The 6.4 update for Genshin Impact at the end of February 2026 brings us back to Mondstadt for the first time in the main story since our departure to Liyue a long while ago. This update reconnects us with familiar characters and locations.
It also introduces Varka, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, for the first time. The chapter quest related to his arrival focuses on discovering where Varka has been and why he’s been absent from Mondstadt for so long. Here’s what you need to know about starting his story.
How to Start Varka’s Lupus Majoris Chapter
To begin Varka’s story, you need to reach Adventure Rank 40 and complete the previous part of the Song of the Whelkin Moon quest line from Nod-Krai. However, you can start Varka’s chapter as early as Adventure Rank 28 using the Quick Start Focused mode, which grants early access to timed events.
When you log into the game after the 6.4 update, you’ll see a series of events under the Events tab via the pause menu or quick access wheel. Find the Lupus Majoris Chapter section and confirm your interest in the quest to start.
In the game, Paimon mentions you have a letter in your Quest tab in your inventory. Open it and read it—it’s Venti summoning you back to Starsnatch Cliff. The quickest way to get there is warping to the Midsummer Courtyard domain and heading toward the yellow marker.
Wind gusts have been arranged at the domain to help you reach Venti faster. You’ll approach the Mondstadt archon and trigger a cutscene, where you’ll meet Lohen. After this, you’ll return to Mondstadt with him, and scenes will shift to Varka and his expedition.
You will then control Varka briefly and engage in a fight against some Wild Hunt enemies. Since Varka is at the appropriate level for the quest, this should be manageable. After winning, you’ll face the spirit of Andrius, the Wolf King, in a cutscene.
Post-battle, you’ll be back at the library in Mondstadt with several Knights of Favonius. After everyone disperses, go to Jean’s office on the second floor and speak with her. Paimon will remind you to deliver your letters, so head to The Angel’s Share bar near the city gates.
Here, you’ll give out letters to characters, including Diluc, Kaeya, and Rosaria, through a cutscene. Afterward, travel to Wolvendom to continue the story, though be warned—the teleport waypoint there will have you immediately ambushed by Wild Hunt monsters, so come prepared.
Lohen arrives, and you’ll move further into Wolvendom, despite how unnerving it might feel. The next step is to visit the trial grounds for the Dominator of Wolves challenge. Even if you’ve defeated him before, you’ll find him here with Razor. Venti will provide some background on Lupus Boreas, and Razor will give you his Ironclaw imbued with Andrius’ spirit for protection.
Varka rides Dvalin to Nod-Krai and joins the fight happening there. Watching the cutscene, you’ll learn about Abyssal Riftlines—a purple energy barrier—before completing that part of the Lupus Majoris chapter.
The Push Through Nod-Krai
After the scene, you’ll get a quest marker guiding you to a meeting at Favonius Keep, just up the hill from your landing point. Talk to Varka, choose to wait for the meeting, and explore the area and chat with nearby characters if you like.
The story scene will show a meeting with Nod-Krai figures and some familiar Mondstadt faces. Afterwards, proceed to a second meeting spot northwest of the Pillar of Embla waypoint. Varka mentions a second seal covered by an energy barrier. To remove it, you must carefully re-infuse lights and reconnect the nodes on different sides of the area by following the yellow energy lines and placing the infused lights in the correct spots.
Command Your Squads
Following a puzzle, you’ll speak to Jahoda, and the Logistics Company squad will join your team. You can gather info from characters on the map, and you’ll choose a location north to reinforce — marked by a glowing red symbol. Your squad will include Varka, the Traveler, and others, with Varka able to give commands.
Use Varka’s abilities and the Traveler’s unique skills to set explosives and take out Wild Hunt enemies. Prepare to command your squad, deploy your explosives, and clear waves of enemies. When the enemies keep spawning, retreat along your initial path to end this part of the quest, with the Lightkeeper Squad joining you temporarily for command.
Next, go to another waypoint north for a tougher Wild Hunt fight. Varka will assist with squad commands until a monster generator appears, which must be destroyed. Feel free to help out during this fight. After destroying the generator, continue to the next area for more battles.
In that area, you’ll coordinate Varka’s commands to attack or dispel the mist. During this phase, keep an eye out for green health bubbles—these are your only source of healing, and you can also use food items from your inventory to keep Varka and the Traveler alive.
Before one final battle, control shifts back to Varka, and you will approach a Fragment for a cutscene leading to a battle against “Roland.” During this, your sword may break after a quick time event, hinting at Varka’s reality outside normal space.
The Heart of the Wolf
Follow the wolf trail toward a glowing sword, interact with it, and fight off Wild Hunt monsters using only Varka. Collect the chest nearby, use Varka’s special skill again, then interact with the sword one last time before crossing a broken bridge.
Varka can jump gaps with his Elemental Burst, so move toward a hidden treasure chest and stay alert for a wolf that appears. Follow the wolf carefully, watching out for cliffs and steep terrain. Prepare for your next fight.
Once again, fight Wild Hunt enemies with Varka and use his special skill to grab the Wandering Knight’s Longing. A strong wind tunnel appears, and you’ll need to hide behind broken walls when the wind is at its strongest, moving forward only when it settles. At the end, you’ll be pushed back, but tools you’ve rooted will push Varka into the next arena—the heart of the wolf.
During the maze, follow Roland, listening to his taunts and checking where he goes. If lost, a waypoint will help you reorient. The scene builds to a confrontation, with characters arguing and Varka revealing he’s outside reality. Quick time events will play, featuring Venti, Andrius, and The Captain, culminating in a scene back in Mondstadt with the Knights.
Getting Out of the Heart of the Wolf
Once the scene ends, you must sprint back to the start of the dungeon before time runs out, dodging enemies and obstacles. Wait for Amber’s voice before jumping across wind currents—she will direct you when it’s safe to proceed, preventing you from falling into the void and losing progress.
Use Varka’s Elemental skills to leap over large gaps, and complete the run to reach the end of the dungeon. A final cutscene will crown your efforts, where Varka is recognized more fully among the Knights of Favonius.
Rewards for Completing the Chapter
Finishing Varka’s story chapter rewards you with:
- 60 Primogems
- 9 Vayuda Turquoise Fragments
- 6 Prismatic Severed Tails
- 30 Wolfhooks
- 12 Reinforced Drive Shafts
- 15 Broken Drive Shafts
Most of these rewards are valuable upgrade materials for Varka, along with Primogems and other items needed for character enhancement.
