In a move that’s caught long-time players completely off guard, Genshin Impact Version 5.6 is bringing us back to Mondstadt—not for a festival, side quest, or time-limited event, but for a full-fledged Archon Quest. Yes, while the story continues unfolding in Natlan, players will be heading back to Teyvat’s very first region for Act IV of Mondstadt’s Archon storyline.

This marks the first time in Genshin Impact history that an Archon Quest is revisiting a prior region while the main narrative progresses elsewhere. Up until now, the rule was simple: once a region’s story arc ends, Archon Quests move on to the next nation. With this update, HoYoverse is blurring that once-clear structure—and that might signal even bigger changes ahead for the way Genshin Impact tells its story.

🏰 A New Chapter for Mondstadt

So, what exactly is happening in Mondstadt? The centerpiece of the quest appears to be the return—both literally and narratively—of Durin, the ancient creature whose bones rest atop Dragonspine. Long tied to Albedo’s lore, Durin has until now been a dormant mystery. In Version 5.6, however, we’re finally getting active story content involving his resurrection or return.

The quest will also include appearances from Alice and Barbeloth, two of Genshin Impact’s most mysterious and hyped-up characters in the lore. However, don’t expect full in-game models just yet. In true chaotic Alice fashion, both she and Barbeloth will reappear as Dodokos—yes, again.

It’s a charming nod to the Golden Apple Archipelago events, but for players who’ve been waiting literal years to see what Mona’s master or Klee’s mother actually look like, it’s also a bit of a tease. With such key lore figures continuing to be shrouded in mystery, it’s clear that HoYoverse is still keeping its biggest reveals for later. Still, their presence signals that Mondstadt’s story is far from over—and might be more important to Teyvat’s endgame than we once thought.

⚔️ A Weekly Boss with a Twist

Even more interesting is how Genshin is handling the new weekly boss coming in 5.6. Instead of being introduced through the Archon Quest like most previous weekly bosses, this one will debut in a character story quest. That’s unusual—and a strong sign that the story quest in question will be particularly important.

Players can expect two cutscenes—one for the story and one during the boss fight—hinting at a cinematic, narrative-heavy experience. It’s a rare approach that not only enriches the story but ties it directly into gameplay progression, making this boss far more than a combat challenge.

🧍 Dahlia’s First Appearance

Another major addition is the arrival of Dahlia, a character who has been teased in recent leaks. He will appear as an NPC in 5.6, but everything about his design and setup suggests he’s being groomed for a future playable debut, likely in Version 5.7 or 5.8.

Dahlia is rumored to be a 4-star sword user, though his element hasn’t been confirmed. This “NPC now, playable later” approach is familiar and effective—it lets HoYoverse test the waters and refine a character based on player reception. Expect his 5.6 appearance to lay narrative groundwork for his future role in the cast.

🌱 A Brand New Reaction?

Perhaps the most experimental feature in 5.6 is tucked away in the Imaginarium Theater. A new “reaction” is being tested, one that isn’t part of the core elemental system—yet.

Here’s how it works:

Cryo + Dendro creates thorn-like nodes.
Add Electro, and those nodes evolve into Superthorns.

It’s not a permanent system (at least not yet), and for now, it’s exclusive to the Theater. But it strongly resembles the kind of event-based experimentation HoYoverse often uses to preview mechanics they might eventually roll out to the entire game.

Could Cryo-Dendro finally become an actual elemental reaction in the future? If this test proves successful, it could open the door to entirely new team archetypes. Cryo characters like Rosaria, Layla, and even Ganyu could see renewed relevance—especially if the thorns scale with EM or introduce mechanics like resistance shred.

🧊 Mondstadt May Hold the Key to the Endgame

This unexpected return to Mondstadt—and the focus on characters like Durin, Albedo, Alice, and Barbeloth—suggests that this region still has an essential role to play in the final chapters of Teyvat’s story.

And if 5.6 is any indication, HoYoverse is no longer bound by the “one region, one story arc” rule. That opens up endless possibilities for the game’s narrative. Could we see Venti re-enter the spotlight? Could Mondstadt itself hold clues to Celestia or Khaenri’ah?

Only time will tell—but if you’ve been sleeping on Mondstadt, it might be time to revisit your roots.

For more updates on Genshin Impact characters, quests, and reactions, visit ExploreGenshin.gg.