Genshin Impact’s long-awaited Version 6.0 update, “Luna I: A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves,” went live on September 10, 2025. In a surprise move, HoYoverse skipped over Version 5.9 entirely and jumped straight into this milestone patch. This update is particularly special as it coincides with Genshin’s fifth anniversary, delivering a massive content drop: a brand-new region to explore, fresh playable characters and weapons, a slate of events (with plenty of rewards), and numerous gameplay improvements. Players have plenty to wet their appetites, so let’s break down all the key highlights of Version 6.0 “Luna I.”
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Nod-Krai: A Frosty New Region and Story Chapter
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The centerpiece of the 6.0 update is the introduction of Nod-Krai, the seventh major region in Teyvat. Nod-Krai is an icy, mechanically-infused land inspired by the real-world Baltic Sea region, blending wintery landscapes with steampunk-style technology. Geographically, Nod-Krai is split into several unique isles, each with its own flavor:

• Lempo Isle: a small town hub filled with mechanical workshops and industrious mechanics. (Lore tidbit: this is home to some new characters like Ineffa and Aino, whom travelers will meet in the story.)
  
  
• Hiisi Island: the domain of the Frostmoon Scions, featuring vast snowy hills, ancient ruins, and scattered camp settlements. Expect an open-world expanse with plenty of vertical terrain and secrets buried in the frost.
  
  
• Paha Isle: a heavily Fatui-controlled zone capped by a giant mechanical dome, which serves as the Fatui’s regional headquarters in Nod-Krai. If you’re itching to tangle with the Fatui, this island is the hotspot of their activity.
  
  

Nod-Krai also comes with a new Archon Quest chapter that drives the storyline forward. “The Song of the Welkin Moon: Act I – A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves” is the introductory Archon Quest released in Version 6.0. In this quest, the Traveler teams up with the locals (including the Frostmoon Scions) on a mission that involves hunting down a Fatui Harbinger and harnessing an ancient energy called kuuvahki to combat new threats.

The narrative sets the stage for the conflict in Nod-Krai, even featuring familiar faces (for example, Alice, Albedo, and Wanderer make appearances in the tale). A second story act, “Elegy of Dust and Lamplight,” is planned to follow later in the 6.0 cycle, continuing the Nod-Krai saga. By all accounts, this region’s story delves into mysterious lunar themes and a clash with a powerful Fatui foe, making it one of the most lore-rich updates yet.

New Characters and Banner Wish Updates

Of course, a new Genshin update wouldn’t be complete without new characters to wish for, and Version 6.0 Luna I delivers three new playable heroes – plus some returning favorites:

• Lauma: a 5-star Dendro catalyst character who serves as a Dendro support specialist. Known as the “Moonchanter” of the Frostmoon Scions, Lauma is highly respected in Nod-Krai. Her unique kit involves an affinity with local animals (providing healing, resources, and buffs to the team) and she introduces a new Dendro elemental reaction called “Lunar-Bloom,” an AoE burst that can deal massive damage. In essence, Lauma steps into a similar role as Nahida did, enabling powerful Dendro reactions (in fact, she’s poised to take over many of Nahida’s team slots in Bloom-centric teams).
  
  
• Flins: a 5-star Electro polearm wielder who fulfills a main DPS role with a twist. Flins is a seasoned Lightkeeper from Nod-Krai, fighting with “Lunar-Charged” Electro strikes via his lantern weapon. His playstyle revolves around lighting up the battlefield with empowered Electro combos and sensing the “Wild Hunt” (spectral enemies) using his lantern; a thematic nod to the region’s folklore. Expect Flins to excel at Electro teams, bringing strong damage and flashy new mechanics for players to master.
  
