As the community eagerly awaits the official release in April 2026, a flood of leaks has painted a detailed picture of what Genshin Impact's Version 4.6 update might bring. While developer HoYoverse has consistently battled premature information reveals, the sheer volume of rumors surrounding this patch makes it one of the most discussed updates in recent memory. The anticipation is primarily fueled by the official confirmation of the long-awaited Fatui Harbinger, Arlecchino, whose arrival is being treated with the same reverence as a new Archon. However, the leaks suggest her debut is just the beginning, with whispers of a new explorable region, challenging bosses, game-altering artifacts, and significant quality-of-life improvements all on the horizon.
Leaked Banner Structure and Rerun Characters
One of the most critical pieces of leaked information concerns the banner schedule for the update's two phases. According to reputable sources like leaker Dimbreath, the initial banner lineup for the Version 4.6 beta tests was as follows:
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Phase 1: Features the debut of the 5-star Pyro character Arlecchino, alongside a rerun of the 5-star Pyro bow user, Lyney.
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Phase 2: Is expected to host reruns for the 5-star Anemo catalyst Wanderer and the 5-star Dendro catalyst Baizhu.
It's crucial to note that these rerun characters are always subject to change, especially right before the official livestream announcement. While Arlecchino's placement in Phase 1 is considered highly reliable, Travelers are advised to treat the rest of the roster with cautious optimism until HoYoverse makes the final call.
Arlecchino: The Scythe-Wielding Harbinger
The spotlight, without a doubt, shines brightest on Arlecchino. Officially confirmed as a Pyro unit, leaked gameplay kits and animations have provided a fascinating glimpse into her combat style. 🎭
As a Playable Character:
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Weapon & Visuals: She wields a polearm, but her signature weapon undergoes a dramatic transformation when equipped by her, morphing into a deadly scythe. This change is purely cosmetic, introducing a weapon type not normally seen in Teyvat.
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Playstyle: Leaks position her as a powerful on-field main DPS. Her Elemental Burst is said to activate an Infused state, allowing her Normal and Charged Attacks to deal massive Pyro damage, drawing immediate comparisons to the gameplay mechanics of Hu Tao. Whether this infusion comes at the cost of HP remains one of the unanswered questions.
As a Weekly Boss:
In a thrilling twist, Arlecchino is also rumored to be the new weekly boss challenge, and the leaked details promise an epic confrontation. The fight is described in two distinct phases:
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First Phase: Arlecchino engages players in her human form, wielding her scythe with a moveset different from her playable version.
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Second Phase: She undergoes a terrifying transformation, growing wings and becoming vastly more aggressive. Her attack arsenal in this phase allegedly includes:
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Firing railgun-like lasers.
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Launching homing missiles from the air.
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Bombing large sections of the arena.
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A New Fontaine Area and Challenging Bosses
Beyond the character, Version 4.6 is rumored to expand the map significantly. The new explorable area is said to be located in the southern part of Fontaine, positioned west of Liyue's Chenyu Vale and north of Sumeru's rainforests. True to Fontaine's design, this region will likely blend overland exploration with underwater segments, with one such submerged path supposedly leading to a secret location tied to the larger lore of Teyvat.
This new zone will introduce fresh challenges:
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New World Boss - "Golem Captain": This formidable foe is rumored to possess a massive, nearly impenetrable overshield. Leaks suggest that breaking through this defense will require specific strategies:
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A combination of Geo damage and claymore attacks.
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Constantly triggering Overloaded reactions.
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Reports even indicate that a fully-powered Zhongli's abilities might not be sufficient alone, emphasizing the need for a coordinated team effort. This boss is expected to drop Ascension materials for Arlecchino.
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New Artifact Domain: The area will also host a new domain with artifact sets designed to shake up the meta. One set is heavily rumored to significantly boost the Burning reaction, potentially revitalizing this underutilized Dendro reaction and offering new team-building strategies beyond the dominant Hyperbloom and Burgeon compositions.
Quality-of-Life Updates and Event Rumors
The update isn't just about new characters and areas; several leaks point to welcome improvements to the daily gameplay experience. According to reliable community sources, Version 4.6 may include the following optimizations:
| System | Rumored Update |
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| Quest System | A fix to prevent quest progression from being blocked by other active missions. |
| Exploration | Treasure Compasses will now mark the exact location of treasure chests directly on the mini-map. |
| Serenitea Pot | Major quality-of-life updates: A single button to use Vial of Adeptal Speed, a "claim all" function for crafted furnishings, and the ability to craft more than five items in a single batch. |
Furthermore, the main event for the patch is rumored to have a musical theme. Whispers suggest that a new instrument, resembling a French horn, will be introduced as part of the event rewards, allowing Travelers to compose new melodies across Teyvat.
In summary, the constellation of leaks for Genshin Impact Version 4.6 points toward a substantial and multifaceted update. From the dramatic debut of Arlecchino as both a playable character and a formidable boss to the expansion of Fontaine's shores and meaningful system updates, the patch seems poised to deliver significant new content and refinements. As always, the final, confirmed details will come from the official livestream, but the current rumors have certainly set the stage for an exciting chapter in the ongoing adventure.