Hey everyone! It's your friendly neighborhood Genshin nerd back with some piping hot, fresh-off-the-press leaks for Version 4.5! While we're all still hyped for Cloud Retainer's arrival in 4.4, the rumor mill for the next update is already churning out some seriously exciting stuff. According to some reliable sources, we might be looking at the debut of a brand-new Geo character and the glorious return of a fan-favorite who's been MIA for way too long. Let's dive into the details, but remember—this is all pre-release info, so keep those grains of salt handy!

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So, the big news from leakers like Little Teyvat and reposts on Reddit points to two main stars for the 4.5 banners: Chiori and Albedo. This combo is wild! On one hand, we have a completely new face, Chiori, who we first met as an NPC during the super fun "Roses and Muskets" event in 4.3. On the other, Albedo, the genius alchemist from Mondstadt, who hasn't had a banner rerun since October 2022—that's over a year of waiting for his fans! If this leak holds true, 4.5 is shaping up to be a massive update for Geo enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Who exactly is Chiori? Well, let me tell you, she's not just any new character. From what we've seen in the story, she's a super talented fashion designer originally from Inazuma, but she now runs her own boutique, Chioriya, in the fashion capital of Teyvat, Fontaine. How cool is that? She's the one who designed Kirara's outfit for free, which totally shows off her generous spirit and impeccable style.

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Now, here's where it gets juicy for us gameplay addicts. During the 4.3 event, eagle-eyed players spotted a Geo Vision dangling from her kimono's obi belt! 🪨 That's a dead giveaway—she's joining the Geo crew. While HoYoverse hasn't officially revealed her kit yet, the community is buzzing with rumors. The prevailing theory? She might be a sword-wielding support character whose abilities scale with Defense. Even more intriguing, there's talk her gameplay could revolve around boosting Crystallize reactions and strengthening shields.

Let's connect the dots, people! This would make her a potentially perfect partner for Navia, the Geo DPS queen who just dropped in 4.3. Navia's whole thing is dealing massive damage by picking up Geo shards from Crystallize. Imagine having a support like Chiori who not only helps generate those shards more efficiently but also makes the shields you create from them tankier. That sounds like a match made in Celestia! Of course, we need to wait for official beta details, but the synergy potential has me hyped.

But wait, there's more! The other half of this leaked banner duo is none other than Albedo, the chalk prince himself. His last rerun feels like a lifetime ago—back in late 2022. For new players who joined after that, he's been a ghost. Albedo holds a special place in many veterans' hearts. He's not the flashiest main DPS, but as an off-field sub-DPS, he's an absolute rockstar (pun intended).

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His skill, Solar Isotoma, creates a flower that deals consistent AoE Geo damage for 30 seconds. You just plop it down and swap to your main attacker. It's simple, elegant, and incredibly effective. Pair him with Geo powerhouses like Navia or Arataki Itto, and you've got a team that constantly pumps out Geo damage. His synergy with Zhongli is also legendary for Geo resonance and shield strength. A quick rundown of why Albedo is still relevant:

  • Consistent Off-Field Damage: His Solar Isotoma has great uptime.

  • Geo Battery: Helps generate Energy for your team's Geo bursts.

  • Flexible Support: Fits into many team comps, not just pure Geo.

One bittersweet note for potential Albedo wanters: his best-in-slot weapon, the 4-star Cinnabar Spindle, was an event-exclusive sword. If you missed that event, you can't get it anymore, which is a bummer. But don't worry, other options like Harbinger of Dawn still work very well on him!

Putting these two characters in the same version is a massive signal. HoYoverse seems to be pushing the Geo element back into the spotlight. For a long time, Geo has been seen as a bit isolated from the elemental reaction meta. But with Navia's explosive release and now the potential debut of Chiori alongside Albedo's return, it feels like the architects of Teyvat are building something new. Could we be entering a new Geo renaissance in 2026? I'm here for it!

Of course, a standard update features four 5-star characters across two banner phases. So, if Chiori is a new 5-star (which is highly likely), that leaves two more 5-star slots to fill. Who could they be? Reruns of other long-absent characters? More surprises? We'll have to wait for more leaks as we get closer to 4.5's release. Banner plans can and do change, so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled on all the usual leak channels.

To sum it all up, Genshin Impact Version 4.5 is looking like a potential game-changer for Geo teams. Whether you're a fashionista eager to pull for the stylish Chiori, a veteran finally getting another shot at Albedo, or a meta-player looking to strengthen your Geo roster, there's a lot to be excited about. Remember, this is all based on early leaks, so stay tuned for official announcements from HoYoverse! What do you guys think? Are you saving your Primogems for 4.5? Let me know in the comments below! 👇✨

Stay awesome, travelers!