Arlecchino and Zhongli Banners Return: Genshin 5.3 Patch 1st
Genshin Impact 5.3 Phase 1 brings Arlecchino and Zhongli reruns, new weapons, and top 4-stars. Here’s what veterans and min-maxers should know now.
Lumine Lee Veteran's Take: Why This Banner Cycle Is a Defining Moment for Genshin Impact 5.3
The arrival of Arlecchino's "The Hearth's Ashen Shadow" banner alongside Zhongli’s latest rerun in "Gentry of Hermitage" is more than a standard dual-banner rotation—it’s a signal on how Hoyoverse is curating the late-game meta and balancing both new and evergreen characters. For the first time, both a recently released arch-villain and Liyue’s defining Archon share billing, and the weapon banner—"Epitome Invocation"—is loaded with best-in-slot options. Patch 5.3's first phase, running 2025-11-11 18:00 to 2025-12-2 14:59 (server time, not timezone-specified in official content), offers an unusually high-value pull window for diverse account goals.
At a Glance
- Banner Phase: 5.3 Phase 1 (2025-11-11 through 2025-12-2)
- Featured 5-stars: Arlecchino (Pyro), Zhongli (Geo)
- Boosted 4-stars: Lan Yan (Anemo), Rosaria (Cryo), Yun Jin (Geo)
- Weapon Banner Highlights: Crimson Moon's Semblance, Vortex Vanquisher (both Polearm)
- Shared Pity: Character Event Wish/2 share 5★ guarantee (see below)
- Test Run Event: Temporary trials, resource rewards
Banner Schedule Table
| Banner Name | Duration | 5★ Focus | 4★ Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hearth's Ashen Shadow | 2025-11-11 18:00 – 2025-12-2 14:59 | Arlecchino (Pyro) | Lan Yan (Anemo), Rosaria (Cryo), Yun Jin (Geo) |
| Gentry of Hermitage | 2025-11-11 18:00 – 2025-12-2 14:59 | Zhongli (Geo) | Lan Yan, Rosaria, Yun Jin |
| Epitome Invocation | 2025-11-11 18:00 – 2025-12-2 14:59 | Crimson Moon's Semblance, Vortex Vanquisher | The Dockhand's Assistant, Portable Power Saw, Range Gauge, Dragon's Bane, Sacrificial Fragments |
All times per official information—time zone not specifically stated in source.
Historical Context: The Meta Implications of Arlecchino and Zhongli’s Return
Arlecchino debuted to massive anticipation, reshaping the Pyro landscape with her high single-target damage and unique risk-reward mechanics. Her place as the first Fatui Harbinger to become playable propelled major community theorycrafting since her announcement. Zhongli, by contrast, is the bedrock Geo unit whose shield utility and resonance reshaped Genshin’s defensive meta since patch 1.1. Hoyoverse’s repeated pairing of new and legacy favorites shows a clear intention to maintain banner desirability for both veterans and new players.
Notably, both banners feature Lan Yan, an Anemo 4-star new to the event pool, marking an important opportunity for players who missed her debut or seek constellations. Having these units in the same rotation is uncommon, echoing the high-value pairings of patches like 3.0’s Sumeru launches.
Should You Pull? Pity Planning and Account Pathways
F2P and Low-Spenders:
– With shared 5★ guarantee across both Character Event Wishes, budgeting Intertwined Fates is essential. Hitting soft pity (typically 75–80 pulls) is still in play, but your guarantee pool tracks across both banners (see early.gg’s Wish Mechanics Guide for in-depth math).
– For newcomers, Zhongli remains the premier shielding/comfort pick, ideal for first-clear teams and Spiral Abyss progression. Arlecchino is riskier but top-tier for those who favor aggressive play and want to future-proof Pyro DPS.
– Neither Arlecchino nor the highlighted weapons are available on the Standard Banner.
Optimal and Advanced Accounts:
– If you already own Zhongli, chasing Arlecchino (or her BiS weapon: Crimson Moon's Semblance) is the obvious optimization path, given her synergy with high-frequency Pyro support/overload comps.
– Yun Jin and Rosaria—also on the boosted 4-star lineup—are effective in Ensemble (physical/hybrid) and freeze teams respectively, which are frequently featured in endgame content rotations.
For the Min-Maxers: Teams, Tech, and Material Prep
- Arlecchino excels in single-target, Overload, and mono-Pyro compositions. She enables fast "snapshot" rotations (where buffs persist from the time of casting an ability—see early.gg’s Snapshotting Explainer), outpacing many classic Pyro carries if properly invested.
- Zhongli fits both classic double-Geo and as off-field support—his universal shield, resistance shred, and resonance open up teams with Xiao, Itto, or even experimental charged-attack compositions.
- Weapon Banner: Both featured polearms, particularly Crimson Moon's Semblance (custom-fit for Arlecchino), are high-tier investments, though always weigh cost vs. character priorities as weapon banners are notoriously luck-dependent.
Suggested Materials Prep Table
| Character/Weapon | Core Ascension Materials |
|---|---|
| Arlecchino (Pyro) | Not stated in official materials |
| Lan Yan (Anemo) | Not stated in official materials |
| Crimson Moon's Semblance | Not stated in official materials |
Hoyoverse has yet to officially confirm full material lists for Lan Yan or Arlecchino’s rerun.
Community Chatter: What Theorycrafters and Redditors Are Debating
Recent discussion threads on r/Genshin_Impact and NGA emphasize Arlecchino’s flexibility in future team archetypes, especially if upcoming Fontaine or Natlan units introduce new Pyro synergies or mechanics. There’s renewed debate around the value of Zhongli’s constellations (with C1 remaining the consensus comfort break point for most), and persistent caution from weapon pullers regarding Epitomized Path’s cost.
Players are also highlighting the Test Run events—short trials offering both a low-stakes way to experience rotation timings and small, valuable enhancement materials for all participants.
Unconfirmed — subject to change: Some speculation exists on early.gg’s forums and major leak sources about upcoming balance changes or hidden stat adjustments for 4-star supports, but nothing yet has been validated by official sources.
Hidden Details: Art, Banner Rotation, and Subtle Hints
- Both banner artworks are loaded with narrative foreshadowing: Arlecchino’s stormy palette echoes her burning ambitions, while Zhongli’s stoic pose reinforces his lore as the contract keeper.
- The inclusion of two new polearms on weapon banner—both with different playstyle biases—suggests Hoyoverse is further incentivizing polearm inventories, likely foreshadowing more polearm-wielding units in future patches.
- Some veterans note the repeated inclusion of Yun Jin and Rosaria hints at more physical/reaction-flexible content in future Abyss cycles, a trend seen prior to key meta shifts in prior updates.
For visuals: The official key art for banners (see above) showcases each featured unit in dynamic poses with full 5-star models and signature weapons. Alt text suggestion: "Genshin Impact event banner artwork for Arlecchino and Zhongli, featuring both characters poised with their weapons against thematic backgrounds, highlighting their elemental identity and narrative roles."
Conclusion: Is 5.3 Phase 1 Worth Your Primogems?
Patch 5.3’s first phase marks one of the game’s most value-loaded rotations in recent history. The combination of meta-defining 5-stars, a “safe” shield pick for wider roster coverage, and compelling 4-star value means almost any account can benefit by pulling now—especially for players seeking to solidify endgame teams or invest in emerging Pyro and Geo compositions.
As always, prioritize according to your own pity, team needs, and long-term favorites. Official sources (e.g., Genshin Impact Twitter) and early.gg guides remain the best way to monitor future patch developments, reruns, and banner changes as 5.3 progresses.