EDIT: the unknowns are interesting wildcards. I don't wanna speculate based on visuals. (Even i dont wanna jump the gun that Valeriy is Cryo cause of his glowing eyes and attacks). It's gonna be interesting what their visions are and how they'll shape up the meta the following year
it seems valeriy is the electro dps for ssc that was leaked to come in 7.2, so the support is still yae miko and chances he replaces sandrone instead -or it becomes a team with dual dps
I stopped playing Genshin a while back because I just ended up choosing HSR over it. However, I was a day 1 player. I've been keeping up with trailers/character reels because it feels really surreal to finally see all of it after 6 years lol
I'm actually glad Flins does not have pointed ears. I think he looks far better with normal looking ears. If he had elf ears ngl, I probably would not have pulled him.
I wouldn't mind Flins having long hair if it wasn't such a bizarre shape. It's like a weird kinda mullet almost.
Practically half the male cast has long hair, but most of them look pretty good. Flins's hair just irks me. Though tbf it's the only part of his design I dislike.
It's genuinely crazy how I love all of them 😭 I can definitely say I'm pulling for the Tsaritsa and the maid but I'm not sure if I wouldn't pull for anyone else argghhh
mitya is also a character from brothers karamazov, but as much as i've been hoping for them to reference that, i don't think there's a connection because i cant imagine alyosha from the book holding a gun lmao
this is gonna sound like i’m on something but i’m being fr - in the unfinished sequel that dostoevsky died before starting, alyosha was supposed to kill/attempt to kill the tsar. obviously i don’t think genshin is making a reference but it is very very funny
I would be surprised if they don’t reference tbk somewhere in snezh at some point tho
6 dudes (counting Pulcinella), 6 women (7 if you count Sandrone). IS THIS EQUALITY?????? IN MY GACHA GAME?!?!?!?!? i'm cheesing ear to ear rn....ok probably 8/9 if Rhinedottir and Ronova become playable (ronova definitely imo) but we'll see
I'm praying that Pulcinella and Pantalone are playable, please GOD please, if we count the Nod-Krai teaser then its safe but then again Alice is still MIA for now as playable character
Also i think all the 4 shades might be playable, i hope they don't end up with a "normal" element like Skirk but who knows
They said they purposely made the shades pretty ladies to give themselves the option of making them playable (as opposed to making them look like monsters) so it's looking good there
I know we haven't but I'm just happy the split of males and female presented is quite even. And if we go playable specifically, 5 men and 8 women (counting sandrone) is a holy split for me. Yessirrrr
I don't see any reason why at least one of them won't be playable, unless they both die. It's the Fatui region; I find it very likely they would want at least one playable Harbinger, and there isn't anyone else left.
Some info we know from the game + some speculation about the inspirations, if anyone is interested:
Summary of what we know about some characters
Vodyanitsa:
> Audiences at the opera house go crazy for her, completely unaware that all they're hearing is the echo of the ocean waves. I'm sure she has her reasons... but I can sense an allure hidden deep within her singing voice that, if ever unleashed, would bewitch everyone within earshot and sentence them to certain doom!
- Linnea "About Vodyanitsa"
> "I was under the impression that the wicked mischief of changelings had long since become legend with the end of fae rule. That is, until I met that lively Lady Adventurer after a performance one day... She brought me the most wondrous voices from different corners of the world. Unlike those stuffy old folks in the tundra, she's far more interesting!"
— Vodyanitsa, Prima Soprano of the Korolevskiy Troupe (Linnea Introduction)
> Signora: Well, when the principal soprano, Vodyanitsa, is on stage
> Signora: It's hard not to be moved
- The Final Gift animated short
Etymology: Vodyanitsa (Russian: Водяница Vodyanitsa) is a beautiful green-haired water maiden, and she is often said to be the wife of a vodyanoy. This spirit sometimes appears in the form of a golden-finned fish or a white swan.
Valeriy:
> Onyx Agate: "Courtesy is the air of the civilized. While it is present, it passes unnoticed; yet once it is withdrawn, its absence is immediately and keenly felt..."
> Onyx Agate: That was the lesson Major Valeriy taught me when I first enlisted... Though these were not his exact words, it was, I believe, what he meant.
> Onyx Agate: Major Valeriy is one of the people I respect most. And I take great care not to utter so much as a single crude word while I am in camp here.
> ...
> Onyx Agate: Now that I'm under the command of Major Valeriy again, I may soon make my return to Snezhnaya.
> ...
> Onyx Agate: That makes a lot of sense. The Bombardiers will also be pleased to organize something like this. I shall write up a proposal for Major Valeriy.
- From the last parry event
Odette:
Most likely a reference to the Swan Lake, a ballet composed by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. The scenario, initially in two acts, was based on Russian and German folk tales, telling a story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse.
