Genshin Impact has many popular characters, but the Archons are in a league of their own. Each Archon represents their nation and is the main character for their region. This is particularly true for Furina, who has given up her divine power to Neuvillette.
Unlike the playable Harbingers in Genshin Impact, Archons usually focus on Support abilities. Zhongli is known for his Elemental Shield, and Raiden helps many teams with Energy Recharge. Players are particularly excited about Mavuika for two main reasons: Bennett and Xiangling, two popular Pyro 4-Star characters who have been key to the game’s meta since the start.
Players expect Mavuika to fill a role that only Bennett and Xiangling have managed to cover. According to FouL, this expectation is likely correct. Mavuika's abilities are similar to a mix of Raiden and Yelan. Her Elemental Skill either gives a buff to the active character for follow-up Pyro attacks or infuses her own attacks with Pyro when held. Her Elemental Burst creates a Pyro attack that happens every two seconds.
A Potential Meta Shift in Genshin Impact
Mavuika has a key advantage over other Pyro off-field characters: she can use Natlan's Artifact Sets in Genshin Impact. Although Xiangling and Bennett will still be preferred in some cases, Mavuika could be a great upgrade for characters like Clorinde, assuming her abilities make it to the beta. On the field, Mavuika’s Pyro infusion could make her a strong hypercarry at C0 if paired with Xianyun. Additionally, in the open world, Mavuika can use a Phlogiston motorcycle to ride up mountains, across water, or on flat ground.
Mavuika's abilities don’t overlap with Bennett’s, as her Pyro infusion affects only herself. So, players might need to wait for another Pyro 5-Star to rival Bennett from Mare Jivari. Xbalanque could be a possible contender, though his status as a playable character is still uncertain. Mavuika is expected to join Genshin Impact in the first half of Version 5.3, which is set to release on January 1, 2025.
>>> Read also: Get Ready for Genshin Impact Kinich: The Complete Kit Revealed