Well, well, well, look who's back! As we cruise into 2026, the hype for HoYoverse's flagship game shows no signs of slowing down. I've been staring at my Primogem stash, trying to decide if I should finally go all-in for that one character who has eluded me for years. The second half of Genshin Impact Version 4.3 is upon us, and it's bringing the thunder and the fireworks in a spectacular rerun double-feature. That's right, the Electro Archon herself, Raiden Shogun, and the Queen of Summer Festivals, Yoimiya, are stepping back into the spotlight. Let me tell you, the community servers have been buzzing louder than an Electro Cicin. It's time to break down everything you need to know, from the exact moment you can start wishing to the spicy new 4-star character joining the fray.

First things first, let's talk timing. You don't want to be the traveler who misses the banner because you got your time zones mixed up, do you? The release follows the classic Genshin rollout pattern, meaning servers get access at different times. The Asia server, as always, gets the first crack at it. A few hours later, the Europe server joins the party. And finally, the American server wraps up the global launch. I've learned to set multiple alarms for this—my sleep schedule is a small price to pay for a chance at a new 5-star.
To help you plan your all-night pulling sessions, here’s a quick reference for the countdown hype (because staring at a timer is half the fun):
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Asia Server Countdown: The first to dive in. Set your alarms!
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Europe Server Countdown: A few hours of patient (or impatient) waiting.
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America Server Countdown: Last but not least, the grand finale for the western hemisphere.
Now, onto the stars of the show! The character banner lineup is, frankly, stacked. We have the two 5-star headliners:
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Raiden Shogun (Electro): The ruler of Inazuma, a powerhouse who can support your team with insane Energy Recharge and then switch to deal devastating Electro damage. She's been a meta staple for years, and for good reason.
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Yoimiya (Pyro): The vibrant fireworks expert from Inazuma. She might seem like just a fun-loving festival organizer, but her single-target Pyro damage is absolutely explosive. She turns every fight into her own personal Naganohara Fireworks show.
But wait, there's more! The 4-star roster on the banner is just as crucial for building constellations or finally getting that one character you need. According to reliable sources (we all know who we're talking about), the banner will be rounded out by:
| Character | Element | Weapon | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xinyan | Pyro | Claymore | Physical DPS/Shielder |
| Kujou Sara | Electro | Bow | Electro Buffer/Support |
And here's the real kicker, the fresh face in the crowd! Version 4.3's second phase is introducing a brand-new 4-star character: Chevreuse. Hailing from the nation of Fontaine, she's a Polearm user blessed with a Pyro Vision. I'm already imagining the team compositions. A new Pyro unit from the land of justice? You can bet she's going to bring some fiery new dynamics to our team-building strategies. While her full kit details are still under wraps, the mere mention of a new character is enough to get any collector's heart racing. 😍
Of course, what's a character banner without its glorious, wallet-draining counterpart? The weapon banner for this phase is a thing of beauty. We're talking about the signature weapons for our two 5-star headliners, and they are chef's kiss.
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Engulfing Lightning (Polearm): Raiden Shogun's signature weapon. This thing is a beast. It not only supercharges her Energy Recharge but also converts that ER into a massive ATK bonus. It's practically an extension of her will.
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Thundering Pulse (Bow): Yoimiya's perfect match. This bow dramatically boosts her Normal Attack damage, turning her blazing arrows into literal meteors of destruction. It's the key to unlocking her full potential as a machine-gun Pyro archer.
These 5-stars are supported by a solid lineup of 4-star weapons, perfect for refining or equipping your other characters. The leaked lineup includes:
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Rust (Bow)
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Favonius Sword (Sword)
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Eye of Perception (Catalyst)
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Rainslasher (Claymore)
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Wavebreaker's Fin (Polearm)
Planning is everything. Do you go for the character banner, hoping to snag a new Chevreuse or finally get that C6 Sara? Or do you brave the perilous path of the weapon banner, chasing the elusive glow of a 5-star signature weapon? As for me, I'm sitting here, my cursor hovering over the wish button, my Primogems burning a hole in my digital pocket. The countdown is on, Travelers. May your 50/50s be blessed, and your pulls be golden!