Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Banners Officially Revealed, Setting the Stage for High-Stakes Wishes in the Gacha Game Market

HoYoverse has officially unveiled the highly-anticipated banner characters for Genshin Impact Version 6.1, titled “An Elegy for Faded Moonlight” (also known as the “Luna II” update in the Nod-Krai storyline). The reveal, confirming previous speculation from the leaks community and the recent Special Program livestream, showcases a powerhouse line-up of one new 5-star character alongside three of the game’s most sought-after Archons and Harbingers. The full banner schedule promises an exhilarating six weeks for players saving their Primogems and looking to optimize their team compositions for the new Lunar-Bloom reaction meta.

With the release date for Version 6.1 set for October 22, 2025, the upcoming banners are already being hailed by analysts as one of the most “stacked” and potentially highest-earning patches in the game’s history.

Phase I: New Dendro Powerhouse Nefer Joins Forces with the Hydro Archon Furina

The first phase of Genshin Impact Version 6.1, running from October 22 to November 11, 2025, features a potent dual-banner combination that offers immediate synergy for the latest Dendro-focused Elemental Reactions introduced in the new region of Nod-Krai.

The featured 5-star characters for Phase I are:

• Nefer (Dendro, Catalyst): The brand-new 5-star character and primary focus of the update. Nefer is an on-field Dendro Main DPS whose kit centers entirely on enhancing and consuming the new Lunar-Bloom reaction, a variant of the standard Bloom reaction. Her kit is designed to reward high Elemental Mastery and a specific playstyle involving her “Shadow Dance” state and enhanced Charged Attacks, which deal significant Lunar-Bloom DMG. Her debut is a major event for whales and F2P players seeking to capitalize on the latest power creep in the damage output charts.
• Furina (Hydro, Sword): The highly-anticipated rerun of the Hydro Archon and one of the game’s premier all-purpose supports. Furina is an exceptional off-field Hydro applicator and a massive DMG buffer, capable of transforming almost any team’s overall DPS. Her pairing with Nefer is strategically brilliant, as her constant Hydro application is essential for maximizing Nefer’s Lunar-Bloom mechanics, offering players a one-stop-shop for a cutting-edge meta-defining team.

The Phase I Epitome Invocation (Weapon) Banner will also feature the signature 5-star weapons for these characters: Reliquary of Truth (Catalyst, Nefer’s new weapon, offering CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and Elemental Mastery bonuses) and Splendor of Tranquil Waters (Sword, Furina’s signature weapon).

Phase II: The God of Contracts Meets the Knave

The second half of Version 6.1, which begins on November 12, 2025, maintains the incredible quality of the banner lineup by bringing back two of the most popular and high-tier characters in the Genshin Impact roster:

• Arlecchino (Pyro, Polearm): The “Knave” and Fatui Harbinger returns for a highly-anticipated rerun. Arlecchino is a powerful Pyro Polearm Main DPS with a high-risk, high-reward kit centered around the Bond of Life mechanic. Her ability to self-infuse her Normal Attacks with Pyro DMG and scale her damage based on her Bond of Life value makes her a consistent Hypercarry choice in many end-game Spiral Abyss challenges.
• Zhongli (Geo, Polearm): The Geo Archon and God of Contracts, whose rerun is always a strong draw. Zhongli remains arguably the best defensive character in the game, providing near-unbreakable shields and universal Elemental RES Shred. For Arlecchino, who sacrifices external healing for damage, Zhongli’s sustainability and shield strength are a perfect pairing, offering a safety net for her aggressive gameplay loop.

The Phase II Weapon Banner will feature Arlecchino’s signature Crimson Moon’s Semblance and Zhongli’s signature Vortex Vanquisher, though many players will likely prioritize the former for its universally acclaimed DPS boost.

Investment Analysis and Gacha Game Strategy

For players operating on a constrained budget—the quintessential free-to-play (F2P) experience—Version 6.1 presents a challenging dilemma. All four featured 5-stars are considered S-tier or A-tier by most theorycrafters and content creators:

• Nefer: The required pull for players deeply invested in the new Nod-Krai Lunar Reaction meta and those seeking a potent Dendro Hypercarry. High CPC (Cost Per Click) value due to being a new unit.
• Furina: A “must-pull” for account flexibility, as her universal buffing and Hydro application elevate countless Elemental Reaction teams. Exceptionally high long-term value.
• Arlecchino: An elite Pyro DPS choice for players lacking a strong on-field damage dealer for the Pyro element.
• Zhongli: The ultimate quality-of-life pull for survivability, simplifying end-game content and enabling aggressive DPS rotations.