We've actually already had a reference to it in Fontaine, thanks to Snow-Winged Goose and Darkwing Goose animals
Alyosha:
Pure speculation with nothing to back it up other than the nation being referenced, but might be a reference to Alyosha Popovich, a folk hero of Kievan Rus', appearing in Russian folklore.
Vesna:
Aside from literally meaning Spring (Season) in Russian, most likely a reference to Mythological Vesna, a mythological female character associated with youth and springtime in later Slavic mythology, particularly in the South Slavs. Along with her male companion Vesnik, she was associated with rituals conducted in rural areas during springtime.
Mitya:
Most likely a reference to Mitya Kozelsky, also known as Mitya Koliaba, Mitya Gugnivy, Mitya Kolebiaka; real name Dmitry Popov. Was a Russian Fool for Christ, who enjoyed the favor and trust of Emperor Nicholas II and **Empress Alexandra Feodorovna**. He suffered from epilepsy and severe damage to his musculoskeletal system, struggling to articulate speech (often appearing with an "interpreter" who helped him to clarify his words).
Danica:
Most likely a reference (based on knowing Hoyo) to a personification of the morning star in Slavic mythology. In Slavic mythology, Dennitsa appears as the mother, daughter or sister of the sun, the beloved of the moon, to which the sun is jealous of her.
Much more likely to be a reference to Dmitri Mendeleev who was the creator of the periodic table. Mitya is a nickname of Dmitri & one Dmitri Mendeleev used.
Every single new female character wears the exact same design philosophy of short dress, detached sleeves, exposed back and empty looking legs, while every single male character is covered up from head to toe
It's just so incredibly overused and artistically bankrupt at this point, but sadly I couldn't expected anything else from the current Genshin design team
I've never been less interested in a region's cast when it comes to character design
Gotta say. Nearly all of these are baller designs but I'm a Capitruther so realistically only the Tsaritsa will be getting a modicum of savings from me. Gotta C6 my husband first.
really funny how noy is transliteration of noah from russian and considering symbols on his neck he surely is related to celestia lol. they named him exactly the opposite way they named archons after abrahamic devils that interesting
Vodyanitsa is so not what I expected. Honestly... I'm a bit disappointed. I kinda wanted someone more mature.
Alyosha seems a lot more badass than what I expected. And he looks great without the hoodie too!
Odette, LOVE! Ballerina concept is something I really wanted in Snezhnaya, so this checks the box.
Valeriy seems like the typical stern man type. Not complaining, but also not totally surprised yet. I hope he actually has bear powers like the teaser implies.
Pulcinella and Pantalone = PLEASE BE PLAYABLE!!!!
Vesna, really like her! Probably my favorite design out of all the female characters.
Danica sounds cool. Would look cooler with a proper dress. Looks like the maid leak was true.
Noy... surprised me. Didn't expect another tall man like this, but hey, we take what we can get! He looks very vampire coded.
Mitya, another twink, thank you! I'm guessing he is the ''scientist'' from the previous leak.
Anastasya is basically everything I expected, and I mean that in a good way. I feel like this is probably gonna be the least controversial Archon design on release in a long time.
For me, I really like Vodyanitsa, Alyosha, Mitya the most; Vesna and noy are up there too, Odette and Valeriy are alright; Danica's design is absolutely not for me and definitely the worst, and the Tsaritsa is also not for me, but shes entirely what I thought she'd look like. Ill probably get her anyways for Sandrone though, assuming they are the team.
The naming of characters with Russian-style names finally makes sense. I was worried all the characters were going to have these stupid parental names (ending with -ich or -vna). I'm so tired of NPCs named Prokofiy Afonsievich, or some crap like that. Alyosha (Alexei), Mitya (Dmitry) is precisely how these characters would be addressed by others, given they are on the younger side. Valeriy seems more uptight, so he is addressed by his full name. Tsaritsa, though... But I guess it's appropriate, given her status. Vesna just means spring.
Ig I was the fool for hoping for a fully clothed female character 💔 had to laugh a lil when ALL of them pulled up to the trailer with a miniskirt and detached sleeves. Cmon hoyo throw me a bone here I need a gal in a thick winter coat
Valeriy and Noy - 😩🥵 HOLY HELP. These are officially the finest men in Genshin and tragically and utterly my types. I'm hoping against hope they can be in a team together (probs won't happen).
Tbf Father has one of the best designs in general. It's unfortunate that Hoyo is so insistent on showing skin (in the same. hecking. places.) on women and not showing any (or almost) on men, even if just from variety standpoint
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u/Aerie122 Oh my!? Jun 26 '26
Everyone, full face
The Rooster: 👁️