Genshin Impact 
Genshin Impact Versions 6.1 and 6.2 bring Nod-Krai’s story to center stage with new characters, banner reruns, and mechanical overhauls that shift the meta in unexpected ways. Version 6.1 dropped October 22 with Nefer and Furina leading the charge, while 6.2 arrives December 3 featuring Durin’s debut and significant Hexenzirkel character reworks.
This guide breaks down release schedules, character value for pulls and trading, new weapons and bosses, limited events, and how to maximize your Primogems across both versions without falling into common spending traps.
Release dates, maintenance, and update timeline
Version 6.1 “Luna II” dropped on October 22, 2025, while Version 6.2 “Luna III” launches December 3, 2025. Each update runs for 42 days split into two three-week banner phases.
Maintenance typically starts around 6:00 AM UTC and lasts about 5 hours. HoYoverse compensates players with 300 Primogems regardless of whether they finish early, so you’re getting free pulls just for waiting. Check the official patch notes for exact timing.
All new characters in 6.1 & 6.2
Version 6.1 characters & value
Nefer is the new 5-star Dendro Catalyst user built around Lunar-Bloom reactions. She stacks Bloom triggers to power up her charged attacks, making her viable if you already invested in Dendro teams but not revolutionary enough to rebuild your roster around.
Nefer
Phase 1 brings back Furina, the Hydro Sword archon who remains one of the strongest universal supports in the game. Her damage buffs work with practically every team composition, and her kit hasn’t aged a day since release.
Phase 2 reruns Arlecchino (Pyro Polearm) and Zhongli (Geo Polearm). Arlecchino delivers top-tier Pyro DPS with built-in sustain, while Zhongli’s shield lets you face-tank mechanics you’d normally have to dodge. If you hate i-framing through attack patterns, Zhongli turns the game into easy mode.
Arlecchino
From a trading perspective, accounts with Furina hold significantly more value than those without her. Nefer’s worth depends on whether Lunar reactions become meta or stay niche, so early adoption carries risk.
Version 6.2 characters & value
Durin debuts as a 5-star Pyro Sword user, the Dragonspine dragon reborn in human form. Early leaks suggest he’ll offer hybrid support and sub-DPS utility similar to Xingqiu but with Pyro application instead of Hydro.
Jahoda, the new 4-star Anemo Bow character, ties into the Luna Swirl reaction system from Nod-Krai. She works for the Curatorium of Secrets faction and likely provides grouping or resistance shred for Anemo-focused teams.
Jahoda
Version 6.2 also reruns Venti (Anemo Bow), Xilonen (Geo Sword), and Varesa (Cryo Catalyst). Venti gets significant mechanical overhauls through the Hexenzirkel system, potentially making him relevant again after falling off meta for the past year.
Mondstadt characters including Klee, Mona, and Albedo receive reworks through Hexenzirkel quests, temporarily buffing their kits with new talents.
Accounts featuring multiple archons, especially Furina and a reworked Venti, typically command premium prices on trading platforms. Durin’s novelty factor might drive short-term demand, but his actual meta impact won’t be clear until players test him thoroughly. Many players turn to Reddit’s Genshin Impact Leaks or Discord communities to clarify leaks and get real-time updates on banners.
Banner schedules and pull planning
6.1 banner phases & schedules
Version 6.1 Phase 1 runs Nefer and Furina together from October 22 through roughly November 11. Phase 2 switches to Arlecchino and Zhongli from November 12 until December 2.
The Chronicled Banner system continues rotating event-exclusive characters and weapons from previous versions. This gives you another shot at limited characters without waiting months for standard reruns.
6.2 banner predictions & high-value targets
Version 6.2 Phase 1 (December 3-23) likely features Durin alongside Venti and possibly Xilonen, though exact pairings aren’t confirmed yet. Phase 2 (December 24-January 13) brings the remaining reruns.
New weapons, artifacts, and power creep
Version 6.1 introduces three 5-star weapons: Reliquary of Truth (Catalyst for Nefer), Black Erosion (Sword), and The Dawn of the Distant Hymn (Polearm). The catalyst synergizes specifically with Lunar-Bloom reactions, making it somewhat niche outside Nefer teams.
Version 6.2’s signature weapons haven’t been fully revealed yet. The weapon banner runs alongside character banners with shared pity between phases, so your pity carries over if you don’t hit a 5-star in Phase 1.
No new artifact sets were confirmed for either version. Existing sets like Deepwood Memories and Gilded Dreams work well with the new Lunar reaction mechanics, so you can farm through existing domains rather than grinding new ones.
