HoYoverse has officially pulled back the curtain on the highly anticipated event banners for Genshin Impact Version 6.2, sending waves of excitement through the community as players prepare their Primogems for what promises to be one of the most substantial updates of the year. The upcoming patch, codenamed “Luna III,” introduces not one but two new playable characters while bringing back some fan-favorite faces that have been absent from the banner rotation for far too long. As the Genshin Impact universe continues to expand with the Nod-Krai storyline, Version 6.2’s banner lineup represents both a celebration of the game’s rich history and an exciting step forward into new gameplay mechanics.
The Banner Breakdown: Phase 1 and Phase 2 Revealed
Genshin Impact Version 6.2 follows the now-familiar two-phase banner structure that has become standard for the game’s major updates. Each phase runs for approximately three weeks, giving players multiple opportunities to summon for their desired characters while managing their precious Primogem resources. The official confirmation from HoYoverse during the Version 6.2 special program livestream has put to rest months of speculation and leaks, though many of the rumored characters did indeed make the final cut.
Phase 1: Durin’s Debut and Venti’s Triumphant Return
The first phase of Version 6.2, launching on December 3, 2025, features an exciting combination of new and familiar faces. Headlining this phase is none other than Durin, the long-teased dragon reborn in human form, making his debut as a 5-star Pyro sword user. Alongside him, players will have the opportunity to pull for Venti, the Anemo Archon whose return has been eagerly anticipated by fans who missed his previous banners or want to strengthen their Constellation count.
Rounding out Phase 1 is Jahoda, a 4-star Anemo bow user who also makes her gameplay debut in this update. This marks the first time in Genshin Impact’s history that two new characters have been introduced in the same banner phase, giving players plenty of reasons to invest their wishes in the first half of the update.
Phase 2: Varesa and Xilonen Join Forces
Starting December 17, 2025, the second phase of Version 6.2 banners shifts focus to two powerful rerun characters that have become staples in many players’ lineups. Varesa, the 5-star Electro catalyst user known for her unique plunging attack playstyle, returns to the banner after her initial introduction in Version 5.5. Notably, this marks Varesa’s first rerun, making it a crucial opportunity for players who missed her debut or want to unlock her full potential with additional Constellations.
Joining Varesa in Phase 2 is Xilonen, the 5-star Geo sword user whose versatility and damage output have made her a favorite among players who appreciate Geo’s unique defensive and offensive capabilities. The combination of Varesa and Xilonen offers interesting team-building possibilities, particularly for players who enjoy experimenting with elemental reactions and synergistic character combinations.
Meet the New Characters: Durin and Jahoda
The introduction of Durin and Jahoda represents more than just new additions to the playable roster—it’s a significant expansion of Genshin Impact’s lore and gameplay mechanics. Both characters bring unique abilities that promise to shake up the current meta and offer fresh approaches to combat and team composition.
Durin: The Dragon Reborn as Pyro Powerhouse
Durin stands as one of the most anticipated character additions in Genshin Impact’s history, with hints about his eventual playable appearance dating back to the game’s early days. As a 5-star Pyro sword user, Durin fills the role of an off-field sub-DPS with the potential to function as a team buffer under certain conditions. His gameplay kit revolves around a fascinating dual-form mechanic that allows players to adapt his abilities based on combat needs.
At the core of Durin’s kit is the “Essential Transmutation” effect, which activates after casting his Elemental Skill. This effect presents players with two distinct states:
- Confirmation of Purity: Activated by pressing his Skill again, this state summons the “Dragon of White Flame” that follows the active character and deals periodic AoE Pyro DMG. When nearby party members trigger Burning, Overloaded, Pyro Swirl, or Pyro Crystallize reactions, affected enemies suffer decreased Pyro RES and corresponding elemental RES.
- Denial of Darkness: Triggered by using Normal Attacks, this state summons the “Dragon of Dark Decay” that focuses on single-target Pyro DMG. In this state, Durin receives significant buffs to his Vaporize and Melt DMG, increasing both by 40%.
What makes Durin particularly interesting is his connection to the new Hexerei system (also known as Magic: Secret Rite), which buffs older Mondstadt characters and creates new team-building possibilities. As a Hexerei character himself, Durin synergizes exceptionally well with buffed versions of Venti, Mona, Klee, Albedo, Razor, Sucrose, and Fischl, potentially creating powerful new team compositions that breathe new life into these legacy characters.
Jahoda: Anemo Support with Elemental Flexibility
While Durin may be the headliner of Version 6.2, Jahoda brings her own unique value as a 4-star Anemo bow user with a focus on healing and elemental application. Hailing from Nod-Krai, Jahoda represents the first 4-star character from this region and introduces mechanics that complement the new Lunar reaction system, even if she doesn’t introduce a new reaction herself.
