MiHoYo have released the Contemplation in Chalk gameplay trailer, showing the newest 5-star Genshin Impact character, Albedo.
As previously reported, Albedo is one of the two new 5-star characters releasing in the upcoming 1.2 update that goes live on December 23rd. Albedo is the chief alchemist and captain for the Knights of Favonius, as well as Sucrose’s mentor and boss. He has been mentioned in the game before, but Update 1.2 will mark his debut as a playable character.
While the prior trailer focused on the story of the Knights of Favonius’ Investigation Team, this trailer focuses on how Albedo plays. He is a 5-star Geo sword user, with the elemental skill to summon a flower-shaped object that deals Geo damage over a wide area.
This skill can be used to form a floating platform that characters can use to reach higher areas, or perform diving attacks on enemies below. Meanwhile, his elemental burst summons large Geo crystals that deal damage to nearby enemies.
You can find the Contemplation in Chalk trailer below.
Albedo is available as part of the new Secretum Secretorum Character Event Wish. This is the only place to get Albedo, who has an increased drop rate alongside the 4-star support characters Fischl, Sucrose, and Bennet. This wish banner lasts until January 12th, and will be replaced sometime after that with a banner focused on Ganyu, the other new 5-star character being introduced in the 1.2 update.
The 1.2 update, dubbed Dragonspine, adds the titular new region to the game. This desolate and frigid mountain range between Mondstadt and Liyue will be the focus point of a new story quest chain involving the Traveler, Albedo, and Sucrose investigating a deadly corruption originating from the poisonous blood of the fallen dragon, Durin.
Dragonspine will feature new enemies, bosses, a Domain, side quests, weapons, activities, and two new artifact sets. There is also a limited time event called The Chalk Prince and the Dragon that is tied to the new story quest that allows players to trade in resources unique to the Dragonspine region for upgrade materials.
The region also introduces the new Sheer Cold mechanic, which will gradually drain a character’s health the colder they get. Sheer Cold can be removed through the use of a new craftable item, a new dish, or simply being near sources of heat like campfires. This mechanic also plays into reworks and expansions of the Spiral Abyss, one of the game’s primary endgame dungeons.
Genshin Impact is available on Windows PC (via the official website), PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, and coming soon to Nintendo Switch. In case you missed it, you can find our review here (we recommend it!)