Genshin Impact 6.1 Second Half Banners: Arlecchino, Zhongli,
Arlecchino and Zhongli headline Genshin Impact’s Version 6.1 Phase II banners—here’s what veteran players need to know about top picks, meta shifts, F
Lumine Lee Genshin Impact’s 6.1 Phase II Banners: Why This Rotation Matters for Veterans and Newcomers Alike
Genshin Impact’s second half of Version 6.1 launches November 11, 2025 (starts 00:00 UTC+8), marking a pivotal moment for banners and team-building. For the first time since Fontaine’s early expansions, we see a polearm-dominated banner featuring two high-priority 5-stars—Arlecchino and Zhongli—flanked by a versatile supporting trio: Lan Yan, Rosaria, and Yun Jin. For both meta-chasers and lore enthusiasts, there’s a lot to unpack as the patch hits a lull in Primogem income and sets up long-term plans around the upcoming debuts of Durin and Columbina.
At a Glance: Key Dates and Highlights
- Banner Phase: Version 6.1, Phase II (Event Banners)
- Duration: 2025-11-11 to 2025-12-03 (00:00 UTC+8; verify per server rollout)
- 5-Star Rate-Ups: Arlecchino (Pyro, Polearm), Zhongli (Geo, Polearm)
- 4-Star Rate-Ups: Lan Yan (Anemo, Catalyst), Rosaria (Cryo, Polearm), Yun Jin (Geo, Polearm)
- Limited-time Opportunities: No new map expansion (Nod-Krai region) in 6.1/6.2, meaning minimal bonus Primogems outside events.
- Notable Competition: Durin (rumored 6.2), Columbina (confirmed 6.3 debut)
Banner Table: Schedule and Rate-Up Units (Phase II)
| Phase | Start Date | End Date | 5-Stars | 4-Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1-II | 2025-11-11 | 2025-12-03 | Arlecchino, Zhongli | Lan Yan, Rosaria, Yun Jin |
All times UTC+8 unless officially noted. Banners run alongside Weapon Banners (not detailed in official materials).
Veteran's Take: Why This Banner Lineup is More Than a Rerun
This is not just another cycle for either Arlecchino or Zhongli. Arlecchino remains one of the most polarizing Pyro carries—her kit favoring high-sustain DPS with strong polearm scaling and a high skill ceiling thanks to her risk-reward mechanics. Despite Mavuika edging out in the raw DPS meta (see earlier.gg’s best Pyro characters guide), Arlecchino still offers unparalleled versatility in slotting into both F2P and whale compositions, especially given the stagnation of map content and artifact grind.
For Zhongli, this rerun cements his status as the community’s comfort pick and a staple across almost every content tier—from casual exploration to Spiral Abyss. Veteran players know: his ability to trivialize high-damage content and create stable team rotations has yet to be meaningfully power-crept, despite newer shielder or buffer designs.
Among 4-stars, Lan Yan stands out for those looking to shore up support options. At C2, her shield tech can even surpass early-con Zongli in specific scenarios—though full reliability still leans towards the Archon. Rosaria and Yun Jin are both niche, but their synergy in Arlecchino hyper-carry teams or Quick-Swap comps should not be overlooked.
Historical Context: More Than a Banner Cycle
Compare this to patch 3.0 (Sumeru debut) and patch 4.0 (Fontaine launch), when meta-defining characters like Nahida or Furina dropped alongside upgrades to the Traveler kit and new domains. Here, the absence of a map expansion in Nod-Krai (6.1/6.2) forces resourceful players to think more carefully about wish allocation. With event Primogems at a premium, banner choices have an outsized impact on future team-building—particularly as the power curve inches upward for Spiral Abyss Floor 13 performance.
Pull data from early 6.1 shows Nefer (another recent debut) outpacing Furina in wish volume—partially reflecting the increased demand for male characters, a trend confirmed by recent global fan polls. Arlecchino and Zhongli are positioned to appeal to this demand, with their established lore roles and proven meta value.
Should You Pull? Resource Planning for F2P, Low-Spend, and Meta
- F2P/Low-Spend: If you do not have either Arlecchino or Zhongli, both offer robust long-term value. Prioritize if you need a hard shielder, a stable mono team core, or a reliable Pyro main. Think ahead: with no new map in 6.1/6.2, Primos are limited outside recurring events.
