Varka Returns Home To Mondstadt, And Brings Trouble With Him In Genshin Impact’s Luna V Update

Here we all were, thinking we had this Wild Hunt thing handled. Nah… We knew better. Things are never that easy for the Traveler.

This morning, HoYoverse hosted the latest Genshin Impact Special Program, offering players of the free-to-play open-world ARPG a look at what’s to come in Version Luna V: “Homeward, He Who Caught the Wind”. As you can tell from the title, it’s back to Mondstadt. I don’t think any of us are too surprised about that. Varka has been in the process of sending troops home and wrapping things up in Nod-Krai. So, now it’s finally time for him to go home – and more than likely mess up everything Jean’s kept in order.

Unfortunately, someone (and something) else is making the journey from Nod-Krai as well. It’s time for a visit from the Wild Hunt, which seems to be in Mondstadt for the Great Wolf King of the North. Varka, being the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius and having a special tie to the Wolf as the Knight of Boreas, is intent on handling things. Although it won’t be easy, what with the Bloodstained Knight making an appearance.

With the new update, the Traveler will be spending a lot of time with some of their oldest friends. The good news is that they’re not just getting together to deal with the Wild Hunt – although that’s a big part of it. Players can also spend time with them on a more casual level, as the Knights have put together a special event intended to bring back memories of when the Traveler first arrived in the city.

The “Echoes of Memory” update replicates some familiar sights, with a twist. It’s up to the Traveler to figure out what’s not right. (Are you telling me the Statue of Seven in Mondstadt wasn’t always Klee?) Players will also have the opportunity to craft drinks for friends. They’ll need to listen to various characters and determine what drink would be best for them. Completing these activities will earn players a special item, the “Phantasmal Gift: Star Omen” weapon appearance, which can be used to change the appearance of Catalyst weapons.

As for upcoming Wish Banners and new characters, Varka is up. The dual-claymore-wielding knight is an animo character. However, possibly because he’s using two weapons, he’s actually able to use more than one element at a time. Animo is constant, while the other element is determined by the individuals in his party. And, like any other character who has had personal dealings with Alice and the Hexenzirkel (Basically anyone they consider to be under their personal care), he also has a special Hexenrei buff waiting for him once he does his homework. He will also have his own Story Quest.

As for the other character on the banner, Flins is getting a rerun. It makes some sense as the two really hit things off during the Nod-Krai exploits. He also appears in the trailer for the new update, which seems to mean he came to help. Speaking of people helping, Vice Captain Lohen appears in the trailer as well. Although his banner was not announced. Rather, the second banner of the update will be a rerun of Skirk and Escoffier.

The Version Luna V update will drop on February 25 (or late February 24 for those of us in the Americas). As always, the Special Program contained some redemption codes. Those are: Homeward, VarkaArrives, and VisitWonderland.