Thanks to a special livestream and trailer announcement earlier today, fans of Genshin Impact now have a better idea of what to expect when Version 1.3 arrives in February. Of course, most of the attention is on which new playable characters will come to the game. Surprisingly, developer miHoYo has only confirmed one character for Genshin Impact's 1.3 update.
Before the 1.3 trailer arrived, miHoYo had already shared quite a bit of info regarding changes and new features coming with the update, thanks to a developer blog that stated what was being added. However, playable characters were still just the subject of rumors and alleged leaks. Thankfully, fans no longer have to worry about which new characters will be playable, since miHoYo has now confirmed at least one of them.
Hu Tao, the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue, had been seemingly leaked for Version 1.3 weeks ago. Xiao, who appeared in the second closed beta for Genshin Impact, was also rumored to finally be arriving in 1.3 as well. Because leaks and rumors for the game have typically proven to be true, it seemed like the leaks and rumors for Genshin Impact 1.3 would be true too. However, so far, only Xiao is confirmed as a new playable character for Version 1.3.
Genshin Impact 1.3: Xiao Explained
So far, miHoYo has only confirmed Xiao as a new playable character, which might have shocked a lot of fans who were expecting Hu Tao to be included, too. This doesn't necessarily mean Hu Tao won't be included in a future update as part of Version 1.3, but for now she hasn't been revealed as a part of Genshin Impact's new content.
Instead, the Anemo and polearm-wielding Xiao is the only character confirmed for Version 1.3, called "All That Glitters." While players prepare for Xiao's arrival in Genshin Impact, they'll definitely need to start saving up Primogems. Xiao is a 5-star Banner character, which means he's going to be difficult to acquire through the game's gacha-pull Wish system. Adventurers of Rank 23 or higher can access Xiao's story content during 1.3's Lantern Rite Festival without a Key. After the Lantern Rite Festival ends, though, players will need to be Adventuring Rank 30 and have a Key on-hand to access Xiao's story.
It's pretty strange that Xiao is the only playable character promoted for the 1.3 update right now, especially considering miHoYo usually drops new characters in pairs. And while Hu Tao may be available before Version 1.3 actually ends, she still isn't officially confirmed for Genshin Impact yet.
Source: Genshin Impact/YouTube
