Genshin Impact 2.8: Release Date, Yoimiya Banner, Weapons, Events, & Latest News

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Genshin Impact 2.8 is finally here, and there's plenty to be excited about already! The update is a prelude to the arrival of Sumeru and the Dendro Nation.

With some exciting, long-waited returns, including reruns for Kazuha and Klee, Yoimiya, and a new Golden Apple Archipelago event, Genshin Impact 2.8 phase two is set to be a very exciting addition to the massive update.

Here's everything we know so far about Genshin Impact 2.8 including its second phase banners, events, and all the latest news.

LATEST - Genshin Impact 2.8: All Final Events

Sadly, Genshin Impact 2.8 is coming to an end, we are saying goodbye to the Golden Apple Archipelago and we start getting ready for the trip to Sumeru.

In that regard, Hoyoverse prepared the latest mission for the current update.

  • The Final Treasure Quest is an epilogue about the Archipelago events and the closure of Kosekimaru's story.
    • In this event, players will obtain one of the coolest objects for the Serenitea Pot, a floating.
Final Treasure Furniture in Genshin Impact
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The Final Treasure will give Travelers something to remember their adventure in Genshin Impact 2.8
  • A Journey Through Pages is a web event in which travelers need to complete puzzles to find out a message from Lisa, before going to Sumeru.
    • Lisa is one of the best students from Sumeru's Akademiya
    • The event will reward players with 120 Primogems.
  • Additionally, there are only 5 days more to complete the missions in the Resonant Visions and Summer's Oddysey events.

Genshin Impact 2.8 Banners

Genshin Impact will not introduce a new 5-star character, instead will feature three reruns and the debut of the last new character before Sumeru, the 4-star Anemo Sword User called Heizou, according to leaks.

First Phase

  • Leaves in the Wind will feature Kazuha - a 5-star Anemo Sword Character.
  • Sparkling Steps will feature the rerun of Klee – a 5-star Pyro Catalyst Character.

Both Banners will share the following 4-star characters:

  • Heizou - 4-star Anemo, Catalyst User
  • Ningguang - 4-star Geo, Catalyst User
  • Thoma - 4-star Pyro, Polearm User.

Weapon Banner

The first weapon banner will feature one catalyst and one bow, both reruns.

Lost Prayer of the Sacred Winds (5-star catalyst) is an interesting weapon for DPS and Sub-DPS characters.

Freedom Sworn (5-star Sword) is the second piece of the Banner, a strong sword for characters that create elemental reactions.

These 4-star weapons complete the roster:

  • Favonius Lance - Polearm
  • The Widsith - Catalyst
  • Rainslasher - Claymore
  • Alley Flash - Sword
  • Mitternachts Waltz - Bow
The banners for Genshin Impact 2.8.
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The banners for Genshin Impact 2.8.

Second Phase Banners

For the second half of Genshin Impact 2.8, arriving on August 3, 2022, we are reportedly receiving one rerun banner:

  • Tapestry of Golden Flames will feature the rerun of Yoimiya - a 5-star Pyro Bow character.

The following 4-stars characters complete the banner.

  • Bennett - 4-star Pyro, Sword User
  • Yun Jin - 4-star Geo, Polearm User
  • Xinyan - 4-star Pyro, Claymore User.

Second Weapon Banner

The second weapon banner will feature the rerun of the 5-star bow, Thundering Pulse, and the Summit Shaper, a 5-star sword.

The following 4-stars complete the second weapon banner:

  • Sacrificial Greatsword - Claymore
  • Wine and Song - Catalyst
  • Alley Hunter - Bow
  • The Flute - Sword
  • Dragon's Bane - Polearm

New Map - GAA

For Genshin Impact 2.8, Hoyoverse is reintroducing the Golden Apple Archipelago, a temporary region that players last saw before arriving in Inazuma

GAA in Genshin Impact 2.8
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There is a castle in the Golden Apple Archipelago in Genshin Impact 2.8

Even though the Archipelago is a rerun, we are receiving new islands and content around it, including an abandoned castle.

Check our guide on how to unlock the Golden Apple Archipelago here.

READ MORE: Genshin Impact 2.8: Heizou Farming Guide, All Ascension & Talent Materials

Genshin Impact 2.8 Events

The events in version 2.8 are bringing back the action to Mondstadt. Most of the stories are located in the Golden Apple Archipelago, but we have news of a combat challenge taking place in the Dawn Winery.

New Story Quest

  • Kazuha Story: Acer Palmatum Chapter 1
  • Hangout Series VII. Heizou Hangout: Trap' Em by Storm

Main Event: Summer Odyssey

Kazuha, Mona, Xinyan, and Fischl will be special guests at the main event.

  • The GAA have secret connections with the characters, producing unique domains based on the guest characters' personality.
  • By completing challenges, travelers will obtain the currency Iridescent Flotsam.
  • Iridescent Flotsam can be exchanged in the event store for rewards.
    • Rewards: 4-star character Fischl, Primogems, Talent Books from Mondstadt, Mora

Reminiscent Regimen

The event will be played exclusively in cooperative mode. There are three different mini-games.

