Genshin Impact 2.8 Release Date, Banners, and Events

Genshin Impact 2.8 is only a few weeks away, and leaks that poured out have been confirmed true by the official livestream.

MiHoYo started the 2.8 beta test on May 18, which confirmed a lot of information in the new patch, too. This guide covers everything we know about Genshin Impact 2.8, including release date, new character banners, and reruns, and any major developments to shake up the game.

If you’re looking for some new Genshin Impact content that’s a little closer, check out everything you need to know about Yelan and Kuki Shinobu, including Yelan’s materials and Shinobu’s materials, to get a head start on 2.7’s banners. Keep an eye on our Genshin Impact codes list for some free Primogems as well.

When Is the Genshin Impact 2.8 Release Date?

Version 2.8 will be released on July 13. The Version update will release around 3 AM BST, but banners will likely start later in the day.

Characters In Genshin Impact 2.8

The July 2 stream saw Hoyoverse show off more about the latest character coming to Genshin Impact: Shikanoin Heizou, the first melee-centric Anemo Catalyst user in the game. He hails from Inazuma, and works as highly-regarded detective in the Tenryou Comission.

Along with this, we saw which characters will be getting banner reruns, and who will be involved with this update's events.

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Everyone's favourite flame-wielder Diluc will be getting some more attention in 2.8 too, as there is a new 5-star skin for him, as well as more lore being added.

Fischl is another character getting some focus in 2.8. Players will be able to get her in an event using the currency available, and a new skin for her. She is part of the Summertime Odyssey event with Xinyan, Mona, and Kazuha.

The two skins are under the title Silhouettes of the Night, and are named Red Dead of Night and Ein Immernachtstraum respectively. Each will come with idle animations.

What Are the Genshin Impact 2.8 Banners?

There won't be any brand new banners during the 2.8 update, but we will see reruns of Kazuha, Klee, and Yoimiya.

These will feature Shikanoin Heizou, Thoma, and Ningguang as four-stars with boosted rates. Yoimiya's banner will rerun in the second half of the update.

What Are the Genshin Impact 2.8 Events?

The official Hoyoverse site for the 2.8 version update is now live, so you can check it all out - but here's our rundown of what's coming.

Firstly, Kaedehara Kazuha's story quest will be available: the Acer Palmatum chapters will focus on his backstory. His family's history of weapon forging is at the forefront, as the trailer shows him forging a weapon and preparing for a duel with the mystical purple sword. Shikanoin Heizou will of course get his very own hangout quest, too.

The big seasonal event this time is Summer Fantasia, a new event featuring the Golden Apple Arpichelago quest, but with a serious makeover. Familiar areas are back but have been revamped for the new story. Kazuha, Fischl, Mona, and Xinyan are the featured characters in this event, which leads us to the most important thing: players can get Fischl, and her new skin, through this event by using the associated currency!

Here's a look at the specific events coming with Summer Fantasia:

• Evermotion Mechanical Painting
  • Félix Yogue Fontaine requires your help in solving some puzzles. Completing these will earn exclusive furniture for your Serenitea Pot.
• Remeniscent Regimen
  • This is a specifically co-op set of events, with three modes: guide a convoy of goods to the right place, fight enemies on floating platforms, and follow the Descent from the sky while beating enemies.
• Hidden Strife
  • "During a spontaneous visit to the Dawn Winery on a summer day, the Traveler and Paimon notice something from the past that might pose a threat". This is where Diluc's new lore and story come in, and brings a trial stage for his new skin.
• Resonating Visions
  • Collect the Phantasmal Conches on the Golden Apple Archipelago and decipher the story! These are needed to get Fischl's new skin, so we advise prioritising this area.