  
• Aino: a 4-star Hydro claymore character who acts as a support/tank with some unique utilities. Aino is actually free to all players; she can be recruited at no cost by progressing through the new Archon Quest in Nod-Krai. Lore-wise, Aino is an inventor (she even built one of the new bosses, the Knuckle Duckle, as a sparring robot!), and she can interact with her creation for extra benefits in-game. In combat, Aino provides Hydro support and likely some defensive or healing capabilities, making her a valuable addition to teams. Her free availability ensures that everyone gets to try her out.
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Beyond the newcomers, Version 6.0 also brings back fan-favorite characters on limited-time banners. The Event Wish schedule is split into two phases as usual:
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• Phase 1 (Sept 10 – Sept 30, 2025): Featured banner characters are Lauma (new, rate-up) and Nahida (5★ Dendro Archon rerun). These run alongside a special “Sumeru Chronicled Wish”; a limited banner that allows players to pick from Sumeru’s past 5★ characters (like Wanderer, Cyno, Tighnari, Nilou, etc.) to target. This Chronicled Wish is a one-time catch-up banner, perfect if you missed some Sumeru favorites.
  
  
• Phase 2 (Sept 30 – Oct 21, 2025): In the latter half of the update, the Flins banner goes live (with Flins as the rate-up 5★) alongside a rerun of Yelan (5★ Hydro bow user). Notably, Aino features on Flins’s banner as a 4★ rate-up as well, for those who want extra constellations of her. This phase gives players a shot at the new Electro DPS or the popular Yelan, depending on their preferences.
  
  

With two new 5-stars plus tempting reruns, it’s a busy banner cycle. Thankfully, players are getting a windfall of free Intertwined Fates and Primogems from the anniversary (more on that later), which should help fuel those wishes. And if that’s not enough, remember that the first-time purchase bonus for Genesis Crystals has been reset in this update; meaning any real-money top-ups will yield double crystals again. (It’s a perfect time to stock up on Primogems through the Carry1st Shop, if you’re planning to wish for these characters.)

New Weapons and Artifact Sets

Alongside the characters, Version 6.0 adds a variety of powerful new weapons to bolster your arsenal:
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• Nightweaver’s Looking Glass: a new 5★ Catalyst tailor-made for Lauma (likely her best-in-slot weapon). Its stats and passive skill synergize with Dendro support play, making Lauma even more effective at triggering reactions.
  
  
• Bloodsoaked Ruins: a new 5★ Polearm that serves as Flins’s signature weapon. Expect this lance to boost Electro DPS capabilities and complement Flins’s “Lunar-Charge” mechanic.
  
  

For those not pulling on the weapon banner, there’s also a free weapon up for grabs: Etherlight Spindlelute, a 4★ catalyst rewarded through the “Clink Clank Clash” event. By completing that event’s challenges, players can earn the Etherlight Spindlelute and even its refinement materials, providing a solid catalyst without spending any wishes. It’s not often we get a free 4-star weapon in Genshin, so be sure to take advantage of that during the event period.
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Additionally, the new region Nod-Krai comes with its own set of forgeable weapons. Players can craft five new 4★ weapons at the blacksmith once they obtain the blueprints: Serenity’s Call (sword), Master Key (claymore), Prospector’s Shovel (polearm), Blackmarrow Lantern (catalyst), and Snare Hook (bow). Collecting Ore and local materials in Nod-Krai will let you forge these weapons, which often have niche but fun effects; a great way to gear up your team without relying on gacha luck.
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To top it off, two new artifact sets have been introduced: “Night of the Sky’s Unveiling” and “Silken Moon’s Serenade.” These artifact sets likely tie into the new characters’ abilities or the new reactions (Lunar-Bloom, etc.). Be on the lookout for the new artifact domains in Nod-Krai to farm these sets once you’re adventure-ready.

