HoYoverse announced the Genshin Impact 5.5 banners during the version update’s recent livestream, and we’re getting not one, but two new Electro characters. It’s the first time Natlan’s brought forth any Electro characters since Ororon, and while his excellent kit means you might not need a new Electro fighter, these two aren’t your usual DPS characters. Venti’s also making a return, marking the bard’s first appearance since late 2023, but he’s got some fierce competition with one of Genshin Impact’s best support characters.
Our Genshin Impact 5.5 banners guide breaks down who’s showing up in which phase and when the 5.5 banners start.
Genshin Impact 5.5 banners – Varesa and Xianyun
The first round of Genshin 5.5 banners goes live on March 26, 2025, or late on March 25, 2025, and runs for the usual three weeks. It features:
- Varesa (5-star, Electro, Catalyst)
- Xianyun (5-star, Anemo, Catalyst)
- Iansan (4-star, Electro, Polearm)
There’s no word on who the other two 4-star characters will be.
Varesa, the first Electro catalyst user since Yae Miko, has high plunging attack damage and can buff her skill and plunging attacks based on how many Nightsoul Points she’s accumulated. Her passives also increase her attack when a nearby ally enters the Nightsoul Burst state, so it’s a good idea to plan at least one Natlan character for her parties. Xianyun buffs the party’s plunging attack damage and can heal them even when she’s off field.
Iansan is a hybrid damage dealer and support, with a skill that increases mobility and a buff that boosts the active character’s attack by as much as 27 percent. Her second passive even lets her heal allies when an ally enters the Nightsoul Burst state.
As always with these banners, the 5-star signature weapons for each character will run on the Epitome Invocation weapon banner. That’s the Vivid Notions catalyst for Varesa and Crane’s Echoing Call for Xianyun. Iansan won’t have a signature weapon.
Genshin Impact 5.5 banners – Venti and Xilonen
The next round of Version 5.5’s banners begins on April 15, 2025. Despite falling through the meta tiers over the years, Venti is back once more, marking his first return since November 2023. Xilonen is also returning in her first rerun, and if you’re after a character who can shred enemy resistances, you’d probably be better off saving for her over Venti.
- Xilonen (5-star, Geo, Sword)
- Venti (5-star, Anemo, Bow)
Both characters can reduce enemy elemental resistance, Venti by triggering frequent Swirl reactions and Xilonen based on your party’s elemental makeup. Xilonen gives you more control over which elemental resistances get reduced, though Venti can group enemies, something Xilonen can’t do.
Venti’s signature weapon is Elegy for the End, which provides him with a hefty, and necessary, elemental mastery buff. Xilonen’s is the Peak Patrol Song sword, a weapon that increases elemental damage for the entire party and raises the user’s defense. Xilonen’s abilities scale with her defense, so that’s a useful buff to have.
If you’re saving up Primogems and materials for future Genshin Impact banners, check out our up-do-date list of Genshin Impact codes for some free Primogems.