Columbina Build Guide: Best Artifacts & Weapons (2026)

Columbina debuts as a 5-star HP-scaling Hydro Catalyst sub-DPS in Genshin Impact 6.3, introducing Lunar Reaction mechanics. This guide compares Golden Troupe against Aubade of Morningstar and Moon and Silken Moon's Serenade, details weapon choices including signature Nocturne's Curtain Call, and provides complete pre-farming for her Phase 1 banner (January 14 - February 3, 2026). Master HP builds, teams, and Lunar-Charged, Lunar-Bloom, Lunar-Crystallize reactions.

Columbina Overview: HP Hydro Catalyst Mechanics

Columbina, Third Fatui Harbinger from Nod-Krai, transforms standard reactions into Lunar variants. Ascension grants 19.2% CRIT Rate at level 90. She functions as sub-DPS enabling off-field damage through Gravity Ripple and Lunar Domain.

Version 6.3 releases January 14, 2026. Secure Genesis Crystals through Genshin Impact top up on BitTopup for guaranteed pulls.

Kit Breakdown

Normal Attack Moondew Cascade: Three Hydro hits. Charged Attack consumes Stamina for AoE. Moondew Cleanse uses Verdant Dew stack for three Dendro Lunar-Bloom attacks.

Elemental Skill Eternal Tides: AoE Hydro damage, summons Gravity Ripple pulsing Hydro every 2s. Accumulates 20 Gravity per pulse (60 cap). At max Gravity, Kuuvahki Interference triggers:

• Lunar-Charged: Single-target Electro AoE vs Electro enemies

• Lunar-Bloom: 5 Moondew Sigils (Dendro damage)

• Lunar-Crystallize: Single-target Geo AoE

Elemental Burst Moonlit Melancholy: Creates Lunar Domain, amplifying Lunar Reaction damage.

Passive Moonsign Benediction: Converts Electro-Charged → Lunar-Charged, Bloom → Lunar-Bloom, Hydro-Crystallize → Lunar-Crystallize. Grants 0.2% Lunar damage per 1,000 Max HP (7% cap at 35,000 HP).

Passive Call of the Moon: 5% CRIT Rate per Kuuvahki Interference (max 15%, 10s duration).

Passive Law of the New Moon: Reduces Lunar-Charged intervals by 0.5s, generates 3 Moonridge Dew stacks/18s for Lunar-Bloom, 33% chance for Moondrift during Lunar-Crystallize.

HP Scaling Explained

Each 1,000 HP = 0.2% Lunar damage (7% max at 35,000 HP). HP pools reach higher values than ATK, making HP% substats nearly as valuable as CRIT stats.

Elemental Application

Gravity Ripple applies Hydro every 2s with standard ICD. Kuuvahki Interference bypasses ICD, enabling rapid Lunar chains. Lunar Domain amplifies existing reactions but doesn't apply additional Hydro.

Golden Troupe vs Alternative Artifacts

Golden Troupe 4pc

• 2pc: 20% Elemental Skill DMG

• 4pc: 25% Skill DMG baseline, 50% off-field (clears 2s after swapping on)

Excels in quickswap teams. Zero benefits to Burst, Lunar Reactions, or Normal Attacks. No ER substats forces ER% Sands or weapon reliance.

Aubade of Morningstar and Moon (Best-in-Slot)

• 2pc: 80 EM

• 4pc: 20% Lunar Reaction DMG off-field, 40% at Ascendant Gleam

Multiplicative bonuses apply to all Lunar variants. 40% Lunar DMG > Golden Troupe's 50% Skill DMG when reactions = 60-70% damage. EM bonus amplifies reactions further.

Silken Moon's Serenade (ER Hybrid)

• 2pc: 20% ER

• 4pc: 60 EM at Nascent Gleam or 120 EM at Ascendant Gleam + 10% Lunar Reaction DMG (8s duration)

Eases Burst rotation, allows HP% Sands. 120 EM approaches Aubade's 80 EM but 10% Lunar DMG < Aubade's 40%. Best for Energy-starved teams.

Night of the Sky's Unveiling (CRIT Alternative)

• 2pc: 80 EM

• 4pc: 15% CRIT Rate at Nascent Gleam or 30% at Ascendant Gleam + 10% Lunar Reaction DMG (4s duration)

30% CRIT Rate + Call of the Moon = 45% bonus CRIT Rate. Enables aggressive CRIT DMG investment. Short duration demands precise timing.

