Lantern Rite 2026 offers a free Liyue 4-star selector at 1200 Festive Fever points (January 30 - February 23, 2026). This guide teaches account gap analysis—evaluating your roster's elemental coverage, role distribution, and constellation status to identify characters that genuinely strengthen YOUR teams, not just tier list favorites.
Why Tier Lists Don't Tell Your Story
Choosing based on universal rankings instead of personal roster needs is the most common mistake. An S-tier character becomes worthless if you have three built Pyro DPS but lack a single Hydro enabler for Vaporize reactions.
Xingqiu maintains 80.9% Floor 12 usage because he fills a critical gap—consistent off-field Hydro application. But if you already have C6 Xingqiu and lack Anemo crowd control, selecting him again provides minimal value.
Meta rankings evaluate characters in isolation. Account gap analysis asks which character enables team compositions I currently cannot build? Genshin requires eight built characters for Spiral Abyss dual teams, not just four meta units.
A veteran with C5 Xiangling gains transformative value from C6, which extends Pyronado duration and applies 1U Pyro every 0.5 seconds. A new player selecting Xiangling for the first time gains a universally applicable Pyro sub-DPS. Same character, vastly different impact.
Real example: Beidou has only 13.5% Floor 12 usage but becomes invaluable for accounts lacking Electro off-field damage. Her Burst creates chain lightning between enemies, and C6 reduces Electro RES by 15%—capabilities tier lists overlook.
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Event Mechanics and Timeline
A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon runs January 30 - February 23, 2026 (nearly four weeks). Requires Adventure Rank 20 and Archon Quest Prologue Act III completion.
Available Characters (11 Total)
Pyro: Xiangling, Xinyan, Gaming
Hydro: Xingqiu
Cryo: Chongyun
Electro: Beidou
Geo: Ningguang, Yun Jin
Anemo: Lan Yan
Dendro: Yaoyao
Event also rewards 10 Intertwined Fates and 1600 Primogems.
Selection Process
Reach AR 20 and complete required quests
Accumulate 1200 Festive Fever points through activities
Access Words to a Good Friend selector interface
Review characters and your current constellation levels
Make permanent selection (cannot be changed)
Claim character to roster
The interface shows which characters you own and their constellation levels.
5-Step Account Gap Assessment
Step 1: Audit Roster by Role and Element
Categorize characters:
DPS: On-field damage dealers
Sub-DPS: Off-field damage
Supports: Buffers/debuffers
Healers: Healing capabilities
Shielders: Damage mitigation
Count characters per role within each element. Zero Hydro characters with off-field application = critical gap. Four Pyro DPS but no Pyro sub-DPS = redundancy issue.
Step 2: Identify Missing Elemental Reactions
Assess which reactions you can reliably trigger:
Vaporize: Hydro + Pyro
Melt: Cryo + Pyro
Freeze: Hydro + Cryo
Electro-Charged: Hydro + Electro
Superconduct: Cryo + Electro
Overloaded: Pyro + Electro
Dendro reactions: Bloom, Hyperbloom, Burgeon, Quicken variants
Can't build Vaporize team without Hydro enablers? Xingqiu becomes highest priority. His Burst provides 15-second duration, 80 Energy cost, generating 15-18 sword waves per Burst at C6 with 200% ER, dealing 15,000-20,000 damage per wave while enabling consistent Hydro application.
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Step 3: Evaluate Constellation Breakthroughs
Key constellation power spikes:
Xiangling C4: +40% Pyronado duration
Xingqiu C6: +50% Hydro DMG Bonus, extra sword waves
Yaoyao C4: +50 EM when radishes heal
Yaoyao C6: +3 seconds Burst duration
Beidou C6: -15% Electro RES during Burst
Character at C5? Obtaining C6 may provide more value than a new C0 character. Xingqiu's C6 represents 30-40% personal damage increase plus enhanced Hydro application.
