Version 6.4 of Genshin Impact: Varka’s Grand Debut, Key Reruns, and What You Need to Know

Genshin Impact Version 6.4 Banners: Varka Takes the Lead, Key Reruns, and Essential Player Information

A Pivotal Banner Rotation and a Highly Anticipated Arrival

The upcoming Version 6.4 update for Genshin Impact places a significant emphasis on its character banners, highlighted by the official introduction of Varka—the Knight of Boreas, who has been hinted at for an extended period—during the initial phase. This patch, scheduled to go live on February 25, 2026 (UTC+8), is set to influence how players allocate their resources and construct their teams, especially for those seeking potent Anemo support characters or aiming to optimize powerful freeze and versatile hybrid team compositions. Given the update’s concentrated focus, with no new regions like Dornman Port or Lohen being introduced, players face crucial decisions: whether to invest in current offerings for immediate advantages or save their Primogems for future expansions.

Key Highlights

Launch Date: February 25, 2026 (UTC+8)
New Five-Star Character: Varka, an Anemo Claymore user featuring unique dual-wielding abilities.
Featured Reruns: Prominent five-star characters Flins (Electro), Escoffier (Cryo), and Skirk (Cryo) are returning.
Regional Updates: No new areas, such as Dornman Port or Lohen, will be added in this version.
Lantern Rite Festival: Continues, offering 20 free Intertwined Wishes through daily logins and a substantial amount of Primogems from its main event.
Official Livestream: Scheduled for February 13, 2026, where complete details on banners and events will be revealed.

Official Banner Lineup and Character Information

The following information is compiled from authenticated beta datamines and the established in-game event calendars. All timings are provided in GMT+8, unless specified otherwise.

Banner Phase	Dates (EST, UTC+8)	5★ Characters	Element	Weapon Type
First Phase	2026-02-25 → (To Be Announced)	Varka	Anemo	Claymore
Second Phase	TBA (refer to projections)	Flins	Electro	Polearm
—	—	Escoffier	Cryo	Polearm
—	—	Skirk	Cryo	Sword

The precise sequence of banners following Varka’s debut has not yet been finalized.

Recommended Visual Element:

A table illustrating the banner timeline with corresponding character portraits; alternative text: “Visual guide to Genshin Impact 6.4’s forthcoming banner phases, featuring Varka, Flins, Escoffier, and Skirk.”

Understanding Varka: Abilities and Team Composition Strategies

The highly awaited Anemo Claymore character, Varka, introduces distinctive dual-wielding combat mechanics. His abilities include:
– Standard Attacks: Consistently deal Anemo damage.- Elemental Ability: Grants him a secondary elemental infusion (Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo), determined by the non-Anemo characters present in his team.- Ideal Team Pairings: Best utilized with two Hexerei characters, two Anemo characters, and two support units that align with the infused element (for example, Bennett for Pyro infusion).

To fully capitalize on Varka’s capabilities, players will need a diverse character roster. Top recommended companions currently include Venti, Durin, and Bennett.

Analysis from Specialists: Beta testers and theorycrafters indicate Varka’s initial damage scaling is moderate, akin to early Natlan characters. Nonetheless, combining him with his signature weapon and anticipating future support character releases (detailed in the ‘Unconfirmed’ section) could significantly enhance his damage output. For players focused on competitive content like the Spiral Abyss or those playing Free-to-Play, a long-term investment in Varka could be beneficial if maximizing enjoyment and character progression are primary objectives.

Making Your Wishes Count: A Banner Strategy Guide for Version 6.4

Current Meta Relevance:

Varka: Most effective with significant investment and in highly synchronized team setups. Players lacking strong Hexerei or Anemo supports may find his immediate impact less pronounced.
Flins: An excellent choice for Lunar-Charged or Reaction-focused teams, especially beneficial for those who acquired Columbina or Ineffa in Version 6.3.
Escoffier & Skirk: Exceptional options for Freeze-oriented teams and versatile support roles, offering healing, resistance reduction, and consistent off-field Cryo damage.

