‍Genshin Impact version 5.5 is here, and it’s chock-full of content, including a new chapter in Natlan, two new characters (Varesa and Iansan), exciting events, and quality-of-life improvements that players have been anticipating.

If you’ve been away from Teyvat or just want to ensure you don’t miss anything, this breakdown will summarize everything in the 5.5 update and highlight the must-do activities. So grab your glider and let’s explore what Genshin 5.5 has to offer!

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New Characters: Varesa and Iansan

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The stars of Version 5.5 are definitely the new playable characters from Natlan:

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• Varesa: A 5-star Electro Catalyst user, hailing from the Collective of Plenty tribe​. Varesa is Genshin’s first Electro catalyst character since Yae Miko, and she brings a unique playstyle centered on plunging attacks. Her skill grants Nightsoul points and buffs her next plunge, and at max points she enters Fiery Passion state which boosts her damage output massively. 
  
  
  Essentially, Varesa does a flashy dive attack that nukes enemies when powered up. Her kit encourages having at least one other Natlan character in the party, because she gains extra attack when an ally triggers Nightsoul Burst (a new Natlan-specific status)​. She’s a main DPS who can deal huge AoE Electro damage, akin to a burst mage with some support aura.
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• Gameplay Tip: To maximize Varesa, use allies that can help her accumulate Nightsoul points (likely characters with off-field skills or the new mechanic introduced in Natlan). Also, invest in her signature weapon “Vivid Notions” which appears on the weapon banner​. It’s tailor-made to boost her plunging and Electro damage.
  
  

• Iansan: A 4-star Electro Polearm user, finally making her debut after being teased some years ago. Iansan is a hybrid support/DPS (she’s traditionally a support character, and not fit for DPS, but you can still experiment and build her as a solid DPS in the Overworld. This would require a lot of commitment, so take note).
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As per leaks and official info, she can boost the active character’s ATK by up to ~27% with her Elemental Burst​. Her skill likely gives a movement speed boost (mobility) and maybe minor damage. One cool aspect: her Kinetic Energy Scale from her burst follows your character and buffs them differently based on Iansan’s Nightsoul points.

If she’s low on Nightsoul points, the buff scales with her stats; if high (42+ points), it scales purely off her ATK for a bigger boost​. On top of that, she can heal allies when Nightsoul Burst state is triggered by someone​. In short, Iansan is an Electro support who boosts team damage and can even pinch-heal – a great addition for team rotations.

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• Gameplay Tip: Use Iansan’s burst right before swapping to your main DPS to give them that juicy ATK buff. Since she’s Electro, she can also enable reactions (e.g., use her with Pyro DPS for Overload or Dendro teams for Quicken). Build her with high ATK to maximize the buff, and maybe Energy Recharge to burst often.
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New Region Expansion: Natlan’s Sacred Mountain

Version 5.5 brings us deeper into Natlan, the Pyro nation. Specifically, two new areas are unlocked:
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• Atocpan: A region likely around the foot of Natlan’s great volcano. It features volcanic landscapes and perhaps the outskirts of the Sacred City of Tollan (the new main city introduced)​. Expect hot springs, lava flows, and tribal villages. There’s mention of “the area around the volcano where the last tribe resides”​; that’s probably Atocpan, home to the Collective of Plenty tribe (Varesa’s people).
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• Ancient Sacred Mountain (Sanctified Land): This seems to be the actual volcano or highlands of Natlan. Here, lore-rich locations like the Sacred City of Tollan are found​. The Sacred City, built by Dragonborn, is an ancient ruin/city we can explore: filled with dragon statues and old temples.
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These new areas continue the Archon Quest, which now likely involves meeting Murata (Pyro Archon) or at least confronting the tribe leaders.

What to do in new areas:
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• Explore thoroughly: New Teleports, Statues of the Seven, Domain unlocks are present. For example, rumor is there’s a new one-time Domain puzzle in the Derelict Masonry Dock (maybe a new Domain listed)​. Unlock all waypoints for easy travel and Adventurer Rank EXP.
  
  

• Collect new materials: Varesa and Iansan need local specialties from these areas. If you plan to level the new characters, start farming their ascension mats in these zones. Also, a new world boss is introduced: Stone-Hearted Final Form of Flowing Flame​, which seems like a big pyro elemental boss designed after a dinosaur-like lava monster or a volcanic serpent.
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• Solve puzzles: Natlan’s regions have puzzles involving fire totems, time trials, etc. Also, new Hidden Exploration Objectives are added, like mini world quests. Do these for treasure chests and maybe even a free Luxurious Chest or two.
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• New enemies: The patch introduces Tatankasaurus and its Whelps​. These are large saurian creatures. They have variations like “Tatankasaur Warrior: Skybreaker” and “Spiritlight Chaser” which sound like elite versions with Anemo/Electro powers​. Hunt them for new drops like Cold-Cracked Shellshard and Sparkless Statue Core. These drops might be needed for talent ascensions of new chars or forging.
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Basically, treat new areas like you did Dragonspine or Enkanomiya: explore, unlock, loot and enjoy the story and atmosphere. The Natlan expansion is significant as it’s the last region before Snezhnaya, so story reveals will be juicy.

