Genshin Impact Version 3.6 Update Launching April 2023; New Akademiya Event & Desert Expansion

During the Version 3.6 Special Program, developer HoYoverse revealed the details of the twenty-third Version Update for Genshin Impact, titled A Parade for Providence, arriving soon on April 12, 2023. The Sumeru Akademiya will be hosting its very first Akademiya Extravaganza, offering new stories and mini games to learn about the Sumeru Akademiya and its Six Great Schools. In addition, a brand-new desert area will open.

The event itself consists of two main attractions: The Wisdom Gala and the Interdarshan Championship. Each of the Akademiya’s Darshans will have an unique event and mini-game related to their school. For example, Layla’s Rtawahist Darshan will have players align the stars of an astrolabe to form constellations and Kaveh’s Kshahrewar Darshan will have players assemble a course that they must clear, and so on. By completing the event, players can get a free copy of Faruzan and Primogems.

Furthermore, a brand-new area will reveal itself in the northwest of the Desert of Hadramaveth. This area has been damaged by Gray Crystals and corruptive Purple Mists. According to the legends, this place was one of the main battlefields during the Khaenri’ah cataclysm five hundred years ago. Fortunately, visiting Travelers are accompanied on their visit by Pari, creatures unique to the oasis.

Using their ability to fly, Travelers can reach unreachable areas and thereby discover mysteries. In addition, a new Weekly Boss, the Iniquitous Baptist will also be added, as well as the legendary Dragon of Verdure, Apep. More enemies have emerged as threats, including the Anemo Hilichurl Rogue, and the Hydro Hilichurl Rogue from the Hilichurl family.

Meanwhile, two new characters will be added to the roster. The first is Baizhu, the owner of Liyue’s Bubu Pharmacy, and a character that has been teased to be playable since the early days of Genshin Impact. Anyone remember when rumors said he was going to be the first Dendro character? I do…

Baizhu is a Dendro Catalyst and is capable of periodically generating a Seamless Shield to all party members. Interacting with certain items will heal your characters. His ultimate ability can also generate a shield that will periodically heal and deal Dendro Damage. The second character is Kaveh, a talented architect from Sumeru, and a Dendro Claymore character. His architectural toolbox, Mehrak, will trigger all Dendro Cores and cause them to burst by scanning the battlefield, and recover his HP. Mehrak also allows Kaveh to wield a claymore without much effort.

Version 3.6 will see the return of Nahida and Nilou’s Event Wish banners on the first half, while Baizhu will be joined by Ganyu’s rerun on the second half, with Kaveh also joining as a 4-star with the latter half. Travelers can also learn more about the characters in Layla’s hangout event, the second chapter of Saptientia Oromasdis, Nahida’s story quest and not to mention, Baizhu’s story quest and much more coming to Version 3.6.

Lastly, two new artifact sets will be added to the game in conjunction with the new desert area. Furthermore, if you’re a fan of the Genshin Impact soundtrack, a set of three new soundtrack sets will be released soon featuring 108 Sumeru tracks from Yu Peng Chen, the composer.