Genshin Impact 4.1: Release date, banners, new events, Fontaine map expansion, and what to expect

The Genshin Impact Version 4.1 update has arrived! And its arrival is making waves in the community with a plethora of new Fontaine content. The launch of Fontaine in Version 4.0 brought a renewed wave of interest from both veteran and new players, as it not only opened the doors to a new era of underwater exploration, but also brought to life some of the 18 new Fontaine characters in their gripping Fontaine Archon Quest, propelling the game to new heights.

However, there is only so much content to discover before Genshin players start to yearn for more characters to meet and more places to explore. Version 4.1 has introduced a much-anticipated map expansion, new developments in the narrative, and more! Without further ado, read on to discover all the exciting updates that Genshin Impact 4.1 brings.

If you're interested in what the following update has in store, check out our Version 4.2 overview here!

Genshin Impact 4.1 release date

Genshin Impact Version 4.1 was released on 27 September at 4am (BST). It's important to note that due to timezone differences, players in the United States received the update on 26 September 11pm EDT.

Credit: HoYoverse

Here’s what that entailed for your timezones:

Genshin Impact 4.1 banners

The Fontaine characters, Neuvillette (5-star Hydro Catalyst) and Wriothesley (5-star Cryo Catalyst), are set to receive their first banners in Version 4.1.

Credit: HoYoverse

Phase 1 of Version 4.1 will feature banners for Neuvillette and Hu Tao. In Phase 2, Wriothesley will make his banner debut, alongside a rerun banner for Venti.

Credit: HoYoverse

To sum up, here is a list of the Version 4.1 leaked character banners in each phase:

Phase 1 (5-stars):

• Neuvillette
  • Hydro, Catalyst
• Hu Tao
  • Pyro, Polearm

Phase 1 (4-stars):

• Xingqiu
  • Hydro, Sword
• Fischl
  • Electro, Bpw
• Diona
  • Cryo, Bow

Phase 2 (5-stars):

• Wriothesley
  • Cryo, Catalyst
• Venti
  • Anemo, Bow

Phase 2 (4-stars):

• Thoma
  • Pyro, Polearm
• Dori
  • Electro, Claymore
• Chongyun
  • Cryo, Claymore

Genshin Impact 4.1 new weapons

There are a total of 7 weapons to be introduced in the upcoming 4.1 update.

New 5-star weapons

Credit: HoYoverse

• Tome of the Eternal Flow (Catalyst)
  • Neuvillette's signature weapon, to appear on the 4.1 Phase 1 weapon banner
• Cashflow Supervision (Catalyst)
  • Wriothelsey signature weapon, to appear on the 4.1 Phase 2 weapon banner

New 4-star weapons

Credit: HoYoverse

• The Dockhand's Assistant (Sword)
• Portable Power Saw (Claymore)
• Prospector's Drill (Polearm)
• Range Gauge (Bow)
• Ballad of the Boundless Blue (Catalyst)
  • obtained through the 4.1 flagship event

Fontaine Archon Quest - Chapter IV: Acts 3 & 4

Following the events of the Version 4.0 Archon Quest, the Traveler has been tasked by Neuvillette to check on the imprisoned Childe in the Fortress of Meropide. As the Fortress of Meropide operates autonomously, the Traveler will need to disguise themselves as a convicted criminal to infiltrate it.

During their quest to locate Childe, the Traveler will encounter the administrator of the Fortress of Meropide, Wriothesley, and investigate a series of incidents that have occurred within the prison.

Credit: HoYoverse

In the 4.1 Livestream, the much-anticipated Acts 3 and 4 of Archon Quest Chapter IV were announced:

• Act 3: 'To the Stars Shining in the Depths'
• Act 4: 'Cataclysm's Quickening'

Based on information imparted in the Livestream, the enigmatic Harbinger native to Fontaine, Arlecchino, will play a significant role in the upcoming Archon Quest acts.

Genshin Impact 4.1 new Story Quests

In the upcoming update, players will have the chance to learn more about two of the most influential figures within the hierarchy of Fontaine: Neuvillette and Wriothesley.

• Neuvillette Story Quest (Diluvies Chapter: Act 1)

Credit: HoYoverse

• Wriothesley Story Quest (Cerberus Chapter: Act 1)

Credit: HoYoverse

Genshin Impact 4.1 new bosses

New bosses will be introduced in the Version 4.1 update: Experimental Field Generator and Millennial Pearl Seahorse! Both Neuvillette and Wriothesley require their drops for Ascension.

