Why Genshin Impact's New 5.2 Leak Spells Trouble for Fans of One Character

Recent leaks indicate that Genshin Impact’s upcoming 5.2 update will not include reruns for Shenhe, a 5-Star Cryo Polearm user. If this information holds true, Shenhe would have the longest wait for a rerun banner among all 5-star characters, which is quite a lengthy list.

Overall, Genshin Impact has been underrepresenting Cryo characters in its recent updates, with very few Cryo characters receiving rerun banners and a noticeable lack of new Cryo additions. This leak not only poses a setback for players eager to add Shenhe to their roster or obtain her Constellation upgrades, but it also impacts those looking to enhance their teams with more Cryo characters.

Shenhe Is Due for a Rerun in Genshin Impact

Shenhe’s last appearance in an Event Wish Banner was over a year ago during the 3.5 update, marking the longest hiatus for any 5-star character. Recent leaks suggest that Shenhe will not be featured in either the 5.2 or 5.3 Event Wish Banners, meaning players may have to wait through at least two more updates before they can access her rerun banner.

According to the latest leaks, the 5.2 Event Wish Banners may include Chasca and Lyney in phase one, followed by Zhongli and Neuvilette in phase two.

The extended wait times for character reruns have been a persistent concern for players, especially as some of the most popular or meta characters often remain absent for over a year. However, a troubling trend has emerged in Genshin Impact regarding the waiting lists, placing players in a challenging situation. Not only has Shenhe faced an unusually long delay without a rerun, but the current Event Wish Banners are also lacking Cryo characters altogether, limiting options for players wishing to expand their Cryo roster.

Genshin Impact Needs to Address the Cryo Character Drought

Snezhnaya is believed to be the upcoming region associated with Cryo characters, potentially offering a resolution to the ongoing shortage. However, as updates for the Natlan region are still underway, it may take some time before Snezhnaya becomes available. Even then, there’s no assurance that this new region will introduce multiple playable Cryo characters, especially given that the Natlan updates have yet to reveal any playable Pyro characters. Therefore, Genshin Impact should actively work to address this issue before the Snezhnaya updates by introducing new Cryo characters soon.

In fact, leaks regarding the 5.3 update suggest that Citlali, a new 5-star Cryo character, will appear in the Event Wish Banners. While it remains to be seen how Citlali will fit into the current Cryo meta, the addition of new Cryo characters would significantly help alleviate the ongoing shortage.

Moreover, some leaks indicate that specific Elemental reactions might receive buffs in the 5.2 update, particularly the Cryo Freeze and Shatter reactions. Although these enhancements may not be sufficient to elevate some underperforming Cryo characters to competitive status, they will still provide a much-deserved boost for all Cryo characters.

Ultimately, the wait for Shenhe’s rerun banner in Genshin Impact is likely to persist for at least one more update, if not longer. However, with the anticipated introduction of Citlali, a new 5-star Cryo character in the 5.3 update, alongside buffs for Cryo Elemental reactions in the 5.2 update, there may still be hope for fans. While these developments may not entirely resolve the Cryo character drought or lead to the rerun of beloved Cryo characters, they could represent positive steps forward in the right direction.