Advice for Free-to-Play and Budget-Conscious Players:

Managing Resources: Given the 20 complimentary pulls from Lantern Rite and the expected increase in Primogem availability this cycle, it’s wise to carefully weigh current banner investments against upcoming characters like Lohen or Nicole.
Pity Management: No alterations to the standard five-star pull rates or pity system have been announced. For players aiming for specific constellations or signature weapons, consulting GenshinBuilds‘ tracker guides can help maximize your value.

Optimal Team Compositions and Adaptable Options

Varka’s Primary Setup: Combine Varka with Venti (Anemo), Durin (Anemo), and Bennett (Pyro) to achieve peak dual-element synergy and elemental resonance.
Freeze Composition: Utilize Escoffier alongside Skirk and a Hydro applicator (such as Ayato) for effective crowd control in Spiral Abyss challenges.
Lunar Reaction Focused Team: A specialized team for event challenges featuring Columbina, Ineffa, and Flins.

Helpful Hint: Due to Escoffier’s healing capabilities and Skirk’s consistent off-field Cryo damage, they represent excellent long-term investments for cost-effective teams capable of tackling both event activities and the demanding Spiral Abyss.

The Lantern Rite Festival and Future Event Schedule

Current Event: The Lantern Rite event is ongoing, spanning Versions 6.3 and 6.4.
- Prizes: Players can earn 20 Intertwined Wishes simply by logging in daily, along with a significant amount of Primogems from completing the main event quests.
- Important Note: While no four-star reruns have been indicated through datamines for Version 6.4, there is a possibility that Sucrose might make an appearance given her synergy with Varka’s Hexerei mechanics (this remains unverified).
Forthcoming: A dedicated Special Program on February 13, 2026, will provide official confirmations on any new events, the rotation of four-star characters, and comprehensive patch details.

Pre-Version 6.4 Checklist: What to Prepare

Gather Enhancement Resources: Focus on collecting Enhancement Ores and Hero’s Wits if you plan to acquire Varka or any of the returning five-star characters.
Secure Ascension Items: Stockpile Anemo ascension materials for Varka, and Electro or Cryo gems for the rerun units.
Finish Lantern Rite Daily Tasks: Ensure you complete all daily objectives for the Lantern Rite event to maximize your complimentary pull count.
Accumulate Primogems: As there will be no new regions like Dornman Port or Lohen, the rate of Primogem acquisition might slow down after Version 6.3, making saving crucial.
Acquire Event Artifacts: Utilize any surplus Resin on Cryo or Anemo artifact domains to enhance your team’s versatility.

Unverified Information — Potential for Revision

Banner Sequence: The precise order for the banners featuring Flins, Escoffier, and Skirk has not yet been finalized; further information is expected during the Special Program.
Varka’s Future Support: Although datamines hint at characters like Nicole or Lohen potentially offering significant boosts to Varka’s performance, these characters are not slated for release in Version 6.4.
Four-Star Character Lineup: No specific four-star characters have been highlighted for this update’s banners; while Sucrose or other Hexerei characters are possibilities for reruns, no official announcements have been made.

Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

Version 6.4 represents a concentrated yet crucial update for expanding your character roster in Genshin Impact, introducing the much-anticipated Varka and three powerful rerun characters. The generous free pulls from the Lantern Rite festival offer players some leeway in their wishing strategies. However, those who exercise patience might find it beneficial to save for future content releases that could introduce even more impactful characters.

For more in-depth analyses and updates on character tier rankings, explore our recent articles:- Varka Arrives in Genshin Impact 6.4: Meta Shifts and Pull D– Genshin Impact 2026 Character Roadmap: What Varka & Sneguroč– Genshin Impact 6.3 Banners Leaked: Four 5-Stars & New Rerun

This article’s content is derived from official sources available at the time of publication. Any unconfirmed details may be revised following the Genshin Impact 6.4 Special Program announcement.