Summary
- Version 5.5 of Genshin Impact will introduce two new Artifact Sets, one focusing on Plunging Attacks and the other on Cryo characters.
- The Plunging Attack set provides stacking bonuses, while the Cryo set boosts damage when energy is at 0.
- These Artifact Sets are tailored for upcoming characters like Varesa and Skirk, hinting at new playstyles.
According to a recent Genshin Impact leak, Version 5.5 will add two new Artifact Sets to the game, one of which will have a unique mechanic for Cryo characters. When Natlan made its debut in August 2024, it launched with two extremely valuable Artifact Sets. The Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City and the Obsidian Codex were tailor-made to fit just about any Natlan character, as they engaged with the region's Nightsoul mechanic. However, Genshin Impact players were wondering when Natlan would debut its second Artifact Domain, as Waterfall Wen came out during Fontaine in Version 4.3.
With Lan Yan being a Liyue character, and Mizuki hailing from Inazuma, Genshin Impact managed to skip the need for a second Artifact Domain in Version 5.3 and Version 5.4, but the upcoming map expansion makes new Artifact Sets a necessity. With Varesa and Iansan coming to Genshin Impact in March 2025, Version 5.5 is expected to set the stage for the second half of Natlan's patch cycle. The Artifact Sets that will make their debut in Version 5.5 will not only be made with Varesa in mind, but upcoming 5-Star characters as well.
Genshin Impact Leaks Natlan Map Expansion for Version 5.5
A recent Genshin Impact leak provides an overview of the upcoming zone in Version 5.5, which will expand the map of Natlan towards the southwest.
.As shared by Narc1ssus, the upcoming Artifact Domain in Version 5.5 will feature two Artifact Sets, one with Plunging characters in mind, and the other for a very niche Cryo ability kit. While characters such as Xiao in Genshin Impact will benefit from the new Artifact Set, it seems to be specifically made for Varesa. On the other hand, the Cryo set seems to work for characters who don't use Elemental Energy. Up until this point, only Mavuika and Sethos fit the bill, and neither of them are Cryo characters.
Genshin Impact: Version 5.5 Artifact Sets
First Set
- 2-Piece: Increases Plunging Attack damage by 25%.
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4-Piece: When the wielder's Plunging Attack, Charged Attack, or Elemental Skill hits an enemy, they gain 1/2/2 stacks of "Everlasting Radiance," respectively. This effect can be triggered once per second by Plunging Attacks, Charged Attacks, or Elemental Skills.
- Everlasting Radiance: Each stack increases Plunging Attack damage by 15% for 6 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Each stack's duration is calculated independently.
Second Set
- 2-Piece: Increases Cryo DMG Bonus by 15%.
- 4-Piece: When the wielder's Energy is 0, Normal Attack damage is increased by 60%, and Elemental Burst damage is increased by 60%. After the wielder's Normal Attack deals damage, the Elemental Burst damage increase effect will be disabled for 6 seconds; after the wielder's Elemental Burst deals damage, the Normal Attack damage increase effect will be disabled for 6 seconds. These effects can be triggered even when the character is off-field.
In terms of upcoming characters in Genshin Impact, only Skirk is expected to wield the Cryo element. While there is a chance that Effie or Dahlia are Cryo as well, the second Artifact is very likely made for Skirk and future characters like Skirk from Nod-Krai. The bonuses for the second Artifact Set imply that Skirk will likely have an Elemental Burst mode like Raiden Shogun, while her Normal Attacks will make up the rest of her rotation. Given Tartaglia's ability to switch weapon sets via his Elemental Skill, this would certainly be fitting for his master.
As for the first Artifact Set, it's highly likely to become a desirable set for Xiao and (potentially) Gaming. In order to maintain all five stacks of its Plunging Attack damage bonus, players would need to weave Plunging Attacks, Elemental Skills, and Charged Attacks on a 6-second rotation. Given the focus on Plunging Attacks in Version 5.5, it's highly likely that Xianyun in Genshin Impact will feature on the Event Banners in the upcoming patch. Version 5.5 is expected to launch on March 26, 2025.
Genshin Impact
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 28, 2020
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.
You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.
Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds...
MASSIVE OPEN WORLD
Climb any mountain, swim across any river, and glide over the world below, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery each step of the way. And if you stop to investigate a wandering Seelie or strange mechanism, who knows what you might discover?
ELEMENTAL COMBAT SYSTEM
Harness the seven elements to unleash elemental reactions. Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo interact in all sorts of ways, and Vision wielders have the power to turn this to their advantage.
Will you vaporize Hydro with Pyro, electro-charge it with Electro, or freeze it with Cryo? Your mastery of the elements will give you the upper hand in battle and exploration.
BEAUTIFUL VISUALS
Feast your eyes on the world around you, with a stunning art style, real-time rendering, and finely tuned character animations delivering you a truly immersive visual experience. Lighting and weather all change naturally over time, bringing every detail of this world to life.
SOOTHING SOUNDTRACK
Let the beautiful sounds of Teyvat draw you in as you explore the expansive world around you. Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the soundtrack changes seamlessly with the time and gameplay to match the mood.
BUILD YOUR DREAM TEAM
Team up with a diverse cast of characters in Teyvat, each with their own unique personalities, stories, and abilities. Discover your favorite party combinations and level up your characters to help you conquer even the most daunting of enemies and domains.
JOURNEY WITH FRIENDS
Team up with friends across various platforms to trigger more elemental action, tackle tricky boss fights, and conquer challenging domains together to reap rich rewards.
As you stand atop the peaks of Jueyun Karst and take in the rolling clouds and vast terrain stretching out before you, you may wish to stay in Teyvat a little longer... But until you are reunited with your lost sibling, how can you rest? Go forth, Traveler, and begin your adventure!
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- PC Release Date
- September 28, 2020
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 20, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- April 28, 2021
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