Step 4: Assess Content-Specific Needs
Spiral Abyss Floor 12 requires two functional teams. Xiangling's 76.1% Floor 12 usage reflects versatility across National teams, Reverse Vaporize, Overload compositions. If your second Abyss team lacks consistent Pyro application, she fills that gap.
Step 5: Calculate Resource Efficiency
Building a new 4-star from scratch requires substantial investment. Gaming at level 80/90 with 8/8/8 talents demands 419 Hero's Wit, 2 million Mora, 46 boss materials, 168 talent books.
Resource-constrained? Selecting a constellation for an already-built character provides immediate value without additional investment. Have abundant resources but lack specific roles? Invest in a new character to expand strategic options.
Character Analysis: Gap-Filling Value
Pyro Options
Xiangling (76.1% Floor 12 usage): Premier 4-star Pyro sub-DPS. Pyronado applies 1U Pyro every 0.5 seconds in wide radius. C4 extends duration significantly, C6 reduces Pyro RES. Select if you lack off-field Pyro application or need C4/C6.
Xinyan: Provides Pyro shielding and physical damage buffs. Shield scales with DEF. Select only if you need Pyro shielding for resonance or run physical DPS teams.
Gaming: Unique aerial mobility through Elemental Skill for enhanced plunge attacks. Talent priority: Skill > Burst > Normal Attack. Select for plunge-focused playstyles or Pyro DPS with vertical mobility.
Hydro and Cryo
Xingqiu (80.9% Floor 12 usage): Dominates Hydro application. Burst creates orbiting swords triggering on Normal Attacks for Vaporize, Electro-Charged, or Freeze teams. At C6 with 200% ER: 15-18 sword waves dealing 15,000-20,000 damage each. Requires 180-220% ER (manageable with Sacrificial or Favonius Sword). Select if you lack reliable Hydro application—most universally valuable option.
Chongyun: Converts melee Normal Attacks to Cryo within Skill field. Niche capability with limited universal application. Select only if you need Cryo infusion for specialized strategies.
Anemo
Lan Yan: Provides Anemo shielding (rare among 4-stars). Anemo characters access Viridescent Venerer set (-40% elemental resistance for swirled elements). If you lack Anemo characters entirely, fills this gap with defensive utility. However, free Anemo Traveler and easily obtainable Sucrose often fulfill basic needs, making Lan Yan lower priority.
Geo and Electro
Ningguang: Geo DPS with Jade Screen blocking projectiles and providing Geo DMG bonus. Excels in Geo resonance teams. Select if you have Geo DPS like Itto or Noelle needing Geo battery support, or lack ranged DPS.
Yun Jin: Provides Normal Attack DMG bonuses scaling with DEF, triggering 30 times per Burst. At level 90 with 2,500 DEF in 4-element team: adds 3,500-4,000 damage per Normal Attack. Invaluable for Normal Attack-focused DPS like Yoimiya, Ayato, or physical carries. Select if you have these characters but lack optimized supports.
Beidou (13.5% Floor 12 usage): Chain lightning between enemies with Burst, excelling in multi-target scenarios. C6 reduces Electro RES by 15%. Select if you need Electro application for Electro-Charged or Superconduct teams, particularly against multiple enemies.
Dendro
Yaoyao: Dendro healer throwing White Jade Radishes (Skill) and creating radish field for 10 seconds (Burst). C4 grants +50 EM when radishes heal. C6 extends Burst duration by 3 seconds. Select if you lack Dendro characters for Bloom, Hyperbloom, or Burgeon teams, or need a healer enabling Dendro reactions simultaneously.
Event features Yaoyao's skin Rainlit Bamboo Reverie.
New Player Strategy (AR 20-45)
Priority 1: Core Reaction Enablers
Xingqiu should be default selection for most new players. Enables Vaporize, Electro-Charged, and Freeze—three strongest reaction types. Functions effectively from C0, improves with constellations. Defensive capabilities (damage reduction, minor healing) improve survivability.
Already have Xingqiu? Xiangling becomes next priority. Technically free through Spiral Abyss Floor 3, but new players struggle to reach that point. Off-field Pyro application enables Vaporize and Melt.
