Alleged Content Leak For Upcoming ‘Genshin Impact’ Update Provides Details On New Character Abilities, Events, And More

The Wanderer taunts for fun via Genshin Impact (2020), miHoYo
The Wanderer taunts for fun via Genshin Impact (2020), miHoYo

Details on the upcoming Genshin Impact patch 3.4 have seemingly leaked, including new character details, skins, events, and more.

Yaoyao is delighted by fireworks via Genshin Impact (2020), miHoYo

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Thus far we only know of two characters becoming available in patch 3.4, Alhaitham and Yaoyao, along with as-of-yet unrevealed new areas in the Sumeru desert. As with prior updates, however, dataminers and leakers have uncovered what may be coming to Genshin Impact very soon. Even so, bare in mind some matters may change at the last second, be pushed back to another update, or even be outright wrong.

Firstly, leaker @genshinmains alleged that “3.4 [wish] banner will have #Alhaitham and #HuTao.” The latter is a five star character, and the rest of @genshinmains’ claim would suggest they were implying Alhaitham would also be five star.

“4 star: #Yaoyao according to Uncle Lu,” the Twitter account claimed, alluding to their source.

Leaker @genshinmains claims Genshin Impact 3.4's Wish Banner will feature Alhaitham, Hu Tao, and Yaoyao via Twitter

@genshinmains also shared alleged details on the characters themselves, along with gameplay footage. Alhaitham is a sword user for example, with an Elemental Burst that has a slo-mo effect for its animation. The burst itself, Fetters of Phenomena, “Creates a Particular Binding Field and deals multiple instances of AoE Dendro DMG.”

His Elemental Skill, “An Elaboration on Form,” brings up a targeting reticle, which Alhaitham can dash to while slashing foes. On the Genshin Impact leaks subreddit, it was also revealed his weapon — Light of Foliar Sanction — gains a damage buff for a short time after Alhaitham’s normal attacks deal elemental damage.

The official Genshin Impact Twitter account shares details and art of Alhaitham via Twitter

Yaoyao meanwhile is a polearm user, yet she also use her rabbit plushie in her attacks. Her “Raphanus Sky Cluster” elemental skill has her plushie toss out pick-ups that can heal the player’s character, or explode on contact with foes.

The “Moonjade Descent” causes multiple rabbit plushies to spawn for a short time when Yaoyao dashes or jumps (up to 1 every half a second). Likewise, these toss out the healing/exploding pick-ups.

The official Genshin Impact Twitter account shares details and art of Yaoyao via Twitter

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@genshinmains was also one of multiple sources discussing the new areas in Genshin Impact in patch 3.4. Namely, parts of the desert that have been battered by a sandstorm.

With a datamined map, the leaker shared, “3.4 new area map + underground waypoint icons added.”

Leaker @genshinmains shares the alleged map of Genshin Impact 3.4's new area via Twitter

While now deleted, leaker @genshinBLANK elaborated on what the map would involve. As detailed on the Genshin Impact Leaks subreddit, the leaker claimed the Sandstorm area would be “Separated into 3 layers/subregions: Inner, Middle, and Outer.” Players would also be able to visit while the sandstorm rages or not.

Therein, players can find “Gurabad City,” along with the “Eremite Black Market Camp (Accessible through a fissure).”

ukrisreng shares @genshinBLANK's deleted tweet regarding Genshin Impact Leak 3-4 new area via Reddit

Purportedly, @genshinBLANK also shared the names of several locations. These include Sand Ruins, Sandworm Boss Cave, Aranara Cave, King Deshret Cave, God of Wisdom Cave, Kusanali Cave, Eternal Oasis, and the Grass Dragon Cave.

Along with two possible Ruin Golems, the Scarlet King’s Cup Cave is a boss battle arena that @genshinBLANK expects will “most likely [be] tied to a World Quest.”

ukrisreng shares @genshinBLANK's deleted tweet regarding Genshin Impact Leak 3-4 new area via Reddit

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Several upcoming events were also shared on the Genshin Impact subreddit. Datamined events include four unnamed events. The first seemingly involves helping the Paper Theater perform, and protecting Liyue Harbor with fireworks. The second evolves beetle wrestling (or Onikabuto), and — while the third was skipped over — the fourth appears to be the aforementioned Sandworm boss.

Of the named events, there’s the Warrior’s Spirit (presented as a competition where players learn the values of being a warrior via new daily competitions), Second Blooming (entering the Domain to help a Researcher learn more about Ley Lines), and the quests within the Desert of Hadramaveth.

The sun sets over Liyue Harbor Sunset via Genshin Impact (2020), miHoYo

Due to the Liyue Harbor event utilizing fireworks, and being so close to the Chinese New Year on January 22nd, it may tie into other leaked footage. The “Lanturn Rite” shows the area decorated with streamers, alongside its typical Chinese-inspired decor. There are also plenty of paper umbrellas and lanterns.

IGN reports that players are able to invite four-star characters to the Lanturn Rite. These include Beidou, Chongyun, Ningguang, Xiangling, Xingqiu, Xinyan, Yanfei, Yun Jin, and the brand new Yaoyao.

Sumeru Akademiya students look on at Nilou's dancing via Genshin Impact (2020), miHoYo

Two sketches of upcoming skins for Ayaka and Lisa were also shared. Ayaka seems to have a more western-inspired dress with what could be a classic French schoolgirl hat with flowers. Lisa seems to have traded in her witch’s attire for clothes based on the Sumeru Akademiya uniforms — made up of a long robe, diamond motif, and baggy cap with an emblem. 

@Genshin_Intel provided “A quick overview of 3.4,” recapping what others had claimed. This was broken down into nine major points, which listed Alhaitam and Yaoyao as the new characters, “New map ‘Desert of Hadramaveth,'” and added they had new “Jeht quests” to boot.

Jeht and Jebrael rest by the campfire via Genshin Impact (2020), miHoYo

Along with the aforementioned Lantern Rite, @Genshin_Intel went on, “Klee & Beidou added to [Genius Invokation] TCG, Second Blooming,” explaining that it was a “battle event ft. Lisa.” The leaker added, a “Parry event v2 ft. Ayaka, Onikabuto battle event, 4★ skins for Ayaka and Lisa,” and proceeded to name-drop purported upcoming character Fujing.

Genshin_Intel shares alleged details about Genshin Impact's patch 3.4 via Twitter

Finally, as each major patch typically follows a five-week cycle, many are expecting Genshin Impact 3.4 to launch on January 11th.

Players won’t have to wait long to find out, though, as miHoYo has announced their usual “Special Program” — typically revealing release dates and other relevant information — ahead of the patch’s launch.

“The special program for Genshin Impact’s new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 1/6/2023 at 07:00 AM (UTC-5)!” miHoYo shared. Fans can watch the program via Twitch, and one hour later on YouTube

The official Genshin Impact Twitter account reveals the Version 3.4 Special Program Preview's premiere date via Twitter

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