October 28, 2023
During August, MiHoYo rolled out another big update for Genshin Impact. The patch 4.0. has brought us the newest region called Fontaine. In addition to new characters and story quests, Fontaine came with many new content and game mechanics to explore. Here are some novelties Genshin Impact players can find while exploring the new Hydro region.
Released in patch 4.0, Fontaine is the newest addition to Genshin Impact’s large world map. The Hydro archon rules the region of Fontaine, Focalors, also known as Lady Furina, the God of Justice. Fontaine features a steampunk aesthetic, complete with beautiful, water-covered terrain. The Hydro region finally brings us a wholly new and exciting game feature. Players can dive into the vast waters of Fontaine, which brings hours on end of exploring beautiful underwater areas. This new game feature is both interesting and relaxing. In addition, it gets rid of one frustrating feature that was most prominent in the desert portion of Sumeru. All areas, including the underground ones, are easily accessible and easy to navigate. MiHoYo has also made this easier by adding level indicators on the world map. This update might help players explore the new region, as well as the previously presented regions.
With the addition of Fontaine, many new characters have also been presented. Players are first introduced to Lyney and Lynette, Fontaine’s great magician duo. Lyney is a pyro-wielding five-star bow user who pairs great with Lynette, a four-star Anemo swordswoman. In addition to the magician duo, Freminet, a four-star Cryo Claymore user, has also been released as a playable character. Freminet is currently a featured four-star character on the Zhongli and Childe banners. Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet are currently the only released playable characters of the region. However, many other characters have been presented in the archon and world quests, some of them garnering a large following event before their release. One of the most prominent characters introduced is Neuvillette, the Fontaine chief of justice whose feature on the 4.1. banner is already confirmed. Another fan favorite that is going to be released during the 4.1. patch is Wriothesley. These two characters will be featured in the two phases of the 4.1. patch, with Neuvillette being released on the 27th of September, while we can expect Wriothesley around the 18th of October.
The release of other characters like Lady Furina, Navia, or Clorinde is yet to be confirmed.
New game features and mechanics
As mentioned above, one of the biggest additions to Genshin Impact’s gameplay is the ability to explore underwater areas. This new feature, contrary to rumors before the release, features no oxygen bar. This means that players can explore underwater areas with no time limit. While diving, characters can’t use their abilities. However, they can gain buffs from certain underwater creatures. For now, there are three types of Xenochromatic creatures that offer attack or shield buffs to players. These buffs can be used for underwater combat and breaking certain obstacles. This diving game mechanic also features a new stamina bar. The aquatic stamina bar allows players to swim fast for prolonged periods of time. Using characters from Fontaine while swimming offers some buffs as well. Lynette, a free character obtainable after reaching AR 25 can be pretty useful during underwater exploration. Her passive ability, Point mnemonics, shows the location of stamina recovery orbs on the map. In addition to that, it increases stamina and health gained when touching these orbs by 25%.
Another addition to the game unique to the Fontaine region is Pneuma and Ousia energy blocks. These blocks have many in-game uses. Players can expect to find these energy blocks while solving puzzles or starting certain mechanisms in the region. Pneuma and Ousia are complementary energy blocks marked with opposing colors, Pneuma being golden and Ousia being purple. During the exploration of Fontaine players will encounter various mechanisms like Pneumousia relays, storage boxes, and blocks that are unlocked and activated by using the power of the opposing energy block to stabilize them.
Characters from Fontaine have the ability to align with either Pneuma or Ousia energies, which can buff some of their attacks. For instance, while using Lyney’s normal attack, there’s a possibility of triggering a Pneuma-aligned pyro attack. His companion, Lynette, can use Ousia-aligned anemo attacks while using her elemental skill. All future playable characters from this region will likely be able to use either Pneuma or Ousia-aligned attacks. This new addition to the game can be helpful to while fighting Fontaine-exclusive mobs.
Meks – new Fontaine-exclusive mobs
By its steampunk aesthetic, the region of Fontaine brings us new mobs called Meks. Meks are mechanical creatures that vary in size and difficulty. What’s tricky about these new enemies is that they aren’t inherently vulnerable to any element. Defeating larger Meks can, therefore be quite tricky if players don’t use the power of Pneuma and Ousia to their advantage. Utilizing these energies in battle can debuff and disarm these enemies, making exploration and fighting easier. Pay attention to the Meks’ color to see which energy you should use to defeat them.
Conclusion
Fontaine is a beautiful new region added to the vast kingdom of Teyvat. To explore it more easily and unlock all elements of this semi-aquatic kingdom, players should be familiar with the unique elements and mechanisms added to the game in the latest 4.0. patch. If you’ve already explored most of the map that rolled out with the latest update, do not fret. Genshin Impact has rolled out its latest update 4.1., bringing new events and new Fontaine playable characters like the long-awaited Neuvillette and Wriothesley.