Priority 2: Versatile Supports
Yaoyao provides healing and Dendro application simultaneously, solving two needs. New players struggle with survivability, making healers valuable. Enables Bloom-based reactions with minimal investment.
Avoid as New Player
Yun Jin: Requires Normal Attack-focused DPS (Yoimiya, Ayato, physical carries). New players typically lack these.
Ningguang: Functions best in Geo resonance teams requiring multiple Geo characters. New players rarely have roster depth for mono-element teams.
Chongyun: Enables niche strategies but lacks broad utility. Cryo infusion can interfere with certain kits, creating anti-synergy.
Veteran Optimization (AR 46-60)
Constellation Breakthroughs: C5 to C6
Character at C5? Seriously consider completing constellation. C6 provides transformative benefits:
Xingqiu C6: +50% Hydro DMG Bonus, extra sword waves dramatically increase personal damage
Xiangling C6: -15% Pyro RES during Pyronado, benefiting entire team
Beidou C6: -15% Electro RES during Burst, enhancing team damage
Often provides more practical value than acquiring new C0 character without resources to build immediately.
Spiral Abyss Roster Depth
Requires eight built characters minimum. Evaluate which team slots you struggle to fill. First team optimized but second team lacks critical role? Prioritize filling that gap.
If first team uses Xingqiu but second needs Hydro application, consider whether alternative Hydro options exist (Barbara, Candace) or select different element to enable non-Hydro-dependent second team.
Limited 4-Star Availability
Some 4-stars appear on banners infrequently. While Xiangling and Xingqiu feature regularly, characters like Yun Jin or Gaming appear less often. If you've waited months for specific character, selector provides guaranteed acquisition without wish RNG.
Common Selection Mistakes
Mistake #1: Picking Based on YouTube Showcases
Content creators showcase characters in ideal scenarios with perfect artifacts, 5-star weapons, optimized teams. These demonstrate maximum potential, not realistic performance.
C6 Beidou showcase with Staff of Homa and god-tier artifacts doesn't represent C0 performance with The Bell and mediocre artifacts. Evaluate based on realistic investment levels you can achieve.
Mistake #2: Ignoring 5-Star Synergies
Your 5-stars often determine optimal team compositions. Have Hu Tao? Xingqiu becomes exponentially more valuable as her premier support. Have Raiden Shogun? Xiangling gains value in Raiden National teams.
Review 5-star roster and identify which 4-stars synergize with them. Selecting characters enhancing existing investments provides immediate, practical value.
Mistake #3: Undervaluing Constellation Power Spikes
Many assume new characters always provide more value than constellations. This ignores that certain constellations transform performance more dramatically than adding underbuilt new character.
Xingqiu's C6 increases personal damage by 30-40% while improving Hydro application consistency. If you use him in multiple teams, this improvement affects all teams simultaneously—broader impact than new character used in only one team.
Team Composition Examples
Example 1: Missing Hydro for Vaporize
Scenario: Well-built Pyro DPS (Hu Tao, Diluc) but lack consistent Hydro application. Barbara provides healing but insufficient Hydro for reactions.
Gap: Off-field Hydro enabler for Vaporize
Selection: Xingqiu—15-second Burst duration with consistent Hydro on Normal Attacks. At 200% ER: 15-18 sword waves per Burst, enabling continuous Vaporize.
Impact: Transforms Pyro DPS from underperforming to competitive.
Example 2: No Anemo for VV Shred
Scenario: Strong DPS and enablers but lack Viridescent Venerer support.
Gap: Anemo character for VV artifact access
Selection: Lan Yan—provides Anemo for VV shred while offering shielding. However, consider whether free Anemo Traveler or Sucrose might fill this gap, allowing rarer character selection.
Impact: 40% elemental resistance reduction significantly increases team damage.
Example 3: Insufficient Healers
Scenario: Strong damage dealers but struggle with survivability. Only healer is Barbara, who freezes you in Cryo environments.
