August 24, 2022. This is the date that Genshin Impact fans across the world will bid adieu to the updates of v2.x, and start welcoming the updates of v3.0. During a livestream in the wee hours of this morning, developer and publisher Hoyoverse (Fmrly. Mihoyo) confirmed that Genshin Impact 3.0: The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings will be launching on the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS and Android platforms starting on 24 August 2022. With this update comes the fourth nation of Teyvat, Sumeru, along with Dendro gameplay mechanics, a major update to the game’s main campaign and much more.
Located west of Liyue, the massive region of Sumeru is divided into two main parts: rainforest and desert. Upon its release, players will be able to explore the dense rainforest and multiple settlements nestled within it, including Sumeru City and Port Ormos. Known as the Nation of Wisdom, Sumeru has the most prestigious historical institution called the Akademiya, founded by scholars loyal to the previous Archon Dendron, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. When Lesser Lord Kusanali succeeded the previous Dendro Archon 500 years ago, making her the youngest of The Seven, the Akademiya has come to power as the governing body of the state, turning knowledge into a resource that is strictly managed.
Along with a brand-new series of elemental chain reactions. the Dendro element will become playable for the first time. The Dendro element can trigger three different basic reactions: Burning, Bloom, and Catalyze, if used with the Pyro, Hydro, and Electro element respectively. In combat, Bloom and Catalyze can evolve into further reactions. When Dendro meets Hydro, the Bloom reaction will spawn one or more Dendro Cores, dealing delayed explosive Dendro damage. If these Dendro Cores come into contact with Pyro or Electro before exploding, they can trigger the Burgeon reaction and increase their AoE Dendro DMG, or trigger the Hyperbloom reaction which turns Dendro Cores into Sprawling Shots that can track down nearby enemies. The Catalyze reaction stems from Dendro and Electro, and can apply the Quicken effect to affected targets and increase their damage taken from the next Dendro or Electro hit by triggering the Spread or Aggravate reaction. That may seem like a bit of a word salad now, but I expect it will soon become second nature on the battlefield, like all other elemental interactions.
In the Sumeru rainforest, plants and creatures with Dendro characteristics can take on various polymorphic transformations by coming into contact with the Hydro, Pyro, and Electro elements. Monsters can switch between different states or attack sequences, and can produce different drops, while certain plants and mushrooms can provide useful effects. Meanwhile, the humid tropical areas provide ideal living grounds for a wider variety of wildlife. Shroom-Kin have evolved into a special species called the Fungi, to protect their homeland. The new boss enemy, the Jadeplume Terrorshroom is a type of Fungus with a strong animalistic nature and becomes quite territorial and aggressive. Another new Boss enemy is the Electro Regisvine, who also awaits Travelers in the depths of the forest.
Preview Screenshots of Genshin Impact Version 3.0
A new major expansion means that players can look forward to a range of 4-star and 5-star characters being recruitable through the in-game wish “gacha” system in the coming months – aligned with both the dendro elemental and previous elements. . As the Traveler, players can unlock the power of Dendro at the Statue of The Seven in Sumeru, and have a chance to recruit two Dendro archers. The five-star character Tighnari is a warm-hearted young researcher and Forest Watcher. Both his Charged Attack and Elemental Burst can deal damage over multiple phases, making Tighnari a great choice to trigger chain reactions based on the Dendro element. Tighnari’s pupil Collei will be joining as a four-star, and for a limited time, players can recruit her for free by completing 3.0’s main seasonal event, the Graven Innocence.
In addition to Dendro characters, the four-star Electro support character Dori will also join the game. Dori is an elusive merchant in Sumeru and wields a claymore. She can help restore HP and energy for nearby team members with her Elemental Burst from her. Tighnari, Collei, and Zhongli will be available in the Event Wishes during the early half of the update, followed by Dori along with Ganyu’s and Sangonomiya Kokomi’s reruns.
According to Hoyoverse, more optimizations and features will be implemented with the expansion to enhance gameplay as well. Three new tools, the Boon of the Elder Tree, Ultra-Hot Burner Lamp Test Model, and Fishing Line Stabilizer can be acquired to make the wood farming, cooking, and fishing process easier. Colored shadows are also applied to make Teyvat “a more vivid world”.
Genshin Impact 3.0 will be launching on 24 August 2022, with plans to shorten the time between each update from there to just five weeks. According to the details shared by Hoyoverse (above), Version 3.1 is expected to release on 28 September, 3.2 on 2 November and 3.3 on 7 December. While subject to change, this means that your time to collect new characters via wishes for the rest of the year may be cut slightly shorter.