Damage Comparison (35,000 HP, 75% CR, 150% CD, 140% ER, Nocturne's Curtain Call)

Lunar-Bloe 4pc: ~38% effective increase

• Golden Troupe 4pc: ~22%

• Silken Moon 4pc: ~28%

• Night of Sky 4pc: ~32%

Lunar-Charged:

• Aubade 4pc: ~35%

• Golden Troupe 4pc: ~28%

• Night of Sky 4pc: ~34%

• Silken Moon 4pc: ~26%

Skill Only (no reactions):

• Golden Troupe 4pc: ~50%

• Aubade 4pc: 0%

• Night of Sky 4pc: ~18%

• Silken Moon 4pc: 0%

Aubade dominates reaction scenarios. Golden Troupe only relevant when reactions contribute minimally (rare).

Optimal Artifact Stats

Main Stats

Sands: HP% for 7% Lunar damage (requires 35,000 HP). ER% if below 140% ER without weapon. HP% → ER% = 12-15% damage loss, offset by Burst uptime.

Goblet: HP% synergizes with scaling, benefits all abilities/reactions. Hydro DMG% offers higher Skill/Burst damage but zero Lunar Reaction benefit. HP% outperforms by 8-10% in reaction rotations; Hydro DMG% leads by 15-18% in pure Skill scenarios.

Circlet: CRIT Rate/DMG targeting 75% CR / 150% CD after 19.2% ascension CR and Call of the Moon stacks.

Substat Priority

1. CRIT Rate/DMG (1:2 ratio): 7.8% damage/roll

2. HP%: 6.2%/roll (below 35,000 HP)

3. ER%: 5.4%/roll (below 140% ER)

4. EM: 4.1%/roll (reaction-dependent)

5. Flat HP: 2.3%/roll

6. ATK%/Flat ATK: 1.2%/roll

Stat Targets

Minimum: 28,000-30,000 HP, 60% CR / 120% CD, 140% ER, 80-120 EM

Optimized: 33,000-35,000 HP, 70% CR / 140% CD, 150% ER, 120-160 EM

Maximum: 35,000+ HP, 75% CR / 150% CD, 160% ER, 160-200 EM

Best Weapons

5-Star

Nocturne's Curtain Call (Best-in-Slot):

• 542 Bassive: 10-18% Max HP, 12-16 Energy/18s off-field

• Reduces ER requirements by 30-40%, enables CRIT DMG investment

• 22-25% advantage over best 4-star

Bountiful Sea's Sacred Wine:

• 14-22% Max HP for 12s after Skill

• 60-140% CRIT DMG for Lunar Reactions only

• Excels when reactions = 70%+ damage, inconsistent otherwise

4-Star

Sacrificial Jade (Best 4-Star):

• 454 Base ATK, 36.8% CRIT Rate, 32% Max HP, 40 EM

• 85-88% of Nocturne's damage (reactions), 78-82% (Skill-focused)

• Requires 160-180% ER from artifacts

Prototype Amber R5 (F2P):

• 510 Base ATK, 41.3% HP%

• R5: 18 Energy after Burst, 4% party HP/2s

• 72-75% of Nocturne's damage

• Craftable, guaranteed R5

Favonius Codex:

• 510 Base ATK, 45.9% ER

• 60% chance for 6 Energy particles on CRIT (6s CD)

• Enables HP% Sands, 30-35% less damage than Sacrificial Jade

• Best for Energy-starved teams

Weapon Rankings

Reaction Teams:

1. Nocturne R1: 100%

2. Bountiful Sea R1: 96-98%

3. Sacrificial Jade R1: 85-88%

4. Prototype Amber R5: 72-75%

5. Favonius Codex R5: 65-68%

Skill-Focused:

1. Nocturne R1: 100%

2. Sacrificial Jade R1: 78-82%

3. Bountiful Sea R1: 70-74%

4. Prototype Amber R5: 68-72%

Lunar Reaction Mechanics

What is Lunar Reaction?

