HoYoverse Unveils Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Banner Lineup, Featuring New 5-Star Nefer and Dual Archon Reruns

HoYoverse has officially unveiled the highly-anticipated character banner schedule for Genshin Impact Version 6.1 (also referred to as Luna II), confirming what is arguably one of the most powerful and strategic banner lineups in the game’s history. Set for release on October 22, 2025, the update introduces the new 5-star Dendro Main DPS, Nefer, alongside the simultaneous rerun of three of Teyvat’s most in-demand premium characters: Furina, Arlecchino, and Zhongli. This convergence of high-value units is poised to create a massive surge in player engagement and revenue generation, cementing HoYoverse’s dominance in the gacha game market.

Phase I: The Lunar-Bloom Catalyst and the Hydro Archon

The first half of Version 6.1 is set to begin immediately upon the patch’s launch and will feature a dual Event Wish banner that strategically pairs the new Dendro unit with a crucial Archon support. This marketing strategy ensures both high appeal to veteran players and immediate viability for the new 5-star character:

• “Temptation of the Crimson Sands” (New Character): Nefer (5-Star, Dendro/Catalyst)
• “Chanson of Many Waters” (Rerun Character): Furina (5-Star, Hydro/Sword)

Nefer is confirmed to be a formidable on-field Dendro Main DPS whose kit is deeply entwined with the new “Lunar-Bloom” reaction introduced in the Nod-Krai region. Her mechanics involve generating special stacks—a fascinating new layer to the Elemental Reaction system—which enhance her Charged Attacks into powerful “Phantasm Performance” strikes that count as Lunar-Bloom DMG. This specialized damage dealer requires consistent Hydro application to maximize her potential, a requirement seamlessly met by the co-featured Furina.

Furina, the Hydro Archon, remains one of the best characters in Genshin Impact due to her unparalleled ability to provide both potent off-field Hydro application and a massive, universal DMG buff for the entire party. Her inclusion in Phase I is a deliberate and smart design choice, making the Nefer banner incredibly tempting for players looking to build a top-tier team right away. This pairing is a masterclass in incentivizing whale spending and optimizing Primogem investment for the best return on investment in a gacha economy.

Phase II: The Fatui Harbinger and the Geo Archon Rerun

The second phase continues the high-stakes offering, featuring two of the most sought-after rerun characters, guaranteeing strong interest across the player base:

• “The Hearth’s Ashen Shadow” (Rerun Character): Arlecchino (5-Star, Pyro/Polearm)
• “Gentry of Hermitage” (Rerun Character): Zhongli (5-Star, Geo/Polearm)

Arlecchino, a powerful Pyro Polearm Main DPS and one of the enigmatic Fatui Harbingers, makes her return. Her unique “Bond of Life” mechanic, which trades external healing for massive Pyro damage buffs, offers a high-risk, high-reward gameplay style. Players who missed her initial run will now have a second chance to acquire this exceptional damage output powerhouse.

Paired with her is Zhongli, the Geo Archon and an arguably essential utility support character. Zhongli’s virtually unbreakable shield provides universal resistance to interruption and a significant 20% Resistance Shred to all enemy elements. For Arlecchino players, Zhongli is the perfect safety net, providing the sustainability needed for her aggressive, self-damaging playstyle. The pairing of a high-ceiling DPS with a universal, defensive Archon is another calculated move by HoYoverse to maximize pulls from different segments of the gamer population.

The Epitome Invocation: A High-Value Weapon Banner

The accompanying Epitome Invocation (Weapon) Banners are equally stacked, mirroring the high-value nature of the character lineup. Phase I features the debut of Nefer’s signature weapon, Reliquary of Truth (Catalyst), alongside Furina’s signature Splendor of Tranquil Waters (Sword). Both are best-in-slot weapons that significantly boost the performance of their respective characters, appealing directly to whales and dedicated players looking for peak build optimization.

Phase II is expected to feature Arlecchino’s signature polearm, Crimson Moon’s Semblance, and Zhongli’s often-rerun Vortex Vanquisher (Polearm). While the Vortex Vanquisher is generally considered a niche weapon, the overwhelming appeal of the other three 5-star weapons ensures that the weapon banners themselves remain a major Primogem sink for the patch.

The Miliastra Wonderland: A New Dimension to Content

Beyond the banners, Version 6.1 introduces a major new feature: Miliastra Wonderland, an open-world sandbox mode that allows players to create and share custom content and characters (called Manekins). This new User-Generated Content (UGC) mode is a significant investment by HoYoverse, designed to boost long-term retention and provide fresh evergreen content that extends the life and appeal of the Action RPG beyond its main story updates. The combination of highly desirable gacha characters and a huge new gameplay mode is poised to make Version 6.1 a landmark update for the Global Gaming Market.

News Analysis: The strategic decision to pair the new, reaction-dependent 5-star Nefer with the best Hydro applicator, Furina, and then follow up with the essential Pyro DPS Arlecchino and the universal protector Zhongli, is a calculated move designed to maximize both immediate revenue and player satisfaction. Genshin Impact continues to demonstrate industry-leading prowess in content delivery and gacha monetization. The full details of the 4-star character lineups are expected to be fully confirmed closer to the patch launch.