Gap: Additional healer with different element
Selection: Yaoyao—Dendro healing through White Jade Radishes, solving survivability while enabling Dendro reactions. C4 grants +50 EM when healing.
Impact: Improves clear consistency while expanding elemental coverage.
Example 4: Lack of Off-Field DPS
Scenario: Have on-field DPS but lack characters dealing damage while off-field.
Gap: Sub-DPS with strong off-field damage
Selection: Xingqiu or Beidou depending on element needs. Xingqiu provides Hydro off-field damage (15,000-20,000 per sword wave at C6). Beidou provides Electro chain lightning, excelling in multi-target scenarios.
Impact: Increases total team damage by maintaining output during rotations.
Decision Matrix
Rate each character (1-5 scale):
Element Coverage: Does this element fill a roster gap?
Role Coverage: Does this role fill a team composition gap?
Reaction Enabling: Enables reactions you currently cannot build?
Constellation Value: If owned, does constellation provide significant improvement?
Synergy: Enhances current 5-star or 4-star investments?
Resource Availability: Have resources to build immediately?
Total scores for each character. Highest score = optimal selection.
Weighted Factors
Immediate Impact (struggling with content): Prioritize characters you can build immediately who fill critical gaps
Long-Term Value (clearing content comfortably): Prioritize constellation breakthroughs or characters enabling future compositions
Recommendation Flowchart
Lack Hydro application for reactions? → Xingqiu
Have Xingqiu but lack Pyro sub-DPS? → Xiangling
Have both but lack Dendro options? → Yaoyao
Any character at C5? → Strongly consider completing C6
Specific 5-star DPS lacking optimal supports? → Select their best 4-star support
None apply? → Select based on highest decision matrix score
Maximizing Lantern Rite 2026
Event provides 1600 Primogems and 10 Intertwined Fates—approximately 2600 Primogems total value. Prioritize completing daily event tasks and limited-time challenges.
Post-Selection: Building Your Character
After selecting:
Identify synergistic characters you own
Farm necessary artifacts for optimal sets
Prioritize talent levels based on damage sources
Ascend to appropriate levels for your World Level
Gaming talent priority: Skill > Burst > Normal Attack. Requires 419 Hero's Wit and 2 million Mora for level 80/90 with 8/8/8 talents.
Selected constellation instead? Test performance improvement in existing teams. Constellation upgrades often enable new rotation patterns or team compositions previously unviable.
FAQ
Which free 4-star should I pick in Lantern Rite 2026?
Xingqiu provides most universal value for players lacking Hydro application (80.9% Floor 12 usage). However, optimal choice depends on specific account gaps—evaluate elemental coverage, role distribution, and constellation status before selecting.
What is account gap analysis in Genshin Impact?
Evaluates your roster to identify missing elements, roles, or team synergies limiting content progression. Prioritizes filling functional gaps over acquiring high-tier characters you don't need.
Should I pick a new character or constellation?
Select constellation if you have character at C5 or if constellation provides transformative improvements (Xingqiu C6, Xiangling C4). Otherwise, prioritize new characters filling elemental or role gaps, especially if you lack resources to build multiple characters simultaneously.
How do I know what my account is missing?
Audit roster by element and role, then identify which elemental reactions you cannot reliably trigger. If you struggle to build functional teams for Spiral Abyss second side or lack specific roles (healers, shielders, off-field DPS), those represent account gaps.
What 4-star characters are available in Lantern Rite 2026?
Eleven Liyue characters: Beidou, Ningguang, Xiangling, Xingqiu, Chongyun, Xinyan, Yun Jin, Yaoyao, Gaming, and Lan Yan. Includes options across all seven elements with various roles from DPS to support to healing.
How does Lantern Rite free character selection work?
Accumulate 1200 Festive Fever points through event activities (requires AR 20 and Archon Quest Prologue Act III completion). Access Words to a Good Friend selector interface, review available characters, make permanent selection before February 23, 2026 deadline.