Version 6.3's Lantern Rite (January 30 - February 23, 2026) offers one free Liyue 4-star at 1200 Festive Fever points. With eleven options including Gaming, Xingqiu, and Yaoyao, your pick should align with Imaginarium Theater's Pyro-Hydro-Electro restrictions and January 2026 Abyss mechanics favoring Bloom and Electro-Charged reactions.
Event Overview and Requirements
Version 6.3 launches January 14, 2026. The selector unlocks after earning 1200 Festive Fever through event participation. Requirements: AR 20, Archon Quest Prologue Act 3, and Chapter 5 Act 5.
For immediate investment, Genshin Impact Genesis Crystals top up through BitTopup provides competitive pricing for weapon pulls or resin refreshes.
Available Characters
Beidou - Electro Sub-DPS, counter-based burst
Ningguang - Geo Catalyst DPS
Xiangling - Pyro Sub-DPS, off-field Pyronado
Xingqiu - Hydro Sub-DPS, consistent application
Chongyun - Cryo infusion support
Xinyan - Pyro/Physical hybrid
Yanfei - Pyro Catalyst DPS
Yun Jin - Geo support, Normal Attack buffer
Yaoyao - Dendro healer
Gaming - Pyro plunge DPS
Lan Yan - Anemo shielder
Key Differences from Previous Years
January 2026 Imaginarium Theater restricts teams to Pyro, Hydro, Electro only. This boosts value for Xiangling (76.1% Floor 12 usage), Xingqiu (80.9% usage), and Beidou (13.5% usage).
Spiral Abyss Floor 12 features high-HP enemies: Battle-Scarred Rock Crab (4,409,072 HP), Fireblade Shock Trooper (4,765,990 HP). First-half buffs: +200% Bloom DMG, +75% Lunar-Bloom DMG. Second-half: +200% Electro-Charged DMG, +75% Lunar-Charged DMG.
Account Analysis Before Selection
Imaginarium Theater Requirements
Theater's Lunar Mode needs 28 characters at level 70+ for full participation. January restricts to Pyro/Hydro/Electro.
Boss Encounters:
Act 3: Perpetual Mechanical Array (Lv90) - Summons 4 Ruin Sentinels at 50% HP
Act 6: Emperor of Fire and Iron (Lv92) - Pyro shields on horns, regenerates below 50% HP
Act 8: Knuckle Duckle (Lv95) - Summons 5 Stamping Devices, fill gauge with Electro Lunar-Charged DMG
Act 10: Maguu Kenki (Lv100) - Blocks ranged Bow attacks
Arcana Challenge I: 17 level 100 Shadowy Husks.
Abyss Floor 12 Mechanics
Primordial Bathysmal Vishap activates Hydro Armor after 30s (80% RES to all damage). Fireblade Shock Trooper shield layers: 285,959 HP each, 200% RES until broken.
Xiangling's Pyronado applies 1U Pyro every 0.5s—ideal for shield-breaking and Vaporize with the 25% Pyro/Hydro RES reduction blessing (6s duration).
Electrosurge blessing lasts 3s: +250% Electro-Charged DMG, +70% Lunar-Charged DMG.
Pre-Selection Checklist
Element Coverage:
Count level 70+ characters in Pyro/Hydro/Electro
Identify missing elements blocking Theater participation
Check for duplicate roles
Team Archetypes:
National Team (Xiangling + Xingqiu + Bennett)
Electro-Charged (Beidou + Hydro applier)
Bloom/Hyperbloom (Dendro + Hydro + Electro)
Constellation Breakpoints:
Xingqiu C6: +50% Hydro DMG, extra sword waves
Gaming C2: -20% Skill CD
Beidou C2: Chain lightning between 2 enemies
Resources:
419 Hero's Wit for level 80/90
2M Mora
46 boss materials
168 talent books for 8/8/8 talents
New Character vs Constellation
New character needs full investment from level 1. Constellation upgrades offer immediate power spikes for built characters.
