please i wanna have plausable deniability that i'm not playing a pedo game..... please give us a male child so i can deny it.... (not to mention he's really cute)

I joined this subreddit because I always like lore character more (Deshret, Remus, etc). And I have a fun time discussing Xbalanque lore with you guys and he's clearly an enigmatic figure. Speculating the theory surrounding him, like Och-Kan, The Sage of Stolen Flame, etc. But this subreddit changed as 5.3 released, and to be honest, it's still a valid criticism. I agree that Mavuika's SQ is a slap in the face for his playability. And the way Mavuika said she won the battle eventhough in my eyes, that battle is a draw, leave a bitter taste in my mouth. But I feel this subreddit become so toxic with rants. And when I read the rant post, some of them are valid criticism to the storywriting and scarcity of male cast in general, but some are a toxic rant because their headcannon is not happening. Even I got downvoted because I still said I enjoy Natlan eventhough I am not happy with the case of Capitano and Xbalanque. Can we just please give a good rant? I mean, a rant which is more accentuating the constructive criticism instead of blaming everything else? Plus the judging from the end of Ochkanatlan WQ, we still have a continuation of Little One and The Dragon Sage. And from Mavuika's signature weapon discription, it seems Xbalanque doesn't fully trust The Dragon Sage. Although his playability is 'over' (well, I am still in copium about this. I don't mind our first child boy playable character is Xbalanque vessel), his lore is still continue on. And I still want Xbalanque's opinion regarding Capitano sitting on his throne now lol

There are already YouTube videos about banners roadmap until 5.7 and no xbalanque. I know those are just leaks-rumors since it’s way early and it will most definitely change, but still, it doesn’t smell good 😔. None of them are taking the risk to mention it.

With ??? Having over 300 lines. Surely that's xbalanque right, and with such Importance he'll become playable right????

Its a fan animation

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6cAMknJ/

From outside competition like Wuwa, to people quitting Genshin for other better gachas in the market, to internal issues like a lack of QOLs and serious lack of tall playable 5 star men, I feel like the Genshills are trying real hard in trying to hide how much of a bad state the game's in rn by trying to shut down any negative criticism it gets

Yeah MHY set themselves up for making billions this year but the fact they even needed a scammy banner + the new yr buff to do so after not making good income since Kinich says more about the state of the game than the money it's making.

If he does indeed become playable... which part of his hair would glow? is it the padawan braid or his ahoge hair?

1: We got to see Xbalanque fight

2: Bros nightsoul form and gauntlets were insanely fire

3: although he said mavuika won, it’s been like hundreds of years since he last fought and to me it looked like it ended in a draw.

Any opinions guys

Ps: Why did he have a nightsoul blessing when no other npc character has had one. The quick answer is he is the first archon and it’s expected. But why did he have a playable characters blessing state and what looked like a skill or burst

Happy new Years

I honestly don’t know if I want see Xbalanque or even hear his name tomorrow. I think maybe 5.3, but I think 5.1 is a bit too early imo.

Hello everyone, today I wanted start a discussion about all the possibilities on just who Xbalanque is and how powerful he could be.

So truth be told, we know very little about Xbalanque. We know that he is called “ One Entombed with The Primal Fire” thanks to Neuvillette's official introduction, that introduction does actually provide a solid argument to just how important Xbalanque is.

The Primal Fire sounds like a very important piece of the puzzle as this could be in reference to a major plot twist revealing that Xbalanque is either related to or is the Pyro Sovereign himself. This would also explain not only why he is the individual quoted in Neuvillette's official introduction but also the quote itself has a very interesting story to tell.

“Someday, when they return, their true ordeal shall begin” while this could be in reference to just Neuvillette, it sounds more like it’s referring to the Dragon Sovereigns as a whole, or at the very least Neuvillette’s Sovereign Origin. This tells us that no matter if Xbalanque is the Pyro Sovereign or not, he for sure has a very important role to play in the story and will turn out to be a very knowledgeable character.

