A recent leak, albeit marked as questionable by reputable Genshin Impact leaker hxg_diluc, suggests that Madame Ping, the beloved Streetward Rambler, will finally become a playable character in Version 5.4's Lantern Rite festival in 2025. This long-rumored addition to the roster was hinted at in the Version 3.4 Lantern Rite cinematic, alongside Cloud Retainer (who became playable in Version 4.4).
Madame Ping, unlike most Adepti, is a charming elderly woman known for her quiet Liyue street life. She's a mentor to Yao Yao and Xiangling, and previously cared for Yanfei. In-game, she assists the Traveler with their Serenitea Pot. The leak indicates she'll be a 5-star polearm user, with her signature weapon boasting an impressive 88% Crit DMG bonus, potentially making her a compelling 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 remains unclear. Players eager to add her to their team should begin saving Primogems.
Madame Ping's Element: A Hydro Hypothesis
While her polearm mastery is expected, given her role as a martial arts instructor, her elemental affiliation remains a point of community discussion. Her attire, featuring fish scales and a predominantly blue color scheme, strongly suggests she'll be a Hydro character – potentially the first 5-star Hydro polearm user in Genshin Impact.
This speculation is further fueled by upcoming character releases. Version 4.8 is slated to introduce Emilie, a 5-star Dendro polearm character, and Version 5.0 will feature three Natlan characters: a Dendro Claymore, Hydro Catalyst, and Geo Polearm user. The apparent focus on Pyro reactions in the Natlan region might leave space for a new Hydro polearm user like Madame Ping.
