Genshin Impact Banner Update: Current, Next, and Historical
Everything you need to know about Genshin Impact’s latest banners, upcoming character events, and a full history of reruns and debuts in 2025-2026.
Lumine Lee Veteran's Take: What Version 6.2's Banners Signal for Genshin's Future
The rollout of Version 6.2 (Luna III) in Genshin Impact marks one of the most intriguing meta moments since Sumeru's Dendro shift, both for character rosters and the broader endgame landscape. As fresh faces like Durin debut alongside high-value reruns such as Venti and Xilonen, veteran players should note more than just new wish lists—there are real shakeups for Abyss lineups, resource allocation plans, and limited Primogem stashes as 2025 closes.
HoYoverse’s approach this cycle is clear: pair high-impact, recent units with legendary reruns to tempt every playstyle. For collectors, meta chasers, and casual explorers, understanding what these banners mean in the context of Genshin's multi-year rerun cadence—and what’s coming in early 2026—is crucial for an optimal pull strategy.
At a Glance: Key Dates and Units (6.2 Luna III, December–January)
- Banner Period: 2025-12-23 to 2026-01-13 (server reset, UTC+8)
- Event Character Banners:
- Cornucopia of Contention (Varesa, first rerun)
- Forgefire's Blessing (Xilonen, second rerun)
- Weapon Banner: Venti's signature (see table below)
- Chronicled Wish: Not active this phase
Table: Banner Schedule (Ver. 6.2 Luna III)
| Phase | Start Date | End Date | 5★ Characters | 4★ Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luna III Phase 2 | 2025-12-23 | 2026-01-13 | Varesa, Xilonen | Iansan, Chevreuse, Gaming |
| Weapon Banner | 2025-12-23 | 2026-01-13 | Venti’s Weapon | Standard selection |
Visual enhancement suggestion: Side-by-side character splash arts of Varesa and Xilonen, with alt text: 'Official splash art for Genshin Impact 6.2 Phase 2 banners; left: Varesa (Anemo), right: Xilonen (Pyro). Useful for quick visual reference.'
Should You Pull? Banner Guidance for Every Player
F2P and Low-Spend:
– Both Varesa and Xilonen have strong historical value—Varesa especially if you missed her limited debut, thanks to unique buffs for mono-Anemo squads. Xilonen’s repeated reruns solidify her spot as a Pyro core for overworld and Abyss. That said, competition for Primogems will be brutal soon, with Columbina, Zibai, and Illuga (debuting for 6.3, 2026-01-13 onward) already confirmed.
– If your pity counter is close (e.g. ≥60), target banners with the most synergy for your box and known upcoming meta shifts—especially if you're light on flexible supports.
Min-Maxer’s Outlook:
– The currently featured 4-stars (Iansan, Chevreuse, Gaming) don't push the meta as much as recent banner batches, but they round out underused archetypes.
– No Chronicled Wish this phase means fewer rerun traps—safe for anyone who wants to focus on primary event banners.
Weapon Banner:
– Venti’s weapon is situational; most stack up Primogems for limited-character pulls instead, unless you’re fine-tuning a multi-Anemo team.
Teams & Synergies: What the Latest Banners Change
- Varesa: Reinforces Anemo's dominance in crowd control, but the best results are with double-Anemo or flexible 4-piece Viridescent Venerer comps.
- Xilonen: Favors sustained Pyro application; pairs well with supports like Bennett or newer Dendro units for Burgeon.
- The phase’s four-star options shine when supporting new team archetypes rather than headlining, but budget-conscious players can extract value, especially for EM-reliant squads.
Preparation Checklist—Daily/Weekly To-Do:
– Farm ascension materials for Varesa (daily drops from her respective region boss, available since 6.1).
– Stock Fragile Resin; cleared-out Ley Lines are essential for rapid leveling.
– If aiming for next patch debuts, focus commission achievements and event Primogem payouts—early leaks hint that Columbina and Zibai will demand rare overworld mats.
The Next Wave: Confirmed, Not Rumored
Coming with Patch 6.3 (2026-01-13, subject to official adjustment):
– Columbina (debut), Zibai (debut), Illuga (debut)—all officially teased in artwork and patch notes.
“Unconfirmed—subject to change” details or speculation are not referenced. Only content with official art/mentions is included.
Historical Context: How 6.2 Compares with Past Banners
Remember Version 2.x’s rerun drought? The current cycle’s dual reruns per phase, plus new five-stars nearly every other patch, have drastically improved overall roster diversity. Notably, Varesa’s rerun comes just one patch after her debut—unprecedented since Xiao’s back-to-back spotlight (Ver. 1.3, 2021). This could signal HoYoverse’s willingness to accelerate reruns when a character shifts the meta or emerges as a community favorite.
The Chronicled Wish’s spotty activation also continues a trend first seen in the 4.x era—these event reruns, currently dormant, may be Lucrative Again for weapon/character catch-up, but caution is warranted.
Community Chatter: Veteran Observations & Warnings
On Reddit and NGA, veteran discussion circles around three pain points:
1. Banner Overload: Compressed rerun cycles and near-monthly debuts force hard choices for F2P. Miss a banner, and HoYoverse signals it could only be 2–3 patches to the next shot—not power-creep, but FOMO-creep.
2. Pity Planning: The 50/50 and event pity systems remain unchanged; players planning for future limited units should maintain the Primogem discipline long practiced in the Fontaine and Sumeru cycles.
3. Meta Shifts: Analysis threads highlight that with units like Varesa and Xilonen, spiral Abyss usage rates spike immediately post-banner. However, past Abyss cycles show that reruns don’t guarantee increased future performance—cautious investing is wise.
Subtle Details: Banner Art, Voice Lines, and Teasers
Sharp-eyed fans noticed the latest Varesa promo art incorporates background elements from the upcoming region, hinting at greater narrative involvement. Likewise, the recent voice lines suggest future banners will connect to the evolving main story.
Visual suggestion: Alt text should read "Official teaser image for Columbina, Zibai, Illuga—confirmed banner debuts for Patch 6.3. Each is posed with signature weapon silhouettes, drawing speculation on their kit design."
Full Banner History: Context for Collectors
For those evaluating when favorite characters might rerun, EarlyGG’s full banner archive (see above) remains the definitive resource—outlining debut dates, rerun counts, and 4-star rotations. Two banners per patch remains the norm since Version 2.3 (late 2021), with exceptions only during regional milestone patches or story events.
Not stated in official materials: Next Chronicled Wish activation schedule; new Standard 5★ addition timing.
What to Watch Next
With Version 6.3 set to introduce major new five-stars—and given HoYoverse’s faster rerun tactics—players can expect even shorter gaps between debut and rerun windows. Budgeting wishes, planning team ascensions, and keeping up with meta tournament updates will continue to pay dividends.
Key takeaway: Prioritize must-have units for your team, anticipate that reruns no longer mean multi-year waits, and pace your pulls—especially with official teasers for high-tier units now arriving a full patch in advance.
For complete banner archives, ASCENSION/MATERIALS lists, or max-constellation strategy guides, refer to EarlyGG’s Genshin Impact guide hub.