Moonsign Benediction converts:

• El

• Bloom → Lunar-Bloom (5 Moondew Sigils, Dendro damage)

• Hydro-Crystallize → Lunar-Crystallize (Geo AoE + shield)

Requires Columbina active or off-field when reactions trigger.

Damage Formula

Base Reaction × (1 + EM Bonus) × (1 + Lunar DMG Bonus) × (1 + HP Scaling) × Resistance

• Base: Level 90 Lunar-Bloom = ~2,400/sigil

• EM Bonus: (2.78 × EM) / (EM + 1400). 160 EM = ~24%, 200 EM = ~29%

• Lunar DMG: Aubade 40% + Moonsign 7% = 47-52% total

• HP Scaling: 0.2%/1,000 HP (7% max at 35,000 HP)

EM vs HP Priority

HP to 35,000 threshold, then EM:

30,000 HP + 200 EM: 1.37× multiplier 35,000 HP + 120 EM: 1.29× multiplier 35,000 HP + 160 EM: 1.33× multiplier (optimal)

Aubade's 80 EM satisfies baseline; prioritize HP% and CRIT substats.

ICD Patterns

Gravity Ripple: Hydro every 2s (standard ICD). Kuuvahki Interference bypasses ICD at 60 Gravity (every 6s).

Optimal Pattern:

1. Deploy Eternal Tides

2. Apply Electro/Dendro/Geo

3. Accumulate 60 Gravity (6s)

4. Trigger Kuuvahki Interference

5. Reapply auras, repeat

Best Teams

Lunar-Bloom

Core: Nefer (DPS) + Columbina (Sub-DPS) + Nahida (Dendro) + Baizhu (Healer)

Rotation:

1. Baizhu Skill (0s) - Shield + Dendro

2. Nahida Skill (1s) - Mark enemies

3. Columbina Skill + Burst (2-3s)

4. Nefer Skill + Attacks (4-10s) - Trigger Lunar-Bloom

5. Nahida Burst (11s) - EM buff

6. Nefer attacks (12-18s)

7. Baizhu Burst (19s)

15-20 Moondew Sigils/rotation. Aubade 4pc maximizes damage.

Alternatives: Nilou (pure Bloom, conflicts with Lunar-Bloom), Lauma (Support)

Lunar-Charged

Core: Flins (DPS) + Columbina (Sub-DPS) + Ineffa (Support) + Kazuha (Anemo)

Rotation:

1. Kazuha Skill (0s) - VV shred

2. Columbina Skill (1s)

3. Ineffa Skill (2s) - Electro + buffs

4. Columbina Burst (3s)

5. Flins Skill + Attacks (4-12s) - Lunar-Charged

6. Kazuha Burst (13s)

7. Ineffa Burst (14s)

8-10 Lunar-Charged/rotation. Night of Sky 4pc optimizes CRIT.

Alternatives: Fischl (off-field Electro), Sucrose (F2P Anemo)

Lunar-Crystallize

Core: Zibai (DPS) + Columbina (Sub-DPS) + Illuga (Support) + Gorou (Geo Buffer)

Rotation:

1. Gorou Skill - Geo DMG + DEF buff

2. Columbina Skill + Burst

3. Illuga abilities

4. Zibai Skill + Attacks - Lunar-Crystallize

33% Moondrift proc adds Geo damage. Excels in defensive content.

Alternatives: Zhongli (resistance shred + shields), Chiori (Geo sub-DPS)

F2P Teams

Budget Lunar-Bloom: Columbina + Dendro Traveler + Xingqiu + Barbara (60-65% premium damage)

Budget Lunar-Charged: Columbina + Fischl + Beidou + Sucrose (55-60% premium damage)

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Top Synergies

• Nahida: Best Dendro, EM sharing

• Fischl: Consistent Electro, Energy particles

• Kazuha: VV shred, Elemental DMG buffs

• Xilonen: Geo support, resistance shred, healing

• Neuvillette: HP-scaling synergy

• Furina: Fanfare buffs, Hydro application

Avoid: Freeze characters (Ayaka, Ganyu), pure ATK scalers, extended on-field carries

Pre-Farm Guide

Ascension Materials

Varunada Lazurite: 1 Sliver, 9 Fragments, 9 Chunks, 6 Gemstones. Farm Hydro Hypostasis/Oceanid. ~840 Resin.

