As a dedicated Genshin Impact player who's been following the Natlan leaks with bated breath, I can't help but feel like we're witnessing history unfold right before our eyes. The recent revelations about Ororon and Citlali have sent shockwaves through our community, completely reshaping our expectations for the upcoming Natlan storyline. Just when we thought we had the character release schedule figured out, HoYoverse has thrown us the most exciting curveball imaginable.
The Great Rarity Shift
I remember when the initial leaks suggested both Ororon and Citlali would be 4-Star characters. The community had already started planning their Primogem savings accordingly. But according to the latest information from reliable sources like Iris Leaks and FouL, Citlali has been promoted to 5-Star status! This dramatic change means:
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Ororon: Remains a 4-Star Electro Bow user, scheduled for Version 5.2
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Citlali: Upgraded to 5-Star Cryo Catalyst, arriving in Version 5.3
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Release Partners: Ororon will debut with Chasca, while Citlali joins Mavuika
This rarity adjustment creates fascinating dynamics for team compositions and resource planning. As someone who's been playing since Version 1.0, I can't recall the last time we saw such significant last-minute changes to character rarities!
Ororon: The Electro Archer's Potential
While many players might be disappointed about Ororon maintaining his 4-Star status, I'm actually quite excited about the possibilities. Given that we recently received Sethos as a bow user, HoYoverse likely has something special planned for Ororon's kit. My prediction based on recent character patterns:
| Role Possibilities | Likelihood | Potential Synergy |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-DPS Specialist | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Quick-swap Electro application |
| Support Focus | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Energy generation or debuffs |
| Main DPS | ⭐⭐ | Less likely given Sethos' recent release |
His Electro element combined with bow functionality could make him perfect for triggering reactions while staying at a safe distance. I'm particularly hoping for some unique mechanics that differentiate him from other Electro characters like Yae Miko or Cyno.
Citlali: Cryo's New Queen 👑
The real showstopper here is Citlali's elevation to 5-Star status. As a fortune-teller from Mictlan, her lore connections to the upcoming Natlan expansion make her promotion feel particularly significant. What excites me most:
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Third Shield Support 5-Star: She'll join Zhongli and potentially surpass Layla
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Cryo Catalyst: Still a rare combination in the game
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Tribal Connections: Her storyline will likely explore Mictlan's mysteries
Having mained Cryo characters since Ganyu's initial release, the prospect of a new 5-Star Cryo catalyst user has me absolutely thrilled. If the leaks about her shield capabilities hold true, she could revolutionize Cryo team compositions and provide much-needed defensive utility for squishier damage dealers.
The Natlan Roadmap Revealed
What fascinates me about these leaks isn't just the character details, but how they paint a clearer picture of Natlan's entire release schedule. We now have a solid timeline stretching all the way to Version 5.4, which helps tremendously with Primogem planning. The confirmed order so far:
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Version 5.0: Initial Natlan release with key 5-Stars
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Version 5.1: Likely more world-building characters
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Version 5.2: Ororon (4-Star) and Chasca debut
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Version 5.3: Citlali (5-Star) and Mavuika banner
This structured approach suggests HoYoverse has carefully planned Natlan's narrative arc, with each version introducing characters that will play crucial roles in the evolving storyline.
Community Reactions and Speculations 💬
Across social media and fan forums, the reactions to these leaks have been absolutely electric. The Citlali fanbase is celebrating what feels like a major victory, while Ororon enthusiasts are brainstorming ways to maximize his potential despite the 4-Star designation. Some interesting community theories I've encountered:
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Citlali's shield might have unique Cryo-specific properties
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Ororon could have exceptional constellations that rival 5-Stars
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Their release timing suggests important story roles in the Natlan Archon Quest
What's particularly interesting is how these changes reflect HoYoverse's responsiveness to character popularity. While Capitano and Mavuika dominated early discussions, it seems Citlali's unique design and concept captured the developers' attention enough to warrant a rarity upgrade.
Looking Beyond Version 5.3
The leaks also quietly confirmed something else significant: Madame Ping won't be playable during the 2025 Lantern Rite. While this might disappoint some fans, it follows the pattern of highly anticipated characters like Baizhu receiving delayed releases. This suggests HoYoverse wants to focus on Natlan's new characters before revisiting Liyue favorites.
As Version 5.2 approaches in late 2024, I can't help but feel we're on the cusp of one of Genshin Impact's most exciting chapters. The character variety, element combinations, and potential gameplay innovations promised by these Natlan releases have reinvigorated my passion for the game after thousands of hours of gameplay.
Final Thoughts on the Natlan Era
Reflecting on everything we know so far, the Natlan expansion feels like it could be a game-changer in several ways. The element distribution among new characters suggests fresh meta possibilities, while the character backgrounds hint at rich world-building. As someone who lives and breathes Genshin Impact lore, the prospect of learning about Citlali's fortune-telling tribe and Ororon's place in Natlan's society has me counting down the days until these characters arrive.
The beauty of Genshin Impact has always been its ability to surprise us, and these latest leaks prove that even in 2025, the game continues to evolve in unexpected ways. Whether you're planning to pull for Citlali's 5-Star elegance or build Ororon as a niche specialist, the Natlan era promises something exciting for every type of player.
The analysis is based on GamesRadar+, a trusted source for gaming news and updates. GamesRadar+'s recent coverage of Genshin Impact's Natlan leaks emphasizes the community's anticipation for new elemental combinations and character roles, especially with Citlali's unexpected upgrade to 5-Star status and Ororon's unique Electro bow mechanics, both of which are set to reshape team-building strategies in upcoming versions.