An overview of all characters that are expected to appear in Genshin Impact within the next year by the end of 2021.
Which characters are we talking about? Genshin Impact had a selection of 24 characters at launch. You could collect and level them. However, developer MiHoYo wants to bring even more. In addition to more zones, the number of characters will also increase, which you can obtain either through loot boxes or by participating in special events.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. We will update it regularly for you. The characters we show here have already appeared in Chinese closed betas or have been confirmed before the launch. Others are rumors, as the characters have already been seen in-game or in trailers.
Given the collecting aspect in Genshin Impact, where players want to own as many heroes as possible, it can be assumed that this list is accurate. We do not yet know exactly when the characters will be released. However, we want to introduce them to you already.
Important: The elemental bursts are the special abilities. If you play on PC, you activate them with Q. So, they are basically the ults of the characters.
The elemental skills are the elemental abilities that you activate with the E key.
Xiao
Element: Anemo | Weapon: Polearm
Who is this? During the past beta tests for Chinese players, Xiao was a playable character. However, when Genshin Impact was released, he suddenly was missing. Players firmly expect that Xiao will find his way into the game with the major November update 1.1. After all, he is already an NPC interacting with players during the main questline.
As PCGamer reports, Xiao is strong. His elemental skill is a dash forward that deals heavy Anemo damage and can even be used in mid-air. The skill has two charges, allowing you much mobility in fights or while exploring.
His elemental burst transforms him into a Yaksha. This form gradually drains his HP but significantly increases his attack range, damage, and jump height. Additionally, in this form, every damage he deals is converted to Anemo damage.
Ayaka
Element: Cryo | Weapon: Sword
Who is this? Ayaka could be played in the very first closed beta test in China. However, she has disappeared since then. This could be due to her originating from the Inazuma region, which is supposed to serve as the main setting for chapter 3. However, chapter 3 is not expected to be activated until sometime in 2021.
It is already known that Ayaka fights with swords and belongs to the Cryo element. Her dodging ability makes her invisible, similar to Mona, who transforms into water when she dodges.
Her elemental skills deal Cryo damage to all opponents in her immediate vicinity. Her elemental burst fires a wave of frozen swords that gradually spread to the sides.
Zhongli
Element: Geo | Weapon: Polearm
Who is this? If you have already completed all the story quests, you will have met Zhongli. It is suspected that he will be part of the update on November 23. It seems that Zhongli will only be available from loot boxes; he is a 5-star character. So the chances of obtaining him are not very high.
However, if you draw him, you will be quite lucky because Zhongli looks strong. His basic attacks are nothing special, but his elemental skill is useful. When you use it, you deal Geo damage to opponents around you. By holding the skill button, Zhongli charges it up and shoots a wave that destroys all Geo objects, including ores.
His elemental burst calls down a meteor that turns affected enemies to stone.
Childe
Element: Hydro | Weapon: Bow, Daggers
Who is this? You probably also know the character Childe, as he is present as an NPC in the game. It is also suspected that he will become playable through the November update.
The special thing about Childe is that he is the only character in the game who can switch between melee and ranged attacks. With his bow, he deals normal and charged attacks that distribute Hydro damage. His elemental skill allows him to wield daggers and polearms for melee combat. There is no cooldown on the skill.
His elemental burst depends on which weapon is equipped.
- The bow fires a massive Hydro shot that debuffs enemies
- The dagger makes a large slash
If you hit enemies with the first elemental burst and then also with the second, you will deal even more damage.
Xinyan
Element: Pyro | Weapon: Claymore
Who is this? It is also assumed that Xinyan will be part of the major November update. This makes sense since she hails from Liyue, which is the main region of the current chapter.
As she is “only” a 4-star character, your chances of obtaining Xinyan from loot boxes are better than with the 5-star characters. Apart from that, it is known about Xinyan that she uses her guitar for battles.
Her elemental skill swings her guitar axe in a large circle. Every enemy hit charges her Pyro shield further.
Her elemental burst is a rocky guitar riff that knocks back enemies and ignites the ground.
Diona
Element: Cryo | Weapon: Bow
Who is this? Fans also expect Diona to come with the November update for Genshin Impact. She is a bow user who appeared in the first closed beta test in China. She is said to be a waitress in a bar in Mondstadt.
This is the November update 1.1 of Genshin Impact that we keep referring to.
The reddit user Polonoid75 summarized some helpful details from the test servers. Among them is also Diona’s elemental burst. She throws a cocktail on the ground, dealing damage to enemies and healing allies if they are within the effect. Her elemental skill is still unknown.
Baizhu
Element: Dendro | Weapon: Unknown
Who is this? The release of Baizhu has already been confirmed, but there is still no release date. He was first seen in the third closed beta test, but was not a playable character then. The white snake on his shoulders can even talk and is named Changsheng. He is allegedly part of the Dendro element.
Ganyu
Element: Cryo | Weapon: Bow
Who is this? Just like Baizhu, Ganyu has also been seen as an NPC in closed beta tests. However, she was also removed from the game before launch. Rumors suggest that she will become playable in a future update. Nobody knows when that will happen.
Which of the characters listed here for Genshin Impact are you most looking forward to?
We have repeatedly talked about elements in the characters. If you would like to know more about this, we have a guide to elements and combos in Genshin Impact for you.
