Genshin Dragons: Everything You Need to Know in One Article

In the world of Teyvat, the elements are the foundation of all things. From the elements, various lifeforms emerged, among which "dragons" are the most powerful beings. Today, let's explore the origins of these dragons—the elemental dragons, the dragons of Natlan, and the dragon characters that have appeared so far.

1. Genshin Impact: The Origin of Dragons

Dragons are a native race of Teyvat. From the Artifact set "Finale of the Deep Galleries" in Version 5.5, we learn about the origin of Teyvat's dragons. Their progenitor is the Primordial Dragon, born alongside the world itself—Nibelung.

The Primordial Dragon came into existence with the world, embodying the planet's vitality and will. It bore the mission to order and prosper the world, for with life, the world could grow through the cycle of life. The dark-winged Primordial Dragon possessed the gentle white power of light, which is also the original essence of Teyvat. Through its creation, the light refracted into seven colors, giving rise to the concept of the seven elements.

Different planets have different elemental classifications: earth, water, fire, wind; the five phases; ether; the void, and so on. The seven elements are a classification unique to Teyvat, established by Nibelung as the foundation of the world.

With the concept of the seven elements defined, the essence of these seven elements also coalesced. The desolate world was about to welcome its second generation of life—the seven Elemental Dragons.

The seven Elemental Dragons were the second generation of life on this planet. Upon their birth, they inherently understood their mission from the very source: to create intelligent life. Thus, they each wielded their own power, creating seven distinct races from the seven elements. These newly born beings did not dare call themselves dragons and were instead called Vishaps. From then on, the dragon race took shape.

2. Genshin Impact Dragon Characters

2.1 Zhongli: The Exuvia

Zhongli, the Rex Lapis and God of Contracts of Liyue, also serves as the consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, holding multiple identities. Correspondingly, his forms are just as diverse, with the dragon being one of them. During Liyue's Rite of Descension, Zhongli always appears in his dragon form. Similarly, in Guoba's character teaser, he makes an appearance in this draconic guise, which has inspired a variety of Zhongli dragon merchandise. However, as Zhongli himself has stated, he possesses myriad transformations, and the dragon is merely one of his many manifestations.

2.2 Neuvillette: The Hydro Dragon Sovereign

Neuvillette, the Iudex of Fontaine, was born in human form, yet hints of his dragon form appear in the game's narrative. In the Liyue Lantern Rite storyline, a ceramic piece personally crafted by Neuvillette, the "Ladle of the Leisurely Sea-Beast," is widely believed to be inspired by his true draconic form. Furthermore, during the event "Melusent Gift," the Melusines perceive Neuvillette as a blue dragon, a form closely resembling the imagery of the "Leisurely Sea-Beast."

2.3 Durin: The Fairy Tale Dragon

Durin is a fairy-tale dragon born from the pen of Witch "M." To mirror the fate of the dragon Durin, the witch created a smaller Durin within the fairy-tale world of "Simulanka." Though inherently kind, it faced rejection from the local inhabitants due to its massive size, leaving it deeply disheartened. Later, the Traveler, the Wanderer, and others entered this world. With their help and blessings, Durin transformed into a small, curse-free form, enabling it to leave the fairy-tale world and journey to Teyvat.

Today, Durin is actively integrating into human society, writing a new chapter of its own story. Beyond the game, this tale continues in another form: the upcoming Durin dragon plush and figure, allowing the dragon to accompany Travelers in reality.

3. Genshin Impact Elemental Dragons

The Seven Elemental Dragon Sovereigns are the dragonkind we are most familiar with. Compared to the long-departed Nibelung, we have already met or battled most of these Elemental Dragons. Currently, only the Electro and Cryo Dragon Sovereigns remain shrouded in mystery. From the words of the Ancient Dragon Sages, we know that Elemental Dragons are born from the pure elemental essence, wielding supreme authority over their respective elements. There is only one true "dragon" for each element.

3.1 Anemo Dragon Sovereign: Dvalin

Dvalin is a beautiful, gem-like dragon. Not long after his birth, he became Venti's familiar and close friend. For a millennium, Dvalin watched over Mondstadt. Five hundred years ago, during the destruction of Khaenri'ah, he heeded the Anemo Archon's call and battled the Abyssal dragon Durin, ultimately slaying him atop Dragonspine.

