The first batch of drip marketing for Genshin Impact Version 5.3 rolled out across social media yesterday, revealing that the next major update to Hoyoverse’s smash hit gacha game will add Mavuika, the highly anticipated Archon of Natlan, as well as the lovable Citlali as playable characters. Alongside the Pyro Archon and the solitary elder from the Masters of the Nightwind, another bit of drip marketing has dropped, revealing that 5.3 will also add a third new character by the name of Lan Yan and, this time, they’re from Liyue instead of Natlan.
Lan Yan is the third character to be revealed for Genshin Impact Version 5.3 and she’s likely going to be a new 4-star. Based on the drip marketing, Lan Yan is set to be a new Anemo unit from Liyue, making her the only 4-star Anemo character from the Nation of Contracts and one of only three Liyue Anemo characters in general.
While her drip marketing doesn’t give too much away regarding her weapon choice, Lan Yan will likely be available to all players for free. Version 5.3’s launch will roughly coincide with 2025’s iteration of the Lantern Rite, Genshin Impact’s biggest and most rewarding event where they have been giving out a free Liyue character for the last several years. Gaming was last year’s featured character, so it looks like Lan Yan will be the new free 4-star for the Lantern Rite next year.
Lan Yan, Spring Woven From Jade
Lan Yan is a figure of much renown in Liyue’s Chenyu Vale and a childhood friend of Gaming. Nestled among the tall mountains of the Vale, Lan Yan is known as a Master Rattan Weaver, with her talents always being sought after for one reason or another. Unfortunately, while her services as an artisan are always wanted back in the village, Lan Yan prefers the solitude of the Vale’s forests where she can often be found preparing the materials required for her craft, enjoying the company of docile wildlife, or singing gentle melodies to herself.
Drip marketing is a phrase used within gacha game circles to describe certain pieces of promotional material released before a unit’s official unveiling. This is used to build up hype around the upcoming characters and help players change their pulling or spending plans without being blindsided. Hoyoverse titles like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Release drop drip marketing for new characters a full version update before they are officially added to the game.
Lan Yan along with Pyro Archon Mavuika and Citlali will become playable when Genshin Impact Version 5.3 launches in January 2025.