New players (AR 45-55): Prioritize roster diversity. Veterans (28+ built characters): Target constellation refinements.
Top Pick: Gaming - Pyro Plunge DPS
Kit Analysis
Gaming specializes in plunge attacks. Elemental Skill launches him airborne for repeated plunge attacks applying Pyro. Burst enhances plunge damage and removes fall damage.
Synergizes with Bennett (ATK boost) and Xianyun (plunge amplification). In Theater's Pyro acts, Gaming serves as primary DPS for accounts lacking 5-star Pyro carries. Plunge mechanics counter Maguu Kenki's ranged blocking.
Best Constellations
C2: -20% Skill CD Transforms rotation fluidity, increases Pyro application for Vaporize, improves energy generation.
C6: Plunge Attack CRIT Rate Bonus Reduces artifact requirements, allows reallocation to CRIT DMG/ATK%. Elevates Gaming to competitive 4-star carry.
C0 provides immediate value. C1 owners should strongly consider C2 upgrade.
Theater Performance
Emperor of Fire and Iron (Act 6): Aerial mobility avoids ground attacks. Burst damage aligns with shield-break phases.
Maguu Kenki (Act 10): Close-range plunges bypass ranged blocking. Sustained single-target damage suits 1v1 format.
Arcana Challenge I: AoE plunge hits multiple Husks. Pyro triggers Overloaded for crowd control.
Optimal Teams
Vaporize: Gaming + Xingqiu + Bennett + Kazuha/Sucrose Rotation: Bennett burst → Kazuha skill → Xingqiu burst → Gaming plunge spam
Melt: Gaming + Rosaria + Bennett + Zhongli
Overloaded: Gaming + Beidou + Bennett + Flex
Investment
Talents: Skill > Burst > Normal Attack
Artifacts:
4pc Crimson Witch
2pc Crimson + 2pc ATK%
Weapons:
Lithic Spear (Liyue teams)
Deathmatch (CRIT Rate)
Dragon's Bane (Vaporize)
Stats: ATK% Sands, Pyro DMG% Goblet, CRIT Circlet, 180-200% ER
High Priority: Xingqiu - Universal Hydro Enabler
Meta Relevance
80.9% Floor 12 usage through unmatched Hydro application. Burst creates rain swords triggering coordinated attacks with Normal Attacks—applies Hydro independent of positioning.
Provides three utilities: Hydro application, 24% damage reduction, minor healing. Enables aggressive comps without dedicated healers.
In Theater, counters Emperor of Fire and Iron's Pyro shields. 15s burst duration covers shield-breaking phases. 80-energy cost manageable with 180-220% ER.
C6 Impact
50% Hydro DMG Bonus: Activates during burst, stacks multiplicatively with Hydro DMG% goblet.
Extra Sword Wave: Every third Normal Attack triggers additional wave, +33% Hydro application.
At C6, level 90, 8/8/8 talents, 200% ER: 15,000-20,000 damage per sword wave. 15-18 waves per burst = 270,000-360,000 total damage before reactions.
Multi-Team Flexibility
Team 1 - National: Xiangling + Xingqiu + Bennett + Anemo
Team 2 - Electro-Charged: Beidou + Xingqiu + Fischl + healer
Team 3 - Bloom: Yaoyao + Xingqiu + Electro trigger + flex
When to Pick Xingqiu
Account lacks Hydro enablers: Only consistent Hydro applier available.
C5 → C6 upgrade: Damage and application improvements justify selector.
National completion: Owns Bennett + Xiangling, needs Xingqiu.
Theater depth: Fewer than 28 level 70+ characters, lacks Hydro.
Avoid if C6 already or own Yelan/Neuvillette/Furina.
Versatile Support: Yaoyao - Dendro Healer
Unique Position
Dendro healer combining elemental application with sustain. Skill throws White Jade Radishes healing on contact, applying Dendro. Burst creates radish field with continuous healing and Dendro application (10s).
