Popular leaker “Lumie” posted an in-game showcase of Gorou’s behaviors, from idle animations to combat. Gorou’s first idle is an adorable encounter with a butterfly that peaks his canine interest despite a visible effort to maintain professionalism. Yes, there is tail wagging involved. During the second, he briskly whips out a book in a familiar parallel to Kokomi’s idle. Gorou’s Normal/Charged attacks glow with the soft yellow of Geo, and he appears to crouch and grit his teeth similar to the “growl” players witnessed during Kujou Sara’s fight cutscene.
RELATED: Genshin Impact: Leakers Reveal Possible Upcoming Character Arataki Itto Model
Gorou’s next ability – presumably his Elemental Skill – coalesces that same golden light in his left palm as he aims with a marker via his right, comparable to Geo Traveler’s Skill. He then slams his palm to the ground, generating what is inferred to be an AoE circle around the marker – now a pawprint-bearing flag. When approached, the pawprint icon hovers above Gorou’s head and remains when the active character is switched. The final move in the showcase is probably his Elemental Burst: three temporary flags appear, fade, and are replaced by a cute floating dog companion with his own tiny flag. The toe beans in the pawprint icon light up individually and may indicate the number of stacks or buffs Gorou is contributing to the party.
If the mention of toe beans wasn’t enough to secure fans’ wholehearted commitment to Gorou, the namecard was thrown in for good measure. The golden-gradient Friendship reward illustrates a stylized dog (most likely a Shiba Inu, given their popularity in Japan and Inazuma’s Japanese inspiration) prancing amongst grasses with those same alluring butterflies that so distracted Gorou in his animation.
For those saving up for the fluffiest, most wholesome war general in Teyvat, his expected ascension materials have also been released. Gorou follows in Kokomi’s footsteps, requesting Sango Pearls and the dreaded Spectral Husks to reach his full potential. His talent books are identified as Teachings of Light, and Gorou-havers will be paying a few visits to the Perpetual Mechanical Array and a few respects to Signora’s scorching memory.
As for his kit, Gorou seems intended as a specifically Geo support in an unprecedented mono Geo composition. Gorou is Genshin Impact’s very first Geo bow character and may be its first super-niche support: he scales off of DEF – not unusual – yet also buffs DEF and its complement (sorry Xinyan), Geo DMG Bonus. The leaks indicate different bonuses are granted based on the number of Geo members in the party. If true, this might concern players hoping for a versatile support in Gorou. Geo currently has the least amount of representation in Genshin Impact, and it’s unlikely many players have a full Geo-prepped team that would justify Gorou’s presence in that competitive supporting slot.
Beta testing is not the guaranteed final product, as certain fans irked by Raiden Shogun’s changes learned the hard way. New weapons and artifacts arriving alongside Gorou in 2.3 might alter the trajectory of how he can be played. Combat isn’t everything in the Genshin Impact experience, and Gorou’s rumored Hangout Event could sway reluctant Geo enthusiasts into wishing for him if the toe beans didn’t already seal the deal.
Genshin Impact is available on mobile devices, PC, PS4, and PS5.
MORE: Genshin Impact: Thoma Hangout Guide
Source: Twitter | Genshin Intel
