The second half of Genshin Impact's 6.7 Luna cycle has arrived, and as a player who has been carefully hoarding Primogems for months, I can finally let out a breath of excitement. Running from July 21 to August 11, 2026 (server time), Phase 2 brings something rare: a debut character dripping with mystery and a rerun of an undisputed powerhouse sharing the spotlight. Columbina (Hydro) finally steps out of the shadows on her "Somnias a Luna" character event wish, while the Raiden Shogun returns in her "Reign of Serenity" rerun. Having both these banners share the same pity counter makes this a strategic playground—every wish I make inches me closer to a guaranteed five-star, regardless of which banner I pull on.
Who’s on the Banners? A Quick Overview
Getting the facts straight has always been my first step before any wishing session. This time the lineup is clean and high value:
| Rarity | Character/Weapon Banner 1 | Character/Weapon Banner 2 | Weapon Banner |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Columbina (Hydro) – Somnias a Luna | Raiden Shogun (Electro) – Reign of Serenity | Nocturne's Curtain Call (Catalyst), Engulfing Lightning (Polearm) |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Jahoda (Anemo), Ororon (Electro), Sethos (Electro) | Same 4-stars as Banner 1 | Waveriding Whirl (Catalyst), Sacrificial Sword, The Bell, Favonius Lance, Favonius Warbow |
The weapon banner, Epitome Invocation, carries two spectacular five-stars this time around. Nocturne's Curtain Call is almost certainly Columbina's signature catalyst, while Engulfing Lightning remains Raiden Shogun's uncontested best-in-slot polearm. The four-star pool includes the event-exclusive Waveriding Whirl catalyst plus a handful of solid Favonius and Sacrificial weapons that many accounts still crave.
Columbina’s Long-Awaited Debut: First Impressions
I still remember the first time Columbina appeared in the story—her presence alone hinted at layers we hadn't yet uncovered. Now, with her "Welkin Moon's Homecoming" aesthetic, she brings a Hydro DPS kit that already has theorycrafters buzzing. Early impressions point toward a character who thrives in vaporize teams, much like Childe, but with a unique rotation that could refresh the playstyle significantly. Pair her with classic off-field Pyro supports like Xiangling or Bennett, and the damage potential shoots up. Electro-charged comps with Fischl or Yae Miko also look promising on paper.
Full stat sheets aren't finalized in the community yet, but from what I've tested in her trial run, her smooth animations and fluid elemental application feel great. If you lack a dedicated Hydro damage dealer—someone who can stand alongside the likes of Ayato or Neuvillette—Columbina is a tempting pull. However, as with any new character, I'd caution a little patience. Waiting a few days for proper damage calculations and abyss testing can prevent regret.
Raiden Shogun: The Proven Account-Changer
There are very few characters I'd label as must-haves after four years of playing Genshin Impact, but the Raiden Shogun sits comfortably at the top of that list. Her return in Phase 2 is a golden opportunity for anyone who missed her earlier runs, and even if you have her at C0, constellations remain tantalizing. Raiden's Energy Recharge support is a glue that binds countless teams together—Rational (Raiden, Xiangling, Xingqiu, Bennett), hypercarry setups with Kujou Sara and Kazuha, and even more experimental Nilou bloom or overload variants. Her burst window deletes enemies and fills every party member's energy bar, making her in my experience one of the safest long-term investments.
Having used her since version 2.1, I can confidently say she elevates both overworld comfort and spiral abyss consistency. If you're still on the fence, think about how often you've wished your bursts were ready off cooldown. Raiden solves that singularly well. For newer players, she's an account foundation; for veterans, she's a permanent fixture.
The 4-Star Lineup: Hidden Gems Worth Building
Sharing spotlight on both character event wishes are Jahoda (Anemo), Ororon (Electro), and Sethos (Electro). I've had the chance to build each of them across different patches, and they genuinely complement the five-stars.
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Jahoda provides grouping and Anemo shred, making him an excellent budget option for any team that craves crowd control.
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Ororon acts as a consistent off-field Electro applicator, fitting naturally into quicken or electro-charged teams.
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Sethos brings both healing and shielding utility—an all-in-one defensive pick that newer accounts will find invaluable.
Even if your target is Columbina or Raiden, pulling a few constellations for these four-stars could significantly improve your roster flexibility.
Weapon Banner Analysis: Tread Carefully
The Epitome Invocation this cycle is undeniably attractive. Nocturne's Curtain Call likely gives Columbina a massive DPS ceiling, while Engulfing Lightning remains a stat stick that makes Raiden Shogun sing. The four-star lineup includes Waveriding Whirl, an event-exclusive catalyst that may also work well on other catalyst users if you miss the five-stars.
But the Epitomized Path system still demands caution. Needing up to three fate points to guarantee your chosen weapon can drain Primogem reserves faster than you'd like. My rule of thumb: only pull on the weapon banner if you're fully committed to either five-star and have enough wishes to reach hard pity twice. Having both rate-ups be excellent helps, but bad luck is still a real possibility.
Smart Pulling Strategy for Phase 2
Given that I've made my fair share of impulsive wishes in the past, here's the priority list I'll be following this time:
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Raiden Shogun if you don't own her. She's a meta-defining unit whose value has only grown over time.
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Columbina if you need a strong Hydro DPS and already have Raiden, or if you simply love her design. She's shaping up to be a powerful addition, but she isn't irreplaceable.
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Weapon Banner only after securing the character you want. Both weapons are excellent, but characters always come first.
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Constellations for Raiden (C2 especially) are worth considering if you're already a dedicated main.
The shared pity between the two character banners is a quality-of-life feature I'm glad HoYoverse kept. I can build pity on Columbina's banner while waiting for community verdicts, and if I change my mind, those wishes still count toward Raiden.
Testing the Waters with Free Rewards
Don't overlook the Test Run trials. Completing them grants Primogems, mora, and ascension materials—a small but welcome bonus. More importantly, the trials let you feel out Columbina's handling before committing. The practice arena for Raiden is also active if you want a refresher on her rotation cadence. I always spend a few minutes in these stages when a new character drops; it's free, and the rewards are a nice little push toward the next wish.
Final Thoughts
The Genshin Impact 6.7 Phase 2 banners are shaping up to be one of the strongest pairings I've seen in a while. A brand-new Hydro DPS with story significance on one side, and a cornerstone support/DPS hybrid on the other. Whether you're pulling for the mystique of Columbina or the proven strength of Raiden Shogun, careful planning will make all the difference. With the shared pity mechanic, taking a day or two to let early testers analyze Columbina's numbers is a wise move. As for Raiden, she remains a safe and stellar choice even as the game continues to evolve.
May your pity come early and your 50/50s be won, Traveler. I'll be right there on the wish screen with you.