However, Dvalin was corrupted by the Abyssal "blessing" in Durin's blood, enduring great agony and falling into a 500-year slumber. Upon awakening, he found himself forgotten by all, remembered only as a vicious dragon. This sorrow of being forgotten, combined with the lingering corruption, made him easily manipulated by the Abyss Order. Fortunately, with the help of Mondstadt's people and the Traveler, Dvalin broke free from his shackles and once again soars freely through the skies.

3.2 Geo Dragon Sovereign: Azhdaha

Azhdaha is a being born of elemental crystallization, embodying the power and memories of the earth, as ancient as the mountains and seas. During the Archon War, Morax discovered Azhdaha and bestowed sight upon him. In return, Azhdaha forged a contract with Morax, fighting alongside him in many battles and leaving numerous legends.

However, as time passed, the erosion of ages stripped Azhdaha of his reason, causing him to forget the memories of coexistence with humanity. Only hatred, born from the feeling that his world was being taken away, remained. The constant mining by humans, which caused painful disturbances in the Ley Lines, drove him to attack The Chasm. This led to a great battle with Morax (Zhongli), which raged all the way to Nantianmen. In the end, Azhdaha chose to be sealed beneath the earth.

3.3 Dendro Dragon Sovereign: Apep

Apep's existence is ancient, being the original Dendro Dragon Sovereign. Even before the time defined by the Heavenly Principles began, the rainforests of Sumeru were the paradise and territory shared by Apep and her countless offspring. Throughout her long draconic life, Apep gained and lost much. Initially, Sumeru was a vast rainforest she had created, where she lived with her descendants. Even after the world was taken from her, the heart of the untamed rainforest remained largely inaccessible to humans. This lasted until the War of Funerary Flame, when she followed Nibelung to wage war against the Heavenly Principles once more. After their defeat, as she sought forbidden knowledge, her path was blocked by Celestial Nails that fell from the sky. These nails utterly destroyed the rainforest, turning Sumeru into a complete desert.

Apep and her offspring evolved into an earthen-yellow adapted form. Later, when King Deshret established his empire there, Apep began attacking humans, eventually reaching a truce where the dragons lay dormant beneath the sands. When King Deshret later meddled with forbidden knowledge, using Apep as a safeguard, Apep consumed the dark "wisdom" and suffered excruciating pain, enduring torment for millennia. Later, when Nahida erased the forbidden knowledge, it disrupted the delicate balance within Apep, bringing her to the brink of death.

Compared to the broken, ugly forms of her and her offspring, the new master of Teyvat who came to save her was so beautiful and radiant. Yet, in the end, she accepted salvation. Even so, she chose to live on, for living is no easier than dying.

3.4 Hydro Dragon Sovereign: Neuvillette

Neuvillette is the youngest among all currently existing Elemental Dragons, being only a little over a thousand years old. The original Hydro Dragon Sovereign perished long ago, and he should have been born much earlier. However, after the Heavenly Principles excised the heart of the Primordial Sea, the original Hydro Dragon, they also created a fabricated heart, Egeria, to suppress the Primordial Sea's vitality. This made the rebirth of the Hydro Dragon seem incredibly distant.

Neuvillette was born in human form, feeling confused about both himself and the world. Thus, five hundred years ago, he accepted an invitation and came to the Court of Fontaine, becoming the impartial Iudex. Through witnessing the full spectrum of human joy, sorrow, love, and hatred, he finally came to understand the human race.

3.5 Pyro Dragon Sovereign: Xiuhcoatl

At the bottom of the Ancient Sacred Mountain lie the remains of the Pyro Dragon Sovereign, his weapon of destruction, and his brother Kukulkan. The Primordial Pyro Dragon died in the very place of his birth, a form of returning to his roots.

He once established the Tollan, the holy city of the pyro dragon race, within the great volcano. He used flaming horns to transmit light and heat, and phlogiston to convey wisdom, building a magnificent civilization. He was once trapped by frozen lava, falling into a deathlike slumber, only to be awakened later by the Abyss. He then followed his sovereign, Nibelung, who was also corrupted by the Abyss, to wage war against the Heavenly Principles once more.

Only after his sovereign and heavenly father perished did he briefly regain clarity. He then had to seek a path forward for the pyro dragon race, creating the miniature celestial body known as the "Stellar Simulacrum" as the beginning of his plan. Using his own Abyss-corrupted body for experiments, he created "Huitzilopochtli," even at the cost of severing ties with his own brother. Ultimately, he perished together with Xbalanque, brought by his brother. His entire life lived up to the name of the Pyro Dragon Sovereign. Xiuhcoatl was a respectable adversary to humanity.

