The anticipated Version 5.5 of Genshin Impact is set to launch soon, introducing two captivating character banners. The spotlight will be on Varesa, a new 5-star Electro DPS, alongside Xianyun, a 5-star Anemo support who is making her first comeback since Version 4.4. Players can access these banners during Phase 1, available from March 26, 2025, to April 15, 2025.
As part of this update, players will also find the new characters’ signature weapons featured in the weapon banner, known as Epitome Invocation, which will coincide with the character banners. Xianyun specializes in supporting plunge teams, while Varesa aims to establish her reputation as one of the game’s top Electro DPS options. With such enticing choices, players may wonder which banner is worth their investment.
This article will delve into the abilities and strengths of Varesa and Xianyun, aiding you in determining which character is the right fit for your account in the Genshin Impact 5.5 Phase 1 banners. It’s crucial to consider your account’s current needs when making this decision.
Choosing Between Varesa and Xianyun in Genshin Impact 5.5
Each character boasts a unique playstyle and fulfills distinct roles within a team. Their overall effectiveness heavily depends on the requirements of your account. The next section will provide a thorough breakdown of each character’s abilities and advantages, assisting you in making an informed decision on whom to pursue in the Genshin Impact 5.5 version.
Character Spotlight: Varesa
Introducing Varesa, the latest 5-star Electro character hailing from the Collective of Plenty tribe in Natlan. Her arrival coincides with the first phase of Genshin Impact 5.5 and introduces a new mechanic called Nightsoul, which she can effectively utilize.
Varesa excels in plunge attacks, with skills designed to amplify her damage output. Her charged attack elevates her into the air, allowing for a powerful plunge assault, both of which deliver Nightsoul-aligned damage. When Varesa successfully executes a plunge attack against an opponent, she replenishes her Nightsoul points.
Upon accumulating the maximum number of Nightsoul points, she activates her Fiery Passion state, substantially increasing her plunge damage at the cost of consuming all her Nightsoul points. Furthermore, her elemental skill not only replenishes her Nightsoul points but also features two modes: a tap skill that inflicts immediate damage and a hold skill that serves as an exploration tool, enabling increased speed while consuming Nightsoul points.
Varesa’s elemental burst delivers considerable Nightsoul-aligned damage and includes a unique mode that bypasses the cooldown, allowing for a special ultimate that requires less energy. Overall, with her impressive damage potential, Varesa is poised to become a premier choice for players seeking a formidable Electro DPS, although her rotation may prove complex.
Character Spotlight: Xianyun
Xianyun, also known as the Cloud Retainer, stands out as the sole 5-star Anemo plunge support available in Genshin Impact, bringing unique strategies to team compositions.
Her elemental skill is tailored for exploration; capable of activating three times, she can leap forward each time, entering the Cloud Transmogrification state which protects her from fall damage. Upon exhausting her three charges, Xianyun can deliver a powerful Skyladder damage instance to adversaries.
In addition, her elemental burst not only heals party members based on her own attack stats but also summons a mechanism called Starwicker. This mechanism trails the active character and periodically heals them, while also increasing their jump height with its eight charges of Adeptal Assistance. After the character deals plunge damage, one stack is consumed.
Xianyun’s Ascension 1 Passive enhances her team’s critical hit rate between 4% to 10%, depending on the enemies affected by her elemental skill. Her additional passive boosts base damage for plunging attacks when the Adeptal Assistance is active.
Most of Xianyun’s constellations do not contribute significantly, except for her C2, which enhances her passive’s damage. Overall, Xianyun is straightforward to build due to her support role, but team energy management might become an issue. Notably, she is the only plunge support available to characters like Xiao, Gaming, and Varesa, limiting her synergies somewhat.
Final Thoughts
In summary, both Varesa and Xianyun offer distinct advantages, and your selection will ultimately be driven by personal preferences and account needs.
If your roster lacks strong Electro DPS options such as Shogun, Yae Miko, or Clorinde, Varesa will be a game-changer, dealing substantial damage without relying on elemental reactions. Her flexible team compositions are amplified by the presence of her ideal support, Iansan, who is alongside her in the banner.
Conversely, Xianyun is optimal for players relying on plunge support for characters like Xiao, Gaming, or even Diluc. Interestingly, she also provides tremendous support for Varesa. Should you desire a well-rounded team in Genshin Impact, consider pulling both characters for an enhanced gameplay experience.