(By the way, you might want to craft an extra Treasure Compass for Natlan. Devs improved it this patch to detect more types of treasure including new “Monetoos” (a new collectible)​. If you have Natlan local compass blueprint from earlier in 5.4, craft it and upgrade. It helps you find hidden chests.)
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Major Events in Version 5.5

Every Genshin update comes with limited-time events for Primogems and goodies. 5.5’s flagship event and side events are:

• Flagship Event: “Tournament of Glory in Bloom”: This is the main event, a big combat tournament festival in Natlan. The story involves an NPC named Ifa hosting games to collect Sacred Flame Crystals to save a Teptelisaur.
  
  

Aside from the flagship tournament, there are several side events to enjoy in 5.5:
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• Quirky Quaking Arena: A fun rhythm and combat mini-game where you defeat waves of enemies to the beat. Time your attacks to music for bonus points. It’s a lighthearted event with rewards like Mora and Talent materials.
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• Rhythm Ball Meztli: Speaking of rhythm, this event is a pure rhythm game similar to previous music festivals. Hit notes in time to Natlan-inspired tunes. Score high for Primogems and a namecard.
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• Unlimited Fighting Championship: A combat gauntlet event; face off against waves of tough foes under special conditions (like enhanced enemy strength or timed challenges). This is the event to test your team’s limits. Clearing stages grants tiered rewards, including weapon upgrade materials and a unique event gadget.
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• Overflowing Favor: A blessing for grinders; during this event, Artifact Domain drops are doubled. For a limited time, when you spend resin in artifact domains, you’ll get 2 sets of rewards. This is a must-do every day of the event; it’s the best chance to farm those new artifact sets efficiently. Don’t miss it, especially if you’re hunting for perfect pieces for Varesa or your other main DPS characters.
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Speaking of artifacts, two new artifact sets have been added in 5.5: Long Night’s Oath and Finale of the Deep Galleries. These can be obtained from a new domain in Natlan. One set boosts plunge attack and elemental burst damage, while the other enhances support capabilities. If you pull the new characters, consider farming these sets to maximize their potential.
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Must-Do’s in Version 5.5
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To ensure you don’t miss anything important, here’s a quick checklist of must-do activities in the 5.5 update:
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• Play the Archon Quest: Continue the Natlan storyline. Not only for lore, as completing Archon Quests often gives a hefty Primogem reward and unlocks daily commissions in the new region. Plus, you might get to trial the new characters in the story.
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• Explore Atocpan & Sacred Mountain: Unlock all Statues of the Seven and Domains. Solve puzzles for chests, find all Oculus to upgrade the Statues, and complete World Quests like “Little Lost Saurians” for hidden achievements. Full exploration nets tons of primos and new local specialties for character ascension.
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• Farm the New Boss & Materials: Locate the Stone-Hearted Form of Flowing Flame world boss and farm it weekly. Also take down new normal enemies (Tatankasauruses, Wayob Manifestation​, etc.) to stock up on their drops. Even if you haven’t pulled the new characters yet, having materials ready will save time when you do get them.
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• Participate in All Events: Particularly Tournament of Glory in Bloom. Ensure you complete its stages for the free 4-star Ororon (a Pyro character reward and a ton of Primogems. Don’t skip Overflowing Favor; it’s basically free artifacts and a rare opportunity to strengthen your roster. Even smaller events like Rhythm Ball Meztli are worth doing for the primos, Mora, and fun.
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• Upgrade Your Artifacts and Team: Take advantage of the artifact strongbox changes to optimize your gear. If you’ve been hoarding trash artifacts, now’s the time to convert them and hope for better substats. Also, consider building or tweaking teams to include the new characters or counter new challenges. For example, if the Unlimited Fighting Championship has an enemy with high Pyro resistance, you might prepare a team with more Hydro or Cryo units.
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In A Nutshell

Genshin Impact 5.5 is a feast for players. We have two electrifying new characters (Varesa the plunging Electro mage and Iansan the Electro buffer) to shake up team comps, a breathtaking new region in Natlan with rich lore and challenges, and a slate of events that cater to both hardcore and casual players. The Tournament of Glory in Bloom will test your battle prowess while showering you with goodies (don’t forget to claim Ororon).

If you find yourself wanting that last 10-pull for Varesa’s banner or need a few more Genesis Crystals to snag the Battle Pass or Welkin Moon, remember you can top-up safely with Carry1st’s Genshin Impact direct top-up.

Now go forth, Traveler and make the most of all the adventures this update holds.