Eliminates dedicated healer need in Dendro teams. In Bloom comps, triggers reactions while maintaining HP against self-damage.
Healing scales with HP—straightforward building with HP% main stats. No competition for CRIT artifacts.
Constellation Priority
C1: -20% stamina consumption (QoL) C2: +15% Dendro DMG when healing C4: +50 EM to active character when radishes heal C6: +3s burst duration, enhanced healing
C0 provides 90% utility. Constellations offer incremental improvements, not transformative spikes. New character acquisition generally preferable.
vs Other Dendro Supports
vs Baizhu: Baizhu has superior healing/shields but requires 5-star. Yaoyao offers 70% utility at 4-star accessibility.
vs Collei: Collei delivers faster Dendro but lacks healing. Yaoyao's dual role creates flexible team building.
vs Kirara: Kirara provides shields, no healing. Yaoyao's sustain better for unavoidable damage.
Best Use Cases
Abyss First Half (Bloom): +200% Bloom DMG, +75% Lunar-Bloom DMG. Yaoyao + Xingqiu + Electro trigger = Hyperbloom. Healing counters Bloom self-damage.
Theater Dendro Coverage: January restricts Pyro/Hydro/Electro, but future rotations need Dendro depth.
Primordial Bathysmal Vishap: 80% RES Hydro Armor after 30s. Dendro + Hydro Bloom bypasses resistance.
Niche Excellence: Yun Jin - Normal Attack Buffer
DEF-Scaling Mechanics
Burst grants Normal Attack DMG bonuses scaling with DEF. Applies to all party members, triggers 30 times before expiring.
At level 90, 2,500 DEF, 4-element team: ~3,500-4,000 additional damage per Normal Attack. For carries executing 10-15 Normal Attacks: 35,000-60,000 total contribution.
Buff enhances Normal Attacks only—not Charged or Plunge. Limits compatible carries to Yoimiya, Ayato, Wriothesley, Noelle.
Best Carries
Yoimiya: Skill converts Normal Attacks to Pyro. Rapid hit frequency consumes 30 stacks efficiently. Strongest synergy.
Ayato: Skill enables rapid Normal Attack slashes. Hydro + Geo provides partial buff scaling.
Wriothesley: Normal Attack-focused kit. Cryo + Geo creates Crystallize shields.
Noelle: Burst converts Normal Attacks to Geo scaling with DEF. Double DEF synergy + Geo Resonance (+15% DMG while shielded).
Geo Theater Value
January's Pyro/Hydro/Electro restriction limits Yun Jin. Future Geo rotations elevate her value significantly.
Provides:
Element coverage for Geo slots
Geo Resonance activation
Buffs any Normal Attack carry
When to Select
You main Normal Attack carries: Immediate performance boost for Yoimiya/Ayato/Wriothesley.
Geo roster gaps: Fewer than 3 built Geo, Theater participation priority.
Own C6 Xingqiu + Xiangling: Veterans with complete National benefit from specialized supports.
Noelle main DPS: DEF-scaling synergy + Geo Resonance.
Avoid if DPS roster focuses on Charged (Ganyu, Hu Tao), Plunge (Xiao, Gaming), or Skill/Burst damage (Raiden, Ayaka).
Alternative Options
Beidou - Electro Sub-DPS
13.5% Floor 12 usage. Burst creates chain lightning bouncing between enemies. Against 2+ enemies, rivals 5-star DPS.
Electro-Charged blessing (+250% Electro-Charged DMG, +70% Lunar-Charged DMG) makes Beidou exceptionally strong in January second-half Abyss.
Key Constellations:
C2: Chain lightning between 2 enemies (was 3)
C6: -15% Electro RES during burst
Teams:
Beidou + Xingqiu + Fischl + healer
Beidou + Tartaglia + Bennett + Kazuha
Select if lacking Electro Sub-DPS and facing multi-target chambers. Value drops in single-target.
