Summary
With Version 4.4 set for release on July 16, 2025,Genshin Impacthas revealed the character teaser for the upcoming 5-Star Anemo Catalyst Xianyun. Though Version 4.4 is set to bring a new Lantern Rite event, Chenyu Vale, three alternate skins, andtwo playable characters toGenshin Impact, its community hasn’t exactly been happy with the annual rewards provided by the game, especially when compared to the generosity shown by the team working onHonkai: Star Rail.
Though frustration has slowly been bubbling ever sinceHonkai: Star Railgave away a free 5-Star characterto all players, the boiling point came whenGenshin Impactannounced that the Lantern Rite would hand out a total of 13 wishes, and that the 4-Star skin selector would only be tied to a specific PS5 bundle in China. Many fans were excited to see Cloud Retainer become a playable character inGenshin Impact, but the discourse around Xianyun has become overshadowed by the Lantern Rite controversy.
Xianyun’s Teaser Highlights Why Cloud Retainer Is So Popular in Genshin Impact
Ultimately, the show must go on – and to that effect, HoYoverse has unveiled a charming teaser in preparation for Xianyun’s debut on theEvent Banners ofGenshin Impact. What instantly sets Xianyun’s teaser apart is that other characters serve as storytellers, each sharing an anecdote that highlights Cloud Retainer’s persona, both as a doting mother to Ganyu and Shenhe, and as a fierce adeptus of Liyue.
It’s no secret that Cloud Retainer is one of the most popular characters inGenshin Impact’s lore, as her aloofness and pride stand in contrast to her deeply caring nature and need for socialization. In terms of what Xianyun will be able to offer from a gameplay standpoint,Genshin Impactplayers will be able to use her Elemental Burst not only to heal their party, but also to enable powerful Plunging Attack combos for characters with good damage modifiers (such as Diluc).
While it remains to be seen how popular Xianyun’s gameplay will be on the live servers, the initial skepticism regarding her ability kit has largely been dispelled. Not every character is Alhaitham or Neuvillette, but much likeNavia in Version 4.3, Xianyun is expected to hold her own, especially within the unique niche that she will create with her Plunging Attack kit. The other new character releasing in Version 4.4 is Gaming, who is expected to have great synergy with Xianyun as a 5-Star Pyro Claymore. While players will be able to invite Gaming for free as part of the Lantern Rite, they will have to wish for Xianyun during the first half of Version 4.4’s Event Banners.
