Here's What's New With Genshin Impact Patch 2.2

Genshin Impact patch 2.2 arrives in a little over a week, with a healthy dose of new content to dive into. This includes one playable character that’s new to everyone. As well as a returning playable character from an older event wish. And, the expansion of a third character that was made available for PlayStation players back in August.

Aside from the characters, version 2.2 of Genshin Impact will open up a new area in the game. As well as contain new bits of storyline quests and other content. This isn’t as big as patch 2.0. And at a glance seems just a bit smaller than patch 2.1. However, there’s likely to be more to do that isn’t part of the official announcement. With that, let’s dive into the guide.

Genshin Impact patch 2.2 opens up the last major island of Inazuma

When Inazuma was initially launched within the game as its third major city, not all of the islands were available. With patch 2.2, miHoYo is introducing the last major island of the region. The island is called Tsurumi Island, and is both steeped in beauty and shrouded in mystery due to its dense fog.

You can see a few screenshots of the area in the images above. Of course, this only showcases a small percentage of what the island has to offer.

PC will gain support for the PS5’s DualSense controller

If you play the game on PS5, you might be accustomed to the DualSense layout for buttons and in-game actions. Sadly, the PC version of the game doesn’t support the DualSense controller. At least not yet. You can use the DualShock 4 and the Xbox wireless controllers currently though.

But with Patch 2.2, miHoYo is officially adding support for the DualSense. Which will make it a lot easier for players who are used to the DualSense and want to use it when playing on PC.

Thoma joins the Genshin Impact roster in patch 2.2, and Childe returns to the fold

Patch 2.2 technically includes two new characters. Though only one of them is completely new to the game in terms of being a playable character option. For starters, Childe is returning to the game as a possible pickup through the first event wish of the patch. As is Hu Tao. This should show up with the launch of Patch 2.2.

Players who don’t have a PS4 or PS5, or who simply didn’t play Genshin Impact on either of those systems, will now also have access to Aloy. A free playable character that’s part of Genshin Impact’s first crossover event. miHoYo is handing her out through the in-game mail. So make sure to check it.

The second character is Thoma. A polearm user with a Pyro vision built for defense and buffing teammates. He shows up in the second event wish of the patch, which should be a couple of weeks later. So you’re likely looking at late October to early November.

Patch 2.2 also introduces hangout events that can be unlocked for both Thoma and Sayu.

Beware the Rifthounds and Rifthound Whelps

Tsurumi Island provides players with new content, quests, and areas to explore. But it also plays home to new mysteries and challenges that players have never faced.

Case in point, the Rifthounds and Rifthound Whelps. These otherworldly beasts are sure to prove a challenge for many players. As their attacks can cause a “corrosion” effect that impacts all members of the team. No matter what team member gets hit with the attacks, corrosion is applied to all characters currently on the field.

And the effect ignores shields. Once applied, corrosion continues to deal damage to all affected team members until it’s dispelled. So you have to be careful not to get hit, or dispatch the enemies quickly so you can deal with the debuff. As Tsurumi Island is caked in fog, this poses even more of a challenge because the Rifthounds and Rifthound Whelps will be harder to spot. Basically, stay on your toes.

In addition to these new beasts, players will also have a new investigation questline that has them hunting down and defeating an enemy called the Anomalous Model Ruin Grader. This quest is part of the Shadow Of The Ancients event.

Gear up for new seasonal events

There are a few new seasonal events coming along with the patch. This includes the Shadow Of The Ancients mentioned above. As well as Labyrinth Warriors, and Tuned To The World’s Sounds.

In the Labyrinth Warriors event, players will partner up with Childe and Xinyan on Inazuma to enter a mystic domain. Tuned To The World’s Sounds on the other hand will add a rhythm mini-game where players can play different types of music alongside characters like Ningguang, Zhongli, Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Raiden Shogun and more.

Design your Serenitea Pot realm in the style of Inazuma

One of the more exciting parts of patch 2.2 is the addition of a new realm style for the Serenitea Pot. Finally, you’ll be able to create your realm in the style of Inazuma. The realm layout is officially called Silken Courtyard, and features more furnishing blueprints with the Inazuma style.

miHoYo is also adding a new type of furnishing (likely in the Inazuma style as well), a floating platform, and flowers that can be used as furnishings. To acquire the flowers, you’ll need to participate in the Dreams of Bloom event. This is a limited-time event that will only be available during patch 2.2.

So you won’t want to miss out on it if you want to add the flowers to your own Serenitea Pot realm.