Genshin Impact 2.3: Release date, Gorou and Itto debut, featured events, weapons, artifacts, and more

As we are getting closer to the release of Genshin Impact’s 2.2 update, featuring the debut of Thoma and the addition of Tsurumi Island within the Inazuma region, details have begun to emerge around the next and last update for 2021.

Thanks to miHoYo, there are some big reveals that have come to light with the introduction of two long-awaited characters, and a new season of events around Dragonspine Mountain, featuring the re-run of two beloved adventurers.

Genshin Impact 2.3: Gorou and Itto debut

Confirmed by miHoYo on 11th October, the “Canine Warrior” Gorou and “Hanamizaka Heroics” Arataki Itto are set to arrive as part of Inazuma’s playable roster with the 2.3 update.

Most players were already aware of Gorou's arrival due to his involvement in Inazuma’s Archon Quests, being part of the Sangonomiya’s Resistance as the General of the Watatsumi Army, striving to ensure the inhabitants of this island live in safety and peace.

Also, as we got to know from miHoYo’s reveal and in-game lore, he has a great friendship with Kaedehara Kazuha, who describes him as “a virtuous general”.

Gorou will be a 4-star Geo character with a bow as his main weapon, while he will be released alongside Itto during the second banner of the 2.3 update.

As for Arataki Itto, he is known for being the “First and Greatest Head of the Arataki Gang”, a heroic group of adventurers rising from the Hanamizaka area, one of the three main sections of Inazuma City.

According to Kuki Shinobu, deputy of the Arataki Gang, Itto’s abilities make him fast as the wind and mighty as thunder, all thanks to the Oni blood running through his veins, as we can notice by the horns over his head and his body full of symbols.

He will be this update’s 5-star character, also having a big affinity to the Geo element and uses a Claymore as his main weapon.

In addition, Arataki Itto will receive a Story Quest whereas Beidou and Gorou each will receive a Hangout Event.

Genshin Impact 2.3: Weapons and artifacts

One of the main weapons to arrive in this update is a new Claymore known as “Redhorn Stonethresher”, the signature weapon for Arataki Itto, together with a 4-star Sword available as a reward for the update's featured event.

Redhorn Stonethresher

The "Redhorn Stonethresher" Claymore will have a base ATK of 46 and CRIT DMG of 14.4, while its ascension materials needed to evolve it will be Narukami's Valor, Concealed Talon, and Famed Handguard.

This Claymore will increase DEF by 20-40%, and Normal and Charged Attack DMG will be increased by 28-56%.

Cinnabar Spindle

This 4-star Sword will be released as the main reward from the "Dust and Shadowed Snow" event. It features a base ATK of 41 and 15 DEF. Its ascension materials will be the Scattered Piece of Decarabian's Dream, Chaos Core and Ominous Mask.

Its Special Ability increases Elemental Skill DMG by 40-80% of DEF. This effect is cleared 0.1s after the Elemental Skill deals DMG and will then enter a 1.5s CD.

Aside from these powerful weapons, there are some new artifacts slated to be released during this update:

Ocean-Hued Clam

This artifact set will be focused on powering up Sangonomiya Kokomi's healing abilities.

With two pieces, it will increase all healings by 15%, while with four, all healing effects will generate a Healing Bubble (HB), up to once per 3.5 seconds.

These HBs will accumulate Stacked Healing (SH) as characters get healed and burst after three seconds, healing all nearby characters (50% of SH) and damaging nearby enemies (90% of SH).

Husk of Opulent Dreams

This artifact set will be the essential one to max Arataki Itto's abilities

With two pieces, it will increase DEF by 30%, while with four, the on-field character's Geo damage will grant +6% DEF and +6% Geo damage, up to one stack every 0.3 seconds, for a maximum of four stacks.

When off-field, one stack is gained per three seconds. When new stacks are not gained, the buff loses one stack every six seconds.

Genshin Impact 2.3: New events at Dragonspine Mountain

As we approach the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, a new series of events known as "Dust and Shadowed Snow" will also be featured around Dragonspine Mountain, bringing with them the re-run of Albedo's limited banner after his first release during the 1.2 update.

