Genshin Impact Patch 1.6: Everything You Need to Know

Genshin Impact's 1.6 livestream on Friday told us everything we need to know about what's coming in the next update. There's a whole lot to look forward to, including new character banners, new events, and the first-ever skins coming to the game.

Here's what you should know about Genshin Impact's 1.6 update.

Genshin Impact 1.6: New Banners

The livestream confirmed the two character banners that will be appearing in 1.6. The first will be a rerun of Klee, the 5-star pyro catalyst user who loves blowing up enemies with bombs. Klee was first introduced in October 2020, and has since become both a powerful character and a fan favorite. Players who missed Klee can take this opportunity to acquire a copy of her.

The second character banner will introduce an all-new 5-star character: Kaedehara Kazuha, an anemo sword user. He will be the first playable character we meet from Inazuma, the upcoming region of the game. Kazuha is a swordsman whose kit has plenty of utility, including grouping, swirling with anemo, and giving elemental damage bonuses to his teammates.

In addition, two new weapons will be coming to the game in the patch's weapon banners. The first is the 5-star sword "Freedom Sworn," the second is the 4-star bow, "Mitternachts Waltz."

Genshin Impact 1.6: New Skins

In Genshin Impact 1.6, miHoYo will add the first-ever character skins to the game.

The two skins confirmed in the livestream include beach outfits for 5-star character Jean and 4-star character Barbara. Barbara's skin will be obtainable for free through an in-game event, and later sold through the shop; Jean's skin will be sold in the shop for 1,680 Genesis Crystals, although the limited-time launch sale during the patch will discount the price to 1,350 Genesis Crystals.

Genshin Impact 1.6: Content Updates

In the 1.6 patch, the new Archon Quest, Chapter II: Prologue will be added.

In the quest, the traveler will venture with Beidou and her Crux Fleet toward the island region, Inazuma, and Kazuha will be there to accompany them. They will not actually reach Inazuma in this patch, although based on the screenshots revealed in the livestream, the traveler will be able to explore some new island areas between Liyue and Inazuma.

There will also be a new boss monster added to the game: Maguu Kenki, a "humanoid automaton of unknown origin." It is very likely tied to the region of Inazuma as well.

Genshin Impact 1.6: New Events

In the 1.6 patch, the main event will be a summer-themed one called "Midsummer Island Adventure." The event is set in Mondstadt, and players can expect the appearances of Klee and Jean in the event.

Much like the Windblume Festival, Midsummer Island Adventure involves taking part in various challenges to earn rewards. During the event, travelers will be able to summon the Waverider Boat, which can sail into the ocean and launch cannons at hostile enemies that have built fortifications at sea. Some of your challenges will involve using the boat to defeat enemies, or racing through the waters to collect points.

Through these and other challenges, travelers can collect the event currencies, Shiny Flotsam and Mini Harpastum, and trade them for rewards, including the free 4-star catalyst, Dodoco Tales.

Genshin Impact 1.6: System Updates

Finally, the 1.6 patch sees some new features and quality-of-life changes come to Genshin Impact.

One of these is the Companion Move-In feature, which allows a player to add playable characters to their Serenitea Pot. You'll be able to interact with the characters living in your teapot, and they'll each have favorite furnishings. If you complete a character's favorite furnishing set, you can unlock their special dialogue and receive a gift.

Some other quality-of-life adjustments include a serial navigation function for tracking enemies with the Adventurer's Handbook; new keyboard shortcuts for PC; and more detailed information in domain entry screens.