- Pity Notes: Standard pity rates apply (90 hard, 50/50; soft pity at 75+), so plan around known stash + Battle Pass/Welkin income.
- Competing Banners: If you expect to chase Durin or Columbina, weigh your interest; both are forecast to fill entirely new support/off-field roles (Durin is unconfirmed but rumored for 6.2, Columbina officially arriving 6.3).
- Meta/Min-Maxers: Arlecchino’s ceiling benefits from high-investment artifact sets and team tuning—optimizing ICD, snapshotting, and off-field buffs. Zhongli continues to anchor shield-dependent teams (e.g., Hu Tao, Xiao, or any team lacking interrupt resistance).
Teams & Synergies: Who Fits Where
- Arlecchino: Thrives in mono-Pyro comps but can flex into Overload, Sunfire, and national variants (especially with Bennett and Shangling). Her kit rewards quick-swap rotations and teams that can set up Pyro resonance. Pairings with Rosaria can provide crit synergy and energy fix if tuned correctly.
- Zhongli: Slot as main shielder in any team lacking interruption resistance or in hypercarries wanting to minimize dodge time. Superb alongside glass cannon carries but provides diminishing returns if shield coverage overlaps (e.g., C2 Lan Yan).
- Lan Yan: Target C2 for shield uptime; offers a viable budget alternative to Zhongli in F2P teams.
- Rosaria/Yun Jin: Niche picks for quickswap or normal attack teams; worth pulling if you need constellation upgrades for specific comps or are prepping for future meta shifts (e.g., rumored Columbina synergy—unconfirmed).
Materials & Preparation Checklist
For Arlecchino:
– Ascension: Pyro gemstones, new boss drops (no new boss this patch—check material rotations), character specialties
– Talent: Enemy drop mats through weekly domain (verify boss schedule by server/timezone)
For Zhongli:
– Geo gemstones, Core Lotus, Basalt Pillars (from Geo Hypostasis)
– Regular talent mats (Diligence books, Childe weekly boss drops)
For Lan Yan:
– Verify Anemo ascension mats; check event-limited obtainables if required
Community Chatter: What Veteran Players Are Saying
Subreddit, NGA, and major Discords have echoed a few themes:
– Ongoing debate about Arlecchino’s power ceiling versus other Pyro units—some see her as the most flexible, others say she’s still one buff away from solidifying her top spot.
– Prominent theorycrafters (see major spreadsheet updates) note that Zhongli’s shield remains unchallenged outside hyperinvestment in C2 Lan Yan—a dynamic unlikely to change unless Durin introduces a new form of off-field defensive utility.
– Many players are holding Primogems for the next power spike (Durin, Columbina), citing the lack of new exploration content and artifact burn-out as a reason to be conservative with wishes.
Hidden Details: Subtle Signals in the Banner Design
Savvy players have noticed subtle clues in banner art and official posts: updated models for Rosaria and Yun Jin, as well as color palette shifts that match earlier leaks for the Nod-Krai region (potential setup for 6.3’s content expansion). Attention to the lack of new 4-star debuts (Lan Yan is technically a repeat within the meta context) suggests HoYoverse is intentionally spacing out impactful addition dates to slow banner fatigue and extend the version’s tail.
Final Thoughts: What Comes Next?
The Version 6.1 Phase II banners truly mark a crossroads for player progression and meta strategy. Without a major Primogem influx, each wish spent carries greater opportunity cost—and with two of the game’s cornerstone 5-stars on offer, your pulls here will echo into future patches. Watch early.gg for comprehensive build and team guides as Durin and Columbina’s kits move from speculation to concrete leaks and official reveals.
Note: Weapon banners and any additional event reruns or limited content unlocks for 6.1 Phase II had not been detailed in available official materials as of publication. Always double-check in-game notices for the latest details.
Image suggestions:
– Headline Visual: Both Arlecchino and Zhongli posed against their respective elemental motifs (Pyro/Geo), with descriptive alt text: "Arlecchino and Zhongli featured in Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Phase II artwork, emphasizing their polearm weapons and thematic color palettes."
– Synergy Table: Compact infographic showing optimal team compositions for each 5-star; alt text: "Recommended Genshin Impact team compositions for Arlecchino and Zhongli, highlighting meta synergies for Spiral Abyss."