Genshin Impact Version 6.2 Phase II Banners: A Strategic Dilemma for Travelers

HoYoverse has unveiled the character event wishes for the latter half of Genshin Impact’s Version 6.2, sparking considerable discussion among its player base. The featured roster—including Varesa, Xilonen, Gaming, Chevreuse, and Iansan—introduces a critical decision point for players: should one prioritize powerful returning characters known for their strong meta contributions, or judiciously save valuable Primogems for the much-anticipated new additions expected in Version 6.3?

At a Glance

Banner phase: Phase II of Version 6.2
Duration: 2025-12-23 to 2026-01-14 (based on official server reset, UTC+8)
Featured 5-Star characters: Varesa (Electro Catalyst), Xilonen (Geo Sword)
Featured 4-Star characters: Gaming (Pyro Claymore), Chevreuse (Pyro Polearm), Iansan (Electro Polearm)
Anticipated upcoming banners: Columbina, Neuvillette, Zibai in Version 6.3 (Details provisional and subject to change)

Banner Schedule and Details

Phase	Start Date	End Date	5★ Rate-up	4★ Rate-up
6.2 Phase II	2025-12-23	2026-01-14	Varesa, Xilonen	Gaming, Chevreuse, Iansan

The wish system adheres to the standard event rate-up mechanics. Each featured 5-star character has a 50% chance to be obtained within a pity cycle, with ‘soft pity’ typically starting around 75 wishes and ‘hard pity’ guaranteed by 90. Similarly, the three rotating 4-star units benefit from an elevated probability (approximately 50%) within every ten-pull.

Images:– Visuals accompanying the banner include a striking main splash artwork showcasing Varesa and Xilonen, often depicted with the featured 4-star characters amidst thematic backdrops such as electrified ruins.- Individual character portraits are also provided for clear identification of all five rate-up units.

Veteran’s Take: Why 6.2’s Banners Are a Double-Edged Sword

From a theoretical perspective, this current banner selection particularly appeals to players focused on Natlan-themed compositions, Overload elemental reactions, or hypercarry team strategies. Varesa stands out as one of the most reliable Electro hypercarry units introduced; her abilities, optimized for plunging attacks, provide remarkable adaptability for both Aggravate (Dendro + Electro) and Overload-based teams, reminiscent of how characters like Raiden Shogun shaped the meta. Concurrently, Xilonen continues to serve as a strong support presence for Geo and diverse elemental teams, much as Zhongli did in his initial releases.

However, when viewed through the lens of resource allocation and roster optimization, the choice becomes less straightforward. For dedicated collectors or Free-to-Play strategists, these returning characters offer significant advantages only if they fill a previous acquisition gap or complement existing team synergies.

Historical Context: Echoes of Banner History

The reappearance of characters in Version 6.2 isn’t a mere arbitrary selection. Varesa’s banner, for example, mirrors precisely her initial release in Version 5.5, a fact that may dishearten long-time players who previously invested heavily. This recurring trend of featuring potent trios of 4-star characters is consistent with HoYoverse’s past banner designs, evidenced during the Yanfei/Hu Tao period (1.3/1.4) and the Raiden/Kujou Sara banners.

Gaming and Chevreuse maintain their prominent roles as key figures in Overload compositions, a reaction that was a cornerstone in Spiral Abyss rotations before Version 4.0. Iansan provides a distinctive flat ATK bonus, well-known for synergizing with characters prioritizing agile movement. For seasoned players, this character lineup represents a reinforcement of existing strengths rather than the introduction of novel mechanics.

For the Min-Maxers: Resource Calculus and Pull Priority

Free-to-Play & Budget-Conscious Players:

Considering that only a moderate amount of Intertwined Wishes would have been accumulated across two full versions (6.1 and 6.2), spending now directly competes with efforts to save for upcoming major releases.
If you already possess Varesa or Xilonen and don’t require their early constellations (C1/C2), it’s generally wiser to reserve your Primogems for entirely new gameplay mechanics or their inaugural reruns.

Meta-Focused & Optimization Players:

This banner makes it feasible to assemble a potent Overload or Aggravate team entirely from featured characters, complemented by Fischl (obtainable via the Hexerei tutorial).
Chevreuse is particularly noteworthy, remaining the premier enabler for the Overload reaction, while Gaming’s effectiveness significantly increases with each constellation, making him a worthwhile investment for future Spiral Abyss challenges.
Iansan fulfills a unique tactical niche as a highly mobile support, making her an excellent choice for Varesa, Xiao, or Clorinde mains.

