Genshin Impact’s Luna IV Update Unveils Columbina, Nod-Krai Expansion, and Abundant Benefits

Genshin Impact’s “Song of the Welkin Moon: Postlude — A Traveler on a Winter’s Night,” also known as the Luna IV update, is set to be a landmark release in 2026 for both seasoned and novice players. This extensive update introduces vast new areas within Nod-Krai, alongside the highly anticipated Columbina and other impactful characters. Furthermore, it delivers a generous array of free-to-play rewards and fresh gameplay systems, fundamentally reshaping character acquisition strategies and team compositions, particularly as the game’s evolving meta increasingly emphasizes Lunar Reactions. Beyond its sheer volume of new content, Luna IV appears to foster enhanced synergy between regions, encouraging players to re-engage with earlier Archon Quests and offering considerable quality-of-life improvements as a testament to dedicated gameplay.

Essential Overview: Luna IV Update Highlights

Launch Date: January 14, 2026, at 06:00 (UTC+8); expect approximately five hours of server maintenance.
Expansive Zones: The Nod-Krai territory expands, featuring the Voidsea Outlook, Wavechaser Plain, and Ashveil Peak.
Prominent Figures: New playable characters include the 5-star Hydro unit Columbina, the 5-star Geo character Zibai, and the 4-star Geo character Illuga.
Exclusive Armaments: Anticipate event-specific 5-star weapon banners showcasing the Nocturne’s Curtain Call catalyst and the Lightbearing Moonshard sword.
Valuable Incentives: Claim up to 600 Primogems for server upkeep and bug fixes, alongside a boost in free-to-play costumes and event prizes.
Innovations: Introducing elemental reactions centered around lunar themes, designated meeting/quest hubs in Nod-Krai, and brand-new artifact sets and domains.

A comprehensive analysis, covering banner schedules, free-to-play strategies, and initial objectives, is provided below.

Luna IV Character and Weapon Wish Timetable

Phase	Commencement	Conclusion	Spotlight 5-star Characters	Weapon Boosts	Remarks
Phase 1	2026-01-14 06:00	Undisclosed by official sources	Columbina (Hydro), additional characters to be announced	Nocturne’s Curtain Call (Catalyst); Lightbearing Moonshard (Sword)	These are limited-time event weapons
Phase 2	Not yet announced	Not yet announced	Zibai (Geo), additional characters to be announced	Details pending confirmation	Release order is subject to official announcement

Official timelines for Phase 2 and potential character reruns are currently unconfirmed. Updates regarding banner specifics will be posted on GenshinBuilds as soon as they become available.

Strategic Pulls: Advice for Rerollers, F2P Players, and Banner Decisions

Columbina (5-star Hydro Catalyst)

Abilities: Unlocks innovative “Lunar” team compositions, facilitates diverse elemental reactions, and provides substantial utility even when not actively on the field.
Team Dynamics: Flourishes in ensembles centered around Lunar reactions (featuring Geo, Hydro, and other elements); significantly boosts the effectiveness of new artifact sets and weapon passive abilities.
For Free-to-Play & Budget Players: While her debut banner offers a potent, meta-shaping toolkit, she might not align with playstyles favoring established Freeze, Vaporize, or International Kim setups. If you’re keen on exploring new mechanics, particularly Lunar interactions, or seeking an advantage in the Spiral Abyss, Columbina represents a valuable acquisition. Conversely, if these aspects don’t appeal, holding out for future reruns or evaluating subsequent banner phases could be a wiser choice.

Zibai (5-star Geo Sword)

Capabilities: A top-tier Geo damage dealer, uniquely scales with Lunar-Crystallize mechanics, thereby opening up novel team-building avenues.
Team Integration: Excels when paired with the new Hydro/Geo characters and artifact sets; anticipated to perform well in both primary damage dealer and specialized support roles.
For Free-to-Play & Budget Players: An excellent option for those who currently lack strong Geo damage-per-second characters. If you passed on previous Geo units like Albedo or Itto, Zibai could be a worthwhile investment.

Gacha Odds and Pity System

Epitomized Path (Guaranteed 5-star): Standard gacha mechanics are in effect, guaranteeing a 5-star character within 90 pulls, with a “soft pity” often observed around 75 pulls.
Spending Strategy: When aiming for new characters, direct your Primogems and Intertwined Fates primarily towards the Event Character Banner (Limited Event Wish). For new players, allocating these resources to the Standard Banners is typically less efficient.
Limited-Time Weapon Banners: These are generally recommended only for committed players with well-developed rosters. Most free-to-play individuals should steer clear of event-exclusive weapon banners due to the divided rate-ups and higher risk.

