All the details about Genshin Impact 5.6, including the patch’s release date, the new characters and their gameplay kits, the Phase 1 and Phase 2 banners, new boss fights, and story updates, have been officially revealed by developer HoYoverse. The action RPG is going through the second half of Version 5.5, and in preparation for the next patch, the developer has showcased what players will be able to do during the six weeks that compose Version 5.6. The details were presented during the official Genshin Impact 5.6 livestream, many of which had already been leaked because of the beta tests.

Two new playable characters, Escoffier and Ifa, will make their debuts in Version 5.6, and following a sequence of leaks about their respective gameplay kits, HoYoverse revealed how each of them will work in combat. Furthermore, the developer also put the spotlight on the new flagship event that will take over the majority of the patch’s duration, with access to a new F2P (free-to-play) event weapon as a reward, as well as a new Archon Quest that should come full of lore bombs in Genshin Impact 5.6. Luckily, players won’t have to wait much longer before playing through this content.

Genshin Impact 5.6 - Release Date

The Update Is On Schedule

As was announced by the developer, Version 5.6 will arrive on May 7, though the update’s maintenance period should start and end on the day before, giving players in the U.S. access to the contents on May 6, even if at night. Essentially, this is also confirmation that the game’s contents have not suffered any delays that would see the current patch’s duration extended. Usually, when a patch is being postponed, HoYoverse also postpones the respective livestream event, but since that hasn’t happened with the Genshin Impact 5.6 livestream, it’s safe to assume the next patch is on schedule.

As such, it’s unlikely that the update will be delayed anymore, especially with a definitive release date on track for May 7. The details about Version 5.6’s contents were presented during the respective livestream, which was broadcast on the official Genshin Impact channel on YouTube. During the presentation, HoYoverse confirmed several of the previous leaks leading up to the special event and provided teasers for some content it does not intend to spoil ahead of time.

Genshin Impact 5.6 - New Characters & Banners

The Patch Will Also Feature A Chronicled Wish Banner

As was previously mentioned, two new characters are making their debuts as playable units in Version 5.6. Escoffier is the first of the two characters. A 5-star Cryo character who wields a polearm in battle, Escoffier is a hybrid between a and a sub-DPS unit. Confirming the previous Escoffier kit leaks in Genshin Impact 5.6, HoYoverse showed that Escoffier can reduce enemies’ RES to Hydro and Cryo DMG when her Skill or Burst hits them – the RES shred is based on the number of Hydro and Cryo characters in the team comp.

Furthermore, Escoffier can deal damage, a lot of which comes from her Elemental Skill. With this ability, Escoffier can summon a Cooking Mek, which follows the active character and periodically fires shots that deal Cryo DMG, which makes her a Cryo sub-DPS, especially for Freeze teams. With her Burst, Escoffier can heal her entire party. If you hold down Escoffier’s Elemental Skill in Genshin Impact, she will summon a different version of her Cooking Mek, which can then be attacked with elemental DMG to create dishes, though this ability does not provide active benefits in battle.

Ifa, on the other hand, is a 4-star Anemo character who uses a catalyst in battle. The Saurian veterinarian from Natlan can use his Elemental Burst to fire a special shot dealing AoE Anemo DMG to enemies. This attack will also deal AoE DMG aligned with Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, or Electro if the opponent is affected by any of these elements. Furthermore, the Burst also creates a current that pulls in nearby enemies and restrains them. Perhaps the most vital part of Ifa’s kit in Genshin Impact, however, is his Elemental Skill.

By using his Elemental Skill, Ifa enters the Nightsoul’s Blessing state and takes flight with the help of Cacucu. In this state, Ifa can fire shots that deal Anemo DMG to enemies and simultaneously restore HP for the team. Overall, Ifa will be a healer for team comps in a way similar to Barbara. Additionally, Ifa increases Swirl and Electro-Charged DMG while in the Nightsoul’s Blessing state based on the total amount of Nightsoul Points the team has. As such, Ifa should be a good for Natlan teams who use elements that interact with his Anemo to trigger Swirl.

Confirming the previous leaks about the character banners in Genshin Impact 5.6, HoYoverse revealed that Escoffier will debut in Phase 1 banners alongside a rerun banner for Navia, while Phase 2 banners will feature rerun banners for Kinich and Raiden Shogun. Ifa should also make his debut in Phase 1 banners, where he will have an increased drop rate. Version 5.6 will also run a Chronicled Wish banner featuring Inazuma characters and weapons, including Ayaka, Ayato, Yoimiya, Itto, Chiori, Yae Miko, Itto, Kokomi, Kazuha, and each of their respective signature weapons.

Genshin Impact 5.6 - New Map Area, Archon Quest, Bosses, Events, & More

Players May Encounter Huge Lore Bombs

Aside from the characters, HoYoverse also revealed a new world boss fight against the Secret Source Automaton: Overseer Device. As teased by the livestream, this boss fight should take place in a new Natlan map area, though the developer did not describe the area – for now, it’s best to assume it will only be a new area containing the arena for the boss fight. Another exciting piece of content arriving with Version 5.6 is the new Archon Quest in Mondstadt, which will culminate in a battle against a new weekly boss in Genshin Impact 5.6.

HoYoverse revealed that the new weekly boss will have two phases and that using Freeze reactions will be crucial for the second phase.

The new Archon Quest will see Albedo undergo a secret trial, as he has been accused of murder. The new quests will involve several of the Favonius institution, Venti, and even some of the Hexezirkel. There will also be some interactions with Varka, as well as the long-rumored Dahlia, both of whom have been confirmed for the story mission. Based on what characters are appearing, players can expect huge lore bombs in Genshin Impact 5.6.

Aside from the new main story content in Mondstadt, players will be taken to Fontaine for the patch’s flagship event, Whirling Waltz. This event, which will be accompanied by story quests, too, will have players oversee the management of an amusement park, during which they should test several minigames. Meanwhile, some Natlan characters will investigate a possible smuggling case in Fontaine. Completing certain requirements in this event can net you several rewards, from Primogems to a new free event weapon in Genshin Impact 5.6, a 4-star bow called Sequence of Solitude, and its respective Refinement materials.

Other events that will help fill out the duration of Version 5.6 are Operation Downpour Simulation, a war game that consists of offensive and defensive phases, Legends Ablaze: Cross-Border Brawl, a competitive coin-collecting minigame in which players will be able to indwell Saurians and exploit Natlan characters’ movement abilities, and Chronicle of Shifting Stratagems, a battle-centered event that enables various team comp possibilities, holding various challenge buffs and modifiers. The Ley Line Overflow event also returns in the patch. With the addition of several other system optimizations, Genshin Impact 5.6 will be a huge update.

Source: YouTube/Genshin Impact