaine. He wields the Vision of Pyro and uses his Bow to perform some element tricks during combat. When Lyney fires charged Prop Arrows, it can summon a magical Grin-Malkin Hat that can taunt nearby enemies. At the climax of his combat performance, Lyney turns into a Grin-Malkin Cat, burning the enemies nearby and igniting fireworks to end the fight.

His sister, Lynette, by contrast, is a 4-star Anemo sword user can approach the enemies in a flash and follow up with a piercing Enigma Thrust. At the height of her Elemental Burst, Lynette uses skillful sleight of hand to summon a large Bogglecat Box that deals Anemo damage at intervals, and it is also able to fire Vivid Shots that deal DMG from the corresponding element.

Last but not least, the youngest brother Freminet is an exceptional diver, but prefers to stay out of the limelight. This 4-star Cryo character wields a claymore and prefers calm, icy strikes when entering the Pers Timer state upon casting his Elemental Skill. This professional diver will borrow the power generated from fully-pressurized Pers to inflict powerful Cryo and Physical damage. By unleashing his Elemental Burst, Pers Timer is boosted with higher efficiency and increased combat capabilities.

Lyney will be available in the first phase of Event Wishes, in the Conjuring Chiaroscuro banner. Yelan’s Discerner of Enigmas reprint banner will also go live at that same time, with Lynette appearing as a 4-star in both of those. In Phase 2, Zhongli’s Gentry of Hermitage and Tartaglia’s Farewell of Snezhnaya will be reprinted, and Freminet will be available in those banners as a 4-star unit.

Finally, we have several new functions and features that will be introduced to provide a better gaming experience. Global Illumination (GI), motion sensor support, as well as faster loading on the PlayStation consoles will further improve the graphics, the controls, and enhance the immersive experience by capitalizing on the sense of time and space. Other optimizations include the multi-layered map and the new Party Setup backgrounds and animations intended to provide players with practical and interesting details in their adventures.

Genshin Impact is a free-to-play open-world adventure RPG that brings players to the visually stunning world of Teyvat. The player takes on the role of the mysterious “Traveler,” who sets off on a journey to discover the fate of their lost sibling and unveils the mysterious secrets of Teyvat along the way.

Starting from Version 4.0, players can explore five of the seven major cities in Teyvat: Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, and Fontaine, each with unique cultures, stories, and vast surrounding landscapes, and offering a diversity of creatures, monsters, secrets, and hidden treasures for players to discover. The next major update, Version 4.0 will be available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC via the Epic Games Store or Genshin Impact’s official website and mobile via the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android on August 16, 2023.

You can view the trailer for Version 4.0 here:

You can also watch the Version 4.0 Special Program below: