Genshin Impact 6.0: Release Date, New Location, New Story, New Characters

In September, Genshin Impact will receive one of the largest updates in its history - the world map will expand with a major region, Nod-Krai, partially inspired by Slavic culture.

Genshin Impact 6.0 will release on September 10, 2025. Players can expect new explorable locations, playable characters, and the continuation of the main storyline. What exactly the developers have prepared and where to look for cultural references in the new update - we will break down in this blog.

Genshin Impact 6.0 Release Date

Genshin Impact 6.0 will release on Wednesday, September 10, at 6:00 EEST. You can pre-download the update files two days before release - starting September 8.

History of Nod-Krai in Genshin Impact

Previously, each new region was tied to one of the seven elements and worshiped its deity - an Archon. Nod-Krai will be a notable exception, which will affect both the story and gameplay: Archon statues, oculi, and other familiar elements will be replaced with entirely new mechanics. The inhabitants of the region use not elemental powers, but a special magic connected to the Moon.

The developers note that the coming year will be devoted to wrapping up previously started storylines. In Nod-Krai, home to the Children of the Frost Moon, key factions of the world will gather - the Fatui, the Knights of Mondstadt, the witches, and others. Each group will pursue its own goals, but the central plot will revolve around the power of the Moon, which everyone will try to use for their own ends.

As for the setting, the developers emphasize that Nod-Krai is an autonomous region with its own customs. Its culture is inspired by Slavic folklore: the capital is called Nashgorod, and among the NPCs you can find names like Natasha and Kirill.

The region’s design also reflects motifs from Northern and Central Europe: fjords, the Wild Hunt (a nod to The Witcher), and Icelandic mythology. As for the environment, the local landscapes reminded the developers of Norway and the Baltics.

Nod-Krai Characters in Genshin Impact

With the release of the new region, we’ll be able to explore both familiar factions in greater depth and meet entirely new ones. HoYoverse showcased the key characters in a standalone trailer - presumably, all of them will become playable across updates from version 6.0 to 6.8, up to summer 2026.

Here are the characters expected in upcoming patches:

• Sandrone and Columbina - high-ranking members of the Fatui, previously presented as antagonists. Following Tartaglia and Arlecchino, they will become the next playable allies of the Tsaritsa;
• Varka - the Grand Master of the knights’ order in Mondstadt, previously mentioned as the leader of an expedition. After years, his story will finally move forward;
• Alice and Nicole Rein - representatives of the Witches’ Sabbath, a mysterious organization that has remained behind the scenes. Now the witches will step into the foreground of the plot;
• Aino and Yagoda - engineers and constructors from Nod-Krai, connected to Ineffa - a heroine who will appear in version 5.8 and set up the new region’s storyline;
• Durin - a dragon revived in human form. His role in Nod-Krai’s story remains a mystery for now;
• Lauma - a priestess of the Children of the Frost Moon, the region’s key faction. She will likely accompany players on their journey through Nod-Krai;
• Nefer - a new heroine connected to Varka. Her green tones, Dendro power, and name hint at a possible link to Sumeru;
• Kirill Chudomirovich Flins - a representative of the Order of the Lightbearers, already popular among fans. He’s especially beloved in the Asian region, where he’s been recognized as the most anticipated character of the new region.

According to the trailer, the characters’ elements are as follows:

• Durin and Alice: Pyro
• Lauma and Nefer: Dendro
• Kirill: Electro
• Varka: Anemo

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HoYoverse has confirmed the following characters for version 6.0, which is planned for release around September 10, 2025.

• Lauma - a five-star character with a Dendro Vision
• Flins - a five-star Electro polearm user
• Aino - a four-star Hydro character with a claymore

The rest of the characters are expected throughout the year.

What Else Awaits Us in Genshin Impact 6.0

Nod-Krai is not one of Teyvat’s seven main nations, so everything here follows its own rules. You can feel it in combat and exploration. The usual reliance on elemental systems shifts toward another kind of magic linked to the Moon, and part of the standard mechanics gets alternatives.

Beyond visual and story updates, we should also expect meta shifts: balance tweaks will likely shake up the Genshin Impact Tier List, so we’ll see which characters rise to the top and who is worth saving pulls for.

I would start with what version 5.8 has already shown. Ineffa arrived along with a new reaction, Lunar Charge. It feels like a strengthened variation of the familiar Electro-Charged, but with its own nuances and potential for unconventional builds. In practice, it works like a teaser: the game subtly nudges players to rethink standard synergies and hints that more is coming.

Exploration is changing too. Instead of Archon Statues, the region is expected to use different shrine-teleports, and the oculi system may be replaced with a new regional collectible. The overall logic remains familiar to Genshin Impact players, but the rules and interactions will be different. From puzzles and activities, tried-and-true formats like timed battles and chest rewards will likely return, while new challenge types tied to the lunar theme will appear alongside them.

A separate development track is user-generated content. HoYoverse is preparing a full-fledged UGC mode: inside Genshin, players will be able to create their own maps and modes with objectives, battles, and co-op. This is not just an event editor, but a platform where players design scenarios and the community plays them right away. The details are deliberately kept under wraps to show everything at once, but the direction is clear: the game gains another layer of replayability.

One more important detail is the anniversary. It traditionally brings gifts and activities, and this time the developers have already hinted at letting players choose one five-star standard character. For newcomers, it is a pleasant boost for getting started and staying engaged, and for veterans, it is a chance to fill gaps in a collection or pick up needed constellations.

Nod-Krai expands the familiar model. Version 5.8 acted as a teaser for combat changes. Next come fresh exploration rules, regional mechanics that replace part of the standard systems, and an editor for player-made modes. So we can look forward to Genshin Impact 6.0 giving the game a new spark.