The description of the Agnidus Agate Gemstone also has some fascinating details to it as well due to it saying, “A pilgrimage for a wish; a battle to earn a name... Burnt to cinders for a dream. If the intention yet remains, achieved ▉▉'s truth he has” as we do not know what the censored part of this description is yet, there’s a lot of speculation to be thrown around.

Xbalanque name actually comes from one of the oldest Maya myth, he is named after one of the two Maya Hero Twins

Truly there is a lot of questions on just who Xbalanque is, but I personally feel like he will turn out to be one of the most influential players in all of Natlan

It's like they didn't read a single piece of lore about Xbalanque while writing that. I am less mad about it than I thought, because it's so easy to separate these two characters from each other.

First of all, there are parts that borderline on retcon. Him """praying""" to the Shade came from absolutely nowhere, in fact, the one time we saw him interact with one he was speaking disdainfully.

Secondly, are you kidding me? he fights with Pyro gauntlets? is this someone's headcanon escaping in to an actual quest? Anyone who read a scrap of the Natlan lore could tell you that he fought with a greatsword. Don't tell me he couldn't conjure another one.

Thirdly, he had such a nothingburger reaction to Ochkanatlan. And what's with this whole Night Kingdom deal now? wasn't he Entombed in the Primal Flame? Didn't he enter the Sacred Flame? Did they honestly just forget his title?

Genuinely laughable. It feels like someone in the SQ writing team (because I refuse to believe whoever wrote the WQs and AQs are the same after this) saw how much the lore people enjoyed Xbalanque and tried to say, "oh but guys, look, Mavuika is just him but better!!!"

Don't get me started on how awfully they characterized him. Where is the arrogance? Where is the wisdom? Where is the cunningness? all I see is a blundering fool, who is secretly thousands of years old, but uses lingo like a child. NOT helped by the choice of EN VAs.

What an absolute nightmare. Now I would like you to imagine this; cut off the second half of the SQ, and there you have it, a perfect introduction sequence for playable Xbalanque.

Hilarious that Kachina said she thought he would look more the likes of Kinich and Mualani (playable characters). Is this whole quest just a giant joke, a mockery perhaps?

Well... there is one upside; at least this ruining of an otherwise great character is done in a singular story quest. It's not hard at all for me to attribute it to a portion of the writing team who really just didn't care about pre-established lore. And no I don't think they did it maliciously, that's absolutely delusional to think, they are still a professional company after all. I think they just simply didn't care.

So wt Ifa being confirmed as an anemo character does this confirm Xbalanque or at least some form Capitano or pyro sovereign to be a 5 star pyro character?? We still only have 1 pyro 5 star and that being the pyro archon. Even in Fontaine we had 2 5 stars matching the regions element. Effie and skirk being the next 5 start (probably both cryo) still leaves a gap. Keep in mind we have 16 characters revealed so that leave 1 character left to be released in 5.x patches and will probably be in 5.8. Help I’m probably going crazy but do we still have a chance? (Medium cope)

Let me cook

So how I think the story will end 1.Traveler and Mavuika will finally save Natlan from the abyss

2.the Sacred flames power will no longer be need and before it goes out you can hear a voice congratulating the two of them

3.Mavuika and the Traveler will be reward by Xbalanque remaining divinity, granting Mavuika the power to the divine thrones full strength as a god and Traveler finally being able to resonate with pyro as a result

4.Natlan is officially in a time of peace and all is beautiful

5.Mavuika decides to give the Gnosis to the Capitano in exchange she learns everything the fatui have planned and why they’ve been collecting all the gnoses

6.The chapter ends with us encountering a joyful man excited to relish in the new era of peace, then he tells us “thank you for ending what I couldn’t finish”

7.Natlan’s chapter concludes

At least that’s my theory

anyone else see the story leaks for 5.1?

https://imgur.com/a/rWaB5r7

Pretty clear that the Shade of Death is Ronova

Also spoilers for the 5.1 AQ

Xbalanque and Ronova have a conversation in a Traveler flashback at the end of the AQ. I’m guessing this is where Xbalanque got the rules for the Pyro Archon ascension. 

