The anticipation for the Genshin Impact 4.6 update is reaching a fever pitch, and new leaks have thrown gasoline on the hype fire. According to credible sources, the Phase 1 banners featuring the long-awaited Fatui Harbinger, Arlecchino, and her son, Lyney, will be accompanied by a trio of 4-star characters that is both thematically poignant and strategically brilliant. The rumored lineup includes Lynette, Freminet, and Chevreuse, a combination that tells a compelling story both in and out of the game's lore. While HoYoverse has yet to officially confirm these details, the logic behind this potential selection is so solid, it's practically a no-brainer.
The Heart of the Hearth: A Thematic Family Banner
The core of the leak centers on a powerful narrative choice. Arlecchino, the mastermind behind the House of the Hearth, is finally stepping onto the stage as a playable character. Who better to accompany her debut than her own 'children' from Fontaine? Lyney is already confirmed to share the featured 5-star spotlight with her in Phase 1. Adding his siblings, Lynette and Freminet, to the boosted 4-star pool completes the family portrait. This is a flavor move, pure and simple—it's a story banner. From a team-building perspective, running Lyney and Freminet (both main DPS units) alongside Arlecchino would be a bit of a mess, a classic case of 'too many cooks in the kitchen.' However, Lynette, the elegant Anemo support, slots in much more smoothly. She can Swirl their Pyro damage, help trigger elemental reactions, and provide valuable Energy Recharge. At the end of the day, it's about the vibes. Having this found family unit together on a single banner is a storytelling masterstroke that fans will absolutely eat up.
Chevreuse: The Secret Sauce for Overloaded Mayhem
Now, here's where things get spicy. The inclusion of Chevreuse, the captain of Fontaine's Special Security and Patrol, is the real head-turner from a meta perspective. She doesn't share the familial bond, but her rumored presence is a dead giveaway for how HoYoverse wants players to build Arlecchino. Chevreuse is not your average support; she's the Overload queen. Her kit is tailor-made to supercharge teams that rely on the explosive Pyro + Electro reaction.
Her rumored pairing with two premier Pyro DPS units—Arlecchino and Lyney—is a massive hint. It strongly suggests that Arlecchino's optimal team compositions will revolve around Overloaded reactions. Chevreuse provides insane offensive buffs specifically for this reaction, shredding enemy resistances and boosting the team's attack. This isn't her first rodeo, either. When she debuted in Version 4.3, she was perfectly paired with reruns of Raiden Shogun (Electro) and Yoimiya (Pyro), clearly signaling her intended role. This time, while there's no featured 5-star Electro unit in sight for 4.6, Chevreuse's presence alongside two Pyro powerhouses screams one thing: players are expected to slot in an off-field Electro sub-DPS (think Fischl, Yae Miko, or Beidou) to create absolute chaos.
What This Means for Players in 2026
Looking at the bigger picture for 2026, this leak shows HoYoverse's continued commitment to guiding the meta through banner composition. They're not just throwing characters together willy-nilly; there's a method to the madness.
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For New Players: This banner is a goldmine. You can pull for a top-tier 5-star DPS (Arlecchino), get a full thematic team of 4-stars that work together narratively, and snag one of the most niche but powerful reaction supports in the game. Talk about a value pack!
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For Meta Chasers: All eyes are on Arlecchino's kit details. If Chevreuse is indeed on her banner, it's a safe bet that building an Overload team will be her path to dealing 'unga bunga' levels of damage. Start farming those Electro support artifacts now.
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For Story Lovers: This is your banner. The emotional payoff of pulling the entire House of the Hearth family in one go is unmatched. It's a collector's dream and a lore enthusiast's paradise.
The synergy here is off the charts. The banner cleverly blends:
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Narrative Cohesion (The Family)
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Team Utility (Lynette's support)
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Meta-Defining Synergy (Chevreuse's Overload buffs for Arlecchino)
Final Thoughts
If these leaks hold true, the Genshin Impact 4.6 Phase 1 banner is shaping up to be one of the most intelligently designed in recent memory. It caters to every type of player: the storyteller, the strategist, and the damage-per-second addict. HoYoverse seems to be saying, 'Here's an amazing 5-star, here's her story, and here's exactly how to build her to crush the Spiral Abyss.' It's a full-package deal that respects both the game's rich lore and its complex combat system. With Arlecchino's debut on the horizon, the stage is set for an update that will be remembered not just for a new character, but for a banner that truly had it all. The hype is real, and it's totally justified.