Durin’s Debut in Genshin Impact: A Comprehensive Banner Review and Pull Guide

With the arrival of Patch 6.2, the acclaimed five-star character, Durin, makes his grand entrance into Genshin Impact. Functioning as a versatile Pyro support and secondary damage dealer, Durin’s presence has players globally deliberating their precious Primogem expenditures in December 2025. The crucial decision remains: should you summon for Durin, or is it more prudent to reserve your resources for future character releases or reruns?

This comprehensive analysis provides an unbiased look at Durin’s abilities, overall utility, and recommended playstyles, concluding with tailored pulling recommendations for all player types. All information presented is derived exclusively from official patch notes and confirmed channels; any speculative content is distinctly identified.

Key Information: Durin’s Promotional Period and Associated Events

Durin is currently featured in the initial phase of the limited character event wish, titled “Dragon’s Legacy.” This banner is active from December 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM (UTC+8) until December 24, 2025, at 5:59 PM (UTC+8). Alongside the new 5-star Pyro Sword user, Durin, the banner also boosts the appearance rates of 4-star characters Fischl, Layla, and Kaveh.

Accompanying Durin’s debut is the “Cinderheart” weapon banner, introducing a new 5-star Sword, along with increased rates for the 4-star weapons “Alley Flash” and “Favonius Sword.” Players can also engage with the Hexerei Collaboration Event, which offers special bonuses that synergize with certain characters. Participation in these events yields valuable rewards, including a unique namecard, talent materials, character Ascension materials, and precious Primogems.

Summoning Details & Probability

During Phase 1, from December 3, 2025, 11:00 (UTC+8) to December 24, 2025, 17:59 (UTC+8), Durin is the featured 5-star unit, with Fischl, Layla, and Kaveh as the notable 4-stars. The base probability for acquiring a 5-star character is 0.6%, with a 50% chance to obtain Durin specifically on this banner. The “soft pity” system begins at 75 pulls, guaranteeing a 5-star character by 90 pulls.

Making the Decision: Is Durin Right for Your Account?

Durin emerges as a versatile Pyro support and secondary damage dealer, bringing significant value through elemental resistance shred, consistent off-field damage, and broad team compatibility. Here’s a breakdown to help various player types decide if Durin is a worthwhile addition:

Summon Durin If:

You are seeking a widely adaptable support character capable of delivering up to a 35% reduction in enemy elemental resistances for your entire party.
Your preferred team compositions frequently utilize Pyro reactions beyond the standard Melt or Vaporize, such as Overload, Burgeon, Burning, or Electro-Charged.
You appreciate quick-swap or off-field damage rotations that allow for rapid team cycling and sustained damage output.
You possess a robust collection of top-tier 5-star characters and are looking to enhance your roster’s depth or unlock new synergistic team options.

Postpone Your Pull If:

You are strategically saving your Primogems for highly anticipated future banners or character reruns, such as the debut of the Natlan region, the next Archon, or a rumored high-power main DPS character (Note: this information is speculative and subject to change).
Your primary interest lies in aggressive, on-field Pyro main DPS playstyles; Durin’s kit is distinct from dedicated carries like Hu Tao, Diluc, or Lyney.
Your current account lacks formidable Cryo or Hydro main damage dealers, which might limit the overall damage ceiling of Melt or Vaporize reactions.

Advice for Free-to-Play, Low-Spenders, and Optimizers:

Durin delivers his core utility effectively at Constellation 0 (C0) and with readily available 4-star weapons. However, to unleash his peak performance, investment in a powerful 5-star sword or a high-Crit weapon is beneficial.
If you already possess well-optimized Noblesse Oblige or Emblem of Severed Fate artifact sets, Durin can be integrated into your teams seamlessly as a support; requiring minimal resin investment.
For players with limited Primogem reserves and an account still missing crucial main DPS characters, it’s generally advisable to prioritize securing those core damage dealers before investing in specialized supports.

