Luna IV Introduces Columbina and Ineffa: A Deep Dive into Genshin Impact’s Latest Banners

Veteran’s Perspective: Why Luna IV’s Banners Are Crucial Now

The arrival of Genshin Impact’s Luna IV (Version 6.3) update from Hoyoverse signals a significant moment with the launch of two crucial event wish banners: “Somnias a Luna” and “Astral Actuation”. These wishes simultaneously debut new 5-star and 4-star characters. The simultaneous introduction of Columbina (Hydro) and Ineffa (Electro) represents a notable evolution for both the game’s meta and its overarching narrative. Such a dual release of prominent new characters is an infrequent occurrence, typically reserved for major celebrations like anniversary events. Experienced players will recognize that this period transcends simply acquiring new figures; it’s about strategically assessing their impact on team compositions, managing precious in-game resources, and anticipating shifts in the formidable Spiral Abyss challenges for the foreseeable future. For players who manage their spending carefully or play for free, making judicious pulling decisions during these unique double-banner phases can fundamentally shape their character roster for many months, particularly given the shared pity system and the appeal of the featured 4-star characters and weapon wishes.

Essential Luna IV Gacha Overview

Game Version: Luna IV (Patch 6.3) — This specific phase focuses on event banners, commencing right after the version update.
Availability Period: These banners will become active immediately following the Luna IV update’s launch, concluding on 2026-02-03 at 17:59 server time.
Featured 5-Star Characters: The spotlight is on Columbina (Hydro) and Ineffa (Electro), both of whom are exclusive to these event wishes.
Boosted 4-Star Characters: Players have an increased chance to obtain Sethos (Electro), Fischl (Electro), and Ifa (Anemo).
Weapon Event Wish: The “Epitome Invocation” banner highlights the new signature weapons, Nocturne’s Curtain Call (Catalyst) and Fractured Halo (Polearm), alongside enhanced rates for specific 4-star weapons.
Trial Events: Engage with the Test Run challenges for new characters to earn small rewards and experience their gameplay firsthand.

Comprehensive Banner Timeline and Drop Rates

Consult the detailed schedule below for the current event wishes. The official announcements do not specify a timezone, so players should refer to their local standard server time (TZ).

Banner Name	Commencement Date	Conclusion Date	Highlighted 5-Star	Highlighted 4-Stars
Somnias a Luna	Post-Luna IV Update	2026-02-03 17:59	Columbina (Hydro)	Sethos, Fischl, Ifa
Astral Actuation	Post-Luna IV Update	2026-02-03 17:59	Ineffa (Electro)	Sethos, Fischl, Ifa
Epitome Invocation (Weapon)	Post-Luna IV Update	2026-02-03 17:59	Nocturne’s Curtain Call, Fractured Halo	Mountain-Bracing Bolt, Waveriding Whirl, Mitternachts Waltz, The Flute, Sacrificial Greatsword

Regarding the wish mechanics, the “Character Event Wish” and “Character Event Wish-2” share a unified pity count, meaning wishes on one contribute to the other. Players can find precise regional drop rates within the game itself. The standard soft pity at 75 wishes and hard pity at 90 wishes (for a 5-star character) continues to be in effect. For weapons, the soft pity begins around 65 wishes, with hard pity at 80 wishes for a 5-star weapon.

Is This the Right Time to Wish?

Carefully consider your wishes based on your current roster and future goals.

Columbina (Hydro) & Ineffa (Electro)

Limited Availability: It’s important to note that both Columbina and Ineffa are exclusive to these event banners and will not be added to the standard “Wanderlust Invocation” after their wishes conclude.
Shared Pity System: The character banners benefit from a shared pity count, which provides excellent value for players who have saved up their Primogems, as progress towards a 5-star character carries over between “Somnias a Luna” and “Astral Actuation.”
Value for Free-to-Play and Budget-Conscious Players: For those prioritizing sustained utility and influence on the game’s meta, Columbina shows early promise with broad compatibility across established Freeze and Hyperbloom team archetypes, looking to be a versatile support or sub-DPS. Ineffa, with her distinct Electro abilities, might be more appealing to those building mono-Electro teams or complementing characters like Eula, though her full potential is still being evaluated.
Resource Management: Deciding to pull on these banners means potentially passing on other highly anticipated character reruns or future limited releases scheduled for later in the patch cycle. Always balance your Primogem reserves against your long-term account development plans.

Weapon Event Wish

The Nocturne’s Curtain Call catalyst and Fractured Halo polearm are novel signature weapons. The “Epitomized Path” system is active, which can help guide your pulls towards a specific 5-star weapon and mitigate some of the randomness. However, it is generally recommended to engage with the weapon banner only if you have already secured both featured 5-star characters or if you intend for Columbina/Ineffa to be primary members of your team.

