Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Banners Unveiled, Featuring New Dendro DPS and High-Value Reruns

HoYoverse has officially unveiled the highly anticipated character Event Wishes for Genshin Impact’s upcoming Version 6.1, also known as the “Luna II” update. Slated for release on October 22, 2025, the new patch delivers one new 5-star character and a triple threat of powerful reruns, creating what is being lauded by the community as one of the most stack-heavy banners in the game’s history. This strategic lineup demonstrates a clear focus on the new “Lunar-Bloom” reaction from the Nod-Krai region and is set to significantly influence the meta-game and player spending on Primogems and Wishes, the primary source of game revenue.

Phase 1: A New Dendro Catalyst and the Hydro Archon

The first half of Version 6.1 will run from October 22, 2025, until November 11, 2025, and features a duo that promises exceptional synergy for the new Dendro-based team compositions in the current free-to-play model:

• Nefer (5-Star, New Character): Debuting on her “Temptation of the Crimson Sands” Banner, Nefer is a new Dendro Catalyst wielder and an on-field Main DPS. Her kit is intricately tied to the new “Lunar-Bloom” reaction, a variation of the standard Bloom reaction. Leaks suggest she consumes Verdant Dew and Shadow Dance stacks—obtained through triggering the new elemental reaction—to unleash devastating Enhanced Charged Attacks. Her design and role as a high-damage hypercarry for the new region’s mechanics position her as a must-have for whales and F2P players looking to invest strategically.
• Furina (5-Star, Rerun): The Hydro Archon returns on her “Chanson of Many Waters” Banner. Furina’s utility as a supreme buffer, off-field Hydro applicator, and Sub-DPS makes her an almost universal support character. The coupling of Nefer and Furina is a strategic marketing move by HoYoverse, as Furina’s consistent Hydro application is essential to enable Nefer’s Lunar-Bloom focused gameplay loop. Her return is a major opportunity for players who missed out on arguably the best support unit in the gacha RPG.

Phase 1 Weapon Banner: Strategic Investment for High Damage Output

The accompanying Phase 1 “Epitome Invocation” Weapon Banner is equally compelling, featuring the signature weapons of the two featured characters:

• Reliquary of Truth (5-Star Catalyst): Nefer’s signature weapon, offering substantial CRIT DMG as a sub-stat, alongside Elemental Mastery and a CRIT Rate increase. Its passive further boosts the new Lunar-Bloom DMG, cementing Nefer’s role as a top-tier DPS.
• Splendor of Tranquil Waters (5-Star Sword): Furina’s signature weapon, a powerful support DPS tool, increasing the value of pulling for both the Archon and her optimal gear for the maximum return on investment of in-game currency.

Phase 2: Archon and Harbinger Return for Maximum Character Value

The second half of Version 6.1, beginning on November 11, 2025, and concluding on December 2, 2025, maintains the high-value trend by bringing back two of the most popular and meta-defining characters in the action RPG:

• Arlecchino (5-Star, Rerun): “The Hearth’s Ashen Shadow” Banner will feature the return of the formidable Pyro Polearm Main DPS. Arlecchino’s unique and aggressive playstyle, which revolves around the “Bond of Life” mechanic to amplify her Pyro DMG and Normal Attack scaling, makes her a powerhouse in the current Spiral Abyss.
• Zhongli (5-Star, Rerun): The Geo Archon and shield-supremo makes his highly anticipated comeback on his “Gentry of Hermitage” Banner. Zhongli is renowned for his near-indestructible shields, providing unmatched sustainability and resistance shred—a crucial defensive layer. He offers excellent defensive utility for fragile main DPS characters like Arlecchino and is a consistently strong pull for any player seeking maximum combat versatility. The presence of two Archons (Furina and Zhongli) in a single patch is an unprecedented event, underscoring the high commercial value HoYoverse has packed into this update.

Phase 2 Weapon Banner Highlights

The Phase 2 Weapon Banner is equally noteworthy, though it presents a minor dilemma for whale and low-spender players:

• Crimson Moon’s Semblance (5-Star Polearm): Arlecchino’s signature weapon, an essential piece of gear for maximizing her DPS potential.
• Vortex Vanquisher (5-Star Polearm): Zhongli’s signature weapon. While aesthetically pleasing, it is often considered less of a power-creep weapon compared to his other polearm options, potentially creating a player spending gamble for those only targeting Arlecchino’s weapon.

The Meta Shift: Emphasis on Lunar-Bloom and Longevity

The entire Version 6.1 lineup is a calculated move to push the new “Lunar-Bloom” game mechanics introduced in the new region. By pairing the new DPS (Nefer) with the optimal Hydro support (Furina) in Phase 1, HoYoverse ensures the immediate adoption and testing of the new system. Following this with the return of two established and high-CPC characters—a premier Pyro DPS and the best shielder—in Phase 2 guarantees sustained player engagement and monetization throughout the six-week patch cycle.

Furthermore, Version 6.1 will also introduce “Miliastra Wonderland,” a highly anticipated user-generated content (UGC) and sandbox mode, indicating a broadening of Genshin Impact’s value proposition beyond just combat review and story content. This focus on long-term player retention through new features and a strategically alluring banner schedule confirms the company’s commitment to maintaining its position as a global digital entertainment leader.