Just as Version 5.7 prepares to go live, new leaks have delivered a surge of information about one of Genshin Impact’s most anticipated characters: Columbina, the third of the Fatui Harbingers to be introduced as a playable unit. According to multiple sources, Columbina is slated for release in Version 6.3, and she is shaping up to be a Hydro character with strong meta potential and deep narrative significance.
Columbina Confirmed as a Hydro 5-Star in Version 6.3
Contrary to earlier speculation that she might be Cryo or Pyro, Columbina is now confirmed to be Hydro, and will be featured in the first half of Version 6.3. The second half of that patch will introduce a female Anemo character referred to as the “White Horse Immortal,” potentially tied to Swirl or Bloom team archetypes.
Columbina’s release strategy mirrors previous top-tier support-DPS releases like Focalors and Skirk, with her role reportedly being one of the two main “push” characters of the Nod-Krai arc. The other will be Nicole, the Witch, who is expected to arrive in Version 6.7, giving players a long runway of power-focused character banners during the Snezhnaya cycle.
Kit and Role Speculation
While her full abilities have not yet been shown, the hype around Columbina suggests she will be a top-meta Hydro character with a powerful support or main DPS hybrid kit. Her rumored narrative and elemental synergy imply she may play a similar enabling role to units like Furina, offering team-wide buffs or Hydro reactions amplification.
Her visual design and animations are expected to be showcased in a cinematic teaser short, scheduled for release around July 25th, 2025. This preview will serve as a narrative prelude to Nod-Krai, giving Columbina the spotlight in a Hongkai-style 3D animation, akin to Natlan’s “Ignition” teaser.
Teaser Preview and Lore Connection
According to Nixo, the Columbina teaser will debut in late July and set the tone for the upcoming Snezhnaya chapters. Her positioning as the centerpiece of this animation confirms her importance not just mechanically but narratively—potentially mirroring the central role Skirk played in Natlan’s conclusion.
Columbina is expected to be introduced formally in Version 6.0’s in-game story but won’t become playable until three versions later. The deliberate pacing mirrors how Fontaine’s cast was introduced ahead of release—creating anticipation and building the narrative framework for a highly impactful debut.
Weapon Skins and Stygian Onslaught Difficulty
New information also touches on Genshin’s weapon skin system and the Stygian Onslaught, the ultra-difficult endgame mode. Leaked reports suggest that difficulty 6 of Stygian Onslaught will feature a boss with 40 million HP, a figure so staggering that even C6 R5 whale accounts took 80 seconds to complete the challenge. The reward? A new Inazuma-themed weapon skin series.
Interestingly, one of the leaked skins reportedly did not look appealing on Yae Miko, hinting that while functionally exciting, these skins may have stylistic limitations based on your chosen character.
More Skins Coming, Including for Cyno
Nixo also showed early previews of upcoming weapon skins, including a confirmed one for Cyno’s 5-star polearm. While the designs appear stylish, fans have mixed reactions—some are hoping future skins are more universally flattering across different weapon types and characters.
A Key Role in Snezhnaya’s Endgame
If the current roadmaps hold true, Columbina will be one of the keystones of the Nod-Krai region’s second half. Her release marks the point at which power levels are expected to climb sharply. If Skirk and Furina redefined Freeze and Hydro support meta, Columbina may push Hydro teams into a new tier entirely.
Together with Nicole, the Witch of Snezhnaya, Columbina’s banner will likely be a critical decision point for long-term account planning. Their designs, themes, and power levels suggest they will anchor the late 6.x meta in both combat and lore importance.
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Source: Nixo on YouTube
