Essential guide to Genshin Impact 5.5 Phase II banners with expert pulling strategies and optimization tips
Phase II Banner Overview & Schedule
The initial phase of Genshin Impact’s Version 5.5 is concluding, paving the way for a fresh set of character and weapon banners. HoYoverse has officially disclosed the complete roster for the second half, finalizing the 4-star lineup and weapon selections that will accompany the previously announced 5-star characters.
The event period for these banners is crucial for planning your wishes. They are scheduled to commence on April 15, 2025, at 8:00 PM (Server Time) and will conclude on May 6, 2025, at 2:59 PM. Mark your calendars accordingly to allocate your Primogems.
The character event wish banner will showcase the following units:
Character Banner Analysis & Pull Value
This banner phase holds distinct value for different players. Xilonen is experiencing her debut rerun since her introduction in Version 5.1, making this a prime opportunity for those who missed her initial release. As a Geo support unit, she specializes in providing shields and coordinated attacks.
Conversely, Venti, the Anemo Archon, is a veteran with multiple reruns. His unparalleled crowd control (CC) capabilities remain meta-defining for scenarios with lightweight enemies, making him a perennial strong pull for account versatility.
The 4-star lineup is exceptionally robust. Faruzan is arguably the premier dedicated support for Anemo main DPS characters like Xiao and Wanderer, providing massive Anemo DMG buffs and resistance shred. For players building these teams, obtaining her constellations is highly valuable.
Beidou offers off-field Electro application and damage reduction, excelling in Taser (Electro-Charged) and Overload teams. Yanfei, beyond being a solid Pyro DPS, can be built as a shield-support (C4) for niche team compositions. A common mistake is underestimating these 4-stars; investing in their constellations can significantly boost your account’s power level without spending on 5-stars.
Also read: Should you pull Xilonen in Genshin Impact: Pull value analysis
Weapon Banner Deep Dive
The accompanying Epitome Invocation (weapon banner) presents both high-risk and high-reward options. The featured 5-star weapons are:
Peak Patrol Song is tailor-made for Xilonen, drastically enhancing her support potential by boosting her skill-based capabilities. However, its niche nature means it has limited value for other Sword characters, making it a risky pull unless you are fully committed to maining Xilonen.
Elegy for the End is a top-tier support bow. While fantastic for Venti, its true value lies in its universal utility. Characters like Yelan, Collei, and Sara can also wield it effectively, making it a safer and more versatile investment for the long term.
The 4-star weapon selection includes:
Here lies the banner’s hidden gem for Free-to-Play (F2P) and low-spending players. The Favonius series weapons are exceptional for energy-hungry support characters across all elements. Refining these weapons is a key optimization strategy for ensuring smooth team rotations. In contrast, The Bell is widely considered one of the least desirable Claymores, so pulling it is a minor consolation.
Advanced Pulling Strategies & Common Pitfalls
Before spending Primogems, adopt a strategic approach. First, always prioritize character banners over weapon banners. A new character adds more gameplay variety and team options than a weapon. The weapon banner’s dual 5-star system lacks a guarantee for your targeted item until the Epitomized Path mechanic triggers, making it a resource trap for the unprepared.
Practical Tip: Use online “pity calculators” to track your wish history. Knowing you are 30 wishes away from soft pity (around 75 wishes) versus 70 away is crucial for decision-making. If you’re close to soft pity on the character banner, it may be worth investing to secure Xilonen or Venti.
Common Mistake: Pulling on the weapon banner “just a few times” without a plan. It’s easy to waste 30-40 wishes getting only 4-star weapons and making no progress toward a guaranteed 5-star. Only engage with this banner if you have ~200 wishes reserved to guarantee your chosen weapon via Epitomized Path.
Optimization for Advanced Players: For those with established accounts, evaluate constellation needs. C6 Faruzan is a game-changer for Anemo DPS. If you have C5, strategically pulling on this banner for her final constellation can be a more powerful upgrade than a new 5-star character. Similarly, assess your stock of Favonius weapons; refining a Favonius Lance to R5 for Xiangling can be a top priority.
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