Genshin Impact players, brace yourselves for some potentially exciting news! While the anticipation for Version 5.7’s confirmed additions, the five-star Cryo user Skirk and four-star Hydro support Dahlia, is high, a new leak has stirred the pot regarding Version 5.8.
For a while now, the community has been preparing for a quiet period on the character front. Historically, HoYoverse tends to slow down new roster additions as they gear up for the massive annual release of a new major region. This pattern led many to believe that Version 5.8, the expected final update of the Natlan arc, might not introduce any new playable characters, leading to some understandable disappointment.
However, a credible Genshin Impact leaker known as DK2 has dropped a bombshell: Version 5.8 might indeed introduce a new character! While their identity remains a mystery, this revelation suggests a potential shift in HoYoverse’s strategy. Could their initial plan have been to exclude new characters, only to change course along the way? It’s certainly a possibility that has the community buzzing.
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Who could this mystery character be?
Currently, there are no obvious candidates. No Natlan characters who aren’t already playable have made significant appearances in the main storyline. Some fans have optimistically speculated about the long-awaited Dainsleif, especially since his name was absent from leaked character lists for the upcoming Nod-Krai region. However, this is largely considered unlikely. HoYoverse typically avoids adding characters crucial to the overarching story’s development in the update immediately preceding a major region release.
Looking back, the only five-star character to debut in an update before a major region release in the past three years was Emilie, whose banner appeared in the second phase of last year’s Version 4.8. While Emilie is rich in lore, she isn’t central to the main storyline. It’s plausible that if a new character does arrive in 5.8, they might follow a similar pattern – an interesting addition, but perhaps not a pivotal story character.
While HoYoverse hasn’t officially unveiled the events for 5.8, it’s highly probable that the update will feature the annual summer-themed event. This could potentially tie into the introduction of a new character, or simply provide a fun distraction before the next big chapter.
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Managing Expectations for 5.8 and Beyond
Despite the intrigue, it’s worth noting that any new character in 5.8 will face stiff competition for players’ hard-earned Primogems. The hype surrounding Skirk, the highly anticipated DPS character confirmed for the next update, is immense. Furthermore, many players might opt to save their Intertwined Fates entirely, as Version 6.0 is almost guaranteed to introduce one or two completely new characters from the freshly announced Nod-Krai region.
As always, remember that leaks should be taken with a grain of salt, especially when updates are still a couple of months away. However, this particular leak has certainly reignited excitement and speculation around Genshin Impact’s Version 5.8. We’ll be keeping a close eye on any further developments!
What are your thoughts on this potential new character? Who do you hope it could be? Let us know in the comments below!