Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026: Gaming C6 vs Lan Yan Guide

Lantern Rite 2026 in Version 6.3 offers a free 4-star selector with 11 Liyue characters at 1200 Festive Fever points. Gaming C6 delivers 20%+ CRIT Rate, 40%+ CRIT DMG, and expanded attack range—transformative upgrades for plunge teams. This guide compares Gaming C6 versus new support Lan Yan with data-backed selection criteria.

Lantern Rite 2026 Selector Overview

Version 6.3 launches January 14, 2026. Lantern Rite runs January 30 - February 23, 2026. The selector unlocks at 1200 Festive Fever points (requires AR20 + Archon Quest Prologue Act III).

Available Characters: Beidou, Ningguang, Xiangling, Xingqiu, Chongyun, Xinyan, Yanfei, Yun Jin, Yaoyao, Gaming, Lan Yan.

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Why This Matters: Unlike random banner pulls, the selector guarantees your choice. For constellation breakpoints, this saves months of waiting. The Gaming C6 vs Lan Yan decision exemplifies damage ceiling refinement versus roster versatility.

Gaming Character Analysis

Gaming is a plunge attack Pyro DPS. His Skill launches him airborne, Burst enhances plunge damage and removes fall damage. Unique playstyle rewards positioning over rotation memorization.

Constellation Path:

• C0-C1: Functional baseline

• C2: 20% Skill cooldown reduction

• C3-C5: Linear talent scaling

• C6: Transformative breakpoint - 20%+ CRIT Rate, 40%+ CRIT DMG, increased range

Meta Role: Premier 4-star plunge DPS. Pyro enables Vaporize/Melt. Meta relevance correlates with Xianyun ownership—with Cloud Retainer, Gaming rivals 5-star DPS in specific scenarios.

Gaming C6 Deep Dive

C6 grants 20%+ CRIT Rate, 40%+ CRIT DMG, expanded range. Equals 8-10 perfect artifact substat rolls. Transforms artifact requirements—prioritize ATK%/EM while maintaining CRIT ratios through constellation bonuses.

Damage Comparison (level 90, 8/8/8 talents, comparable artifacts):

C0 Gaming (60/120 CRIT, 1800 ATK):

• Plunge: 25,000-30,000 per hit

• Full rotation: 180,000-220,000 total

C6 Gaming (80/160 CRIT from C6, 1800 ATK):

• Plunge: 35,000-42,000 per hit

• Full rotation: 250,000-310,000 total

40-50% damage increase with Vaporize and standard buffs. The difference between comfortable Abyss clears and struggling Floor 12 DPS checks.

Gameplay Improvements: Expanded range reduces missed plunges, CRIT consistency eliminates damage variance. Future-proofs against power creep as enemy HP pools increase.

Lan Yan Analysis

Anemo shielder filling vacant niche. Skill generates DEF-scaling shields, Burst deploys Anemo field with elemental absorption for Viridescent Venerer triggers.

Role: Combines shielding with resistance shred. Competes with Zhongli for defensive slots but enables VV set usage.

Constellation Value: Incremental improvements, no transformative breakpoints. C1 reduces stamina 20%, C4 grants +50 EM during healing, C6 adds 3s Burst duration.

Competition:

• Zhongli: Superior shield, universal shred, petrification

• Diona: Cryo shields, healing, C6 EM buffs

• Sucrose/Kazuha: Superior grouping and damage amp

Lan Yan's value emerges for players lacking both premium shielders AND Anemo supports—narrow account profile given Sucrose's beginner wish availability.

Head-to-Head Comparison

DPS Contribution:

• Gaming C6: 60-70% team damage as primary DPS

• Lan Yan: <10% team damage, value from utility

Team Flexibility:

• Gaming: Requires plunge enablement (Xianyun/Venti/Kazuha)

• Lan Yan: Slots into any team needing Anemo + shields, but rarely optimal choice

Investment Return:

• Gaming C6: Immediate quantifiable damage for established plunge infrastructure

• Lan Yan: Long-term roster depth, marginal current meta positioning

Select Gaming C6 if:

• Own Xianyun, lack optimized plunge DPS

• Gaming at C4-C5 (one from C6)

• Prioritize Abyss performance

• Lack strong Pyro DPS

Select Lan Yan if:

• No Anemo supports (no Sucrose/Kazuha/Venti)

• Need defensive utility for fragile DPS

• Prefer new characters over constellations

• Gaming at C0-C2

Consider Alternatives:

• Xingqiu C6: Hydro application + 50% Hydro DMG

• Xiangling C4: Extended Pyronado duration

• Yaoyao: Dendro healer

Optimal Gaming C6 Teams

Premium: Gaming (C6) + Xianyun + Bennett + Furina

• Rotation: Bennett Burst → Furina Skill → Xianyun Skill → Gaming Burst/Skill → Plunge chains

• Clears Abyss Floor 12 comfortably, Gaming contributes 60-70% damage

F2P: Gaming (C6) + Sucrose + Xiangling + Barbara

• Sucrose: VV shred

• Xiangling: Pyro resonance, off-field Pyro

• Barbara: Healing, Vaporize enabler

Energy Requirements: 180-200% ER without Pyro battery, 140-160% with Bennett.

