Genshin Impact 6.1 Phase II Banners: Arlecchino, Zhongli, and What They Mean for Your Account

Version 6.1 Phase II Banners in Genshin Impact: A Deep Dive for All Players

The latter half of Genshin Impact’s Version 6.1 is set to commence on November 11, 2025, at 00:00 UTC+8, signifying a critical juncture for character acquisition and squad optimization. This update notably presents a banner heavily focused on polearm users—an occurrence not seen since Fontaine’s initial expansions—showcasing two highly sought-after 5-star characters, Arlecchino and Zhongli. They are joined by a flexible group of 4-star supports: Lan Yan, Rosaria, and Yun Jin. This period offers substantial content for both competitive players and those invested in the game’s narrative, especially as the flow of Primogems slows and players begin planning for the anticipated arrivals of Durin and Columbina.

Key Details: Important Dates and Features

Banner Period: Version 6.1, Second Half (Character Event Wishes)
Availability: From 2025-11-11 until 2025-12-03 (all times 00:00 UTC+8; players should confirm local server timings).
Featured 5-Star Characters: Arlecchino (Pyro element, Polearm weapon), Zhongli (Geo element, Polearm weapon).
Featured 4-Star Characters: Lan Yan (Anemo element, Catalyst weapon), Rosaria (Cryo element, Polearm weapon), Yun Jin (Geo element, Polearm weapon).
Resource Considerations: With no new Nod-Krai region map additions in versions 6.1 or 6.2, extra Primogems will be scarce, primarily limited to event rewards.
Upcoming Rivals: Potential future character releases include Durin (speculated for 6.2) and Columbina (officially slated for 6.3).

Banner Overview: Second Half Schedule and Promotional Units

Phase	Commencement Date	Conclusion Date	Headlining 5-Stars	Boosted 4-Stars
6.1-II	2025-11-11	2025-12-03	Arlecchino, Zhongli	Lan Yan, Rosaria, Yun Jin

Note: All times are UTC+8 unless otherwise specified by official announcements. Weapon Banners will operate concurrently but are not elaborated upon in the provided information.

Experienced Players’ Perspective: The Significance of This Banner Rotation

This particular banner rotation is far from a simple rerun for either Arlecchino or Zhongli. Arlecchino continues to be a contentious Pyro damage dealer; her abilities promote sustained damage output with potent polearm scaling and require precise execution due to her inherent risk-reward system. While Mavuika might slightly surpass her in peak damage in the current meta (as detailed in GenshinBuilds‘ guide to top Pyro characters), Arlecchino maintains remarkable adaptability, fitting seamlessly into both free-to-play and high-spending team setups, especially with the current lack of new exploration zones and the repetitive nature of artifact farming.

For Zhongli, his reappearance reinforces his role as a universally favored character, a fundamental unit applicable across virtually all game challenges, from leisurely exploration to the rigorous Spiral Abyss. Seasoned players are well aware that his capability to simplify challenging damage scenarios and enable consistent team rotations remains unchallenged by more recently introduced shield or buffer characters.

Among the 4-star offerings, Lan Yan is a notable choice for players seeking to bolster their support capabilities. At Constellation 2, her shielding can, in certain situations, outperform a low-constellation Zongli, though the Geo Archon generally provides more consistent protection. Rosaria and Yun Jin, while more specialized, offer valuable synergy in Arlecchino-centric hyper-carry teams or agile Quick-Swap compositions and should not be underestimated.

Broader Implications: Beyond a Standard Rerun

This period contrasts sharply with major past updates like patch 3.0 (Sumeru’s introduction) and patch 4.0 (Fontaine’s debut), which introduced pivotal characters such as Nahida or Furina, alongside enhancements to the Traveler’s abilities and new domains. In the present scenario, the lack of a new map region in Nod-Krai for versions 6.1 and 6.2 necessitates a more strategic approach to Primogem expenditure. With event-specific Primogems being the primary source, banner decisions carry increased weight for long-term roster development, especially as the difficulty of Spiral Abyss Floor 13 continues to escalate.

Early data from version 6.1 indicates that Nefer, another recently introduced character, has surpassed Furina in terms of pull volume. This trend partly reflects a rising interest in male characters, a pattern corroborated by recent global player surveys. Arlecchino and Zhongli are well-suited to capitalize on this demand, given their established positions in the lore and confirmed efficacy in the game’s meta.

