The latest beta build for Genshin Impact has given fans their first official
look at Lanyan, the new 4-star Anemo Polearm character from Liyue. With Version
5.3 on the horizon, four new characters are set to be introduced, including
Lanyan, who has quickly become one of the most mysterious additions to the
roster.
While Citlali and Mavuika were widely anticipated, Lanyan's debut adds an
intriguing twist to the update. She is a 4-star Anemo Polearm user, expected to
appear alongside Citlali on the Event Banners in the second half of Version 5.3.
Her splash art, shared by Seele Leaks through Uncle Teyvat, showcases a medium
female model wielding chakrams and dressed in an outfit inspired by Anemo
elements.
What sets Lanyan apart is her potential as the first Anemo Shield Support
character in Genshin Impact. Unlike other shield users, Lanyan can activate the
Viridescent Venerer bonuses and provide interruption resistance with her shield.
However, her shield's duration is somewhat limited, lasting only 8 seconds with
a 16-second cooldown, resulting in a 50% uptime for her protective abilities.
This may make her less competitive compared to established shield support
characters like Kirara and Layla.
Lanyan’s true potential shines with her sixth Constellation, which grants
her two uses of the Elemental Skill, allowing for 100% uptime on her shield’s
benefits for the first 16 seconds of combat. How her chakrams will function in
gameplay remains to be seen, as she is a Polearm user, but developers have
previously found creative ways to integrate unique abilities into characters'
kits, as seen with Chevreuse in Version 4.3.
Fans can expect to interact with Lanyan during the upcoming Lantern Rite
event, and she will be available for free during the event's duration. Version
5.3 is slated for release on January 1, 2025.
