Summary
According to the latest beta build,Genshin Impactis introducing a new enemy type in Version 5.1, which bears some troubling implications about the future of its endgame. The combat inGenshin Impactrevolves around building synergistic teams that counter the elemental resistance and offensive ability of their enemies. Hydro Damage vaporizes Pyro Shields, Superconduct increases Physical Damage dealt, and Healing circumvents the effects of Corrosion. While open world content inGenshin Impactcan be tackled by almost any character, the intricate combat mechanics start to play a major role in the Spiral Abyss.
Over the course of its history, theSpiral Abyss inGenshin Impactwas expanded with new enemies and bosses, both as a way to keep the content fresh, and to maintain a consistent level of challenge as the community improved its theorycrafting skills. New characters inGenshin Impactenabled the creation of better Spiral Abyss teams, and certain hypercarries such as Neuvillette raised the bar entirely on their own. While Cryo has fallen behind other Elements since the launch of Sumeru,Genshin Impacthas prided itself on maintaining the viability of old units such as Hu Tao or Kazuha, because new content still adhered to the Elemental Reactions established in Version 1.0.
However, a recent datamineprovided via HomDGCatreveals that Version 5.1 is adding a new enemy type toGenshin Impact. Dubbed Chasmic Miniflora, these creatures are effectively a version of old enemies buffed by the powers of the Abyss. Much like Rifthounds, Chasmic Miniflora will have teleportation and corrosion in their ability kit. They will also have a Frequency Shield – which blocks all damage until a certain number of Elemental Attacks remove it. Rather controversially, attacks made using Nightsoul have a major advantage, which ultimately buffs the value ofNatlan characters inGenshin Impactby a significant amount.
New Enemy Type Encourages the Use of Natlan Characters in Genshin Impact
While Chasmic Miniflora may well be restricted to just the open world, this has historically not been the case. The Arkhe system of Fontaine could be compared to theNightsoul’s Blessing inGenshin Impact, and enemies that use Arkhe mechanics have slowly made their way to the Spiral Abyss. The reason why Chasmic Miniflora has the potential to be problematic is that it strongly encourages the use of Natlan characters. Whereas Arkhe only offered a slight benefit to using characters from Fontaine, the benefits of using Nightsoul’s Blessing are more overt by comparison.
WithXilonen releasing in Version 5.1 ofGenshin Impact, the new enemy type seems perfectly tailored to her ability kit. Xilonen is both a single-target Healer, and has access to the Nightsoul’s Blessing. It remains to be seen how combat will continue to evolve inGenshin Impact, but the current direction of creating enemies that can only be countered by new characters has the community worried – understandably so, as it funnels players towards the game’s gacha system.
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds…