Important Dates:

The event banners become active on 2025-12-23, and their availability concludes with the launch of Version 6.3 (anticipated 2026-01-14). No extensions have been confirmed as of this publication, so players, especially those in UTC-8/North American time zones, should remain attentive to the schedule.

Potential Banner Pitfalls:

An exact rerun implies diminished value for players who already acquired the characters.
A restricted 5★ character pool means no new introductions.
Speculative concern: Version 6.3 is expected to introduce Columbina (potentially Archon-tier) and a possible Neuvillette banner, which are anticipated to usher in power creep based on early datamined information (this remains unconfirmed and subject to change).

Community Chatter: What Veteran Players Are Saying

Discussions among seasoned players across prominent online communities, including the Genshin Impact subreddit and various Discord servers, reflect a sentiment of guarded enthusiasm. Key points frequently emphasized include:

Accessible Overload Team: The opportunity to construct a fully capable Overload team using only the new 4-star characters is a rare occurrence, reminiscent of early Inazuma banner phases.
Strategic Pity Allocation: Players are strongly advised against dividing their pity across the current and upcoming phases, especially given the lack of mechanisms for guaranteed refunds of limited 5-star currency.
Avoiding Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): A prevalent recommendation is to forgo pulling unless there’s a specific need for constellations. Veterans note the timing coincides with already-spent Anniversary Primogems and forthcoming Hexerei event rewards, which impacts the available drawing currency.

Teams & Synergies: Sample Compositions

Cost-Effective Overload: Varesa (active field), Gaming, Chevreuse, Iansan (rotating for buffs/reactions)
Dynamic Hypercarry: Xiao/Clorinde/Varesa paired with Iansan (benefiting from her mobile ATK buff)
Classic Defensive Core: Xilonen serving as an alternative to Noelle or Zhongli within Geo-centric defensive and offensive team frameworks.

Each of these team setups capitalizes not merely on elemental typings but also on unique utility; Iansan‘s buff, for instance, scales with distance traversed rather than static field presence, a design choice that rewards skilled players who master agile positioning.

Preparation Checklist: Maximizing Your Pulls

Prior to Banner Release: Verify your current supply of Intertwined Wishes and account for any event-specific limited currencies.
Resource Gathering: Proactively farm talent books and ascension materials for all five featured characters. Many, such as Varesa and Xilonen, require resources exclusive to certain regions.
Event Participation: Ensure completion of the Witch’s Homework event to obtain complimentary Hexerei summons; additionally, prioritize daily events that reward wishes.
Abyss Readiness: Review upcoming Spiral Abyss modifiers, as Overload and Aggravate bonuses are projected to persist throughout Versions 6.2 and 6.3.

Unconfirmed: Upcoming Patch 6.3 Leaks & Planning

Columbina and Neuvillette are anticipated as the featured headliners for Version 6.3’s first half (this information is unconfirmed and subject to change; it originates from recent datamining efforts and is not present in official announcements).
Zibai and Ineffa are rumored for the second half of Version 6.3. Plan your Primogem savings accordingly.
6.4 is projected to introduce Varka and Lohen (from the Knights of Favonius), with Lohen subsequently transitioning to the Standard Banner. This calls for a long-term collection strategy rather than a focus on immediate reruns.

Conclusion: Plan for the Long Haul

The character banners for the latter portion of Genshin Impact 6.2 perfectly illustrate HoYoverse’s knack for generating a delicate balance between the appeal of established rerun value and the allure of upcoming, unknown content. These banners offer considerable appeal for Natlan aficionados, proponents of Overload reactions, or newer accounts, particularly due to the strength of the 4-star lineup. Nevertheless, with the imminent arrival of Columbina and a wave of potentially meta-defining new characters on the horizon, prudence is recommended unless you have a specific, well-thought-out need to address within your roster.

Important Considerations:– The definitive banner schedule and character specifics are subject to alteration; always cross-reference information before committing your resources.- For in-depth analysis and our continually updated patch event calendar, refer to the GenshinBuilds Genshin Impact coverage.

Further Reading Recommendations:– Genshin Impact 6.3: Columbina Kit Leak — Banner Timing, Team– Genshin Impact Luna III Patch: Durin Debuts, Hexerei Arrives– Genshin Impact 6.2: Durin Playable Release & Banner Start

All details presented were corroborated with official announcements as of 2025-12-19. For any last-minute adjustments, keep an eye on the main GenshinBuilds feed and @genshinbuildscom on Twitter.