  • Convoy
    • Players need to protect a floating vessel until it reaches its destination.
    • Along the way, they have to collect coins to recharge the energy of the flying balloon, while battling Hillichurls.
  • Raid
    • Teams will navigate waveriders and board floating boards to battle enemies.
    • The challenges are time-limited, the Anemo currents that take to the boards will disappear after some seconds.
  • In Descend
    • Players start from very high platforms. They must descend to the surface by battling their way down.
    • Platforms will be locked until all enemies are defeated
    • They must descend to the surface by battling their way down.
    • Rewards: Primogems, Weapon Ascension Materials, Hero's Wit, More.

Evermotion Mechanical Painting

  • In this challenge, players must solve gear puzzles to fix the mechanical paintings.
  • By completing the puzzles players will get the blueprints for an Evermotion Mechanical Painting for the Serenitea Pot.
    • Rewards: Primogems, Mechanical Painting for Serenitea Pot, Talent Books, Mora.

Resonant Visions

The event is the rerun of the exploration challenge, in which players need to collect Phantasmal Conchs.

  • Collecting enough Phantasmal Conchs will grant players with the new Fischl Skin: Ein Immernachtstraum.
  • Rewards: Fischl Skins, Primogems, Weapon Materials from Mondstadt, Mora.
Fischl Skin in Genshin Impact 2.8
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NEW SKIN: Fischl is wearing a Victorian Era Swimsuit in her new new Outfit for Genshin Impact 2.8

Hidden Strife

While visiting the Dawn Winery, Paimon and the Traveler notice something from the past that might pose a threat to Mondstadt and the Winery.

  • Every stage will grant a buff during battle if players manage to complete challenges.
    • Stage 1: 6 bursts
    • Stage 2: 20 vape/melt reactions / Buff: 70% Electro Shred.
    • Stage 3: 20 Electro reactions / Buff: Electro shred 70% DEF
    • Stage 4: 20 Swirls Reactions / Buff: All DMG increase 75%
    • Stage 5: 20 Claymore hits / +50% DMG from claymore
    • Stage 6: 20 normal attacks / Buff: 40% Normal Attack Speed
    • Stage 7: 20 frozen reactions
  • In this Combat challenge, players will try out the new Diluc Skin, Red Dead of Knight, the first 5-star Alternative Outfit.
Diluc Skin in Genshin Impact 2.8
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READ DEAD OF NIGHT: Diluc's skins the first one in the 5-star category in Genshin Impact
  • Diluc's Red Dead of Night shows him with a relaxed ponytail and a modern new jacket. In addition, the skin will have new ability effects and a new idle animation.
  • The skin is not available in the event. Instead, players need to purchase it from the shop.

Paimon's Shop & Spiral Abyss August Refresh

August has brought a new batch of items to Paimon's Bargain Shop. For this month, these are the highlights:

  • 5 Intertwined Fates - 75 Masterless Stardust Each
  • Up to 5 Acquaint Fates - 75 Masterless Stardust Each
  • Beidou - 34 Masterless Glitter
  • Noelle - 34 Masterless Glitter
  • Royal Weapons Set - 24 Masterless Glitter Each Weapon

The first day of the month also refreshes the Abyssal Moon Spire in the Spiral Abyss, and with it, the opportunity for players to obtain 600 Primogems, Artifacts, and Mora as a result!

Genshin Impact 2.8 Spiral Abyss

  • Version 2.8 will mark the debut of the Ruin Serpent while the Cryo Hypostasis and the Thunder Manifestation return once more.
    • Check the complete list of enemies here
  • Blessings of the Moon
    • Phase 1: Characters will get Fortitude Stacks every time they take the field, Max 3 stacks.
      • When characters with 3 Fortitude stacks hit opponents with Charged Attacks, a shockwave dealing True DMG.
    • Phase 2: When a character triggers Swirl on an opponent, that opponent's DEF is decreased by 12% for 10s.
      • Max 3 stacks. Each stack's duration is counted independently.
    • Phase 3: When Normal, Charged, or Plunging Attacks hit opponents, that character's Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attack DMG is increased by 12% for 8s.

How to get Diluc & Fischl Skins

The last time players visited the Golden Apple Archipelago, we got the first alternative outfits or skins in the game. The Summer attires for Jean and Barbara.

It seems Hoyoverse is repeating the formula, releasing a new set of Summer skins for Diluc and Fischl in Genshin Impact 2.8.

Fischl and Diluc skins in Gehsnin Impact
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Alternatives Outfits for Fischl and Diluc in Genshin Impact
  • Fischl Skin - Ein Immernachtstraum
    • Get this skin for free by completing challenges in the main event, Summertime Odyssey.
  • Diluc - Red Dead of Night
    • This skin is available in the in-game shop at a discount price of 1350 Genesis Crystals.

READ MORE: Genshin Impact Sumeru: Release Date, Character design, and Latest News