Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Banner Leak: Characters & Strategies
Upcoming patch 6.1 introduces new 5-Star banners featuring Nefer, Furina, Arlecchino, and Zhongli. Expert insights on banners, teams, and event prep.
Tyler Smith Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Banner Leak: Characters & Strategies
Genshin Impact's latest datamining efforts unveil the featured banner characters for Version 6.1, set to launch on October 22, 2025 (server time). This update marks a pivotal moment, focusing primarily on the Sumeru region’s roster with four new five-star units and a suite of four-stars, shaping the meta for months to come.
Understanding the banner lineup and upcoming content is crucial for both F2P and low-spenders aiming to optimize their primogem investments—and to prepare in advance for the strategic team compositions that will dominate the new patch. As early as now, players should consider saving resources, especially with the promising features and reruns slated for this patch, including new weapons, artifacts, and special events.
At a Glance: What to Expect in Patch 6.1
- Launch Date: 2025-10-22 (server TZ)
- Main Banner Features: Nefer, Furina, Arlecchino, Zhongli
- Banner Duration: Approximately 6 weeks
- Featured Weapons and Artifacts: New Catalyst and Polearm options
- Major Events: Sumeru-themed activities, new mechanisms, and story quests
Banner Schedule & Rates for Version 6.1
| Phase | Start (UTC) | End (UTC) | Featured Units | Featured Weapons |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| Phase 1 | 2025-10-22 | 2025-11-05 | Nefer, Furina, Arlecchino, Zhongli | New 5-star Catalyst (Dendro), New 5-star Polearm (Geo) |
| Phase 2 | 2025-11-06 | 2025-11-19 | Re-runs & possibly Vahidi & others | Reruns of popular 5-star weapons |
Rates: Standard 0.6% for 5-star, with a whitelist pity mechanic (pity resets at 90 pulls). Focus on saving for guaranteed pulls during the banner’s second week.
Should You Pull in 6.1? Strategic Tips
For free-to-play players and low-spenders, Targetting banner units aligned with your teams is key. Nefer presents a compelling Dendro Catalyst option, especially paired with Lauma, for versatile Dendro reactions. Her core strength lies in stack-building via Bloom reactions, making her a flexible pick for many team comps.
Furina, as a 5-star Hydro Sword, offers excellent support versatility but may see competition from rerunning support characters. Arlecchino’s Pyro Polearm supports high-crit, aggressive playstyles, while Zhongli remains a stalwart for shield and resistance shred, crucial for boss and domain runs.
- Low Spend / F2P: Prioritize saving primogems for guaranteed banners or reruns.
- Investing Wisely: Focus on a few core units and weapon banners rather than spreading thin across multiple banners.
Notable Rerun Opportunities
While the banner features new units, expect reruns of recent popular units or weapons such as Nahida, Venti, and the Vortex Vanquisher—a staple for shields and Geo setups.
Core Teams & Synergies
Nefer + Lauma: The primary combo, utilizing Bloom to maximize damage output and trigger multiple reactions.
Zhongli + Arlecchino: For players seeking resilient shields mixed with high Pyro damage—ideal for both overworld and abyss runs.
Furina Support: Her ability to switch between support and DPS roles makes her adaptable across teams, especially in hyperbloom or dendro-focused setups.
Alternative Options & Cheap Picks
Suppose you're low on resources; rerunning Venti and Nahida banners ensures solid elemental support while conserving primogems for new releases. It’s also worthwhile to note that Lan Yan, a 4-Star Anemo Catalyst, could find niche uses in specific team compositions.
Events & Rewards to Anticipate
The patch will introduce a Sumeru-themed event, likely involving investigative tasks, collectible rewards, and artifact domains that support the new banner units. Rewards such as primogems, fates, and exclusive gear will be abundant, making it a prime time for F2P progress.
To prepare, players should focus on completing remaining quests and hoarding necessary materials—like enhancement ores and regalia—to maximize their gains during the event period.
Early Preparation Checklist:
- Save primogems and primogem-generating materials.
- Aim to complete daily commissions and reputation tasks.
- Stockpile ascension materials for 5-star characters.
- Be ready for new artifact domains and weekly boss rotations.
Subject to Change: Unconfirmed Rumors & Speculation
Some community insiders suggest the second banner phase may feature Vahidi, a yet-unconfirmed 5-star Electro character, or a rerun of highly-demanded units like Albedo. However, these remain unconfirmed — subject to change until official announcements are made.
Final Thoughts
Patch 6.1 promises to shake up Genshin Impact’s banner landscape, emphasizing new meta possibilities with the introduction of Nefer. Careful resource management and strategic team building will be key for maximizing this update’s potential.
Stay tuned for official patch notes and livestream details to confirm banner order and event specifics. EarlyGG will continue providing expert insights on how best to navigate the new content and optimize your pulls.
For detailed guides on banner reruns and optimal team compositions, visit our Genshin Impact Guides. Preparedness now will ensure you’re ready to seize the opportunities this patch presents.