• Experimental Field Generator

Credit: HoYoverse

• Millennial Pearl Seahorse

Credit: HoYoverse

Genshin Impact 4.1 flagship event: "Waterborne Poetry"

The main flagship event of the Genshin Impact Version 4.1 will be "Waterborne Poetry", which will bring players back to Liyue to participate in a momentous poetry gala between the two nations: Liyue and Mondstadt. Tons of fan-favourite characters will be making a return to celebrate this occasion!

Credit: HoYoverse

To foster stronger bonds between the nations of Liyue and Mondstadt, beloved characters Hu Tao and Venti have taken the initiative to organise this poetry gala. Players will have the opportunity to participate in three exciting event challenges.

1. Hundred-Pace Hurling Rites

Credit: HoYoverse

In the first event challenge, "Hundred-Pace Hurling Rites", players must throw darts and shatter as many Holding Pots as they can within the time limit. During the challenge, a Ring of Rites and Sleight Pots will appear. If a thrown dart passes through the Ring to hit a Holding Pot, the points earned will be doubled. Hitting Sleight Pots allows players to throw darts more quickly in succession.

2. Inspiration Eruption

Credit: HoYoverse

Next up is a combat challenge called “Inspiration Eruption”. Players must defeat opponents to collect "Inspiring Crystals”. After a certain period of time, Inspiring Crystals will rupture and release an area-of-effect (AoE) shockwave around the player's character. From time to time, enemies carrying "Mythic Nexuses" will appear. These foes are very tough and difficult to defeat.

3. Mending Painting Prospects

Credit: HoYoverse

Finally, we have “Mending Painting Prospects”, which is a photography event with an intriguing twist. In this challenge, players must take pictures of artworks to help an art conservator restore them. To succeed, players must match the pictures they take with the current scenery and look for any objects that are missing from the picture.

By completing these challenges, you will accumulate Poetry Gala Fervor and obtain the event-exclusive 4-star Catalyst "Ballad of the Boundless Blue" among other valuable rewards such as refinement materials, Primogems, and more!

Genshin Impact 4.1 events

Along with all the exciting new story quests, characters, and flagship event minigames coming with the 4.1 update, there will be three other events for players to enjoy and collect valuable rewards from in Version 4.1!

1. Dodoco's Bomb-Tastic Adventure

Credit: HoYoverse

In "Dodoco's Bomb-Tastic Adventure", Travellers will get the chance to play an adorable tabletop-style game with Klee. In this game, players will have to use Dodoco to throw different types of Jumpy Dumpties to defeat an army of Spokey Fish.

2. Radiant Harvest

Credit: HoYoverse

In the next event, "Radiant Harvest”, Travellers are tasked with collecting and removing an invasive species of jellyfish called "Violet Jellyfish" from the waters of Fontaine. And by doing so, help an anxious merchant, eliminate the danger to the ecosystem, and obtain rewards!

3. The Peaks and Troughs of Life

Credit: HoYoverse

Lastly, we have a Fontaine-based combat challenge called “The Peaks and Troughs of Life”. In this challenge, Travellers are enlisted to help a Fontainian researcher test "Pressurized Impactors". On the battlefield, players must stop the pressure increase at the right moment to increase the damage dealt by the high-pressure shockwaves released by the “Pressurized Impactors”.

Genshin Impact 4.1 Fontaine map expansion

The second area of Fontaine available for exploration will be located just north of the Court of Fontaine region.

Credit: videre

As you traverse Fontaine, you’ll come across floating cubical bodies of water, encircled by collapsed structures suspended in the air. This unique construct is the Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering, often shortened to Fontaine Research Institute. In the upcoming update, players will finally be able to explore the mysterious institute.

On top of that, the Fortress of Meropide will also be a large point of interest in the upcoming update. Fontaine's underwater "prison" is also Wriothesley's base of operations as administrator.

Credit: HoYoverse

Interested in learning more about Genshin Impact? We've got you covered. Dive right into our Version 4.1 overview, and our guide on all the much-needed QoL changes coming to Version 4.1. We have also gathered all available information regarding the upcoming Version 4.2 update, including release date, potential banners, and more!

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.