New Bosses and Enemies

Exploring a new region means facing new foes, and Version 6.0 doesn’t disappoint. Two notable world bosses make their debut in Nod-Krai:

The first is Knuckle Duckle, a bizarre yet formidable mechanical boss. This comical contraption was built from scrap metal (by none other than Aino herself) as a sparring automaton; it even bears a passing resemblance to a duck, hence the name. Don’t let the goofy appearance fool you: Knuckle Duckle hits hard with its oversized mechanized fists and serves as a challenging field boss fight. It’s essentially a “mechanical sparring partner” (and oversized maid, according to the lore) for players to test their combat skills. Defeating Knuckle Duckle will likely drop Ascension materials needed for Flins or Aino, so you’ll be visiting this ducky brawler often while leveling your new characters.

The second new boss is the Radiant Moonfly, a graceful yet deadly creature found under Nod-Krai’s night sky. This boss takes the form of a giant butterfly or moth that dances under the moonlight and attacks by shooting homing elemental missiles at the player. The Radiant Moonfly is an Aero-type (flying) enemy with unpredictable movement, making the fight a test of ranged combat skills and timing dodges to avoid its magical salvos. Its elegant appearance hides a formidable challenge: expect to dodge moonlit beams and take down this airborne foe to claim its rewards for character ascensions.

Aside from these bosses, you’ll encounter new common enemies throughout Nod-Krai as well (such as the local wild creatures and Fatui agents unique to the region). But the headliners are definitely Knuckle Duckle and Radiant Moonfly, adding some fresh variety to the roster of weekly/world bosses in Genshin.

Events in Version 6.0 Luna I (and Anniversary Rewards)

Every Genshin update brings a batch of limited-time events, and Version 6.0 Luna I is packed with them, including special celebrations for the 5th Anniversary. Here’s a rundown of the major events and what you can earn from each:

• “Clink Clank Clash”: A fun collection of mini-games set in Nod-Krai’s locales. These range from puzzles to combat challenges, all themed around mechanical mayhem. Notably, this event rewards the free 4★ catalyst Etherlight Spindlelute, along with Primogems and other goodies. Don’t miss out on getting the event weapon fully refined!
  
  
  
• “Dodoco’s Blow-Up-Erative Bomb-Nanza”: A quirky bomb-dropping tabletop game (starring Klee’s buddy Dodoco) where you place bombs on a board to blow up waves of “Spikey Fish” enemies. It’s a lighthearted strategic event for some easy rewards.
  
  
  
• “Lightgleaner’s Journey”: A photography event making a return from prior versions. You’ll travel around Teyvat with your camera, capturing specific subjects or scenarios alongside your companions. It’s a relaxing event that lets you appreciate the scenery (and earn Primogems for your snapshots).
  
  
  
• “To Temper Thyself and Journey Far”: A brand new training progression event that spans across versions. This one is big: by completing daily and weekly tasks over a long period, players can eventually unlock a free 5★ character constellation of their choice. Essentially, it works like an extended battle pass; keep up with your routine gameplay (commissions, resin spending, etc.) and you’ll be rewarded with a constellation for certain 5★ characters (the event includes a list of eligible characters). This is a permanent addition aimed at rewarding consistent play, and it’s an absolute boon for free-to-play players looking to power up a favorite character for free.
  
  
  
• “Travelers’ Tales”: A rerun event where you visit various NPC companions across the world to hear their stories. It’s more of a lore and dialogue-driven event; think of it as spending time with characters (like a mini dating-sim or hangout) and getting rewarded for being a good listener.
  
  
  
• “Repertoire of Myriad Memories”: An update to Genshin’s rhythm game mode. New musical tracks have been added for you to play through, celebrating the rich soundtrack of the game. If you enjoyed past rhythm events (like the lyre or drum along events), this will hit the right notes; plus it’s a chance to hear new in-game music.
  
  
• “Overflowing Favor”: A resource boost event that doubles your rewards from Artifact Domains. For a limited time, using Original Resin on artifact domains will give 2x artifact drops, which is fantastic for accelerating your artifact farming. Time to finally get those perfect artifact rolls, or at least more fodder to throw into Strongbox!
  