Pulling Strategy: Advice for Various Player Types

Free-to-Play (F2P) / Low Spenders: If you do not yet own either Arlecchino or Zhongli, both characters provide significant long-term utility. Consider prioritizing them if your roster needs a resilient shield provider, a reliable core for mono-element teams, or a strong Pyro damage dealer. Remember, with no new exploration content in 6.1/6.2, Primogem acquisition will be largely confined to events, so plan wisely.
- Pity Mechanics: Standard pity rules apply (guaranteed 5-star at 90 pulls, 50/50 chance for featured character; soft pity begins around 75+ pulls). Factor in your existing Primogem reserves, Battle Pass, and Welkin Moon income.
- Future Character Conflicts: If you anticipate wishing for Durin or Columbina, assess your priorities carefully. Both are projected to introduce novel support or off-field capabilities (Durin is currently a rumor for 6.2, while Columbina is confirmed for 6.3).
Meta Chasers / Optimizers: Arlecchino’s full potential is unlocked with significant investment in artifact sets and meticulous team optimization, focusing on factors like Internal Cooldown (ICD), buff snapshotting, and off-field support. Zhongli remains indispensable for compositions relying on strong shields (e.g., Hu Tao, Xiao, or any team requiring high interruption resistance).

Team Compositions & Interplay: Strategic Placements

Arlecchino: Excels within mono-Pyro setups but also demonstrates flexibility in Overload, Sunfire, and “national” style teams (particularly with Bennett and Xiangling). Her abilities are best utilized in swift rotation teams and those capable of establishing Pyro resonance. Combining her with Rosaria can yield beneficial critical rate bonuses and energy restoration, if properly optimized.
Zhongli: Ideal as the primary shield provider for any team needing substantial interruption resistance or for hyper-carry units aiming to reduce evasion requirements. He pairs exceptionally well with fragile damage dealers but offers reduced utility if other strong shielders are present (e.g., C2 Lan Yan).
Lan Yan: Aim for C2 to maximize her shield’s uptime; she presents a strong economical substitute for Zhongli in free-to-play friendly teams.
Rosaria/Yun Jin: These characters are specialized choices for quick-swap or normal attack-focused teams. They are valuable additions if you require constellation enhancements for specific team builds or are anticipating upcoming meta changes (e.g., rumored Columbina synergy—unconfirmed).

Preparation Guide: Required Resources

To Ascend Arlecchino: – You will need Pyro gemstones, drops from the latest world boss (note: no new boss is introduced this version, so check existing material rotations), and her specific character specialties.- For Talents: Acquire enemy drops via the weekly domain (confirm the boss schedule based on your server and timezone).

To Ascend Zhongli:– Gather Geo gemstones, Cor Lapis, and Basalt Pillars (obtained from the Geo Hypostasis).- For Talents: Collect standard talent materials, specifically “Diligence” books and Childe weekly boss drops.

To Ascend Lan Yan:– Confirm the necessary Anemo ascension materials; also investigate any event-exclusive items that might be required.

Player Community Discussions: Insights from Experienced Gamers

Across various platforms like Reddit, NGA forums, and prominent Discord servers, several key topics have emerged:- A continuing discussion revolves around Arlecchino’s maximum damage potential compared to other Pyro characters. Some players view her as the most adaptable, while others believe she requires further enhancements to firmly secure her position at the pinnacle.- Leading theorycrafters (as evidenced by significant spreadsheet analyses) indicate that Zhongli’s unparalleled shielding capability endures, with the sole exception being a heavily invested C2 Lan Yan. This situation is expected to persist unless Durin introduces a novel form of defensive support that functions off-field.- A notable number of players are opting to save their Primogems for upcoming significant character releases (Durin, Columbina), attributing this cautious approach to the absence of new exploration areas and a general fatigue from artifact grinding.

Underlying Clues: Implicit Messages in Banner Artwork

Observant players have picked up on discreet hints embedded within banner illustrations and official communications. These include refreshed character models for Rosaria and Yun Jin, along with alterations in color schemes that align with previous leaks concerning the Nod-Krai region—potentially hinting at content expansions for version 6.3. The noticeable absence of new 4-star character introductions (with Lan Yan being a re-run from a meta perspective) suggests HoYoverse might be deliberately spreading out the release of impactful characters to mitigate player burnout and prolong the longevity of the current version.

Concluding Remarks: Looking Ahead

The Version 6.1 Phase II banners unequivocally represent a pivotal moment for player advancement and strategic meta planning. Given the absence of a substantial inflow of Primogems, every wish made carries an increased opportunity cost. With two foundational 5-star characters available, your decisions during this banner period will significantly influence your roster in subsequent updates. Keep an eye on GenshinBuilds for exhaustive build and team optimization guides as the abilities of Durin and Columbina transition from rumors to confirmed leaks and official announcements.

Important: As of this publication, official sources have not yet provided details regarding the Weapon Banners, additional event re-runs, or any other limited-time content for 6.1 Phase II. Always refer to in-game notifications for the most current information.

Suggested Imagery:– Main Graphic: An image featuring Arlecchino and Zhongli, each positioned with their signature elemental designs (Pyro/Geo). Alt text: “Arlecchino and Zhongli showcased in Genshin Impact Version 6.1 Phase II promotional art, highlighting their distinctive polearm weapons and elemental aesthetics.”– Team Synergy Chart: A concise visual displaying ideal team setups for both 5-star characters. Alt text: “Optimized Genshin Impact team compositions for Arlecchino and Zhongli, illustrating effective meta synergies for the Spiral Abyss challenge.”