Ningguang - Geo Catalyst DPS
Skill creates Jade Screen blocking projectiles, providing Geo DMG bonus. Burst launches homing gems.
Struggles vs modern DPS. No reaction access, limited AoE. Serves as Geo coverage for Theater.
Low priority unless desperate for Geo coverage.
Chongyun - Cryo Infusion
Skill converts melee Normal Attacks to Cryo. Modern team building rarely requires this.
Niche: Reverse Melt setups. Dedicated Cryo DPS outperform infusion strategies.
Lowest priority due to limited meta relevance.
Xinyan - Physical/Pyro Hybrid
Physical DMG buffs, Pyro shields. Physical DPS teams declined in meta. Split DEF/ATK scaling creates building conflicts.
Lowest priority. Recommended only for Physical DPS teams or collection.
Yanfei - Pyro Catalyst DPS
Ranged Charged Attack focus. Generates Scarlet Seals through Normal Attacks, consumed for enhanced Charged Attacks.
Competes with Gaming, Xiangling, 5-stars. Charged Attack playstyle consumes stamina, creates vulnerability.
Moderate value for accounts lacking Pyro DPS, but Gaming/Xiangling generally better.
Lan Yan - Anemo Shielder
Rare Anemo shielder. Defensive utility + VV set enabler.
Meta position under evaluation. Established Anemo supports (Sucrose, Kazuha, Venti) often superior.
Mid-tier for Anemo coverage or shielded playstyles.
Decision Framework
New Players (AR 45-55)
1st Priority - Xingqiu: Universal Hydro application enables National, Vaporize, Electro-Charged. Unmatched versatility.
2nd Priority - Xiangling: If Xingqiu owned. 76.1% Floor 12 usage. Completes National with Bennett (free).
3rd Priority - Yaoyao: Dendro + healing. Enables Bloom, provides sustain.
Avoid: Specialists like Yun Jin, niche DPS like Ningguang.
Veterans Optimizing Constellations
Xingqiu C5 → C6: +50% Hydro DMG, extra sword wave. Justifies selector.
Gaming C1 → C2: -20% skill CD improves rotation. If primary Pyro DPS, outweighs new character.
Beidou C1 → C2: Chain lightning improvement transforms multi-target performance.
Compare constellation impact (≥30% improvement?) vs new character filling gaps.
Theater-Focused Accounts
Element Coverage Priority: Count built characters per element. Select from weakest:
Pyro: Gaming > Xiangling > Yanfei
Hydro: Xingqiu (only option)
Electro: Beidou
Dendro: Yaoyao (only option)
Geo: Yun Jin > Ningguang
Anemo: Lan Yan (only option)
Balance DPS/Sub-DPS/Support/Healer roles. Theater punishes 10 DPS, 2 healers.
Abyss 36-Star Optimization
First Half (Bloom): +200% Bloom DMG Priority: Yaoyao > Xingqiu > Beidou
Second Half (Electro-Charged): +250% Electro-Charged DMG Priority: Xingqiu > Beidou
High-HP Enemies: Need sustained damage. Select high-uptime characters:
Xingqiu (15s burst)
Xiangling (14s Pyronado)
Beidou (15s chain lightning)
Common Mistakes
Design over utility: Evaluate roster gaps objectively
Ignoring constellation breakpoints: C5 Xingqiu should complete C6
Overlooking investment costs: 419 Hero's Wit, 2M Mora required
Duplicating roles: Don't select 3rd Pyro DPS when lacking Hydro
Ignoring element coverage: Theater restrictions make diversity essential
Resource Planning
Leveling Materials
Character EXP:
419 Hero's Wit (1→90) or 246 (1→80)
2,092,530 Mora
46 boss materials
Ascension by Character:
Gaming: Juvenile Jade, Slime, Violetgrass
Xingqiu: Varunada Lazurite, Oceanid, Silk Flower
Yaoyao: Nagadus Emerald, Fungi, Jueyun Chili
Yun Jin: Prithiva Topaz, Whopperflower, Glaze Lily
Talent Books
Per Talent 1→8:
3 Teachings, 21 Guides, 38 Philosophies
6 weekly boss materials
1,652,500 Mora
Total 8/8/8:
9 Teachings, 63 Guides, 114 Philosophies
18 weekly boss materials
4,957,500 Mora
Farm matching domains before selection. Use Condensed Resin for double rewards.