Optimal Team Formations & Synergistic Pairings

Exemplary Luna IV Team Setups:

Columbina + Zibai + Illuga: This trio forms a formidable Lunar-Crystallize squad, delivering consistent damage output and exceptional shield-breaking capabilities. Such a composition optimally utilizes the newly introduced artifact sets and fully exploits the enhanced reaction damage.
Zibai + Flexible Hydro/Geo/Anemo Unit: This configuration emphasizes Lunar reactions, allowing for highly adaptable team rotations.
Budget-Friendly Foundations: If premium 5-star characters are unavailable, viable 4-star alternatives like Illuga, Ningguang, and established Hydro support units can effectively fill key roles.

For free-to-play and developing accounts, prioritize constructing a team that includes at least one potent Geo or Hydro enabler, aligning your focus with the demands of weekly bosses and material farming.

Activities, Narrative Missions, and Free-to-Play Benefits

Primogem Payout for Maintenance: A total of 600 Primogems will be automatically sent to players’ in-game mailboxes following the update’s maintenance period (valid for 30 days).
Complimentary Attire:
- Yaoyao “Rainlit Bamboo Reverie”: This ensemble can be acquired through the Luna IV event titled “A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon,” after which it becomes available for purchase.
- Neuvillette “Melusent Gift”: Offered at a special reduced price for a limited duration; however, this outfit necessitates Genesis Crystals, which are a premium, purchased currency, making it unavailable to free players without spending.
Fresh Narratives and Global Missions:
- Archon Quest – Song of the Welkin Moon: Acts VII & VIII: These pivotal story chapters are permanently accessible. Completing them grants enhancements for the Traveler, cosmetic items, and crucial lore insights.
- World Questlines: Dive into several new extensive side quests, including “Nightingale’s Song” and “The Raven Legacy.”
Relics & Dungeons: Venture into the Moonchild’s Treasures domain to obtain two groundbreaking artifact sets: Aubade of Morningstar and Moon, along with A Day Carved from Rising Winds. These sets are vital for optimizing off-field and Lunar-focused team compositions.

The Nod-Krai Territory: Exploration and Core Enhancements

The expansion into Nod-Krai is structured to enrich the experience for both long-standing players and recent arrivals. Key additions include:- Three Principal Zones: Unveiling Voidsea Outlook, Wavechaser Plain, and Ashveil Peak.- Immediate Teleport Access: Progressing through (or re-engaging with) initial Archon Quests will grant automatic unlocks for teleport waypoints, accompanied by bonus Primogems.- New Hubs and Constructible Camps: These facilitate quicker access to significant world quests and resource collection points.- Expanded Biodiversity: Introducing fresh fishing locations, diverse wildlife, and more Radiant Spincrystals, which in turn boosts opportunities for events, bounties, and creature captures.

Weekly and Preparatory Checklist for Free-to-Play Players

Prompt Primogem Retrieval: Ensure you log in within 30 days to collect the Primogem compensation from your in-game mailbox.
Prioritize Event Quest Completion: Engage with event story lines early, as certain time-limited outfits and valuable rewards may become unavailable once the patch phase concludes.
Actively Engage with New Domains and Hubs: These areas are crucial for acquiring unique artifacts, essential materials, and advancing key progression quests.
Accumulate Ascension Components: Concentrate on defeating bosses for drops and gathering regional specialties within the newly opened Nod-Krai territory.
Conclude New Story and Archon Quests: Doing so unlocks permanent features, upgrades for your Traveler, and enduring resource benefits.

Pending Information and Unreleased Specifics

Precise Rerun Schedule for Previous 5-star Characters: As of this publication, the Luna IV patch notes do not contain this information.
Phase 2 Weapon Banner Contents: Official verification is still pending.

All schedules and banner information presented in this guide originate directly from official Genshin Impact channels, unless explicitly noted. For the most current announcements, refer to the official Genshin Impact Twitter account and the GenshinBuilds patch news center.

Summary: Recommendations for Newcomers and Returning Adventurers

Genshin Impact’s Luna IV update (Version Luna 4) is a substantial release designed to captivate new players with bountiful rewards and simplified story access, while simultaneously re-engaging veteran collectors through game-changing mechanics and diverse multi-reaction team compositions. It is advisable to focus on the primary questline, explore the new event offerings, and thoughtfully evaluate which banners best align with your account’s development before spending any Primogems.

For continuous insights, including in-depth banner phase analyses, meta shifts, and strategies for free-to-play optimization, consult our comprehensive Luna IV patch coverage or browse the supplementary guides listed beneath.

Relevant Publications

Recommended Imagery

A geographical representation of the expanded Nod-Krai territories (comprising Voidsea Outlook, Wavechaser Plain, and Ashveil Peak); descriptive text: “Depiction of the three newly incorporated Nod-Krai regions.”
Official marketing artwork showcasing Columbina and Zibai; descriptive text: “Genshin Impact’s official illustration presenting Columbina and Zibai over a moonlit Nod-Krai scenery.”
An infographic or chart detailing event banners and significant rewards; descriptive text: “Summary table of Luna IV banners, character launches, and event incentives for Genshin Impact Luna IV.”

Any supplementary visual content must originate directly from official Genshin Impact channels.