Recent leaks suggest Madame Ping, the beloved Streetward Rambler, will finally become a playable character in Genshin Impact's Version 5.4 Lantern Rite event in 2025. While her appearance as a playable character in the Version 3.4 Lantern Rite cinematic fueled speculation, the timing remained uncertain until now. This follows a similar pattern to Cloud Retainer, whose playable model was also revealed in a cinematic before her eventual release.
Known as a mentor to Yao Yao and Xiangling, and a former caretaker for Yanfei, Madame Ping's in-game presence is primarily tied to assisting the Traveler with their Serenitea Pot. However, according to a leak from a reputable Genshin Impact leaker (hxg_diluc, though marked as questionable), she'll be a 5-star polearm user. Her signature weapon boasts an impressive 88% CRIT DMG bonus, making her a potentially strong alternative for Xiao users lacking the Primordial Jade-Winged Spear. Whether she'll be featured in the first or second half of Version 5.4 is still unconfirmed. Players eager to add her to their team should begin saving Primogems.
Madame Ping's Element: A Hydro Hypothesis
Madame Ping's polearm mastery, given her role as a martial arts instructor, seems a natural fit. Her element, however, remains a point of debate. Considering her attire, featuring fish scales and a predominantly blue color scheme, many speculate she'll be Genshin Impact's first 5-star Hydro polearm character.
The upcoming Version 4.8 introduces Emilie, a 5-star Dendro polearm user, and Version 5.0 will feature three Natlan characters: a Dendro Claymore, Hydro Catalyst, and Geo Polearm. This suggests a potential HoYoverse focus on Pyro reactions rather than purely Pyro characters for the Natlan era.
