Genshin Impact Version Luna VIII Arrives 1 July with Sandrone and Fontinalia Film Festival
Jin Soh
HoYoverse has announced that Genshin Impact Version Luna VIII, titled Sunny Summer Fontinalia, will launch on 1 July, bringing back one of the Fatui Harbingers, opening an entirely new region beyond Teyvat itself and setting sail on a midsummer festival in Fontaine.
The version’s story centres on the return of Sandrone, the Seventh of the Fatui Harbingers, who sacrificed herself in the battle against The Doctor in Nod-Krai. Her unexpected resurrection is the mystery at the heart of this version’s narrative, with the truth behind her return set to unfold alongside familiar faces including Columbina and the Traveler.
Sandrone joins the playable roster as a five-star Cryo Claymore wielder, debuting alongside a brand-new elemental reaction called Stellar-Conduct. Triggered by certain Cryo and Electro characters, the reaction temporarily creates a Polestar Field in the surrounding area. The field stores excess Cryo and Electro energy and converts it into buffs, boosting Stellar-Conduct damage as well as Cryo and Electro damage for all characters within range while reducing opponents’ Physical resistance. Certain existing Cryo and Electro characters also gain unique enhancements while inside the field.
In combat, Sandrone commands a fully autonomous construct called Fagio, which deals Stellar-Conduct damage with each Charged Attack and accumulates Decoding Power. Once Fagio reaches its firing limit, attack intervals increase. Her Elemental Skill lets her manoeuvre through the Polestar Field while firing at opponents, reducing Decoding Power to prevent Fagio from overloading. Her Elemental Burst bombards opponents with artillery fire, with beam damage dealt inside the Polestar Field counting as Stellar-Conduct damage.
Sandrone makes her debut in the first-half Character Event Wishes alongside a rerun of Citlali. The second half brings back Columbina and Raiden Shogun.
Beyond the story, Version Luna VIII marks a significant moment for the game’s world-building: players will board a spacecraft and travel beyond the skies of Teyvat to land on the moon, a vast new permanent region. The lunar landscape includes a luminous yet treacherous lunar sea, a space station suspended in outer space offering a view of Teyvat rotating in the distance, and ancient ruins tied to the dragon race’s hidden history. A mysterious ancient power on the lunar surface allows players to traverse different terrain types and manipulate local gravity. Both the moon and Teyvat maps will also receive a new layered display feature showing the player’s current altitude level in real time.
The Fontinalia Film Festival event sets sail aboard the Wingalet in Fontaine, gathering Charlotte, Citlali and a host of familiar faces for a midsummer water festival. Sandrone joins the voyage and Columbina arrives with a film crew in tow. The event story will become permanent. Players can help manage the ship’s aquarium and attract visitors throughout the festivities. Completing the event rewards a free Charlotte to add to the party along with a brand-new outfit for her, while Citlali’s new outfit will be available at a limited-time discount during the version. Additional activities include a dance challenge in Natlan, new pieces in the Repertoire of Myriad Melodies and new cards for Genius Invokation TCG.
Miliastra Wonderland receives a summer-themed lobby and summer-themed outfits this version, with free rewards including Prismatic Crystals and an elegant four-star set available through event activities. The Editor also receives practical upgrades alongside new environment assets for Craftspeople.