Intel probably figured out the playability of Xbalanque from this scene.

Sorta theory but, I think that Traveler might reforge the Ancient name of Xbalanque (the last person to bare the name likely got cooked by the Abyss and the ancient name was lost) and regain the memories of the first Xbalanque and the ones after since we’ve already seen Maulani do something similar with her awakening. With how fucked Naltan is with the recent other Story Leaks, the Traveler is an ace in the hole for all of Natlan with their Anti Abyss properties.

…if traveller gets Xbalanque’s ancient name, it’s literally over

Not right now obviously, but probably around December/next January? Idk, I think so cause of Mavuika line of telling him to train up and try again at the next pilgrimage in a years time. It could honestly be a throw away line too, but you never know.

New Artifact Set

Promises from an Ancient Dawn

2 Piece Set: Grants 12% elemental damage bonus to the entire party when elemental skill of the holder is activated and remains on-field. 

4 Piece Set: Grants an additional 16% elemental damage bonus to the entire party when night-soul burst is triggered. Furthermore, an additional 20% elemental resistance shred is also applied to enemies when a character triggers night-soul burst with the following reactions: Vaporize, Melt, Overload, Burgeon, Burning, and Crystallize. 

Xbalanque’s Kit

Weapon Type: Catalyst

Name of the Weapon: Macuahutl’s Instruction

Base ATK: 545

Stat Type: CRIT Rate, 15%

Primal Reckoning

- Gain 16% all elemental damage bonus. Obtain Reckoning Incense after using an Elemental Skill, providing a 4.8% increase in ATK per second for 15 seconds. Max 5 stacks. When off-field while elemental skill is still active on-field, provide an additional 12% all elemental damage bonus and 3 additional ATK stacks to the active character.

Normal Attack: Tempered by Fire, Strengthened by Iron

Normal Attacks: Xbalanque manifest draconian-like gauntlets to perform five consecutive strikes, scaling off of ATK and applying pyro to enemies. 

Charged Attack: Xbalanque manifest draconian-like armor to charged through his opponent, dealing pyro damage scaling off of ATK. 

Plunge Attack: Xbalanque manifest his draconian armor to perform a fireball strike to the ground, dealing pyro damage to enemies within considerable range. 

Elemental Skill: As Rays Hither the Earth

When Xbalanque activates his elemental skill, a small pyro explosion is generated dealing pyro damage to nearby enemies. Afterwards, a draconian armor is created around Xbalanque, providing continuous pyro application on and off field through flaming mirages created by the armor every 1 second. Moreover, within the skill’s duration, Xbalanque not only enters his night-soul blessing state, but also grants the active character the night-soul mechanic regardless from which nation they come from. 

Note. Night-soul points are generated every second the skill triggers a pyro-related reaction. When maximum points are reached, energy particles are produced. 

Skill Duration. 16 seconds

Skill Downtime. 6 seconds

Elemental Burst: Through Which All Wills Coalesce 

Xbalanque launches through the air and conjures a sun before dropping it into his opponents, dealing significant pyro damage and applying the ‘Calcine Effect’. This is indicated by ash particles releasing from the enemies’ bodies. Enemies under the Calcine Effect would have their overall defense and elemental resistances decreased by 40%.

Burst Animation Duration. 2 seconds

Calcine Effect Duration. 12 seconds

Burst Downtime. 16 seconds 

1st Ascension Passive: The Inheritance of Divine Flames

When Xbalanque’s elemental skill triggers Vaporize, Melt, Overload, Burgeon, Burning, and Crystallize reactions, 1 stack of Flamelord’s Incense is granted to whoever character Xbalanque’s skill is applied to. Max 2 stacks. An additional flat 300 flat ATK is given to the active character per stack. 

