- Image of Genshin Impact, courtesy of Newsweek.

Genshin Impact version 5.6 is right around the corner, and miHoYo has finally confirmed the new characters we’ve been waiting for. Set to launch on May 7, 2025, this update brings Escoffier and Ifa to Teyvat, along with some awesome rerun banners. I’ve been holding onto my Primogems for this, and I’m already excited to see what these new additions can do. If you’re into gaming updates like me, you should definitely peek at Total Apex Gaming for more news.

Meet Escoffier: The Cryo Chef

Image of Escoffier from Genshin Impact courtesy of miHoYo, Shanghai Miha Touring Film Technology Co., Ltd.

First up is Escoffier, a 5-star Cryo polearm user. He used to be the head chef at Hotel Debord, and now he’s bringing his skills to the battlefield with some icy moves. I can already imagine pairing him with someone like Ganyu for a killer Freeze team. His kit looks promising for big damage, and you can read more about him over at Game8.

Ifa: The Anemo Vet

Image of Ifa from Genshin Impact courtesy of miHoYo, Shanghai Miha Touring Film Technology Co., Ltd.

Then there’s Ifa, a 4-star Anemo catalyst user. He’s a sauro-vet who fights alongside his little saurian pal, Cacucu. I love Anemo characters for how they handle groups of enemies, and Ifa’s unique twist with his buddy has me curious. He’s dropping in Phase 1 banners with Escoffier and Navia—check out the full scoop on Eurogamer.

Genshin Impact Banner Lineup

The banners for version 5.6 are split into two phases. Phase 1 kicks off May 7 and runs until May 27, 2025, featuring Escoffier and Navia, with Ifa as the 4-star on both. Phase 2 starts May 27 and goes to June 17, bringing back Kinich and Raiden Shogun. I missed Raiden last time, so I’m hoping to snag her this round. The schedule’s laid out nicely on PCGamesN.

When It Drops

Mark your calendars—version 5.6 hits on May 7, 2025, right after the usual maintenance. If you’re in the U.S., you can start pulling for Escoffier and Ifa as early as the evening of May 6. ScreenRant has the exact times if you’re planning ahead. The community’s already hyped—there’s a cool X post showing off the buzz.

Final Genshin Impact Thoughts

I’m torn between saving for Escoffier or going all-in for Raiden Shogun’s rerun. Escoffier’s Cryo vibes are tempting, though! For more updates like this, swing by Total Apex News. Which character are you aiming for? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear what you’re wishing for. Good luck on those pulls!

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