HoYoVerse shared the full Genshin Impact patch notes for the 4.0 update. Titled "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason," this is the first patch featuring the Fontaine area. While we saw characters from there before, like Charlotte, we never got to visit it. This means new Archon Quests, World Quests, Domains, characters, and equipment. For example, the siblings Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet will all become playable in 4.0. Everyone also gets Lynette for hitting Adventure Rank 25.
The Genshin Impact patch notes for 4.0 are a little more descriptive than people might expect. For example, when discussing new characters or locations, there will also be details about what to expect from the region or their moveset. It also goes over the unlock requirements to access certain activities or storylines.
Here are the full Genshin Impact patch notes for 4.0 from HoYoVerse's HoYoLab site:
I. New Area
New Area - Fontaine
A story that has never been heard, a legend that has been forgotten, like a lost kingdom sunken beneath the waves, yearning for a bard to sing its drowned songs. Following the direction of pure currents, crossing wilderness, the depths of the forests and vastness of the sea of sand, arriving at the origin of all the waters of the continent.
At the top of the waterfall, in the depths of the capital atop the terrestrial sea, the curtain softly rises on the start of the adventure's next chapter.
In Version 4.0, the following areas in Fontaine will become available: Court of Fontaine Region, Beryl Region, and Belleau Region.
※ Completing the Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom" will automatically unlock a Teleport Waypoint in the Realm of Farakhkert in Sumeru (If you have already completed this Archon Quest, the Teleport Waypoint will be unlocked after the update). Travelers can use this Teleport Waypoint to head over to Fontaine. You'll also receive the Primogem reward for this Teleport Waypoint when it unlocks automatically.
▌New Fontaine Mechanic
Fontaine's Blessing
A mysterious power that flows out from a statue to imbue you with the blessing of the Transoceanic Sourcewater.
Your progress will remain unhindered so long as you are moving through the lakes of Fontaine.
※ Currently, some gadgets equipped by characters cannot be used underwater. There is also an issue whereby after characters enter the underwater areas, the icons of the gadgets will not be displayed, which further prevents Travelers from switching to other gadgets through Quickswap. If you need to switch between gadgets, you can do it in the Inventory for now, or Quickswap to the gadgets usable underwater before you dive. This issue will be fixed in future versions.
▌New System in Fontaine
Fountain of Lucine
You can throw the Hydro Sigils you obtain across Fontaine into the Fountain of Lucine outside the Opera Epiclese to raise its level and obtain valuable rewards.
Satisfy any one of the criteria below to unlock the Fountain of Lucine:
• Reach the vicinity of the Fountain of Lucine
• Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act I "Prelude of Blancheur and Noirceur"
Fontaine Reputation System
◇ Fontaine Reputation Unlock Criteria:
• Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act II "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason"
• Complete the quest "Steambird Interview"
By interacting with certain NPCs in Fontaine, you will be able to accept requests to complete and increase your Reputation. As your Reputation Level increases, you will unlock various Reputation Rewards!
Expeditions, Daily Commissions, and other new content will also be added in Fontaine.
◇ Fontaine Daily Commissions Unlock Criteria:
• Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act II "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason"
• Complete World Quest "Another Horizon of Adventure"
Adds the Fontaine Fishing Association, where Travelers can exchange for new items here.
In addition, there will be new Fishing Points and "Radiant Spincrystals" in Fontaine.
II. New Characters
"Spectacle of Phantasmagoria" Lyney (Pyro) (5-Star)
◇ Vision: Pyro
◇ Weapon: Bow
◇ A famed Fontainian magician who possesses great stage presence as well as gift of the gab. Audiences are enthralled by his exquisite skills, and they hang on to his every clever word.
◆ Lyney can enter a special Charge Level 2 when he aims his shot, which, upon hitting a target, can summon a Grin-Malkin Hat that taunts nearby opponents. If Lyney's HP is above a certain level, his Charge Level 2 will consume some of his HP, and add one stack of Prop Surplus. When the Grin-Malkin Hat is destroyed, it can fire off a Pyrotechnic Strike at a nearby opponent, dealing Pyro DMG.