Optimizing Your Account: Builds and Resources

For players focused on maximizing efficiency and performance, here are some key considerations:

Necessary Materials:
- Columbina: Specific ascension and talent materials are yet to be officially confirmed. However, it is anticipated that these will primarily come from the new Luna IV region. Savvy players might consider pre-farming generic Hydro ascension items and local specialties if further details are revealed on GenshinBuilds.
- Ineffa: Similar to Columbina, her required materials are likely to involve Electro-focused boss drops and standard Electro items. (Information subject to confirmation.)
Team Composition Potential:
- Columbina appears to be a highly adaptable Hydro character, capable of both driving reactions and enabling Hydro application. Initial community analysis points to strong pairings with Furina, Neuvillette, Xingqiu, and synergy within Electro-Charged teams.
- Ineffa’s Elemental Burst, if it aligns with leaked information, could significantly enhance mono-Electro and rapid-swap team strategies. The presence of Fischl as a featured 4-star is particularly advantageous for triggering consistent Electro reactions for free-to-play players and bolstering both Columbina and Ineffa compositions.
Influence on Spiral Abyss: Early discussions from Chinese communities (NGA, Tieba) indicate that if the characters’ scaling proves potent, both new additions could notably reshape recommended strategies for Spiral Abyss Floor 12. This remains unverified and will require thorough community calculations and analysis once the characters are released.

Community Reactions: Gauging Player Sentiment

The successive introduction of two significant new characters has ignited considerable discussion and theorizing across platforms like Reddit’s r/Genshin_Impact and NGA. Seasoned players are drawing parallels between the current banner phase and the memorable dual-banner debut of Version 2.3 (Itto/Albedo), expressing hope for a wider array of team compositions and more innovative character builds. Nevertheless, some apprehension exists regarding Hoyoverse’s release schedule, especially among collectors who face tight Primogem budgets and new players seeking guidance on optimal resource allocation. Insights from GenshinBuilds contributors consistently advise prioritizing characters that seamlessly integrate into your most frequently used teams and enhance your ability to clear challenging content, rather than solely pursuing perceived power upgrades or novel gameplay.

Uncovering Lore and Artistic Nuances

Beyond their combat roles, these new additions also offer rich lore and artistic details:

Columbina’s splash art, with its distinctive moonlit color scheme and recurring musical themes, has fueled extensive speculation connecting her to Hexerei lore and the enigmatic Fatui Harbingers. Long-time players have identified potential visual references to the “Requiem of Echoes” event from Version 4.8. A closer examination of her background art reveals stylistic elements previously seen in early teasers for the Fontaine region, potentially foreshadowing future story developments.
The artwork for the weapon banner also displays subtle design consistencies with earlier 5-star weapon aesthetics, potentially suggesting upcoming intertwined event narratives. While these are not officially confirmed, such artistic echoes frequently precede deeper quest integrations later in a patch cycle.

Your Pre-Banner Readiness Checklist

To ensure you’re fully prepared for the Luna IV banners, consider the following steps:

Gather Materials in Advance: Focus on accumulating generic boss drops and ascension resources, particularly for Hydro and Electro characters. (Refer to GenshinBuilds‘ comprehensive pre-farming guide for detailed recommendations.)
Complete Character Trial Stages: Engage with the Test Run challenges for Columbina, Ineffa, Sethos, Fischl, and Ifa. These are available for the entire banner duration and offer complimentary Primogems and essential enhancement materials.
Verify Pity Status: Thoroughly check your current pity counts and wish history to strategically plan your pulls across the concurrent character banners.
Stay Informed: Regularly check HoYoLAB and official social media channels for any event modifications, preliminary balance adjustments, or notable community spotlights.

Final Thoughts: What Lies Ahead

The initial phase of Genshin Impact’s Luna IV (Version 6.3) truly marks an unprecedented period for content density, featuring two simultaneous 5-star character banners alongside a potent weapon banner. For committed players, especially veterans, this presents a unique opportunity to significantly bolster their rosters for the next six months. As always, it is crucial to approach your investments thoughtfully, weighing immediate power gains against your long-term collection objectives. Remain vigilant for official kit clarifications and evolving meta analyses as the community thoroughly evaluates these new additions. GenshinBuilds will continue to deliver in-depth coverage and build recommendations as further information becomes available.

Visual Recommendations

For accompanying imagery, we suggest utilizing the official Genshin Impact Luna IV Phase 1 banner key art. The alt text for these visuals should be: “Official Genshin Impact Luna IV Phase 1 banner key art, showcasing Columbina, Ineffa, and their distinctive signature weapons against a stylized backdrop.”

Official Information Sources

For the latest official announcements and comprehensive resources, consult Genshin Impact’s official Twitter account and their dedicated HoYoLAB platform.