Genshin Impact 4.0 Overview: Character banners, new events, Archon Quest, and more (2024)

With the launch of the nation of Hydro, Fontaine, Genshin Impact has entered a new era of underwater exploration and judicial duels! HoYoverse has dropped bombshell Fontaine teasers titled "Overture Teaser: The Final Feast” and "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason", which brought to life some of the 18 new Fontaine characters, including Lyney, who will receive his first banner in this update!

Fontaine will showcase a unique steampunk aesthetic, drawing inspiration from England's Industrial Revolution and the Belle époque era in France. To help you navigate the ins-and-outs of Fontaine, a nation known for its art, culture, technology, and bureaucracy, this article aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of Version 4.0, including details on character banners, maps, story quests, and more.

Lyney will receive his first banner in Phase 1 of Version 4.0. It comes as no surprise that the charismatic performer will be the opening act for the launch of Fontaine. Lyney’s banner will include his magician's assistant and younger sister, Lynette. The magician duo, Lyney and Lynette, were featured back in 2020 in the Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview: Travail, and ever since then, their unique designs have captured the hearts of Genshin fans worldwide.

Alongside Lyney in Phase 1, the fan-favourite intelligence agent from Liyue, Yelan, will make her return.

Next, in Phase 2, you will have the chance to recruit 5-star characters Tartaglia, the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger, and Zhongli, Geo Archon turned consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Their banners will include Lyney and Lynette's younger brother, and esteemed diver of the Court of Fontaine, Freminet.

To sum up, here is a list of the Version 4.0 character banners in each phase:

Phase 1 (5-stars):

• Lyney
  • Pyro, Bow
• Yelan
  • Hydro, Bow

Phase 1 (4-stars):

• Lynette
  • Anemo, Sword
• Barbara
  • Hydro, Catalyst
• Bennett
  • Pyro, Sword

Phase 2 (5-stars):

• Zhongli
  • Geo, Polearm
• Tartaglia (Childe)
  • Hydro, Bow

Phase 2 (4-stars):

• Freminet
  • Cryo, Claymore
• Sayu
  • Anemo, Claymore
• Noelle
  • Geo, Claymore

4.0 weapon banner

Lyney's signature weapon, The Great First Magic (bow), will make its debut alongside his 4.0 banner. Yelan's signature bow, Aqua Simulacra, is the other 5-star weapon on the banner. The 4-star weapons that will appear on the banner are from the Sacrificial Series.

New Fontaine forgeable weapons

There will be five new 4-star Fontaine-exclusive forgeable weapons:

• Finale of the Deep (Sword)
• Tidal Shadow (Claymore)
• Rightful Reward (Polearm)
• Flowing Purity (Catalyst)
• Song of Stillness (Bow)

Players can exchange the blueprints for the new five forgeable weapons with Estelle in her smithy in Fontaine.

Archon Quest Chapter IV: Fontaine

The fourth chapter of Genshin Impact's Archon Quest has arrived! While Version 3.8 introduced the refreshing limited-time region of Veruliyam Mirage, it didn't contribute much to advancing the lore of Teyvat, leaving players wanting more.

In the 4.0 Livestream, the much-anticipated Archon Quest Chapter IV was announced, along with a sneak peek into what the first act will unveil.

In Act 1 "Prelude of Blancheur and Noirceur", we will be able to watch Lyney and Lynette perform for the first time on the stage of the prestigious Opera Epiclese.

Act 2 will be titled "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason".

From the new Fontaine trailer, it seems that fan-favourite Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia (Childe), will play a large role in the upcoming Archon Quest.

Based on the 4.0 Livestream, here is a list of all the Fontaine characters that will appear in the upcoming Archon Quest Chapter IV:

• Furina, Hydro Archon Focalors
• Neuvillette, Chief Justice
• Clorinde
• Navia
• Freminet

Discover everything we know about the upcoming Fontaine characters here: All 18 Genshin Impact Fontaine Characters Leaked, and their voice actors in our guide here.

Lyney Story Quest (Felis Fuscus Chapter: Act 1)

The first act of Lyney's Story Quest will be made playable with the launch of Genshin Impact 4.0. Players will need 1 Story Key, be at least Adventure Rank 40, and have completed the Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act 2 "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason" in order to unlock the quest.

4.0 flagship event: "Mega Meka Melee"

The main flagship event of Genshin Impact 4.0 will be the "Mega Meka Melee", which will give Genshin players an opportunity to quickly acquaint themselves with the culturally vibrant and technologically advanced nation of Fontaine.

While strolling through Quartier Lyonnais in the Court of Fontaine, players will come across the quaint Lechots Clockwork Workshop. To boost the workshop's business, Genshin players will be tasked with helping the workshop owner create Champion Duelist-themed clockwork toys. A total of 3 mini-game events or “experiments” will be conducted to properly build these toys.

1. Torrential Turbulent Charge

First up, we have "Torrential Turbulent Charge", which involves underwater parkour gameplay. Players will need to pass through speed-boosting Turbulent Rings to charge and glide through the water while dodging various obstacles along the way.

