Genshin Impact Reveals New Characters and Map Expansion in Version 6.5 Livestream

Genshin Impact has officially introduced Linnea as a 5-Star Geo Bow coming in Version 6.5, teased a new Anemo character from Mondstadt, and revealed the long-awaited Dornman Port map expansion that connects to a space players thought was years away – the domain depicted on the login screen. Version 6.5 is the natural continuation to Version 6.4, which teased a proper return to Mondstadt in Genshin Impact by introducing Varka as a playable character and having its Flagship Event focus on the Knights of Favonius arriving home. While Version 6.5 won’t add any new Mondstadt characters, it is shaping up to be a patch steeped in lore.

As seen in the beta version, the Event Banners for Version 6.5 will include Linnea and Chasca in the first half of the update, while the second half will be headlined by Lauma and Nefer. From a gameplay standpoint, Linnea can best be described as the Lunar-Crystallize version of Lauma – a support character that enhances the Lunar Reaction, provides off-field damage, and provides healing. An advantage that Linnea has over Lauma in Genshin Impact is that her healing abilities aren’t locked by a Constellation, but are rather part of her Elemental Burst from the get-go.

Rumor: Genshin Impact To Introduce More Character Buffs in Version 6.6

A trustworthy source in the Genshin Impact community strongly points to a new wave of gameplay buffs coming to certain Mondstadt characters.

Genshin Impact: Version 6.5 Special Program Announcement Livestream

The Special Program Announcement took place on March 27, 2026, and featured a deep dive into the upcoming content in Version 6.5. The main focus during the livestream was undoubtedly on Dornman Port, a Mondstadt map expansion in Genshin Impact that has been teased for years. Players will not only be able to explore the northern edges of the Anemo Nation, but they will also be able to unlock a path to the Temple of Space, a domain built by Asmoday that functions as the update’s second zone. The Temple of Space is also the area seen during the game’s login screen, which further sets up Version 6.5 as the patch where things come full circle.

The Flagship Event will largely center on Nod-Krai, featuring characters from other nations as they arrive in Nasha Town for a trade expo hosted by the Voynich Guild. Conversely, the Story Quest for Linnea in Genshin Impact will feature Mualani in a supporting role. Much like Version 6.4, there will be no Archon Quest in Version 6.5, but the two new zones should keep Genshin Impact players busy until Version 6.6 caps off the story in Nod-Krai. The livestream has teased that players will be able to meet Lohen in Dornman Port, including a new Anemo character suspected to be the last 4-Star of the current patch cycle.

genshin impact version 6.4 livestream varka lohen event banners

To everyone’s surprise, the livestream also announced the debut of the Fontaine Chronicled Banner to Genshin Impact, featuring Clorinde, Navia, Emilie, Lyney, and Sigewinne. Curiously, the new banner is missing Wriothesley, making some players wonder if HoYoverse is intending to give him a separate Event Banner rerun paired with a new support character for Cryo hypercarries. The Chronicled Banner will run during the second half of Version 6.5, allowing players to stock up on Primogems in the new map expansion.

The upcoming update will also come with new Anecdote Chronicles, with one of them introducing Seamus, the father of Jean and Barbara. Overall, players with free-to-play accounts can expect to earn around 77 Intertwined Wishes over the course of Version 6.5. On the Miliastra Wonderland side of Genshin Impact, the Miliastra Sandbox is receiving a plethora of additions, from new assets to user interface elements, in order to help creators build more unique stages and experiences. Version 6.5 is set to launch on April 8, 2026, and will run until May 20, 2026.