Highlights of Genshin Impact Update 2.6 Livestream

Details of the new update 2.6 for Genshin Impact were showcased by miHoYo on Twitch on March 18, 2022.

The official name for this update is “Zephyr of the Violet Garden”.

The livestream revealed lots of new information.

So let’s break it down and take a look at what’s going to come in update 2.6 coming on March 30, 2022

Archon Quest

There is going to be a new Archon Quest in this update.

The quest will take place in The Chasm and will feature Dainsleif who we last saw in “Act IV: We Will Be United” in “Chapter 1: Farewell, Archaic Lord.”

According to the livestream, we are going to learn about more about the mysterious Khaenri‘ah and the Abyss.

Khaenri‘ah is well known to be nation which was destroyed by Celestia and the gods 500 years ago before the current events of the game.

The livestream also teased that we will see more of the twins.

Character

The current head of the Kamisato Clan and the Yashiro Commisioner, and the older brother of Kamisato Ayaka, Kamisato Ayato is joining the roster.

He was first teased in the character preview of Arataki Itto. He is not a fan of public appearances and does not seek to show his skills overtly.

Long ago, when the Yashiro Commission fell on hard times, and when the Kamisato Clan was on the verge of crumbling, it was this young man who rose to the occasion and stabilized the situation.

He is a sword-user who wields the Hydro (Water) element. He is not only the 6th Hydro character but also the 11th sword character.

His elemental skill “Kamisato Art: Kyouka”, he shifts positions to enter the Takimeguri Kanka state and leaves a watery illusion at his original location. The watery illusion can explode dealing AoE Hydro damage.

In the Takimeguri Kanka state, Ayato’s Normal Attacks become Shunsuiken, which are like quick watery blades, capable of dealing AoE Hydro damage. After a Shunsuiken attack hits an opponent, it will grant Ayato the Namisen effect, increasing the damage dealt by Shunsuiken based on Ayato’s current Max HP.

The Takimeguri Kanka state will be cleared when Ayato leaves the field or when he uses his Elemental Skill again.

After looking at his elemental skill it looks like miHoYo once again took inspiration from the character they love the most, Vergil from Devil May Cry series. Ayato’s skill somewhat resembles one of Vergil’s most recognizable moves, Judgement Cut.

Vergil’s inspiration is heavily seen from the characters in this game and even Ayato’s sister, Ayaka’s charged attack also resembles the move.

If you would like to see more from the characters whose moves resembles Vergil’s moveset, comment down below.

His elemental burst “Kamisato Art: Suiyuu” unveils a garden of purity in which Bloomwater Blades will rain down and attack opponents within its AoE.

This will increase the Normal Attack Damage of characters within that AoE.

Banners

Character Banner

There are going to be three character banners in update 2.6.

In the first phase, there will be only two characters that will be in the character banner. The new character, Kamisato Ayato and Venti.

This is going to be the Anemo Archon, Venti’s second rerun banner. He is getting a rerun after almost an year. His first rerun was in Update 1.4 which was in April 14, 2021.

In the second phase it will be Kamisato Ayaka that will be featured in the character banner,

This is the first time she is getting a rerun.

Weapon

There is going to be a new weapon that will be introduced in Update 2.6

The new weapon is called Haran Geppaku Futsu and it will be a 5 star weapon.

It is likely that this weapon will be the Best in Slot (BiS) weapon for Kamisato Ayato.

This weapon will be in the first half of the update along with Elegy for the End which is Venti’s BiS weapon. This is going to be the 2nd rerun of this banner.

Along with that weapon, fan-favourite Mistsplitter Reforged is also making a comeback. This is Ayaka’s BiS weapon and this is going to be its first rerun.

Story Quest

There is going to be a story quest that will come with the new update. This story quest will be Kamisato Ayato’s story quest.

In Ayato’s Story Quest “Cypressus Custos Chapter,” you will have a chance to witness this young master’s art of strategy in handling the unusual situation.

Artifacts

There will be 2 new artifact sets that will be revealed in Update 2.6, Echoes of an Offering and Vermillion Hereafter.

Both sets have 18% atk bonus for 2 piece set.

As for 4 piece set, Echoes of an Offering will have the following.

When Normal Attacks hit opponents, there is a 36% chance that it will trigger Valley Rite, which will increase Normal Attack DMG by 70% of ATK. This effect will be dispelled 0.05s after a Normal Attack deals DMG.