Slime Materials: 18 Condensate, 30 Secretions, 36 Concentrate. Overworld farming. 0 Resin.

Radiant Antler: 46 total. Drops from Frostnight Herras (Nod-Krai). ~1,200-1,400 Resin.

Winter Icelea: 168 total. Nod-Krai specialty, 48h respawn. 3 farming cycles (6 days). 0 Resin.

Mora: 420,000. Ley Lines (60,000/20 Resin). 140 Resin.

Total Ascension Resin: 1,980-2,380 (12-15 days)

Talent Books

Moonlight Books: Lightless Capital domain (Mon/Thu/Sun)

• Single talent 1→10: 3 Teachings, 21 Guides, 38 Philosophies

• Three talents 1→10: 9 Teachings, 63 Guides, 114 Philosophies

• 38-57 domain runs, 760-1,140 Resin

Slime Materials (Talents): 18 Condensate, 66 Secretions, 93 Concentrate. Overworld.

Mora (Talents): 4,957,500 for three talents. 1,653 Resin.

Total Talent Resin: 2,413-2,793 (15-17 days)

Weekly Boss

Mask of the Virtuous Doctor: 18 total (three talents). The Doctor weekly boss. 6-24 weeks (use Dream Solvent: 6-8 weeks).

Crown of Insight: 3 total. Events/regional exploration.

Artifacts

Aubade Domain: 15-20 runs for baseline set, 40-60 for optimized. 800-1,200 Resin (5-8 days).

EXP/Mora

Hero's Wit: 419 books. Ley Lines. 1,400-1,680 Resin.

Total Mora: 8,877,500 (Ascension + Talents + Leveling + Artifacts). 2,960 Resin (reduce 40-50% via events/Teapot).

Complete Pre-Farm: 9,553-10,013 Resin (60-63 days natural, or 38-40 days with Fragile Resin). Start farming January 14, 2026.

Talent Priority & Constellations

Talent Leveling

Elemental Skill (Priority 1): Level to 8 minimum, 9-10 optimized. Each level = ~8% Skill DMG, ~6% Gravity Ripple damage.

Elemental Burst (Priority 2): Level to 6-8 functional, 9-10 Burst-focused. Each level = ~7% Burst DMG.

Normal Attack (Priority 3): Level to 6 baseline, ignore beyond unless on-field carry.

Optimal Path:

• 1-6: Skill = Burst > Normal

• 6-8: Skill > Burst > Normal

• 8-10: Skill >= Burst >> Normal

Constellation Value (Estimates)

C0: 100% baseline (fully functional) C1: 10-15% increase (Energy/cooldown/charges) C2: 15-20% increase (reaction/defensive utility) C3: 8-10% increase (+3 Skill levels) C4: 12-18% increase (new mechanics/stat bonuses) C5: 6-9% increase (+3 Burst levels) C6: 25-40% increase (game-changing)

Best Value: C1-C2 (115-135% performance)

Investment Stops

F2P: C0, 8/6/6 talents, Prototype Amber R5, functional Aubade. 70-75% max potential.

Welkin/BP: C0-C1, 9/8/6 talents, Nocturne R1 or Sacrificial Jade, optimized Aubade. 85-90% max.

Moderate: C2, 10/9/6 talents, Nocturne R1, highly optimized Aubade. 95-100% max.

Whale: C6, 10/10/10 talents, Nocturne R5, perfect Aubade. 100% max.

Advanced Tips

Optimal Rotations

Lunar-Bloom (20s):

1. Baizhu Skill (0s)

2. Nahida Skill (1s)

3. Columbina Skill (2s)

4. Columbina Burst (3s)

5. Nefer Skill (4s)

6. Nefer Attacks (5-10s)

7. Nahida Burst (11s)

8. Nefer Attacks (12-18s)

9. Baizhu Burst (19s)

Kuuvahki Interference at 8s, 14s.

Lunar-Charged (18s):

1. Kazuha Skill (0s)

2. Columbina Skill (1s)

3. Ineffa Skill (2s)

4. Columbina Burst (3s)

5. Flins Skill (4s)

6. Flins Attacks (5-12s)

7. Kazuha Burst (13s)

8. Ineffa Burst (14s)

9. Flins Attacks (15-17s)

Lunar-Charged every 2s (6s, 8s, 10s, 12s, 16s). Kuuvahki at 7s, 13s.