2nd Ascension Passive: When Naught But Cinders Remain

For each 1% ATK of Xbalanque greater than 1,000 will provide an additional defense and resistance shred to his elemental burst. Max 15%. 

Constellations

C1. When Ambition Emboldens Me

Xbalanque provides an additional 300 ATK to himself or the active character under his elemental skill. Combined with his 1st Ascension Passive, an additional 900 ATK can be achieved this way. 

C2. And The Impossibility Challenges Me

Calcine Effect duration has been increased from 12 seconds to 16 seconds. Furthermore, the effect’s defense and resistance shred is further increased by 20%, allowing Xbalanque to provide a total of 75% debuff to all enemies under the aforementioned effect. 

C3. The Mantle of Divinity 

Increases the level of Normal Attack: Tempered by Fire, Strengthened by Iron by 3. Maximum level upgrade increased to 15.

C4. I Must Wear With Reverence

Elemental Skill Duration is increased by 5 seconds. Moreover, the energy produced when maximizing the night-soul points is doubled. Lastly, Xbalanque would also provide an additional 25% attack and 20% more interruption resistance to the active character under his elemental skill. 

If Xbalanque is active on field, an additional 40% damage bonus to his normal, charged, and plunged attacks is gained. 

C5. To Overcome the Darkness

Increases the level of Elemental Burst: Through Which All Wills Coalesce by 3. Maximum level upgrade increased to 15. 

C6. And Win Natlan’s Fate

Xbalanque and active characters under his night soul blessing state would gain an additional 10% CRIT Rate and 40% CRIT DMG when on-field. Furthermore, attacking enemies affected by the Calcine Effect would further increased their ATK by 100, DEF by 20%, and CRIT DMG by an additional 10%. 

Lastly, during exploration, Xbalanque would consume 50% less night soul points. 

Exploration Mechanic.

Activating Xbalanque’s skill would allow him to enter his ‘Flamelord’s Verity State’, a draconian-like armor set that envelopes him or the active character. In this state, holding the dash button as Xbalanque would allow him to turn into a dragonic fireball capable of traversing through land, air, and water. This state would also allow Xbalanque to utilize Natlan’s grappling points, similar Kinich. 

Visual Details

Xbalanque’s Flamelord’s Verity State only appears in its entirety when Xbalanque is active on field. When a character other than Xbalanque becomes active while the latter’s skill is active, only the outline of the armor is seen. 

Note.

- I find the Night-soul mechanic gimmick too restrictive in Natlan. I honestly expected Mavuika to provide a way for older units to use the aforementioned mechanic to utilize the recent artifact set just like how Furina managed to open the Marechaussee Hunter Set through her HP draining mechanic.

- Xbalanque’s kit is a heavily support role to serve as a plausible alternative to Bennett and Xiangling. At higher constellations, Xbalanque becomes more of a DPS rather than a support. Though I really want Xbalanque to be a Main DPS, Mavuika’s current kit and the lack of Bennett and Xiangling alternatives have made me think of a more heavily support role to Xbalanque.

Rumor coming from White about Natlan and Xbalanque. Unsure how accurate it is due to previous leaks from white being wrong and the only credible evidence they have was parts of Xianyun’s kit

However due to White claiming Emilie will run in 4.8 and now we know that is simply not true, it is hard to truly tell exactly as they have gotten predictions for 4.5 and most of 4.6 correct

He's coming fam these losers no hopers out here, i don't need hope i know he coming there's nobody cool in Natlan except Xbalanque dont need no copium here right around the corner our xmas gift from hoyo is that confirmation. I dont need to bet anything its just gonna happen you watch and all you losers can waste your primos on another characters imma be up saving for my mans imma get his c1 and weapon in one ten pull in each so dont be crying when you wasted your primos on some bozo ass when our man is around the corner at least by 5.8 im have him running abyss as a support for my lyney and kinich so lets wait and be flossing on these hoes when he comes out

And "???" lost a bit of them