2. Efficacy Testing Simulation Arena

Next, a combat-based minigame called "Efficacy Testing Simulation Arena". Players will engage in combat against opponents in Fontaine’s wilderness, such as Slimes, Hilichurls, and other common enemies. Additionally, players will face off against new opponents, Clockwork Meka, which are exclusive to Fontaine.

3. Dance Dance Resolution

Finally, we have "Dance Dance Resolution", a rhythm minigame that incorporates music gameplay. In this experiment, players control a “Toy Adventurer” as it moves down a track. The goal is to follow the beat of the music and slam the hammer down at the right moment to hit the toys lining both sides of the track.

Check out our Mega Meka Melee event guide here, which details everything you need to know about the three minigames, including their rewards!

4.0 events

Along with all the exciting new story quests and characters coming with the launch of Fontaine, there will be three region-exclusive events for players to enjoy and collect valuable rewards from in Version 4.0! These events, much like "Mega Meka Melee" are geared towards ensuring that players can quickly get acquainted with the nation of Fontaine.

1. Relic Records: Creations of the Hydro Nation

This event offers players the chance to quickly familiarise themselves with Fontaine's ecology. To complete the event, players must collect various types of materials or defeat specific opponents, all of which are local specialities or monsters native to Fontaine.

2. Studies in Light and Shadow: A Fontaine of Enchantment

Next up is a photography event. Players will be required to follow instructions to take photos of specific scenery or creatures within the nation. Understanding that players may not be fully acquainted with Fontaine, the Genshin developers have provided recommended spots on the event page to better facilitate the completion of the event.

3. Verdict of Blades

Lastly, a familiar combat challenge event with an intriguing twist. In addition to regular combat gameplay, each challenge features its own unique "Blade Mirage" mechanism. These "Blade Mirage" mechanisms provide buffs that players can strategically utilise to their advantage during the battles.

Fontaine 4.0 map

According to leaks shared by videre, the first region of Fontaine available for exploration will be located just north of the desert coastal areas of Sumeru. Based on the available information, it seems that this initial area will have slightly less surface area compared to Sumeru in 3.0. However, it's worth noting that Fontaine, much like Sumeru, will feature lots of multi-layered terrain.

All the Fontaine trailers so far showcased the majestic winding waterway and pristine white streets adorned with extravagant buildings, leading up to the extravagant Opera Epiclese. However, beneath the surface of Fontaine's seemingly "pure" exterior, we catch a fleeting glance at its dark and gritty underworld.

Diving mechanic

Ever since the 3.7 Livestream and 3.8 Livestream offered a tantalising teaser of Fontaine’s underwater realm and the potential for underwater exploration, Genshin fans have been eagerly awaiting further information about the exciting diving mechanic. The 4.0 Livestream finally delivered, offering an overview of this game-changing feature.

Here are the main underwater exploration and diving mechanics that were revealed in the 4.0 Livestream:

• There will not be an oxygen limit
• Players expend "Auqatic Stamina" when sprinting
• Underwater "currents" make traversing great distances easier
• Unique underwater character animations
• New combat mechanics
• Plenty of underwater content

This new diving mechanic will open up a mesmerising underwater world for players to explore and bring forth a multitude of fresh and exhilarating gameplay mechanics that players can look forward to! Check out our "Top 6 New Underwater Exploration Mechanics Revealed" to learn more!

Arkhe System mechanics: Pneuma and Ousia of Fontaine

The Fontaine-exclusive energy sources, Pneuma and Ousia (Arkhe System), will play a large part in the off-shore and underwater exploration of Fontaine in Genshin Impact 4.0.

Playable Fontainian characters like Lyney and Lynette can manipulate Pneuma and Ousia through the Arkhe System, while non-Fontainian characters can access these energies through Pnuemosia Blocks.

Discover everything you need to know about the Arkhe system with our guide here!

New character species

Aside from the 18 new characters that will debut with Fontaine, it appears that the leaks about the region being home to a diverse array of creatures were indeed accurate!

The upcoming major region of Fontaine will feature a wide cast of new species to the game.

Fontaine seems like a melting pot of various species. Within the pristine streets of the Fontainian city, we catch glimpses of Clockwork Meka strolling alongside the adorable Melusine, who seems to come from a new race of small humanoid creatures.

Genshin players can look forward to the opportunity to interact and forge friendships with these new races and species, deepening the lore and expanding our understanding of the vast world of Teyvat.

In particular, the elegantly-dressed poodles of Fontaine have caused quite a stir in the Genshin community, capturing the adoration of many.

We will be updating this article when new information and leaks are released, so stay tuned for all the latest updates on this highly anticipated update of 2023!

Interested in learning more about Fontaine? Look no further. Dive into the dense lore of the upcoming nation of Hydro in our Deep dive into Fontaine, familiarise yourself with all 18 Fontaine characters, and start planning your Primogem savings with our Fontaine character banner schedule here!

For more articles like this, take a look at our Genshin Impact page.