Building Gaming C6

Artifacts:

• Marechaussee Hunter (4pc): Best with Furina (CRIT Rate stacking with C6)

• Crimson Witch (4pc): Vaporize teams (15% Pyro DMG, reaction boost)

• Shimenawa (4pc): 50% plunge damage, complicates energy

Main Stats: ATK% Sands / Pyro Goblet / CRIT DMG Circlet

Substat Priority:

1. CRIT DMG (capitalize on C6 CRIT Rate)

2. CRIT Rate (maintain 70-80% total)

3. ATK%

4. ER (140-200% depending on battery)

5. EM (Vaporize teams)

Weapons:

• 5-star: Staff of Homa (BiS), Primordial Jade, Skyward Spine

• 4-star: Blackcliff Pole (CRIT DMG synergy), Deathmatch, Lithic Spear

• F2P: The Catch (R5 free, CRIT Rate + Burst DMG)

Talents: Skill > Burst > Normal Attack. Prioritize Skill/Burst to 8-9, then 10 with constellations.

Investment: Level 80/90 requires 419 Hero's Wit, 2M Mora, 46 boss materials, 168 talent books (8/8/8). Timeline: 2-3 weeks focused farming.

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Decision Framework

If You Own Xianyun: Gaming becomes top priority. Xianyun transforms Gaming from niche to premium DPS. At C4-C5, selector unlocks transformative C6.

Account Gaps: Evaluate support needs:

• Missing Hydro: Xingqiu C6 (exceptional off-field application, 50% Hydro DMG)

• Missing Pyro Support: Xiangling C4 (extended Pyronado, C1 15% Pyro shred)

• Missing Dendro Healer: Yaoyao (radish healing, C4 +50 EM, free skin)

New vs Veteran Players:

• New (AR20-45): Prioritize roster breadth, select new characters

• Veteran (AR50+): Constellation investment more impactful with established teams

Future Availability: Gaming/Lan Yan appear on future banners (unpredictable timing). Selector preserves Primogems and guarantees acquisition—ideal for final constellations (C5→C6) or characters with infrequent rate-ups.

Common Mistakes

Myth: Always pick new characters
Reality: Roster bloat without synergy provides zero value. Transformative constellations (Gaming C6, Xingqiu C6, Xiangling C4) rival entire character additions.

Myth: Constellations don't matter for 4-stars
Reality: Breakpoint constellations fundamentally alter performance and team viability.

Myth: Save selectors for future characters
Reality: Lantern Rite rotates character pools annually. Delaying provides no benefit—immediate selection allows earlier investment and longer utilization.

Avoid FOMO: Make data-driven decisions:

1. Audit roster gaps

2. Analyze actual character usage

3. Assess building resources

4. Evaluate team synergies

Maximizing Lantern Rite 2026

Complete Rewards:

• Character selector (1200 Festive Fever)

• 1600 Primogems via mail

• 10 Intertwined Fates (daily login)

• Yaoyao Rainlit Bamboo Reverie skin (free)

• Ley Line Overflow (Feb 16-23, doubled rewards)

Total value: 3,200+ Primogems (~20 wishes).

Primogem Optimization:

• Daily commissions: 1,440 Primogems (24 days × 60)

• Complete all Festive Fever activities

• Farm Ley Lines during Feb 16-23 overflow

• Complete both Abyss resets (Feb 1, Feb 16)

Combined total: 5,000+ Primogems (30+ wishes).

Resource Prep: Select early, farm immediately. Level 80/90 with 8/8/8 talents requires 2-3 weeks resin. Use Ley Line Overflow (Feb 16-23) for Mora/EXP books.

FAQ

Is Gaming C6 worth selecting?
Yes if you own Xianyun and Gaming sits at C4-C5. C6 provides 20%+ CRIT Rate, 40%+ CRIT DMG, 40-50% damage increase. Without Xianyun or below C4, consider alternatives.

What does Gaming C6 do?
Grants 20%+ CRIT Rate, 40%+ CRIT DMG, expanded attack range. Equals 8-10 perfect artifact substats. Improves hit consistency against mobile enemies.

C6 vs C0 damage?
C0: 180,000-220,000 per rotation. C6: 250,000-310,000 per rotation. 40-50% increase with identical artifacts/teams.

Gaming or Lan Yan?
Gaming if: own Xianyun, lack Pyro DPS, Gaming at C4-C5. Lan Yan if: no Anemo supports, need shields, prefer roster expansion. Most veterans benefit more from Gaming C6.

Best C6 Gaming teams?
Optimal: Gaming + Xianyun + Bennett + Furina. Budget: Gaming + Sucrose + Xiangling + Barbara. All need plunge enablement, ATK buffs, reaction support.

Best C6 Gaming artifacts?
Marechaussee Hunter (4pc) with Furina. Crimson Witch (4pc) for Vaporize. Pyro Goblet, CRIT DMG Circlet, ATK% Sands. Substats: CRIT DMG > CRIT Rate (70-80% total) > ATK% > ER (140-200%).