Unveiling the Ultimate Genshin Impact Update 40 Guide

After a year of exploring the vibrant rainforests and vast deserts of the Sumeru region, Genshin Impact players can now embark on a thrilling adventure in a fresh new region with the highly anticipated Version 4.0 Update. This eagerly awaited update introduces significant changes and exciting additions to the ever-expanding open-world RPG. Each major Version Update brings forth novel gameplay mechanics, captivating characters, and uncharted territories to discover, and Version 4.0 is no exception.

In this momentous update, Genshin Impact players are invited to immerse themselves in the unexplored region of Fontaine, where they can unravel mysteries and uncover hidden puzzles both on land and beneath the vast waters that engulf the majority of the area. Fontaine, a Hydro-powered region, holds numerous secrets and challenges to conquer.

Fontaine: The Region of Hydro

Fontaine, located to the North of Sumeru and North-Northwest of Liyue, provides players with immediate teleportation to the region's edge upon completing the Prologue. Fontaine is expected to expand throughout the 4.X update cycle, but currently offers four main land areas and a vast underwater expanse for exploration. The Court of Fontaine serves as the central hub, equipped with familiar amenities such as the Adventurer's Guild, Blacksmith, and Alchemy Table. As the residence of the Hydro Archon, Focalors, Fontaine allows players to dive into the Hydro region through a new waypoint in the northern part of Sumeru. Excitingly, players can anticipate new Genshin Impact World Quests and an additional Archon Quest.

Fontaine not only presents new quests, but also introduces numerous underwater areas to explore using the diving mechanic introduced in Version 4.0. Upon interacting with a Statue of the Seven, players quickly gain the ability to dive in Fontaine's waters. Underwater gameplay operates differently in Fontaine compared to other regions, offering a unique stamina bar, alternative attack methods, and exploration mechanics. Version 4.0 heavily emphasizes underwater sections within Fontaine, necessitating players to take their time and familiarize themselves with the plethora of new mechanics implemented within this innovative system.

New Characters and New Abilities

In Version 4.0, players can look forward to the addition of 3 new characters and a new elemental kit for the Traveler. One notable character is Lyney, a powerful 5-star Pyro Bow user who specializes in Charged Attacks. Similar to Ganyu and Tighnari, Lyney brings a touch of dramatic flair to his attacks. He is particularly effective when teamed up with at least two other Pyro users, making him the first Pyro DPS character to shine in a mono-Pyro team. Additionally, his signature weapon complements this strategy perfectly.

Lyney's twin sister, Lynette, is also available on the limited banners and can be obtained for free after reaching Adventure Rank 25. Lynette wields a 4-star Anemo Sword and excels at applying Anemo damage with her skill and burst. Players will have a great time experimenting with various Swirl builds with her.

Freminet joins Genshin Impact's roster in the second half of version 4.0 as a Cryo Claymore user. He is the younger brother of Lyney and Lynette and specializes in Physical Damage and reactions that enhance his own damage output. Players who want to collect all three siblings will have to wait a little longer for the youngest sibling to become available. He will be featured on banners alongside Childe and Zhongli.

Lastly, the Traveler now gains a new element to wield. The Traveler's attacks are particularly effective at applying Hydro both on and off the field. Players unlock these new abilities by interacting with a Fontaine Statue of the Seven with the Traveler. As always, players can switch between elements by revisiting other Statues.

More Artifacts to Grind

The Version 4.0 update brings the availability of the highly sought-after Golden Troupe and Marechaussee Hunter artifact sets in Genshin Impact. These two sets offer unique and potent effects that can significantly transform the way players build their characters.

The Golden Troupe set specializes in enhancing a character's Elemental Skill damage. Its 4-piece bonus provides substantial bonuses when the character is not on the field. This set is especially ideal for Fischl, as her skill contributes significantly to her overall damage output, and she often remains off-field. Additionally, Yae Miko can benefit from this set if she is primarily used for her skill. Even when considering Miko's Burst damage, the Golden Troupe set remains an excellent choice if you do not already possess a high-quality Gilded Dreams set.

On the other hand, the Marechaussee Hunter set introduces the novel concept of Crit Rate as an intrinsic attribute. This makes it an immensely valuable set. However, to fully maximize its potential, players must be able to consistently manipulate their character's HP, which only a few characters can accomplish effortlessly. Undoubtedly, this set is highly recommended for Lyney, as he can inflict damage upon himself and heal through his charge attacks and skill. Xiao can also benefit greatly from the 4-piece bonus of this set. However, it's important to note that the 2-piece damage bonus does not apply to plunging attacks.

Pneuma and Ousia

In Version 4.0, a new mechanic called Arkhe has been introduced, which has a significant impact on players' interactions with new enemies and objects in the game world. As players explore the area of Fontaine, they may come across enemies or objects emitting either a blue or yellow glow. These glows correspond to the new sub-elemental system known as Pneuma and Ousia, with yellow representing Pneuma and blue representing Ousia.

To overcome various puzzles and activate special fight mechanics, players must strategically use attacks aligned with the opposite element. For example, they need to use Ousia attacks on enemies or objects emitting Pneuma, and vice versa. This interaction is crucial in solving puzzles and progressing in the game.

In Version 4.0, all the newly introduced characters, including the Hydro Traveler, are aligned with either Pneuma or Ousia. Each character possesses unique abilities that allow them to apply their aligned element. However, players using pre-4.0 characters can still temporarily utilize Pneuma or Ousia through collecting energy balls, which can be infused into their next attack to solve mechanics or overcome obstacles.

New Weapons and Battle Pass Rewards

In version 4.0, significant changes have been made, particularly with the introduction of numerous new weapons. Similar to previous regions, Fontaine offers a range of forgeable weapons at the Blacksmith. These blueprints can be obtained by exchanging regional resources with the Blacksmith in Fontaine. These weapons have unique properties tied to changes in HP values, allowing players to benefit in various ways. As players explore Fontaine for the first time and complete the introductory event "Relic Records: Creations of the Hydro Nation," they will naturally come across the necessary resources and encounter new enemies to learn more about them. Additionally, players can obtain the Fleuve Cendre Ferryman sword by acquiring the required fish from the Fontaine fishing vendor.

Alongside the new forge weapons, the Battle Pass offers a fresh selection of weapons for players to choose from once they reach Level 25. Similar to the initial set, all of these weapons have Crit Rate as their sub-stat. While not all of them are the most powerful, some can be incredibly useful for specific characters. For example, the Scion of the Blazing Sun bow is an excellent choice for Charge Attack bow users like Lyney, Ganyu, and Tighnari. The Wolf-Fang sword is highly beneficial for characters who heavily rely on their skills and bursts to deal substantial damage. Characters like Keqing and Ayaka can quickly take advantage of this weapon's full potential due to the rapid hits from their bursts.

Here are the significant updates introduced in Genshin Impact's Version 4.0. Players can now progress further in their adventure through Teyvat, with the next destination being the Hydro Archon's domain called Fontaine. Version 4.0 includes numerous fresh regions to discover, additional gameplay mechanics to master, and new characters to develop. This means that both new and returning players have exciting prospects until the release of Version 4.1, which will undoubtedly expand Fontaine even further.

Genshin Impact is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Mobile, with a Switch version currently in progress.