Genshin Impact Version 3.1: A journey through the desert

Hello, Travelers! This is your Genshin Impact dev team, and today, we’d like to show you more about the other part of Sumeru arriving with Version 3.1 “King Deshret and the Three Magi” on September 28. This time, we will head westward, passing through the rainforest, to step into the starkly beautiful desert. Here, we will uncover the legends of King Deshret and clues to the past buried in the sand. In addition, three Sumeru characters: Candace, Cyno, and Nilou will join the cast of playable characters.

Far beyond the sweltering sands, celebrations for Mondstadt’s Weinlesefest are arriving as the crisp autumn wind blows, together with more events, mini-games, and rich rewards.

The area of death, mystery, and technology

Unlike the verdant rainforest, the desert of Sumeru appears bleak and barren at first glance. In the center of the desert lies the massive Mausoleum of King Deshret. Although King Deshret and his ancient civilization have perished, his legends and technologies are still being told by Desertfolk as well as mechanisms and robots guarding his resting place.

Beneath the scorching sand lies a large number of dungeons, challenging trespassers with unseen puzzles, mechanics, and robotic guardians powered by ancient technologies of King Deshret. The Algorithm of Semi-Intransient Matrix of Overseer Network is the most dangerous among all, with the ability to become invisible during combat. Another new Boss Enemy, the Aeonblight Drake is also a powerful mechanic monstrosity that can be found in the rainforest.

Not as lifeless and desolate as it first appeared, the desert area reveals an amazing variety of landforms and living beings. Dunes, grand canyons, and oases stand amidst harsh arid conditions, and creatures like the Sumpter Beast, Desert Fox, Quicksand Unagi, Red Vulture, Scorpion, and Scarab all call this area home. Meanwhile, Aaru Village is the largest settlement and a solid fortress for Desertfolk. The village has also taken in many scholars exiled from the Akademiya, and it has become a place where people from different walks of life and valuable intelligence converge.

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Sumeru’s Archon Quest will continue as its landscape extends into the desert. While the Traveler is busy dealing with the Akademiya, two Fatui Harbingers, Il Dottore and Scaramouche, have been plotting a scheme in the Nation of Wisdom.

More allies from Sumeru

As the story progresses, more Sumeru characters are ready to become reliable allies. A half-blood descendant of King Deshret, Candace guards Aaru Village with her shield, polearm, and a Hydro Vision. Though Candace is gentle and amiable to people, she will turn into a fierce and skillful fighter whenever she senses threats to the village. Holding her Elemental Skill, Candace will start to charge her skill and raise her shield to block incoming attacks and absorb DMG. When fully charged, Candace can leap up high and unleash a fierce strike on enemies in front of her. In exploration, Candace can decrease climbing Stamina consumption for all four party members.

Just like her dance, Nilou’s presence also has a calming effect in Sumeru City, as her caring personality always pushes her to support people around her. However, she can also use some help when confusion and negativity arise in her mind. In combat, Nilou prefers the sword and the power of Hydro, and her elegant dance techniques are also manifested in her attack patterns. With her Elemental Skill, Nilou can perform two different dance moves, the Sword Dance and Whirling Step, which deal different effects and damage respectively. She can further buff her teammates if Dendro and Hydro are the only two elements available in her team.

As the General Mahamatra, Cyno is quite used to fighting with his polearm and the power of Electro. With his Elemental Burst, Cyno calls upon a divine spirit to indwell him, morphing into the Pactsworn Pathclearer. In the Pactsworn Pathclearer state, Cyno’s Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks will be converted to Electro Damage that cannot be overridden. At the same time, Cyno will receive multiple buffs including increased Elemental Mastery, resistance to interruption, and immunity to Electro-charged damage. In daily life, Cyno carries out his duties to uphold justice and the rules of the Akademiya conscientiously, but he also holds a firm conviction and a discreet attitude towards scholars and knowledge. After work, Cyno often pursues a few interesting hobbies, including telling unfunny jokes and Genius Invokation, a brand-new Trading Card Game that is scheduled to be added in Version 3.3!

Cyno and Candace will be available during the Event Wishes in the first half of Version 3.1, coinciding with Venti’s rerun. Nilou and Albedo’s rerun will follow in the latter half of the update.

More immersive desert adventures

To better simulate the realistic trails on the sand, we’ve been implementing a new feature, dynamic terrain deformation. When characters and creatures step on the desert, the sand under their feet will sink, while part of the sand will gather around the footprints, causing a slight bump. The quicksand traces vary depending on the sizes and movements of different targets.

Meanwhile, we have also enriched our DualSense Controller support for Version 3.1. Each playable character will have vibration feedback as they cast their Elemental Burst, and we have another surprise for you to discover!

Crisp autumn days in Mondstadt

Need a rest from the hot arid climate? The people in Mondstadt are preparing for the annual Weinlesefest. In folklore, this is a time to brew and taste the wine of the year with the Anemo Archon. If the Archon is satisfied with the new wine, he will send his blessing with the autumn breeze.

This year’s Weinlesefest is about family and friendship with our old friends. However, the main story will shed light on Razor, and so will his past be uncovered as the story unfolds. Besides, festivals often come with challenges and mini-games. We have prepared four different games during the seasonal event, such as the unique Charity and Creativity game, which require players to manage your own shops! By experiencing all four games, you can attain Festive Fever and exchange for various rewards including a new four-star weapon, Missive Windspear, and its exclusive refinement material.

In addition to the festival, a new event “Wind Chaser” will challenge your tactics and the way you maneuver around with wind currents in a special domain. Another event, “Star-Seeker’s Sojourn” will require your help in fulfilling a young girl’s wish of searching for the Future Stars. What’s more, if you manage to clear Floor 4, Chamber 3 in Spiral Abyss, you will have a chance to recruit Collei for free!

Last but not least, we’re bringing more bonuses during Version 3.1. The daily login event is back once again, with up to 10 Intertwined Fates and other items to be claimed. Also, please remember to check out your in-game mailbox for a total of Primogems ×1,600, Fragile Resin ×4, and two unique gadgets, Jumpy Dumpty Party Popper and Cloud Retainer’s Damasked Device. We hope you have a good time with Version 3.1, and we look forward to seeing you next time!