HoYoverse Confirms Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Banners—New Dendro DPS Nefer Arrives Alongside Massive Archon and Fatui Harbinger Reruns

Following the highly anticipated Version 6.1 Special Program, HoYoverse has officially unveiled the complete character banner schedule for the upcoming “Luna II” update, set to launch on October 22, 2025. This update, which marks the second major phase in the new Nod-Krai region, is being heralded by Genshin Impact players as one of the most stacked and strategically compelling patches in the game’s history, featuring a brand-new 5-Star character and reruns of three of the most sought-after meta-defining characters in the action RPG.

Phase 1: The Debut of Nefer and a Crucial Hydro Rerun

The first half of Version 6.1, which begins on October 22 and runs until November 11, 2025, will feature a double Event Wish banner that strategically pairs a powerful new unit with a crucial long-term investment character. This setup is designed to maximize Primogem and Genesis Crystal spending by offering synergistic pulls right out of the gate.

Phase 1 Banners:

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

Nefer: The Lunar-Bloom Catalyst

Nefer, the new 5-Star addition, is a Dendro Catalyst wielder and a dedicated on-field Main DPS whose kit revolves entirely around the new Lunar-Bloom reaction introduced in the Nod-Krai region. Her gameplay centers on generating “Shadow Dance” stacks by triggering the reaction, which are then consumed to unleash powerful Enhanced Charged Attacks. The mechanics suggest a high-risk, high-reward hypercarry playstyle that demands careful team composition.

Early beta testing and datamining reviews suggest that while Nefer has received some slight balancing adjustments, her damage ceiling remains incredibly high, placing her favorably among the game’s elite Dendro characters. Her need for consistent Hydro application to fuel her Elemental Reactions makes her banner pairing with Furina an extremely calculated move by HoYoverse, providing players with an immediate, best-in-slot teammate option.

Furina: The Hydro Archon Returns

The rerun of Furina, the Hydro Archon, is arguably the biggest news for new and veteran players alike. Known for her exceptional utility as a buffer, off-field Hydro Sub-DPS, and versatile healer, she remains one of the most used and highest-valued characters in high-difficulty content like the Spiral Abyss. Her ability to both deal considerable off-field damage and provide a massive damage buff to the entire party cements her position as a crucial component in many meta team compositions.

For players aiming for Nefer, pulling for a Constellation or two on Furina would be a highly efficient use of their gacha budget, providing both a synergistic Hydro enabler and a powerful character for future team building. This rerun makes the Phase 1 banners a high-stakes, high return on investment opportunity for serious players.

Featured 4-Star Characters (Phase 1): Official sources have confirmed that the boosted 4-Star characters for the Phase 1 banners will include Collei (Dendro Bow), Xingqiu (Hydro Sword), and Yaoyao (Dendro Polearm). This is a phenomenal lineup for new players, as both Xingqiu and Yaoyao are top-tier support and healing units, while Collei provides essential Dendro application for reactions, further enhancing the overall value of the banner.

Phase 2: Archon and Harbinger: The Ultimate Reruns

The second phase of Version 6.1, scheduled from November 12 to December 2, 2025, is equally formidable, featuring the simultaneous rerun of two globally popular, long-anticipated 5-Star characters. This dual-rerun strategy ensures that players who chose to skip the first half still have powerful options for their pull strategy.

Phase 2 Banners:

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

Arlecchino: The Pyro Enforcer

Arlecchino, the Fatui Harbinger and formidable Pyro Main DPS, returns after her successful debut. Her unique Bond of Life mechanic, which enhances her normal attacks with an unhealable HP drain for massive Pyro Damage, is a distinct and aggressive gameplay loop. She is a top-tier damage dealer who offers a fresh challenge to the current DPS meta. Players who failed to obtain her signature Crimson Moon’s Semblance weapon in her initial run will have another opportunity to maximize her potential during this phase.

Zhongli: The Unbreakable Defense

Completing the unparalleled character lineup is the rerun of Zhongli, the Geo Archon. Recognized universally as the premier shielder in the game, his unparalleled ability to provide a near-indestructible shield and interrupt resistance is an invaluable asset for every player, particularly for unforgiving endgame content. His return is a crucial opportunity for players seeking to enhance the survivability of their more fragile DPS units, such as Arlecchino, or simply add one of the most comfortable and reliable supports to their roster.

The pairing of Arlecchino and Zhongli is synergistic, as the latter’s ultimate shield eliminates the single greatest threat to Arlecchino’s risky, health-draining gameplay—sudden death—allowing her to focus purely on maximizing her damage output.

Weapon Banner: High-Value Investments

The corresponding Epitome Invocation (Weapon) Banners also reflect this “stacked” philosophy. The Phase 1 weapon banner will feature Nefer’s signature weapon, Reliquary of Truth (Catalyst), alongside Furina’s signature sword, Splendor of Tranquil Waters. Both weapons are considered top-tier for their respective characters and boast incredibly high CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG stats, making this a high-value weapon banner for players looking for massive power boosts.

The Phase 2 weapon banner will similarly feature Arlecchino’s signature Polearm, Crimson Moon’s Semblance, alongside Zhongli’s signature Polearm, Vortex Vanquisher. This ensures that the entire patch presents compelling gacha choices for both F2P (Free-to-Play) and Whale players alike.

Conclusion: Version 6.1 of Genshin Impact is not just an incremental update; it is a meticulously planned revenue-driving and community-engaging patch. By simultaneously offering a powerful new DPS character and rerunning three of the most powerful and desirable characters—two Archons and a Fatui Harbinger—HoYoverse has created a powerful call to action for the gacha player base. Travelers are strongly advised to plan their pull strategy carefully to maximize the incredible Primogem investment opportunities presented by this landmark patch.