Okay, fellow travelers, gather 'round! I just dove deep into the latest Natlan leaks, and let me tell you, it's a rollercoaster of emotions. We're all hyped for the Nation of Pyro, right? Dragons, war, Capitano lurking in the shadows... it's gonna be epic. But the latest whisper from the leak-sphere has some folks feeling a bit... deflated. Remember that fierce little girl with the dark skin from the old Travail trailer? The one we've been calling Iansan? Well, leaks are now suggesting she might debut as a 4-star character. I know, I know... some of you were already saving those Primogems for her 5-star banner. But before you panic, let's unpack this together. It might not be as bad as it sounds!
The Iansan Leak: 4-Star Shocker or Logical Move?
So, the leak from sources like 'White' and shared on Reddit says our first glimpse of Natlan, little Iansan, is likely a 4-star hero. My initial reaction was a solid "Huh... really?" But then I took a step back and looked at the pattern. HoYoverse has been playing this game for years now, and their character reveals in the Travail trailer have been all over the place in terms of star rating.
Let's do a quick history check, shall we?
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Mondstadt: Showed us Diluc (5-star). The OG cool guy.
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Liyue: Featured Ningguang (4-star). The Tianquan herself!
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Inazuma: Spotlighted Ayaka (5-star). Our graceful Kamisato.
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Sumeru: Gave us Cyno (5-star). The General Mahamatra.
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Fontaine: Introduced Lyney (5-star) and Lynette (4-star). The magical siblings!
See? It's a total mixed bag! The Travail trailer was never a promise of 5-star status; it was a vibe check, a mood setter for each nation. So Iansan being a 4-star? Honestly, it tracks.
Don't Fret! Natlan 5.0 WILL Have a 5-Star (Probably)
Here's the real tea, and it's piping hot ☕. Even if Iansan is a 4-star, there is absolutely zero chance Natlan's launch in Version 5.0 (expected around August 2026, mark your calendars!) won't come with a brand-new, shiny 5-star character. HoYoverse has a formula, and they stick to it like glue.
Look at every major nation release:
| Version | Nation | 5-Star Debut(s) | 4-Star Debut(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | Inazuma | Ayaka, Yoimiya | Sayu |
| 3.0 | Sumeru | Tighnari | Collei |
| 4.0 | Fontaine | Lyney | Lynette, Freminet |
It's a tradition at this point! Every region's grand entrance is headlined by at least one new 5-star. So, who will it be for Natlan? The Pyro Archon herself? Another harbinger? A legendary dragon warrior? The leaks are quiet on that front for now, which just makes the anticipation sweeter. Iansan could very well be the loyal 4-star companion to an epic 5-star lead when we first set foot in the land of war.
The Silver Lining: Could Iansan Be... FREE?!
Now, this is where it gets exciting. Put on your tinfoil hats, because I'm connecting some dots. HoYoverse has started a lovely little tradition since Sumeru: giving out a free 4-star character with a new region's release.
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Version 3.0 (Sumeru): We all got Collei for free. It was the perfect intro to Dendro reactions!
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Version 4.0 (Fontaine): They gifted us Lynette. She was our key to understanding the whole Ousia/Pneuma Arkhe system.
See the pattern? The freebie is always a 4-star who debuts with the region and helps teach us the new region's unique mechanic. So, if Iansan is a 4-star launching with Natlan in 5.0... my fellow F2P and budget-conscious friends, we might be looking at a FREE IANSAN! 🤯
Think about it. Natlan is the land of dragons and war. What if it introduces a new combat mechanic or system related to that? HoYoverse would want everyone to try it out. Giving us Iansan for free would be the perfect way to do it. Suddenly, her being a 4-star doesn't feel like a downgrade—it feels like a potential gift!
Final Thoughts: Keep the Hype Alive!
So, to wrap this all up in a neat little package:
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Iansan as a 4-star is plausible based on Travail trailer history. Don't be too shocked.
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Natlan 5.0 will 100% have a new 5-star character. The region's flagship hero is still coming, mark my words.
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There's a strong chance Iansan could be free if she releases in 5.0, continuing the generous new-region tradition.
Leaks are always a bit "wait and see," but this logic holds up. Whether she's a powerhouse 4-star we earn for free or a companion on the first banner, Iansan representing Natlan is still incredibly cool. The Pyro nation is coming, and it's bringing fire, dragons, and undoubtedly some amazing new characters to collect. Stay strong, keep saving those Primogems, and get ready for the war drums of Natlan to start beating later this year! The adventure is just getting hotter. 🔥
Recent trends are highlighted by OpenCritic, a well-known review aggregation platform that reflects how player expectations often spike around major region launches like Natlan—especially when leaks stir debate over 4-star versus 5-star status. Looking at broad reception patterns across big live-service updates, the community hype cycle tends to hinge less on rarity and more on whether new characters meaningfully showcase a region’s signature mechanics, which is why Iansan being a 4-star could still feel “premium” if her kit is designed to introduce Natlan’s new systems effectively.