◆ Elemental Skill "Bewildering Lights"
◆ Clear all current Prop Surplus stacks, deal AoE Pyro DMG, and cause the Grin-Malkin Hat created by Lyney to explode, dealing AoE Pyro DMG. The DMG will be increased according to the stacks cleared, and this will also regenerate Lyney's HP.
◆ Elemental Burst "Wondrous Trick: Miracle Parade"
◆ Lyney turns himself into a Grin-Malkin Cat that can move around quickly, dealing Pyro DMG to opponents along the path. When the Grin-Malkin Cat's duration ends or is actively canceled, Lyney will ignite fireworks, deal AoE Pyro DMG, summon a Grin-Malkin Hat, and grant himself one Prop Surplus stack.
"Elegance in the Shadows" Lynette (Anemo) (4-Star)
◇ Vision: Anemo
◇ Weapon: Sword
◇ A magic assistant of few words, her emotions are as inscrutable as any cat's.
Elemental Skill "Enigmatic Feint"
◆ Lynette flicks her mantle and executes an Enigma Thrust, dealing Anemo DMG. When Holding this skill, Lynette will enter a high-speed Pilfering Shadow state and apply Shadowsign to a nearby opponent. When this high-speed state ends, Lynette will approach the opponent with Shadowsign applied and deal Anemo DMG.
◆ Elemental Burst "Magic Trick: Astonishing Shift"
◆ Deals AoE Anemo DMG and makes a giant Bogglecat Box appear. The Bogglecat Box taunts nearby opponents and deals Anemo DMG to nearby opponents as well. When it comes into contact with Hydro/Pyro/Cryo/Electro, it will gain the corresponding element and additionally fire Vivid Shots that will deal DMG from that element at intervals.
"Yearning for Unseen Depths" Freminet (Cryo) (4-Star)
◇ Vision: Cryo
◇ Weapon: Claymore
◇ A reserved young man who is well-versed in diving. Beneath his distant, icy demeanor lies a pure heart bereft of all flaws.
◆ Elemental Skill "Pressurized Floe"
◆ Causes Freminet to enter Pers Timer state. While Pers Timer is active, when Freminet uses Normal Attacks, he will also unleash waves of frost that deal Cryo DMG and increase Pers's Pressure Level. When Freminet uses his Elemental Skill again, he will execute different sorts of attacks that deals Cryo DMG and Physical DMG of different strengths based on the Pressure Level of Pers.
◆ Elemental Burst "Shadowhunter's Ambush"
◆ Deals AoE Cryo DMG, resets the CD of Pressurized Floe, and enters the Subnautical Hunter mode. In the Subnautical Hunter mode, Pressurized Floe will receive a CD decrease and Freminet's resistance to interruption will increase. Additionally, in this mode, the frost DMG of Freminet's Normal Attacks will be increased.
Traveler (Hydro) (5-Star)
◇ Interact with a Statue of The Seven - Hydro to resonate with the Hydro element, and use a new Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst.
◆ Elemental Skill "Aquacrest Saber"
◆ Unleashes a torrent that can cleanse the world. Pressing the skill sends a Torrent Surge forward that will deal Hydro DMG to opponents it comes into contact with. Hold this skill to enter Aiming Mode and constantly fire off Dewdrops in the direction in which you are aiming, dealing Hydro DMG to opponents they hit.
◆ Elemental Burst "Rising Waters"
◆ Unleashes a slow-moving floating bubble that deals continuous Hydro DMG to nearby opponents.
III. New Domains
Domain of Forgery: Echoes of the Deep Tides
◇ Legend speaks of a time in the distant past, when the Sovereign of the Waters had not yet returned from confinement, there was another God King who dreamed of building a prosperous empire out of harmonious music atop the waves. But the great ambition of building a utopia failed to come to fruition, and the arrogance of humanity sunk into their depths along with their pride. The golden melodies long silent, only the cold music of the tides still echoes upon the remains of their grand altars.
◇ Unlock Criteria (satisfy any one of the criteria below to unlock):
• Reach Adventure Rank 16 or above
• Complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act II "For a Tomorrow Without Tears"
◆ Challenge the Domain to obtain Weapon Ascension Materials.
Domain of Mastery: Pale Forgotten Glory