Team Formations, Character Pairings, and Optimizing Durin

Durin’s flexible kit allows him to integrate into various team structures effectively.

Recommended Team Archetypes:

Overload Compositions: Pair Durin with Electro characters such as Fischl, Beidou, or Raiden Shogun, along with Hydro supports like Xingqiu or Yelan, to trigger powerful Overload reactions.
Burning/Burgeon Setups: Durin excels as a Pyro application and debuffing unit alongside Dendro characters like Nahida or Collei, combined with a Hydro character for Burgeon reactions.
Melt/Vaporize Support: For teams centered around Cryo main DPS units like Ganyu or Ayaka, or Hydro DPS like Ayaka, Durin can provide off-field Pyro application to enable Melt, or support Vaporize with Xingqiu or Yelan.
- Important: Durin does not offer healing capabilities; if your team requires a dedicated healer for survivability, ensure you include one.

Hexerei Character Interaction:
While Durin gains additional benefits when teamed with other characters from the Hexerei group (e.g., Fischl), his generalist Pyro utility ensures he performs strongly in standard Pyro-based teams. The Hexerei affiliation enhances his performance but does not strictly limit his optimal team compositions.

For more in-depth team recommendations, consult the GenshinBuilds Durin Team Composition Guide.

Preparation Guide & Key Deadlines

To ensure you’re ready for Durin, here’s a breakdown of necessary materials and preparatory steps:

Essential Ascension and Talent Materials:

Pyro Ascension Gems: Obtainable from boss encounters such as the Pyro Hypostasis or Pyro Regisvine.
Talent Level-Up Books: Look for the Resistance series, available on specific days (check in-game daily rotations).
Common Enemy Drops: Collect Scrolls and Insignias from standard enemies encountered across Mondstadt and Liyue.

Pre-Banner End Checklist:

Complete all daily objectives within the Hexerei collaboration event.
If your account lacks suitable artifact sets for support (e.g., Noblesse Oblige or Emblem of Severed Fate), begin farming them proactively.
Consider pulling on the Phase 1 weapon banner only if you have sufficient resources and are prepared for significant investment.
Stay vigilant for any final server announcements, as banner end dates can sometimes be adjusted due to regional daylight saving changes or other unforeseen circumstances.

Player Reception and Meta Outlook

Insights from the official Genshin Impact 6.2 Developer Notes indicate that Durin’s kit was designed with an emphasis on creating adaptable support characters that seamlessly integrate into various team compositions. Initial evaluations by high-spending players (“whales”) highlight his effective synergy within multi-element teams and his strong performance in challenging content like the Spiral Abyss and other time-gated trials. Analysts tracking the game’s meta view Durin as a solid, future-proof investment, even if he isn’t positioned as a top-tier main damage dealer.

Note: All player feedback mentioned is derived from official sources. Always verify rumored power levels and community sentiments independently before making significant investment decisions.

Final Verdict: Should You Summon Durin?

For the majority of players, Durin presents an outstanding and universally applicable asset, particularly benefiting those who have already established their primary damage dealers and are looking for a dependable, off-field Pyro support. While he may not drastically reshape existing tier rankings, his remarkable adaptability and seamless integration into diverse team setups position him as a valuable “quality of life” acquisition for long-term account progression. To unlock his full potential, consider pairing him with Hexerei characters and outfitting him with well-optimized artifacts. Conversely, it might be wise to forgo his banner if your account is still in need of a prominent main DPS, or if your Primogem supply is currently limited.

Looking Ahead: Keep an eye out for new character announcements, which are anticipated as Phase 1 draws to a close. For the latest updates, consult GenshinBuilds banner schedule tracker.

Imagery and Design Suggestions

Incorporate the official banner artwork for Durin, perhaps featuring him with his sword alongside Fischl, Layla, and Kaveh.
Consider including visual aids such as team composition diagrams to clearly illustrate optimal Hexerei-Pyro synergies and overall team structures (e.g., flowcharts showing Durin with designated support, DPS, flexible, and healing slots).