Alright, buckle up, travelers! As we cruise into 2026, the hype train for Genshin Impact's next major destination, the fiery nation of Natlan, is about to leave the station. But hold on a second—some spicy leaks just dropped, and they're throwing a massive wrench into everyone's expectations. Word on the street from insiders like Foul and Somnus is that our beloved Traveler might not be getting their hands on that sweet, sweet Pyro power right after stepping off the boat in Version 5.0. Can you even imagine? For the first time ever, hitting that resonance button at a Statue of the Seven might just give you the dreaded 'Cannot resonate temporarily' message. Talk about a cold shower in the land of fire!

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Let's break down the bombshell. According to these 'Reliable' tagged leaks, the Pyro Traveler's abilities are straight-up locked at the start of 5.0. This isn't just a small tweak; it's a potential game-changer. Since day one back in 2020, the formula has been simple and satisfying:

  1. ✅ Arrive in new nation.

  2. ✅ Find first Statue of the Seven.

  3. ✅ Boom — new elemental powers unlocked!

But Natlan? It seems HoYoverse is cooking something different. The whispers suggest the Pyro resonance might be tied directly to the main story progression. Think about it—no more freebie powers just for showing up. Maybe the Traveler needs to prove their worth, conquer a trial by fire, or earn the trust of Natlan's people first. This would be a huge shift from 'Here's your new toy' to 'Go on a journey to unlock your true potential.'

Now, why would HoYoverse do this? Well, let's look at their other hit, Honkai: Star Rail. Over there, the Trailblazer's power-ups aren't just handed out; they're earned in epic, story-driven moments. Remember that mind-blowing boss fight in 2023 where the Trailblazer unlocked a new form and totally flipped the script? Or the recent Penacony arc? Those moments hit different because they were woven into the narrative's fabric. Applying this logic to Genshin, locking Pyro behind story milestones could make unlocking it feel like a genuine achievement, not just a checklist item. It would give the Traveler's elemental mastery some much-needed narrative weight. After all, wielding an element without a Vision is supposed to be a big deal, right?

Of course, the community's reaction has been... let's say, heated. Some players are super into the idea, saying it'll make the story more immersive. Others? They're worried it might feel like an artificial gate, slowing down exploration in the new, lava-filled landscape. And let's not forget the other elephant in the room—the initial design of Natlan's characters faced some serious backlash for lack of representation. Hopefully, HoYoverse has been using the development time to address those concerns alongside cooking up this new progression system.

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So, what's the bottom line as we look ahead to Natlan's expected late-summer 2026 release?

  • The Leak: Pyro Traveler potentially unavailable at 5.0 launch.

  • The Theory: Powers unlocked through story quests or challenges.

  • The Precedent: Similar, successful systems in Honkai: Star Rail.

  • The Potential: A more meaningful, integrated power progression for the main character.

As always, treat these leaks with a healthy pinch of salt. The beta tests are still ongoing, and things can change. The Pyro Traveler might just be hidden in the current beta build. But if the leaks hold true, get ready for a Natlan adventure where the fire within might need to be earned, not just found. It could be the spark that finally makes the Traveler's unique journey feel truly legendary. Only time—and the flames of Natlan—will tell!