Genshin Impact 4.2 ends the Fontaine saga, marking the end of one of the best Archon quests in the game. The 4.2 update also introduced a new character Furina, new world quests, and two new regions, Morte and Erinnyes Forest. The next phase for Genshin Impact is the upcoming version 4.3 which looks promising as per the things revealed so far.
Considering that the Fontaine saga has ended and the Archon quest has already found its finale in version 4.2, version 4.3 is expected to be a bit more relaxed. However, like every version of Genshin Impact, this one will also bring in new characters, reruns, events, Quality of Life (QoL) changes, and a lot more.
Although a lot of the details about version 4.3 were already revealed by multiple leaks earlier, the developers HoYoverse have now officially confirmed the details along with making new announcements recently during the Special Program livestream.
Genshin Impact version 4.3 release date and banners
Genshin Impact version 4.3 also known as ‘Roses and Muskets’ will release on December 20, 2023. Currently, the game follows a cycle of six weeks for new version updates, which falls in line with the version 4.3 launch date. Interestingly, Cyno and Ayato will leave the current limited banner pool on December 19, 2023. Post their exit and the daily reset, Genshin Impact version 4.3 will go live on all platforms.
For other time zones, the Genshin Impact 4.3 release date and time is:
- East Coast US: Tuesday 19th December, 10 pm (ET)
- Central US: Tuesday 19th December, 9 pm (CT)
- West Coast US: Tuesday 19th December, 7 pm (PT)
- Australia: Wednesday 20th December, 2 pm (AET)
- Japan: Wednesday 20th December, 12 pm (JST)
- Europe: Wednesday 20th December, 4 am (CET)
- UK: Wednesday 20th December, 3 am (GMT)
The new upcoming version of Genshin Impact is guaranteed to have a banner featuring the new 5-star character Navia, and Chevreuse as one of the 4-star rate-ups. It will also feature a re-run of Raiden Shogun, Ayaka, and Yoimiya.
Here is how the banner of phases 1 and 2 of version 4.3 is planned and how all the characters will be paired in each of the phases:
Phase 1:
- Characters: Navia and Ayaka.
- Weapons: Verdict and Mistsplitter Reforged.
Phase 2:
- Characters: Raiden Shogun and Yoimiya, with Chevreuse as the 4-star.
- Weapons: Engulfing Lightning and Thundering Pulse.
Genshin Impact version 4.3 confirmed changes
Genshin Impact version 4.3 introduces ample QoL updates and changes. Although most of these were already leaked, they were recently confirmed by HoYoverse in their blog post, as well as in their Special Program livestream.
Here is a list of all the QoL updates in version 4.3:
- One-Click Expeditions, allowing players to quickly claim rewards and dispatch immediately for the same Expeditions.
- Respawning right at the domain key whenever a player retries a domain.
- Reduced level-up pop-in animations.
- Cooldown will now refresh when the player retries Spiral Abyss.
- Artifacts are now upgradable from level 4 > 8 > 12 > 16 > 20.
- More materials and EXP books can be added to upgrade weapons, artifacts, and characters.
- Artifact filters have been improved with the addition of more sorting options.
- An option to lock artifacts based on their rolls has been added.
- Artifacts will be automatically added to Strongbox.
- The bosses’ current remaining respawn times can be checked by clicking their avatars.
- More enemies will be shown at a single time in the Adventurer Handbook.
- The default choice while crafting and cooking will be a character that can provide a bonus.
Apart from these QoL changes, the pre-requisite of “The Chasm Delvers” quest from the Archon Quest “Requiem of the Echoing Depths” has been removed in version 4.3. This will ensure a smoother flow of Archon Quest. Additionally, a Chasm Underground teleportation point will also be unlocked just when a player reaches the “Enter The Chasm: Underground Mines” step in Archon Quest.