If a Normal Attack fails to trigger Valley Rite, the odds of it triggering the next time will increase by 20%. This trigger can occur once every 0.2s

As for the Vermillion Hereafter:

After using an Elemental Burst, this character will gain the Nascent Light effect, increasing their ATK by 8% for 16s. When the character’s HP decreases, their ATK will further increase by 10%. This increase can occur this way a maximum of 4 times. This effect can be triggered once every 0.8s.

Nascent Light will be dispelled when the character leaves the field. If an Elemental Burst is used again during the duration of Nascent Light, the original Nascent Light will be dispelled.

New Region

In the livestream, we got our first look at the new region, The Chasm which was teased in the previous livestream.

The new area is located west of Liyue and will have a massive aboveground and underground space added which will contain new quests and exploration.

For a long time, The Chasm has been Liyue’s primary source of ores, especially for its famous porcelain goods.

Overlooking this area, one can see that the soil in this area are tinted in violet-red. Recently, this area has been sealed off due to a series of mysterious events.

However, as Travelers, you can join a team of experts from various backgrounds to explore the underground.

What we see above the ground is only the tip of The Chasm. The vast underground space has been hollowed out layer by layer by generations of miners, and unique fluorescent creatures thrive here.

Meanwhile, unknown dangers also seem to be paving their way to the known world above. In addition to hilichurls, Treasure Hoarders, and the Fatui who have snuck in, you will also encounter the new boss Ruin Serpent, as well as enemies from the Abyss.

The Lumenstone Adjuvant is a useful tool to light up your path. Upgrading this gadget will assist you in exploration and also grants you plenty of rewards, including a 4-star Weapon Billet and an all-new Namecard.

We even got to see the enemy that was teased in the previous livestream

Events

Hues of the Violet Garden

Hosted by the Yashiro Commission and Yae Miko, the Magnificent Irodori Festival is a cultural event to commemorate a group of five talented poets from ancient Inazuma named “The Five Kasen.”

This year’s Irodori Festival invites not only local talents but also creative minds from Mondstadt and Liyue. Venti, Xingqiu, and many others we haven’t seen for a while will be visiting during the festival.

A lot of characters from all of the regions is coming to this event and you get to interact with them.

There are 4 mini events that will feature in this event.

“The Moon and Stars Inscribe”: This require an eye for beauty. This require you to take photographs of things related to the theme to inspire the two poets and help them complete their poem of the day.

“The Floral Courtyard” sponsored by Kamisato Ayaka, requires not only good taste but also dexterous hands to perform the art of flower arrangement.

“Clash of Lone Blades”: A group of warriors, each with their own set of sword techniques, are looking for worthy opponents. For a fair duel, no Elemental Skills and Bursts are allowed, but you will be given a new sword technique known as the Parry.

“Theater Mechanicus”: It is back once again, now taking less time but more strategies in each stage. If you complete all four games and challenges, don’t forget to claim great rewards and a chance to recruit Xingqiu!

Spices from the West

This is a cooking event that will arrive in 2.6 update. It will also involve a Sumeru NPC.

Players will get together ingredients for recipes, then take part in a cooking mini-game to season them.

After making some food, you can head to your Serenitea Pot to share it with characters you’ve unlocked. Each one will have their own preferences, and feeding them can boost your friendship with them.

Other rewards from the event include Hero’s Wits, Mora, Mystic Enhancement Ores, Primogems, and Weapon Ascension Materials.

Vibro-Crystal Research

This is a battling event that will take place near The Chasm.

When people head to Liyue, they can set up Transmitter and Receiver Crystals. Doing so will allow for buffs and debuffs while fighting.

You’ll set up two teams for this “research” for the first and second half, choosing four characters and three Vibro-Crystals.

In addition to your own characters, trial characters will also be available to use.

The rewards shown during the teaser image included Hero’s Wits, Mora, Mystic Enhancement Ores, Primogems, and Weapon Ascension Materials.

Outside the Canvas, Inside the Lens

This is a photography event. After meeting Asagiri in Inazuma, you’ll get assignments to take photos in other locations around the world. This is so she can draw art inspired by them for various authors.

In each case, Asagiri will describe the sort of landscape she’d need to see, and then you’ll have to go and provide the pictures based on the hints and description.