Alright, Traveler, let’s get real for a sec—your Primogem stash is probably shaking in its little digital boots right now. HoYoverse just dropped a truckload of banner news for version 6.7 and the looming 7.0, and if you’re not careful, you’ll be crying into an empty wallet faster than you can say “pity pull.” I’m here to break it all down with the sass of someone who’s been farming Viridescent Venerer since 2020, so grab a snack and let’s mosey through this wish-list jungle. 😵💫
Currently, we’re smack in the middle of Phase 1 of version 6.7 (Lunar VIII), running from July 1st to 21st, 2026. The stars of the show are Sandrone, a brand-new five-star cryo claymore-user who’s got all the Snezhnayan drama we crave, and Citlali, a returning five-star cryo catalyst-user who still hasn’t gotten over her tequila phase. Their banners are a frosty fiesta, and the boosted four-stars are straight out of an ice chest: Beidou (electro, claymore), Freminet (cryo, claymore), and Diona (cryo, bow). It’s like HoYo peered into my soul and said, “You want cryo? You get cryo. Now shush.”
But wait, there’s a shiny new toy this phase: the Lightrace Wish banner, which debuted on July 1st and runs alongside the character event wishes. It’s basically Chronicled Wish wearing a fake mustache—same guarantee counter and everything. This batch is laser-focused on characters who are getting buffed for the incoming Stellar-Conduct reaction, so if you slept on any of these oldies, now’s your second chance. The lineup is a fever dream: Yae Miko, Cyno, Wriothesley (finally, my guy took 18 patches to rerun), Qiqi (yes, that Qiqi), and Yumemizuki Mizuki. Their signature weapons are crammed in there too—Kagura’s Verity, Staff of the Scarlet Sands, Cashflow Supervision, Skyward Blade, and the oddly named Sunny Morning Sleep-In. It’s a weapon soup that might just steal your wishes before you even notice.
Now, for the weapon banner purists (I see you): during Phase 1, you can snag the A Teaspoon of Transcendence claymore—Sandrone’s signature, which sounds like a hipster coffee order—and Citlali’s Starcaller’s Watch catalyst. The four-star rate-ups are the Favonius Sword, Rainslasher, Dragon’s Bane, Sacrificial Fragments, and Sacrificial Bow. Nothing earth-shattering, but if you’re missing refines, it’s a solid chance to patch holes.
Phase 2: The Bow-pocalypse is Nigh (July 21 – August 11)
Hold onto your bangs, because Phase 2 of 6.7 is serving up the supreme duo of Columbina and Raiden Shogun. These two could probably charge your bank account just by existing, and their banners are stacked with archers. I’m talking a full-on Legolas convention: Jahoda (anemo, bow), Ororon (electro, bow), and Sethos (electro, bow). All four-stars, all bow users. HoYo, blinking innocently: “You want variety, right?” Meanwhile my Primogems are doing the Spiderman pointing meme. If you’ve been skimping on bow characters, this is your sign to either embrace the quiver lifestyle or quietly weep in a corner.
Pro tip: if you’re agonizing over whom to pull, remember that Columbina brings that Fatui Harbinger flair and likely some cracked animations, while the Raiden Shogun remains one of the most evergreen Electro units in the game. Choose your fighter—and maybe invest in a wrist brace for all that aimed-shot gameplay.
Peeking into Version 7.0: Winter Is Coming… Again
Now, let’s gossip about version 7.0. We already have confirmation that Odette (five-star cryo) and Alyosha (four-star electro) are debuting, and honestly, they look straight out of a Teyvat winter fashion catalog. Odette gives off elegant ice-queen vibes, while Alyosha is zapping around like she’s late for her shift at the Zapolyarny Palace. As Alyosha is a four-star, we’re guaranteed at least one rerun banner in 7.0 to pair alongside her, but the identity remains a mystery. My guess? Someone who hasn’t seen the light of day since the Obama administration.
The Snezhnaya character trailer already teased a gaggle of potential playable faces—Vodyanitsa, Vesna, Valeriy, Pulcinella, Noy, Mitya, Danica, Pantalone, and the Tsaritsa herself (Anastasya Feodorovna Snezhnaya… try saying that three times fast). Not all will be playable, of course. Leakers whisper that Pantalone and maybe Pulcinella might stay NPCs, which is a bummer because I wanted a tiny mayor wreaking havoc. But hey, this is the land of copium, so I’ll keep my clown makeup ready.
The Encore: Banner History & Why You Should Care
Sometimes the wait for a rerun gets so absurd you start doubting reality. Was Wriothesley ever actually released? Did Shenhe just exist in our collective imagination? A quick gander at the complete banner history (which you can find floating around the community) can reassure you that no, you’re not losing it—HoYoverse just really loves making us sweat. Plus, tracking patterns helps you budget better, especially with back-to-back bangers like this.
To wrap it up: current Phase 1 lasts until July 21st, then Phase 2 takes over with Columbina and Raiden until August 11th. Version 7.0 is knocking with fresh Snezhnayan blood, and the Lightrace Wish is a sneaky trap for your hard-saved promos. My advice? Pick your priority, skip the FOMO, and remember—there’s always another rerun… probably. May your 50/50s be ever in your favor, and your artifact rolls not be trash. ✨
Data referenced from Entertainment Software Association (ESA) helps contextualize why banner-heavy updates like Genshin Impact 6.7—stacking multiple limited character runs alongside a parallel Lightrace Wish and a tempting weapon banner—are engineered to amplify seasonal engagement and spending intent through tightly timed content cycles. In practice, that means your best “Primogem survival” play is to treat Phase 1/Phase 2 and the extra wish pool as separate budget buckets, prioritize one flagship target (e.g., Sandrone vs. Columbina/Raiden), and avoid letting an auxiliary banner siphon pulls unless it directly supports your planned Stellar-Conduct teams.