  
  
• 5th Anniversary Login Gifts & Rewards: Last but certainly not least, Genshin Impact is celebrating its fifth anniversary during Version 6.0, and that means free gifts for players. By logging in during the anniversary period (late September), players will receive a special in-game mail containing 1600 Primogems (equivalent to 10 pulls) and other goodies. There’s also a cumulative login check-in event that grants another 10 Intertwined Fates over 7 days. In total, that’s 20 free pulls just for logging in during the anniversary! Even more remarkably, every player gets to choose a free 5★ character from the Standard Wish pool as an anniversary gift. Yes, you read that right – you can pick one of the standard 5-stars (Diluc, Jean, Mona, Qiqi, Keqing, Tighnari, Dehya, or the newly added character Mizuki) and obtain them for free. This is a first in Genshin’s history and a huge perk for the community. To top it off, two exclusive cosmetic gadgets with a Nod-Krai theme are also given out (a cute Ujola Cat robot companion and a Rotor Hovering Daybed furnishing for co-op hangouts). It’s a generous anniversary package that has fans delighted.
  
  

With all these events live, there’s always something to do each day in 6.0, whether you’re chasing mini-game high scores, snapping photos, or just logging in for your free rewards. Make sure to participate while they’re active – most events will wind up by the time Version 6.1 arrives.

Quality of Life Improvements in 6.0

Version 6.0 Luna I also brings a host of quality-of-life (QoL) improvements and system updates to make the game more enjoyable. Here are some of the notable changes implemented in this patch:

• Exploration Rewards: Activities like collecting Oculi (the new Lunoculus in Nod-Krai), unlocking Shrines of Depths, and completing certain world content now grant bonus Adventure EXP rewards. This helps Travelers level up their Adventure Rank a bit faster while exploring new areas.
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• Character Trial Ease: The Test Run trials for characters have been updated with better basic tutorials, and the reward conditions have been made easier (lower requirements). Newcomers will find it more straightforward to test characters’ abilities and claim those free trial rewards each update.
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• Shop and Currency Adjustments: The Stardust Exchange in the in-game shop now has an increased purchase limit, allowing players to exchange for more materials each month. Additionally, the method of claiming certain bonus rewards (such as Battle Pass extras) has been streamlined for convenience.
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• Co-Op Difficulty Tuning: Players who enjoy co-op will be happy to hear that domain and boss difficulties are now scaled down in co-op mode. Farming domains or weekly bosses with friends should be a smoother experience, as enemy HP and damage are adjusted when you have multiple people; no more disproportionate difficulty spikes for bringing a buddy along.
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• Treasure Compass Upgrade: A new feature allows you to upgrade your Treasure Compass gadget through something called the Joint Meeting Point Construction gameplay. The upgraded compass can now track not only treasure chests but also Oculi and special clues in Nod-Krai, making 100% exploration completion less of a headache.
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• Artifact Enhancement Preview: Ever hesitated to level a 5★ artifact because of a bad fourth substat? Now you can preview the fourth substat on five-star artifacts before fully upgrading them (if they dropped with only three substats). This is a huge save on resources; you’ll know whether that artifact has potential or if it’s likely trash, without wasting tons of Mora and fodder. There’s also a new item, the Dust of Enlightenment, which lets you modify artifact substats (obtained via the new “Lunar Treasury”). This item is extremely limited but can fix an unlucky stat roll on a max-level artifact, adding a layer of endgame optimization for hardcore grinders.
  
  

In Summary

Genshin Impact 6.0 “Luna I” is a landmark update that kicks off a new chapter in style. We get an exciting frozen region to explore, memorable new characters to build, a trove of free rewards (including that unprecedented free 5-star pick), and a plethora of events and enhancements to enjoy. 

It’s an update that celebrates the past five years of Genshin while also looking forward, setting the stage for more adventures to come. Whether you’re a veteran Traveler or someone returning to see what’s new, now is the perfect time to dive into Nod-Krai and experience all that Version 6.0 has to offer. Good luck, have fun, and enjoy the anniversary festivities in Teyvat!