Genshin Impact Fontaine update: story, bosses, and mechanics in version 4.0

Here’s what you need to know about the coming update

Fontaine is looking mighty fine in the trailer for Genshin Impact 4.0 “As Light Rain Falls Without Reason” – you can watch it below – and HoYoverse has revealed a great many details about the new nation players will get to explore in the upcoming update. Located on a continental plate that has been lifted up by powerful technology, Fontaine is surrounded by a giant waterfall and is only accessible through a majestic tower containing an elevator, which is surrounded by a port town. It’s an elegant and sophisticated country, teeming with technologically advanced robots called Clockwork Meka.

Update 4.0 will contain Act 1 and 2 of Archon Quest Chapter 4 with subsequent acts becoming available in the three following updates – yes, it looks like this story is going to be a long one. In the beginning, our travels seem to lead to the Court of Fontaine, the country’s majestic capital, where we’ll meet many of of Fontaine’s upcoming characters: Hydro Archon Focalors, Chief Judge Neuvillette, the mysterious Navia, our old friend Charlotte, and the fierce Clorinde.

Fontaine's prominent opera house doubles as a court room / HoYoverse

From the looks of it we’re going to catch one of Fontaine’s famous court hearings – as much legal process as spectacle – live and will be in the audience at one of Lyney and Lynette’s magic shows. The duo and their youngest sibling Freminet are the three new characters becoming available in the Genshin Impact 4.0 banners. Where will things go from there? That’s a good question. There’s talk of ancient prophecies, of old technology harvesting people’s beliefs in justice, and of an impending catastrophe connected to the Hydro Archon – and as we know from the Overture Teaser, Arlecchino and the Fatui Harbingers have their fingers in the pot as well.

Alongside the continuation of the Archon Quest, Lyney’s Story Quest will be available in 4.0.

Lyney’s sister, Lynette, will be available for free to everyone, who is at least on Adventurer’s Level 25. Furthermore, you can obtain a copy of Bennett in the Genshin Impact 4.0 events.

Fontaine is not only the Nation of Hydro, about half of it is submerged underwater. That’s where the new underwater exploration mechanics come into play: You won’t need your usual Stamina to swim in Fontaine’s waters and there is no air meter when diving either – only swimming fast requires a resource called Aquatic Stamina, which is your only limitation down in the depths. In general, the developers have kept Fontaine’s waters well lit and bright as well as spacious, so don’t expect any frightful flashbacks to Subnautica.

The depths of Fontaine hide many ancient ruins and other secrets / HoYoverse

Combat underwater follows special rules, since you won’t be able to use your regular skills. You instead absorb powers from little critters and use those to fight. There will be special areas down in the depths as well, which allow you to walk and fight as normal. Likewise, mysterious cubes of water float in the air above Fontaine’s surface in some places, making the underwater mechanics relevant there as well.

Fontaine features two new bosses as well: One is the Armored Crablord “Emperor of Fire and Iron” – dwelling in an underwater cave and carrying a little volcano on his shell – and the second is a duo of majestic Clockwork Meka, whose fighting style is inspired by figure skating and medieval dances. Players will actually be able to choose between two versions of the “Icewind Suite” at will.

Meet the Emperor of Fire and Iron, one of Genshin Impact's new bosses / HoYoverse

Enemies in Fontaine as well as characters from the region are all affected by a new mechanical system – the duality between Dark and Light or Pneuma and Ousia. Each being from Fontaine belongs to one of these types in addition to their elemental type and will be able to trigger special interactions during combat and exploration based on this.