The Genshin Impact Version 4.2 update, titled "Masquerade of the Guilty" has arrived! Players hold high expectations for Version 4.2, as it promises not only the banner debut of the beloved Hydro Archon but also the return of a starry-eyed 4-star character, accompanied by an exciting map expansion.
The launch of Fontaine has propelled the open-world RPG Genshin Impact to new heights, ushering in a new era of underwater exploration, and bringing to life the 18 new Fontaine characters in their gripping Fontaine Archon Quest. Genshin players can’t wait to see what else HoYoverse has in store for the future.
If you're eager to get a glimpse of the upcoming update before its official release, be sure to check out our Version 4.2 hub below for all the latest details, as announced in the recent 4.2 Livestream!
Genshin Impact 4.2 release date and time
Genshin Impact Version 4.2 will be released on 8 November 2023. Following the usual maintenance schedule for new updates, Version 4.2 will be live at 3 AM GMT. Please note that due to timezone differences, players in the United States will receive the update on 7 November, at 11 PM EDT.
Here’s what that entails for your timezone:
Time zone | 4.1 maintenance start time | 4.1 maintenance end time |
|---|---|---|
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) | 3:00pm | 8:00pm |
Central Time (CT) | 5:00pm | 10:00pm |
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 6:00pm | 11:00pm |
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 10:00pm | 3:00am |
Central European Time (CST) | 11:00pm | 4:00am |
Indian Standard Time (IST) | 3:30am
| 8:30am |
Japan Standard Time (JST) | Korea Standard Time (KST) | 7:00am
| 12:00pm |
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) | 8:00am | 1:00pm |
Genshin Impact 4.2 banners
Genshin Impact players will finally have the opportunity to welcome Fontaine's theatrical Archon, Furina, to their roster in the 4.2 update!
Phase 1 of Version 4.2 will feature Furina alongside a rerun banner for Baizhu, the owner of the renowned Bubu Pharmacy. Their banners will also include the tenacious Steambird reporter and journalist, Charlotte!
Further down the line, in Phase 2 of Version 4.2, players will get the chance to pull for Cyno, the General Mahamatra of the Akademiya, and Ayato, the Head of the Kamisato Clan and Yashiro Commissioner.
To sum up, here is a list of the Version 4.2 character banners in each phase:
Phase 1 (5-stars):
Phase 1 (4-stars):
- Charlotte
- Cryo, Catalyst
Phase 2 (5-stars):
Genshin Impact 4.2 new weapon
Version 4.2 will introduce a brand-new 5-star Sword called the Splendor of Tranquil Waters. This sword serves as Furina's signature weapon.
Fontaine Archon Quest - Chapter IV: Act 5
Understandably, with Childe's mysterious disappearance still unsolved, Arlecchino's ominous presence, and Fontaine's looming prophecy, Genshin Impact players are left with more questions after the conclusion of Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act 4.
Genshin Impact Version 4.2 will continue Fontaine's main storyline with Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act 5 "Masquerade of the Guilty".
The new 4.2 trailer opened with the chilling announcement by the Chief Justice of Fontaine, Neuvillette, that Furina, the Hydro Archon, is to be sentenced to death.
In the upcoming Archon Quest developments, the prophecy of Fontaine is on the verge of coming true. Work alongside fellow Fontainians to uncover the mysteries and hidden truths of the dark swirling depths that lurk beneath the waters of Fontaine.
Genshin Impact 4.1 new Story Quest
In the upcoming update, players will have the chance to learn more about Furina, the Hydro Archon herself!
- Furina Story Quest (Animula Choragi Chapter: Act 1)
Genshin Impact 4.2 new bosses
New bosses will be introduced in the Version 4.1 update, which includes the new Weekly (Trounce) Boss, the All-Devouring Narwhal, as well as the World Boss, Hydro Tulpa.
- All-Devouring Narwhal (new Weekly Boss)
- Hydro Tulpa (New World Boss)
Genshin Impact 4.2 flagship event: Thelxie's Fantastic Adventures
The flagship event of Genshin Impact Version 4.2 will be "Thelxie's Fantastic Adventures"!
Travellers have been commissioned by the Fontaine Fishing Association to investigate the rumours of water imps near Erinnyes Island. Work with the esteemed diver of the Court of Fontaine, Freminet, to uncover these mysteries and make some improvements to his handy Clockwork Penguin along the way!
There will be three main stages to the event that players can enjoy:
1. Basic Circuit Structure
In the first stage of the event, players will help Freminet repair the Clockwork Penguin by fixing its circuits and reconnecting the motherboard. In return, the Penguin will help players out on their journey to Erinnyes Island.
2. Record of the Search
As the journey progresses, players will collect shells, corals, and other items which can be used to outfit the Clockwork Penguin with weapons and equipment. This brings us to the second stage of the event: use an Echoing Conch to search underwater and find the items that the Penguin requires! Players will encounter monsters and puzzles in this stage, so be sure to use your little Penguin friend to aid you.
3. Swirling Vortex's Paean
The third and final stage will be a combat challenge. Here, the Clockwork Penguin will help players defeat monsters lurking around a Domain and obtain treasures that they may be guarding. In each battle, the Clockwork Penguin will provide different buffs.
Genshin Impact 4.2 other events
Along with all the exciting new quests, character banners, and flagship event minigames coming with the 4.2 update, there will be three other events for players to enjoy and collect valuable rewards from in Version 4.2!
1. Lil' Fungi's Fun-Tastic Fiesta
In “Lil' Fungi's Fun-Tastic Fiesta”, Haniyyah arrives in Fontaine to promote an improved Fungi-themed tabletop game! The gameplay has been optimised in this updated Fungi event, players will have the chance to challenge a whole host of formidable monsters. Defeat these monsters with a variety of Fungi and use Marvelous Jells to instruct your little Fungi buddies to unleash powerful skills!
2. Graph Adversarial Technology Experiment Log
The next event, “Graph Adversarial Technology Experiment Log”, is a photography event! Help the researcher Pauline collect field samples for her "Graph Adversarial Technology" experiment. Players will need to submit photographs of five different sample types that match the characteristics that's given on each day. Rewards include a zoom lens for your Kamera!
3. Misty Dungeon: Realm of Water
Finally, we have a combat challenge called "Misty Dungeon: Realm of Water," where players can test their strongest teams and hone their combat skills against a variety of enemies. They can also leverage the Ley Line buffs and trial characters to their advantage to emerge victorious!
Genshin Impact 4.2 map expansion
It appears that Genshin Impact’s Fontaine cycle will be jam-packed with map expansions, promising more much-anticipated underwater content and new places to explore.
Version 4.2 will open up the east side of Fontaine with the introduction of the Erinnyes Forest region, where players can explore several new and peculiar landscapes of Fontaine:
- Foggy forest path
- Weeping willow of the lake
- Contaminated lake
The launch of Fontaine brought a variety of new environments, ranging from the pristine Court of Fontaine to the scenic mountain ranges of the Beryl region, as well as the multi-layered majesty of Belleau. Version 4.1 has opened the doors to two large points of interest in Fontaine: the Fortress of Meropide, a gritty underbelly of Fontaine also known as "the places where exiles gather", and the abandoned Fontaine Research Institute.
For more about Genshin Impact, be sure to check out our comprehensive Version 4.2 update guide, which includes the release date, banners, detailed event descriptions, and more. We've also compiled all the much-needed QoL changes coming to Version 4.2 here!
Discover all that you need to know about the 18 new Fontaine characters. On top of that, the 4.3 banners have been leaked! Get ahead of the curve and start planning your Primogem savings for your favourite Fontainian characters with our Fontaine character banner schedule here.