The Moon Will "Go Dark" On Lantern Rite Night In Genshin Impact’s Luna IV Update

The next installment of Genshin Impact’s Song of the Welkin Moon storyline is scheduled to drop on January 14, bringing with it the 2026 Lantern Rite event and introducing three new playable characters – including the moon goddess Columbina.

The free-to-play action RPG's next big update focuses on the consequences of having allowed Il Dottore to take the power of two moons and Columbina fleeing to avoid him getting his hands on the final one. Even without the last one, he’s still grown in power, and now there’s the threat of a fourth moon and the moon that we already know being blotted out, possibly affecting all of Teyvat.

With the moon being threatened and Il Dottore targeting Nod-Krai specifically, two new characters are joining the fight. Zibai, a five-star Geo Sword wielder and the White Horse Adeptus of Liyue, is also the guardian of the moon. She won’t be sitting threats to both the moon and Liyue out. Then there’s Illuga, a 4-star Geo Polearm-wielding Lightkeeper stationed at their headquarters in the northern part of the region. (Yes, this means a map expansion.)

Of course, Columbina’s playable version is being introduced as well – as a 5-star Hydro Catalyst wielder. Like other citizens of Nod-Krai, her kit includes Lunar Reactions. That said, she does not require other Lunar users to be in the party with her. Zibai, who is also directly associated with the moon, deals Lunar-Crystalize damage.

In addition to the new characters, the update introduces new skins for several of the game’s existing characters. These include Yaoyao. It’s not really a surprise that a Liyue character gets a new outfit on Lantern Rite. But it might be a bit more surprising that Neuvillette will be rocking a new suit. Even more surprising will be the fact that the Traveler is finally trading in their trusty outfit for a new one.

Of course the update will bring lots of new content and changes for the Milliastra Wonderland fans. These changes are detailed in the latest Special Program. Speaking of which, players were offered a teaser of what’s to come in the future – specifically, new characters on the way. It’s a shadow image at the end, but it’s easy to spot Varka and Nicole. The others might be up for question, but the community has guesses. In order, the speculation is: Vice Captain of the Knights of Favonius Lohen, Knights of Favonius Grandmaster Varka, Hexenzirkel member Nicole, Aino’s childhood friend Linnea, Snegurochka from the Ballad of Fjords, and (the shadow reflected in the water at the end of the group) Sandrone. That last one might just be because we all really want Sandrone, though.

And yes, there are redemption codes, as always. They are ComeNightorDay, Zibai0515, and GallopYeah.