Genshin Impact is a popular fantasy open-world RPG that truly allows its millions of players to fully experience the power of elemental abilities as they leverage them against terrifying monsters and looming bosses alike. Additionally, since its launch in September 2020, beloved personalities such as Zhongli, Venti, Klee, and Diluc have cemented themselves as iconic characters in gaming culture.
Recent leaks concerning miHoYo's Genshin Impact are suggesting that a unique new character will be joining the roster as soon as the next major region begins. According to the lore, seven regions exist in the fantasy land of Teyvat, but only three have been uncovered thus far, with the latest being established during the Inazuma arc. The fourth region, while not confirmed, is rumored to be the nation of Sumeru, which will likely debut during the Genshin Impact 3.0 update just as Inazuma launched during version 2.0.
Who Will Wield Dendro
At the moment, there are no playable Dendro characters, though it is speculated that the first will be a Su-like character from Honkai Impact 3rd. This would not be the first time that miHoYo has pulled inspiration for characters from its sister game, as it's been seen before with Yae Miko, Keqing, Raiden Shogun, and a few others.
Based on the leaks, this Su Expy will maintain a high-ranking position in the hierarchy of Sumeru, somewhere underneath the region's Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali, also known as the Flower God or the God of Wisdom. Both characters will likely be introduced with the Dendro Vision in future updates. It's unlikely that Su will appear on the next banner as other characters are more likely to be released first.
Leaks from Project Celestia, a Twitter account dedicated to Genshin leaks, are claiming that a new boss was accidentally added to game data. It may be called Jade-Plumed Terrorshroom, as was the name of the file the information was in, which will drop Nagadus Emerald Gems, or Dendro Gems when being fought. This boss will likely be utilized for gathering ascension material for updating new Dendro characters that users opted to pull for.
The only character who has been observed to wield the Dendro element is Baizhu, a quest-exclusive NPC who was first seen in Chapter 1 of the Archon Quest. Yaoyao, another NPC who has not yet been introduced, is also rumored to be a Dendro. When more playable and NPC characters are implemented, they will likely be able to ascend with Dendro DMG Bonus and/or Dendro Resistance.
A fair amount of rumors from renowned Genshin Impact leakers such as Ubatcha1 and hxg_diluc are suggesting that this new element, which falls outside the currently playable Anemo, Geo, and Electro Visions, will be usable by version 3.0. It's looking like Aether or Lumine, depending on whom players chose at the beginning of their travels, will also be able to pick up this ability, as they've done with the previous three.
Genshin's Dendro Ability Explained
The term Dendro is derived from the Greek word for "tree", interestingly enough. Using Dendro in Genshin Impact will deal Pyro damage over time and in specific areas such as grass, there will be a spreading burning effect. Notably, the Dendro element will not display damage taken status like other elements.
Many enemies already exist across the current explorable map, capable of generating Dendro shields and constructs. To break these defenses, players should use a Pyro character as a counter. The most common of these Dendro enemies are the Dendro Samachurl, which attack with Thorny Vines, Smack, and a Dendro Field. Others include Dendro Slime, Large Dendro Slime, Wooden Shield Hilichurl Guards, Wooden Shieldwall Mitachurl, and Canine Bunshin.
It has been said that Genshin Impact 2.8 will be the final update in the Inazuma quest line, which puts the Sumeru region at an expected timeline of two or three months from now. While MiHoYo has not confirmed an actual release date, perhaps the new Dendro abilities will coincide with the launch of the game on Nintendo Switch consoles.
Genshin Impact is now available on mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Nintendo Switch version is currently being developed.