As a dedicated Traveler who has journeyed through every major update since launch, I can hardly contain my excitement – the Genshin Impact version 4.5 release is finally here. After weeks of speculation and teasers, the maintenance countdown is ticking away, and by the time you read this, servers should be lighting up with brand new content. Back in the day, patches used to drop at awkward hours for my timezone, but now I've learned to schedule my whole evening around maintenance downtime. This time, the update lands on March 12 at around 8pm PT / 11pm ET, which translates to 3am BT on March 13. If we are lucky – and Hoyoverse has been generous in the past – we might even get in up to an hour early. Why do they always release patches at an hour that makes me choose between sleep and primo grinding? The eternal gacha dilemma.
Let's cut straight to the star of 4.5: Chiori. She's a 5-star Geo sword user, and from the moment her silhouette dropped, theorycrafters went into overdrive. I have personally spent far too many hours analyzing her kit, and I can confidently say she brings a fresh breeze to the Geo element. Chiori is billed as an off-field damage dealer, but calling her just that is like saying Zhongli only provides a shield. Her damage scales off both ATK and DEF, which means those lucky double-crit DEF% artifacts sitting in my inventory finally have a home. Her main gimmick? Summonable dolls that automatically strike nearby enemies. They feel like a more aggressive version of Fischl's Oz, but with Geo finesse. Here's the kicker: if you activate Chiori's elemental skill near a Geo construct – think Zhongli's stone stele, Itto's little bull Ushi, or even Geo Traveler's meteorite – she summons an additional doll. Double the dolls, double the coordinated attacks. Isn't it obvious that Hoyoverse wants us to run her in mono-Geo squads? Her ultimate is a straightforward burst of damage, nothing too flashy, but when paired with the right setup, it deletes health bars. Compared to Albedo, her kit feels familiar yet noticeably more modern. Where Albedo's flower gets destroyed by boss hitboxes, Chiori's dolls keep attacking relentlessly. Is she the Albedo powercreep we all feared? I'd say she's more like Albedo's stylish, higher-damage cousin.
Naturally, Chiori's debut banner runs alongside a rerun of Arataki Itto, the one and oni. Itto mains are feasting right now. The shared 4-star lineup on this banner is a carefully chosen support squad: Yun Jin, Gorou, and Dori. Yun Jin remains a uniquely strong buffer for normal attack-centric teams – if you enjoy characters like Yoimiya or Ayato, you know her value. Gorou is basically the glue that holds defense-scaling Geo teams together, boosting DEF and Geo damage. I still remember when Gorou was the missing piece for my Noelle team; now with Chiori and Itto both benefiting from his buffs, this banner is a one-stop shop for Geo supremacy. Then there's Dori. Oh, Dori. She tries her best with healing and some Electro application, but let's be honest – she's the 4-star you hope to lose your 50/50 to just so you can get a free starglitter. Why does the gacha always put one underwhelming character in an otherwise perfect lineup?
Moving on to the second half of 4.5, and it's an absolute gauntlet for our Primogems. Two fan-favorite characters are returning: Kazuha and Neuvillette. I cannot overstate how Kazuha has remained one of the most versatile and fun Anemo supports in the game. Even in 2026, after countless meta shifts, his crowd control and elemental damage bonus are invaluable. Pairing him with almost any elemental DPS instantly elevates the team. As for Neuvillette, the Hydro sovereign, he has solidified his place as a top-tier DPS since his Fontaine debut. His charged attack gameplay is so satisfying – blasting enemies with a high-pressure water beam makes me feel like I'm directing a hydro cannon. Between Kazuha's supportive elegance and Neuvillette's raw power, how is anyone supposed to choose?
But the real game changer in 4.5 is the introduction of a brand new banner type: the retro banner. This is something the community has begged for ever since certain characters started disappearing into rerun jail. The first retro banner features older, limited 5-stars: Albedo, Eula, and Klee. Alongside them, you can target standard banner characters like Jean, Mona, and Diluc through an epitomized path–style system. Now, here's the crucial detail that many players overlook: this banner uses limited Fates, not standard Acquaint Fates. That means every wish you spend here is a wish you aren't spending on the current limited banners. Is it worth pulling on a retro banner when Kazuha and Neuvillette are right there? It depends entirely on your account. If you missed Albedo and desperately need a sturdy off-field presence, or if you've always wanted that elusive Mona for your freeze team, this might be your best shot. I personally will tread carefully – my Eula has been benched for ages, and Klee, while adorable, feels clunky by 2026 standards. Diluc on the other hand? He's still a solid pyro option, but only if I lose the 50/50 enough times to trigger the path. The retro banner concept is brilliant, but it demands strategic hoarding.
On the heels of 4.5, Hoyoverse dropped a bombshell: Arlecchino is officially confirmed for version 4.6. After almost two years of waiting since her first appearance in the Fatui trailer, the Knave is finally becoming playable. I still remember the collective gasp from the community when that teaser went live. Her design, her enigmatic aura – everything screams must-pull. While 4.5 brings immense value right now, knowing that Arlecchino is just one patch away forces a painful choice. Do I go all in for Chiori and risk missing a Harbinger, or do I stay strong and save? This is the art of gacha resource management, and it never gets easier.
To wrap up my pre-patch thoughts, Genshin Impact 4.5 is a beefy update. Chiori rejuvenates the Geo roster, Itto and the 4-stars offer a complete building experience, the second phase features two of the strongest units in the game, and the retro banner adds a new layer of pulling strategy. As the servers come online, I'll be diving straight into Chiori's trial run, testing her doll synergy with my Zhongli, and probably tossing a few wishes at the retro banner just to see if I can finally grab that Jean constellation. One question lingers in my mind as the maintenance bar creeps to completion: will Chiori truly reshape Geo teams, or will she remain a niche pick like Albedo? Only hours of gameplay will tell. Happy wishing, Travelers – may your 50/50s be ever in your favor.