Jahoda’s primary role is that of an off-field healer and elemental applicator, making her particularly valuable for teams that require sustained healing and consistent elemental application. Her Elemental Burst summons two “Purr-sonal Household Helper Coordinators” that provide continuous healing to teammates. What makes this ability particularly interesting is its secondary effect: when healed characters’ HP exceeds 70%, they receive a bonus of 100 Elemental Mastery for 6 seconds, creating a meaningful incentive for keeping team health high.
Jahoda’s Elemental Skill involves a dashing and running animation during which she gradually stores elements from nearby enemies affected by Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo. Once her flask is full and she has access to “Ascendant Gleam,” she can fire attacks of the infused element every 2 seconds for 20 seconds, providing consistent elemental application and periodic energy regeneration. This mechanic makes Jahoda particularly valuable for teams that rely on specific elemental reactions or need additional energy generation.
The Hexerei Revolution: Buffing Mondstadt’s Finest
Perhaps the most significant system introduction in Version 6.2 is the Hexerei feature (referred to in some sources as Magic: Secret Rite), which represents HoYoverse’s latest attempt to revitalize older characters and integrate them into the current meta. This system specifically targets Mondstadt characters, many of whom have struggled to remain relevant as newer, more powerful characters have been introduced to the game.
The Hexerei system identifies seven legacy Mondstadt characters—Venti, Mona, Klee, Albedo, Razor, Sucrose, and Fischl—and provides them with substantial buffs that enhance their viability in modern content. These buffs come in two forms: independent enhancements that strengthen individual characters and synergistic bonuses that activate when two Hexerei characters are present in the same team.
Individual Character Buffs
Each Hexerei character receives tailored improvements to their kit:
- Venti: Receives significant buffs to his offensive capabilities, including a new signature weapon that transforms him from a pure support into a viable hypercarry option. His new 5-star bow, “The Daybreak Chronicles,” replaces “Elegy for the End” and focuses on amplifying his damage output rather than his support capabilities.
- Mona: Gains enhancements to her Hydro application and damage output, making her more competitive in reaction-based teams.
- Klee: Receives buffs to her Pyro DMG and explosion mechanics, addressing some of the issues that have made her less viable in high-level content.
- Albedo: Benefits from improved Geo construct synergy and better scaling for his Elemental Skill.
- Razor, Sucrose, and Fischl: Each receives targeted improvements that enhance their elemental mastery, energy generation, or damage output depending on their primary role.
Synergistic Team Bonuses
The true power of the Hexerei system emerges when players build teams around multiple Hexerei characters. When two Hexerei characters are present in the same team, additional bonuses activate that can dramatically improve team performance. These synergistic effects include:
- Enhanced elemental reaction damage
- Improved energy regeneration
- Additional resistance shredding
- Cooldown reduction for certain abilities
This system encourages players to experiment with Mondstadt-focused team compositions and provides a meaningful reason to pull for and invest in these legacy characters. The fact that Durin himself counts as a Hexerei character further integrates him into this system, making him an ideal centerpiece for Mondstadt revival teams.
Weapon Banner Highlights and New Additions
Version 6.2 doesn’t just bring new characters—it also introduces exciting changes to the weapon banner that give players additional considerations when planning their wish strategy. The most significant change is the introduction of Venti’s new signature weapon, which represents a dramatic shift in how players can build and utilize the Anemo Archon.
The Daybreak Chronicles: Venti’s New Signature
In a surprising move, HoYoverse has replaced Venti’s traditional signature weapon, “Elegy for the End,” with “The Daybreak Chronicles” on the Version 6.2 weapon banner. This change reflects the broader effort to reposition Venti as a hypercarry rather than a pure support character, aligning with the buffs he receives through the Hexerei system.
The Daybreak Chronicles is designed to maximize Venti’s damage output, focusing on stats like CRIT Rate and ATK% rather than the Energy Recharge and Elemental Mastery that defined Elegy for the End. This weapon allows players to build Venti in an entirely new way, potentially opening up team compositions that were previously not viable with the Anemo Archon.
Athame Artis: Durin’s Signature Sword
As a new 5-star character, Durin naturally comes with his own signature weapon: the Athame Artis. This 5-star sword is specifically designed to complement Durin’s dual-form mechanic, offering substantial CRIT Rate as its secondary stat and weapon effects that enhance both of his transformation states.
The Athame Artis features a base ATK of 608 and provides a +33.1% CRIT Rate bonus, making it an excellent choice not just for Durin but potentially for other sword users who benefit from high crit rates. Its weapon effect synergizes particularly well with Durin’s ability to switch between his two forms, providing additional bonuses based on which state is active.
Strategic Considerations for Version 6.2 Banners
With so many exciting options available, players will need to carefully consider their wish strategy for Version 6.2. The combination of new characters, powerful reruns, and system changes creates a complex decision matrix that will vary based on each player’s roster, goals, and resource availability.