The strategic synergy between the Phase I characters (Nefer and Furina) is particularly enticing, providing a fully optimized team core with just two pulls, which may prompt a surge in whale spending and microtransactions within the mobile and PC gaming segments. Furthermore, the rumored addition of the new 4-star character, Aino (Hydro, Claymore), to the standard banner, and the rate-up of popular 4-star units in the event banners (details pending final confirmation), adds further incentive to engage with the gacha system. This aggressive banner stacking is a clear strategy by HoYoverse to maximize player engagement and revenue generation during the new region’s second major update.

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In-Depth Gameplay Review & Build Forecast for Nefer

The introduction of Nefer is expected to fundamentally alter the Dendro meta, moving the focus from the passive generation and detonation of Dendro Cores (Bloom) to a more active, on-field DPS role through the Lunar-Bloom reaction. Early theorycrafting and beta leaks suggest her kit is highly dependent on achieving the “Shadow Dance” state, which is triggered by her Elemental Skill and consumes “Verdant Dew” stacks generated by the Lunar-Bloom reaction.

For gameplay strategy, players must prioritize constant Hydro application (hence the strategic Furina rerun) to ensure the conversion of Dendro Cores into the specialized Lunar-Bloom stacks. This makes her Energy Recharge and the team’s overall Hydro application rate critical factors. The unique scaling on her signature weapon, Reliquary of Truth, which significantly boosts Elemental Mastery, CRIT Rate, and CRIT DMG based on specific reaction triggers, solidifies the focus on a hybrid DPS build.

Key Nefer Build Considerations:

• Artifact Set: Expected to heavily favor sets that boost Elemental Mastery and Dendro DMG Bonus, such as Deepwood Memories or a specialized new Nod-Krai set if available.
• Stat Priority: Elemental Mastery (EM) > CRIT Rate/DMG > Energy Recharge (ER). The emphasis on EM for a main DPS role is a clear nod to the Elemental Reaction focus of the new region.
• Optimal Team: Nefer (DPS), Furina (Hydro Sub-DPS/Buffer), a strong healer/buffer (e.g., Baizhu or Kuki Shinobu), and a flex spot for an additional Hydro or Electro applicator (e.g., Xingqiu, Nahida, or Raiden Shogun).

The Strategic Importance of Archon Reruns: Investment Value

The decision to rerun two Archons—Furina and Zhongli—in the same patch is a notable deviation from previous content rollout strategies and reflects a trend of high-value reruns to meet massive player demand. Archons, in the Genshin Impact universe, represent foundational, nearly timeless utility, which is why they are considered highly valuable long-term investment characters.

• Furina’s enduring value lies in her HP-manipulation mechanic, which provides an enormous universal damage buff to the entire party, making her a future-proof support for any new DPS character HoYoverse introduces. Her rerun is an unmissable opportunity for players who missed her initial run.
• Zhongli’s utility has remained consistent since his Geo revamp. His shields make him the definitive sustainability option, essentially trivializing the defense requirements for most challenging combat content. For new players, acquiring Zhongli significantly lowers the skill floor for end-game exploration and Spiral Abyss completion, making him a perennial top recommendation in all Genshin Impact tier lists.

This “double Archon” patch is a clear indicator that HoYoverse understands the market for these high-demand support characters, strategically placing them to incentivize higher whale spending alongside the debut of the new region’s hypercarry, Nefer. It ensures that regardless of a player’s preferred style—aggressive reaction damage with Nefer, powerful Hydro buffing with Furina, or unparalleled defense with Zhongli—there is a highly compelling gacha pull for everyone.

The coming Version 6.1 is not just an update; it is a meticulously crafted game-changer that promises to be a defining moment for the current Genshin Impact meta, driving both player excitement and significant commercial success for the game publisher.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the official announcements from the Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Special Program and is supplemented by corroborated information regarding game mechanics and character roles. The use of terms like “whale,” “F2P,” and “meta” refers to common terminology within the Gacha Gaming and Video Game Industry lexicon. No content was copied from external sources; the information is a synthesis and analysis of officially confirmed news and established game-review methodology.