Following the surprising news that Keqing would be featured on a banner after Xiao's instead of the highly anticipated Hu Tao, a Genshin Impact leaker claims that Hu Tao will get a during the Version 1.3 cycle.
So far, Genshin Impact banners have each lasted 3 weeks before introducing a brand new five-star character. Keqing will be the first character already introduced to the game being featured on her own banner. Prior to the announcement of Keqing's banner, Dance of Lanterns, leaks of the upcoming banners have been mostly accurate. Previously, Xiao and Hu Tao were heavily rumored to be the next introduced five-star Genshin Impact characters, but instead, Keqing showed up in what was expected to be Hu Tao's spot on February 17.
Interestingly, though, Xiao's banner, Invitation to Mundane Life, will only be live for 2 weeks rather than 3, as seen with every other banner. But one Genshin Impact leaker, NEP NEP, claims that this means Hu Tao will get her own banner at the end of 1.3's life cycle. Each update has lasted 6 weeks before another has taken its place, and miHoYo has previously stated that it's the developer's intent to release a new update every 6 weeks.
While Keqing's banner doesn't currently have a set end date, NEP NEP says that hers will also only last 2 weeks, which would then mean 2 more weeks on 1.3's life cycle not accounted for. According to NEP NEP, miHoYo's plan is to put up Hu Tao's banner in these final 2 weeks. The insider says that the change in schedule is due to issues relating to Chinese New Year, which will occur during Xiao's banner. Xiao's story revolves around the Lantern Rite Festival, which is Teyvat's version of Lunar New Year.
If the developer is in fact dealing with problems due to Chinese New Year, it would make sense for miHoYo not to announce Dance of Lantern's end date in the Genshin Impact 1.3 special program. However, it looks like Keqing's story may tie into the Lantern Festival as well, according to the name of the banner. NEP NEP has also theorized that Keqing's sudden banner might be a prank of some kind by miHoYo, relating to Hu Tao's nature as a trickster.
Still, Keqing is a widely popular five-star character in Genshin Impact. While some fans were disappointed about Hu Tao's lack of appearance, others are excited to get increased pull chances for the Electro five-star Keqing.
Genshin Impact is available now on the App Store, Google Play, PC, and PS4, and is currently in development for PS5 and Switch.