Common Mistakes

1. ATK% over HP%: HP% Sands = 15% more damage

2. Low ER: <140% ER loses 20-25% damage from missed Bursts

3. Excess EM: >200 EM = diminishing returns, sacrifice CRIT

4. Golden Troupe in reaction teams: 15-20% underperformance

5. Low talent levels: 6→9 = 18% damage for 1.2M Mora

6. Extended field time: Reduces team DPS

Meta Comparison

vs Neuvillette: Neuvillette 15% higher personal DPS, Columbina 20% higher team DPS (optimized). Neuvillette = solo carry, Columbina = reaction specialist.

vs Furina: Similar off-field damage (~12-15% team DPS). Furina = universal, Columbina = Lunar specialist.

vs Yelan: Yelan better for Vaporize/Freeze, Columbina better for Bloom/Electro-Charged. Yelan functional C0, Columbina benefits from C1-C2.

Future-Proofing

Lunar Reactions = Version 6.3 signature system. Expect support through 6.5-6.6. HP-scaling avoids ATK powercreep. Sub-DPS role ensures flexibility. Safe 12-18 month investment, moderate risk in 7.0+.

Primogem Planning

Guaranteed Acquisition

Worst-Case: 180 pulls × 160 primogems = 28,800 primogems + 10 Stardust Fates

Average: 18,000-19,200 primogems (50/50 win/loss)

Best-Case: 160-11,680 primogems (early 50/50 win)

Strategy: Save 28,800 primogems, use Stardust Exchange, complete events (~2,000-3,000), daily commissions (1,800/20 days).

Pity System

Soft Pity: Starts pull 74. Average 5-star at 76-78 pulls.

Hard Pity: Pull 90 guaranteed (rare, ~1%).

50/50: First 5-star = 50% featured. Loss guarantees next 5-star.

Weapon Banner

Mechanics: Epitomized Path = 240 pulls worst-case. 75% rate-up (37.5% each).

Nocturne Value: 15-18% over Sacrificial Jade, 25-28% over Prototype Amber. Worst-case: 38,400 primogems.

Recommendations:

• F2P: Avoid (use Prototype Amber)

• Welkin/BP: Consider after C0 secured (80-100 pull budget)

• Moderate: Recommended (150-200 pull budget)

• Whale: Always R1 minimum

BitTopup Pricing

• C0: 28,800 primogems = ~$300 USD

• C0 + Weapon: 48,000 primogems = ~$500 USD

• C2 + Weapon: 86,400 primogems = ~$900 USD

BitTopup offers 5-10% savings vs official channels with instant delivery.

FAQ

Best artifact set? Aubade of Morningstar and Moon 4pc (40% Lunar Reaction DMG + 80 EM). Outperforms Golden Troupe by 15-20% in reaction teams. Silken Moon for ER needs.

How does Lunar Reaction work? Moonsign Benediction converts Electro-Charged → Lunar-Charged, Bloom → Lunar-Bloom, Hydro-Crystallize → Lunar-Crystallize. Scales with EM, HP (0.2%/1,000 HP, 7% cap), artifact bonuses.

Ascension materials? 46 Radiant Antler (Frostnight Herras), 168 Winter Icelea (Nod-Krai specialty), Varunada Lazurite (Hydro bosses), Slime materials, 420,000 Mora. Talents need Moonlight books, Mask of Virtuous Doctor.

Best teams? Lunar-Bloom: Nefer + Columbina + Nahida + Baizhu. Lunar-Charged: Flins + Columbina + Ineffa + Kazuha. F2P: Dendro Traveler + Xingqiu + Barbara or Fischl + Beidou + Sucrose.

Best weapon? Nocturne's Curtain Call (88.2% CRIT DMG, 10-18% HP, Energy recovery). Sacrificial Jade best 4-star (36.8% CRIT Rate, 32% HP, 85-88% Nocturne damage). Prototype Amber R5 F2P (41.3% HP, 72-75% Nocturne damage).

Talent priority? Skill to 9-10 (highest priority), Burst to 6-8 (secondary), Normal to 6 (lowest). Progression: Skill 8 → Burst 6 → Skill 9 → Burst 8 → Skill 10.