4. Natlan Saurians

Natlan is the nation of dragons, naturally inhabited by many draconic companions. Unlike the Elemental Dragons, the dragon species in Natlan have undergone a long evolutionary process and now coexist extensively and harmoniously with humans. There are six types of draconic companions in Natlan, each corresponding to one of the six major tribes.

4.1 Tepetlisaurus

The Tepetlisaurus is the first type of Saurian Travelers encounter upon entering the Natlan region. With its adorable appearance, it appears in many in-game activities, such as "Tepetlisaurus Hide-and-Seek" and "Let's Make a Film!" Beyond the game, Genshin Impact has released an exquisitely crafted Tepetlisaurus figure, allowing it to accompany players in the real world.

The Tepetlisaurus excels at burrowing, moving effortlessly underground and even running swiftly on the surface. It is also skilled at climbing, including but not limited to trees and cliff faces. It can quickly ascend any point that triggers a climbing action for characters and can traverse oddly shaped cliff corners with its powerful adhesive ability as if walking on flat ground.

4.2 Yumkasaurus

The Yumkasaurus has a light green appearance and a large, fluffy tail, making it incredibly cute, especially in its juvenile form. Its corresponding saurian plush has won the affection of countless Travelers. However, Travelers should not let their guard down around the adorable Yumkasaurus. They are adept at double grappling, backflips, and brief cliff climbing. Besides attacking with their claws, they can also collect Flamegranates to spit at enemies, causing explosive damage. Additionally, they can interact with Coilgrass Sigils on the map, enabling rapid movement similar to the effect of Sumeru's Four-Leaf Sigils.

4.3 Koholasaurus

The Koholasaurus, a unique creature of the Natlan region, displays a relaxed, sleeping posture when stationary, looking quite adorable as it lies on the ground. They move through water with exceptional speed and agility. Moreover, Koholasaurus possess the remarkable ability to leap across water surfaces. This skill applies not only to ordinary water but can also be performed on the region's magma. This unique jumping ability allows characters to explore magma areas without worrying about the risk of death.

4.4 Tatankasaurs

The Tatankasaurs is slightly larger in size, appearing honest and cute. It possesses a hard cranial crest and a robust body, with formidable charging strength—so much so that it can use its horns to nudge mountains aside, helping Travelers move obstacles during exploration.

4.5 Qucusaurus

The Qucusaurus boasts large, soft feathered wings, enabling it to glide through the air for extended periods like a cloud. It supports actions such as gliding, diving, and ascending, helping players traverse terrain with significant elevation differences, move quickly, or explore aerial areas. It is particularly suited to Natlan's mountainous, canyon-rich landscape.

4.6 Iktomisaurs

The Iktomisaurs has the distinctive ears characteristic of the Masters of the Night-Wind tribe. Juvenile Iktomisaurs are adorably dopey, their head-shaking and immediate flopping-to-sleep antics are quite amusing. They have long lifespans and possess excellent spiritual sight, capable of sensing subtle environmental changes. Their eyes can see through mist, revealing hidden enemies and treasures, safeguarding the Traveler's exploration journey.

5. Other Natlan Dragon Companions

5.1 Cacucu

Cacucu is the partner and companion of Ifa, a pink Qucusaurus. Ifa once rescued the small, round Cacucu by the roadside and kept it close for its safety. Cacucu is outgoing and talkative by nature, fond of calling people "Bro," with the catchphrase, "No way, bro!" Some players jokingly refer to it as "Teyvat's most talkative bird."

The Cacucu plush toy features a sound-emitting design, highly faithful to the in-game character, allowing Travelers to truly experience being surrounded by Cacucu's "ear-piercing chatter."

5.2 K'uhul Ajaw

The adorable pixel-art mini-dragon who calls itself the Great Sacred Dragon, Ajaw, is Kinich's battle partner. Despite its small size, it can transform into a giant dragon and is one of the Thirteen Sovereign Lords who rule Natlan. However, Ajaw has an arrogant personality, often addressing others as "servants." Due to its sharp tongue and noisiness, Kinich frequently puts it in timeout. Its interactions with Cacucu add a lot of fun to the game.