BitTopup Resources
Buy Genshin Genesis Crystals recharge online through BitTopup for competitive pricing, instant delivery, 24/7 support.
Resin Strategy:
Daily 60 Primogems for one refresh (60 resin)
Focus on talent domains during double-drop events
Prioritize weekly bosses
Event Rewards
Estimated Primogems:
1,600 from event quests
420 from daily commissions (28 days)
Theater/Abyss resets
Total: ~2,000+ Primogems = 12-13 wishes.
Coordinate selector with banner pulls. If pulling 5-star Pyro DPS, select Xingqiu/Beidou for synergy over Gaming.
Future-Proofing
Upcoming Releases
Powercreep: Xingqiu/Xiangling maintain relevance through fundamental design—off-field application remains valuable.
Element Saturation: Pyro/Hydro expand each patch. Underrepresented elements (Dendro, Anemo) provide longer value.
Constellation Accessibility: Selector characters permanently in standard pool. Easier long-term constellation building.
Meta Predictions
Xingqiu - Future-Proof: Hydro application fundamental to reactions. Indefinite relevance.
Gaming - Moderate (12-18 months): 4-star DPS faces powercreep, but plunge mechanics + Theater coverage extend value.
Yaoyao - Growing: Dendro's recent introduction means ongoing development. Value increases with Dendro content.
Yun Jin - Stable Niche: Tied to Normal Attack DPS releases. Won't achieve universal application.
Beidou - Cyclical: Value fluctuates with multi-target Abyss rotations.
Alternative Acquisition
Standard Banner: All except Gaming in standard pool. May randomly acquire.
Rate-Up Banners: Periodic featured appearances with increased rates.
Starglitter Shop: Xingqiu, Xiangling, Beidou rotate for 34 Starglitter.
Future Selectors: Lantern Rite annual, other events occasionally provide selectors.
Evaluate alternatives before finalizing. If purchasing fates and accumulating 34+ Starglitter, shop rotation may be more efficient.
FAQ
Which free 4-star should I pick?
Xingqiu if you lack him—80.9% Floor 12 usage, universal Hydro application. New players: Xingqiu > Xiangling > Yaoyao. Veterans: Target Xingqiu C6 or Gaming C2 if at C5/C1.
Is Gaming worth selecting?
Yes for accounts lacking 5-star Pyro carries. Plunge mechanics counter Theater's Maguu Kenki, enables Vaporize with Xingqiu. Avoid if you have Hu Tao/Arlecchino.
New character or constellation?
Constellation when upgrading frequently-used character by ≥30%. Xingqiu C5→C6, Gaming C1→C2, Beidou C1→C2 justify selector. New character better for Theater's 28-character requirement or completing archetypes.
What counters January 2026 Abyss Floor 12?
First half: Bloom teams (Yaoyao + Xingqiu + Electro) exploit +200% Bloom DMG. Second half: Electro-Charged (Beidou + Xingqiu) benefit from +250% Electro-Charged DMG. High-HP enemies need sustained damage: Xingqiu (15s), Xiangling (14s), Beidou (15s).
How many characters for Theater?
28 at level 70+ for full Lunar Mode. January restricts to Pyro/Hydro/Electro—need 8-10 built per element. Fewer creates difficulty completing acts.
Best constellations?
Xingqiu C6 (+50% Hydro DMG, extra wave), Beidou C2 (chain lightning between 2), Gaming C2 (-20% skill CD). Xiangling C4 (extended Pyronado), Yun Jin C2 (burst damage) moderate. Yaoyao/Ningguang/Xinyan minimal—prefer new character.