Nina Forneloza 
Genshin Impact has officially confirmed the debut of Xilonen, the new Natlan character, through its latest drip marketing campaign, giving players information alongside her release date.
Characters from the Natlan region are slowly getting unveiled with Mualani, Kachina, and Kinich leading the group. Now, Xilonen has been officially revealed to be entering the roster for version 5.1. Players got their first look at the exquisite Geo cat-girl during Natlan’s Ignition teaser, and quickly won the hearts of many. If the leaks about her kit are true, Xilonen could also be the Geo upgrade players have been dreaming of, possibly stepping in as a universal support.
Ahead of Xilonen’s release, HoYoverse has also shared some details about her element and lore, getting everyone more excited.
Genshin Impact version 5.1 via drip marketing after leaks reveal abilities
Genshin Impact shared Xilonen’s drip marketing, confirming that she will become a playable five-star character in version 5.1. Xilonen’s release date wasn’t explicitly offered, but Genshin Impact players already know when she’ll arrive in the game.
Xilonen, titled “Ardent Flames Forge The Soul,” has been revealed to be a smith from the Nanatzcayan Tribe or Children of Echoes, and is renowned for her craftsmanship. She is also a Geo Sword character, as seen in the vision on her chest.
Her abilities scale with defense, which is no longer surprising. Weeks before her official release, numerous leaks circulated online about her kit. Players who caught a glimpse of these leaks, particularly those from HomDGcat, quickly dubbed her the “Geo Kazuha” because of her access to potentially game-breaking buffs.
Xilonen enters the Night Soul state as a leopard spirit with her Elemental Skill, moving swiftly across the field much like Yelan’s Lingering Lifeline. While in this state, her three jewels light up based on the elements of her party members.
Simultaneously, she reduces the resistance of nearby enemies by 36% with the same ability without constellations. Meanwhile, Xilonen’s elemental burst allows her to summon her Leopard spirit onto the field and gives various buffs based on the number of pyro, hydro, electro, cryo, and geo characters present in the team.
Overall, Xilonen is expected to be one of the most powerful support characters in Genshin Impact. This is especially true once players unlock her constellations which provide interruption resistance, increased attack, health, and improved crits, as well as buffs to normal and charged attacks.
Her release will also bring her signature weapon, which boosts her defense and grants the team crit rate, crit damage, and elemental damage buffs based on her total defense.
Xilonen’s release date in Genshin Impact
Xilonen is set to arrive with Genshin Impact version 5.1, which is scheduled to go live on October 9, 2024.
There’s no word yet on whether Xilonen will be available in the first or second phase of the update, or if she will be accompanied by Iansan, who is believed to be an Electro polearm unit from Natlan. Leaks also suggest that Wriothesley might receive a rerun banner in this patch.
None of this has been confirmed by HoYoverse. Fans can expect more information on her, and version 5.1, in September.