For New and Returning Players
Players who are relatively new to Genshin Impact or returning after a long absence should prioritize characters that offer the most versatility and long-term value. In this context:
- Venti remains an excellent investment due to his unparalleled crowd control abilities and the new buffs that make him more viable as a damage dealer.
- Xilonen provides strong Geo damage and defensive capabilities that can shore up many team compositions.
- Jahoda offers accessible healing and elemental application as a 4-star character, making her easier to obtain and build.
For Veteran Players with Established Rosters
Veteran players will want to focus on filling gaps in their Constellation collection and acquiring characters that enable new team compositions:
- Durin represents a significant power spike for players who enjoy Pyro teams or want to experiment with Hexerei synergies.
- Varesa is crucial for players who missed her initial release, as her unique plunging attack playstyle offers options that few other characters can match.
- Additional Constellations for any of these characters can dramatically improve their performance, particularly for players who regularly tackle Spiral Abyss content.
Resource Management Tips
Given the wealth of options in Version 6.2, smart resource management becomes essential:
- Plan for both phases: Consider saving some Primogems for Phase 2 if you’re interested in both Varesa and Xilonen, rather than going all-in on Phase 1.
- Take advantage of pity mechanics: If you’re close to guaranteed 5-star status on either banner, it may be worth pulling even if the character isn’t your top priority.
- Consider weapon banners: The new signature weapons for Venti and Durin could be worth pulling for if you plan to heavily invest in these characters.
- Don’t neglect 4-star characters: Jahoda and any other 4-star rate-up characters can provide significant value, especially for players who enjoy building diverse team compositions.
The Broader Impact on Genshin Impact’s Meta
The introduction of Version 6.2’s banners and associated systems represents more than just new content—it’s a deliberate effort by HoYoverse to reshape the game’s meta and address long-standing balance issues. The Hexerei system, in particular, demonstrates the developer’s commitment to ensuring that older characters remain relevant even as the game continues to expand with new regions and mechanics.
Revitalizing Mondstadt
By focusing buffs on Mondstadt characters and introducing Durin as a Hexerei character, HoYoverse is effectively revitalizing the game’s first major region. This approach acknowledges the nostalgia many players feel for Mondstadt while providing practical reasons to invest in these characters beyond sentimental value.
The potential for new Mondstadt-focused team compositions could significantly impact Spiral Abyss strategies and general gameplay, potentially ending the dominance of newer region teams that have characterized recent metas.
Addressing Power Creep
The careful balancing of new character power levels with substantial buffs to older characters shows a mature approach to game design. Rather than simply power creeping with each new release, HoYoverse is creating a more balanced ecosystem where both new and old characters have roles to play.
This approach is particularly evident with Durin, who, despite being a new 5-star character, is designed to synergize with and enhance older characters rather than simply replacing them.
Looking Ahead: What Version 6.2 Means for Genshin’s Future
As Genshin Impact approaches its sixth year of content updates, Version 6.2 represents a pivotal moment in the game’s evolution. The combination of new characters, system changes, and lore progression through the Nod-Krai storyline suggests that HoYoverse is laying groundwork for the game’s future direction.
The Nod-Krai Connection
The introduction of characters from Nod-Krai, including Jahoda, continues the expansion of Genshin Impact’s world beyond the initial seven regions. This suggests that the game’s narrative is entering a new phase, potentially setting up future conflicts and storylines that will unfold over the coming years.
System Evolution
The Hexerei system may represent a new approach to character balancing and meta management that could be expanded to other regions in future updates. If successful, we might see similar systems introduced for Liyue, Inazuma, and other regions, ensuring that the game’s extensive character roster remains relevant as new content is added.
Conclusion: A Monumental Update for Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact Version 6.2 stands as one of the most significant updates in the game’s history, not just for the new characters and reruns it introduces, but for the fundamental changes it brings to the game’s meta and character balance. The reveal of these event banners has generated tremendous excitement in the community, and for good reason—this update has something for everyone, whether you’re a veteran player looking to optimize your Spiral Abyss teams or a newcomer excited to pull for your first 5-star character.
The introduction of Durin and Jahoda, combined with the return of Venti, Varesa, and Xilonen, creates a banner lineup that caters to diverse playstyles and team preferences. More importantly, the Hexerei system demonstrates HoYoverse’s commitment to maintaining balance and relevance across the game’s extensive character roster, ensuring that even the oldest characters can find new life in modern team compositions.
As players prepare their Primogems and plan their wish strategies for Version 6.2, one thing is clear: this update represents not just new content, but a new chapter in Genshin Impact’s evolution. The careful balance of nostalgia and innovation, combined with meaningful system changes, suggests that the game’s best days may still be ahead. Whether you’re pulling for Durin’s transformative power, Venti’s revitalized kit, or any of the other fantastic characters available in this update, Genshin Impact Version 6.2 promises to deliver an experience that will shape the game’s meta for months to come.