Keqing confirmed as new Lantern Rites Character

Genshin Impact has officially announced the second character banner featured within the Lantern Rites festival.

The new character is the Liyue Qixing secretary, Keqing.

The Electro swordswoman is considered by players as one of the best DPS units in the game with her Elemental Burst and subsequent Electro-infused charged attacks.

Her appearance as the premiere character in the event banner marks the first time a permanent 5-star character has been featured in their own rate-up.

Outside of the upcoming banner, Keqing is a possible character should a wish from the regular banner or on any event banner feature a golden comet in its animation.

Alongside Keqing, the following characters - who are equally popular with players - should also appear more frequently when using wishes:

• Barbara, the 4-star Hydro Catalyst healer that all new players can get for free when they reach a certain Adventure Rank;
• Bennett, the 4-star Pyro swordsman that has one of the quickest Elemental Skills and a damage-boosting Elemental Burst;
• and Ningguang, the 4-star Geo Catalyst wielder and Keqing's boss as Liyue Qixing Tianquan that further rose to prominence after the buffs given to Geo Resonance since the release of Patch 1.3.

One also notable detail is that the banner ends on March 2, which according to dataminer Dimbreath is the same date rumoured to be the debut of the anticipated Hu Tao, a 5-star Pyro Polearm user and the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Many players were surprised when she wasn't announced during the patch preview streams, but there is speculation that it may have something to do with linking any concept of death showing up during the Chinese New Year season being a taboo in their culture.

The Dance of Lanterns banner featuring Keqing starts on February 17, 6:00PM (GMT+8).