Power creep concerns look minimal. Nefer and Durin don’t appear to invalidate existing DPS options, though the Hexenzirkel buffs might temporarily shift meta toward older Mondstadt characters during specific quest periods.
New quests, events, and exploration
Story & Archon quests
Both versions continue the Nod-Krai storyline introduced in Version 6.0. The Archon Quest dives deeper into the region’s connection to Khaenri’ah, with major lore reveals expected in 6.2 involving key figures from that fallen nation.
Nefer’s Story Quest explores her background in the desert regions of Nod-Krai. Durin’s quest ties into Dragonspine lore and his transformation from dragon to human form.
Nod-Krai in Genshin Impact
Version 6.2’s Witch’s Homework quests grant temporary buffs and new talents to Hexenzirkel-affiliated characters. These aren’t permanent upgrades but provide combat advantages during specific activities and exploration challenges.
Limited-time events
Version 6.1’s flagship event, Ruins Exploration, offers combat challenges with specific elemental requirements. You’ll need properly built teams for each element to maximize rewards, which include Primogems, Crown of Insight, and character ascension materials.
Saurian Sojourn features the Saurian creatures from Natlan in timed challenges. Completing all stages rewards roughly 420 Primogems, weapon enhancement materials, and Mora.
Dance Dance Dynamic Disco returns rhythm game mechanics with new tracks. Even players terrible at rhythm games can claim most rewards through practice mode and lower difficulty settings, so don’t skip it just because you can’t keep a beat.
Version 6.2 events haven’t been detailed yet, though the pattern suggests similar combat challenges, exploration activities, and at least one minigame-style event. Each version typically distributes 1,500-2,000 Primogems through events alone.
New areas
Miliastra Wonderland debuts as a permanent game mode where players explore user-created maps and challenges. Think of it as Genshin’s take on Super Mario Maker, letting the community design exploration puzzles and combat scenarios.
You can earn unique cosmetics, furnishings, and materials by completing featured maps. The mode includes a creation toolkit for designing your own challenges, though complex designs require unlocking features through progression.
This addresses a common complaint about Genshin’s endgame content drought between patches. Player-created content theoretically offers infinite replayability, though quality varies significantly depending on the creator’s skill and effort.
System, QoL, and boss updates
New mechanics and quality-of-life improvements
The Hexenzirkel system introduces temporary character buffs through quest completion, adding new talents to Mondstadt characters during specific activities. While not permanent, these buffs provide fresh ways to use older characters you might have benched.
New bosses and farming implications
Version 6.1 adds Frostlight Herra, an open-world boss that drops materials for ascending Nefer and future Nod-Krai characters. The fight emphasizes Lunar reactions or multi-element teams, punishing players who rely on single-element strategies.
You’ll need 46 boss materials to fully ascend one character from level 1 to 90. That translates to roughly 12-15 boss kills, depending on drop rates, and the boss respawns after a few minutes, so you can farm multiple times per session.
Version 6.2’s new boss hasn’t been revealed yet, though it’s likely tied to Durin’s ascension materials and the Hexenzirkel storyline. Expect mechanics that favor Anemo reactions given Jahoda’s kit and the Luna Swirl system.
Freebies, redemption codes, and resource maximization
HoYoverse distributes three codes during each version’s livestream, each granting 100 Primogems and various enhancement materials. These codes expire within 24 hours, so redeem them immediately after the stream ends.
You can redeem codes through the official Genshin Impact website or the in-game settings menu under “Redeem Code.” See the latest Genshin Impact codes for free primogems.
Version 6.1 and 6.2 combined offer roughly 12,000-15,000 Primogems through events, dailies, Spiral Abyss, exploration, and maintenance compensation. That’s approximately 75-90 pulls across both versions for completely F2P players.
Trading & account safety: what you need to know
The secondary market for Genshin accounts remains active, with rare character combinations and early-game progress accounts commanding significant prices. However, unofficial trading carries risks, including account recovery scams, stolen accounts, and potential terms of service violations.
Common scam patterns:
- Sellers who reclaim accounts after payment using the original email address
- Fake screenshots showing characters the account doesn’t actually have
- Accounts with negative Primogem balances from chargebacks
Legitimate trading platforms use escrow systems that hold payment until you verify the account details match the listing. You’ll typically get a 24-48 hour window to log in, check the roster, and confirm everything’s accurate before the seller receives payment.
Buying or selling accounts technically violates HoYoverse’s terms of service. While enforcement primarily targets account theft and fraud rather than legitimate trades, there’s always some risk involved.
For players looking to acquire specific characters without gambling on gacha rates, secure platforms offer verified sellers and escrow protection. Learn more about how to buy an account safely on Eldorado.