Combat Training

In this event, you will have to fight against mob camps. To kick off these combat sessions, you must interact will a special kind of Lures you will find in these camps.

Lures will start in a state of "Source Cold," and will emanate cold air that increases the rate at which Sheer Cold will accumulate on your characters. It will also give nearby opponents a Cryo Buff at fixed intervals, increasing their offensive power and survivability. You will be able to change the Lure's state by activating certain mechanisms nearby using  Scarlet Quartz in a specific order, to change the Lure's state to "Heat Source" and cancel the accumulation of Sheer Cold.

When Lures switch to Hear Source mode, characters will restore a certain amount of Energy at fixed intervals, and deal DMG to opponents while carrying Scarlet Quartz will unleash all the Quartz's energy in one go.

Agility Training

This training will help you perfect your parkour skills. Once you start the training after activating a special mechanism, you must follow the guides to proceed down the race track.

Blessings will sometimes appear while you race.
Galespring Blessings will enhance your character's jumping power, while Ironskin Blessings will allow your character to shatter the ice pillars around them.

The amount of points you score for the special training is based on the amount of time consumed and the number of Insignias of Adventure and Insignias of Conquest you obtained during the training.

Tracker Training

Melting certain Ice Crystal Piles will allow you to find Snowman Components. You will obtain at least one of every Component type if you complete all the Tracker Training sessions.

BOSS Challenge

Here, you will find in some points around Dragonspine a strange substance called "Arcane Essence", hidden inside a floating artifact called BOSS.

After picking up all of the Arcane Essence, the size of the BOSS will become smaller. It is also easier to be defeated.

Born of the Snow

During the 2.3, you will be able to obtain various Snowman Components that can be used to make Puffy Snowmen in the encampment. You can also send these components to your friends, or receive such components from them, through the event page.

Genshin Impact 2.3: Featured quests and challenges

There are also some other challenges waiting for you in this new update, featuring powerful enemies and tons of rewards.

Golden Wolflord

The 2.3 update will see the arrival a new World Boss, the king of the Riftwolves. The Golden Wolflord's attacks can apply stacks of the "Corrosion" status, which will cause all characters in the party to continuously lose HP.

In combat, the Wolflord will summon Rifthound Alphas to provide it with shields. You must attack the Rifhound Alphas with Geo DMG to destroy the Golden Wolflord's shields.

Misty Dungeon: Realm of Light

In the trials of "Misty Dungeon: Realm of Light," you must activate all the Ancient Runes within the time limit to gain access to the Final Challenge.

Places of Interest

You will have to go to the various Places of Interest and clear out the threats there to open treasure chests and obtain rewards.

Place of Interest: Hiding Spot

Get near the activation point to start the Place of Interest: Hiding Spot challenge. If you leave the challenge before completing it, your challenge progress will be saved.

When you enter a Hiding Spot with the Ubiquity Net equipped, use it to replace your Elemental Skill with the capture ability. Hold this skill to aim.
Hit the marked small animals in the Hiding Spot with this skill to whisk them away. Small animals awaiting rescue will be scattered in different locations within the Hiding Spot. It is recommended that you observe and confirm their positions first before acting.

Place of Interest: Den of Thieves

Small animals are imprisoned within a Place of Interest: Den of Thieves. You must defeat the surrounding opponents first before opening the cages and coming to their rescue.

Genshin Impact 2.3: Release date and time

While the 2.3 update may not be live as of yet, we should anticipate its release on 24th November.

You can take a first look at everything waiting on Genshin's 2.3 update by watching its Special Program right below, courtesy of miHoYo.

And that’s all we got to share with you as of now about Genshin’s 2.3 update. More information will be added here as the first previews start to be released in the next few days, so stay tuned.

• Read more: Genshin Impact 2.2: All new characters, weapons, enemies, events and more

In the meantime, don't forget to check our dedicated Genshin Impact section, where you can find all the news, guides, and previews you desire, as well as our Genshin Impact Twitter account.

Featured image courtesy of miHoYo.