Everything we know about Genshin Impact 3.4

Brave sandstorms and battle beetles in the new Genshin Impact update.

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Genshin Impact 3.4 is soon to arrive, bringing new characters Alhaitham and Yaoyao, but also a surprise new mini-area: the Desert of Hadramaveth. This sandstorm-wracked region has new enemies, a boss, and even its very own questline focused around finding a long-lost oasis.

The yearly Lantern Rite Festival is also almost upon us with its popular array of free stuff, event mini-games, and the opportunity to recruit Yaoyao for free, as it was withYun Jinduring last year’s event. As withKeqingand Ningguang last year, we’ve also got some new outfits forAyakaand Lisa this time around, styled on Fontaine and Sumeru respectively.

All in all, it’s a whole heap of stuff—a hell of a lot more than I was expecting from a mid-region update to be honest. Here I’ll run through everything there is to know about the Genshin Impact 3.4 update, including release date, characters, events, and details about the new area. Also, be sure to grab theGenshin Impact codesfrom the livestream for some free Primogems (if you’re looking at this on the day it was published.)

Genshin Impact 3.4 release date

The Genshin Impact 3.4 release date isJanuary 18,2023. There will be the usual maintenance period beforehand and Primogem compensation afterwards. The first phase of 3.4 features banners for Alhaitham andXiao, with Yaoyao as a boosted four-star, thenHu TaoandYelan’s banners will be available in the second phase.

Genshin Impact 3.4 characters

There are two new characters in Genshin Impact 3.4, as well as three reruns:

In terms of reruns, Xiao appears alongside Althaitham in the first phase, while Hu Tao and Yelan are arriving in the second around February 8.

Genshin Impact 3.4 new region

TheDesert of Hadramavethis a new part of Sumeru we’ll be able to visit in version 3.4. It sounds even more barren than the current desert, with randomly occurring sandstorms, and a giant hurricane that has twisted the region’s scenery. There will also be plenty of underground areas to explore, including the ruins of Gurabad, a long-lost ancient city. This new area ties into the version 3.4 story quest, which sees us searching for the Scarlet King’s eternal oasis hidden somewhere in the desert.

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Genshin Impact 3.4 events

The biggest event in Genshin Impact 3.4 is the returningLantern Rite Festival,which has a story quest and plenty of mini-games to try out. In the questline we’ll be organising a music festival alongside familiar faces, as well as uncovering more tales from the past withGanyuand Cloud Retainer.

The main Lantern Rite events are:

There are also some combat trials to complete. If you earn enough Festive Fever event currency, you’ll be able to invite a four-star Liyue character to your party, including Yaoyao. There are also the usual ten free Intertwined Fates to collect as login bonuses during the event.

Almighty Arataki Extraordinary and Exhilarating Extreme Beetle Brawlis the real name of an actual event where we’ll duel beetles fighting-game style.Warrior’s Spiritis the return of the fighting tournament mode where you can’t use skills and have to parry instead. Ayaka also has a special Fontaine-inspired outfit that will feature during this event.

Second Bloomis a combat-challenge event that involves linking characters to gain bonuses while fighting in three consecutive rounds. You can earn Lisa’s new Sumeru-inspired outfit for free during this event. Lastly, the Genius Invokation card game is getting aHeated Battle Mode, which features a different special rule every version, starting with automatically getting eight Omni Element Dice at the start of a game.

Genshin Impact 3.4 new boss

The new Desert of Hadramaveth region comes with a new boss: Setekh Wenut. This flying Anemo worm looks a little similar to the Ruin Serpent in The Chasm, and will burrow underground or float through the air above you to rain down Wind Bite Bullets.

Genshin Impact 3.4 outfits

As with last year’s Lantern Rite, there are two new character outfits:Springbloom Missivefor Ayaka, andA Sobriquet Under Shadefor Lisa. The former is featured in the Warrior’s Spirit event, but you sadly won’t be able to earn it for free. Only Lisa’s outfit can be earned from the Second Bloom event, while you have to buy Ayaka’s from the store.

Also I wasn’t kidding about that beetle fighting game

Look at em go!

Sean’s first PC games were Full Throttle and Total Annihilation and his taste has stayed much the same since. When not scouring games for secrets or bashing his head against puzzles, you’ll find him revisiting old Total War campaigns, agonizing over his Destiny 2 fit, or still trying to finish the Horus Heresy. Sean has also written for EDGE, Eurogamer, PCGamesN, Wireframe, EGMNOW, and Inverse.

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