It's 2026, and looking back, I still remember the absolute frenzy around Genshin Impact's Version 4.4 Phase 2 banners. While everyone was still neck-deep in the Lantern Rite festivities, Hoyoverse was already setting the stage for the next big pull session. If you blew all your Primogems in Phase 1, this was the moment of truth. The second half brought back two absolute legends of Teyvat, Yae Miko and Xiao, alongside a weapon banner that had collectors salivating. Let me break down why this banner phase was such a big deal, even by today's standards.

🦊⚡ Character Banner Spotlight: The Divine & The Vigilant

The 5-star lineup was pure fire. We had the return of two S-tier characters who defined their respective roles.

Yae Miko: The cunning Electro Catalyst user from Inazuma. Her playstyle is like setting up a lethal, automated art installation on the battlefield. You drop her Sesshou Sakura turrets (her Elemental Skill), and they just go to work, zapping enemies with off-field Electro damage. It's a set-and-forget strategy that frees you up to support her with other reactions. She was, and still is, a cornerstone for many Dendro reaction teams.

Xiao: The vigilant Yaksha and Anemo Polearm master. Playing Xiao is like becoming a human meteor shower. Once you pop his Elemental Burst, Bane of All Evil, he plunges from the sky over and over, dealing massive Anemo damage. He's the definition of a hypercarry—you build your entire team around fueling his burst and keeping him alive during his self-damaging rampage. His DPS potential is as relentless as a desert sandstorm.

🌟 The 4-Star Support Cast

Hoyoverse didn't skimp on the supporting acts either. The featured 4-stars were a fantastic mix:

  • Xinyan (Pyro, Claymore): Our rock 'n' roll shield provider. Her shield scales with DEF and applies Pyro, making her a niche but fun pick.

  • Ningguang (Geo, Catalyst): The Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing. A classic Geo DPS who hits like a truck with her homing gemstones. She's as precise and devastating as a master jeweler shaping diamonds.

  • Yaoyao (Dendro, Polearm): The adorable Dendro healer from Liyue. She throws out her Yuegui rabbits to heal your party and apply Dendro. An incredibly valuable unit for Dendro reaction teams needing sustain.

This lineup meant you could potentially build entire new team comps just from the 4-stars you pulled!

⚔️ Weapon Banner: A Collector's Dream

Now, let's talk about the real endgame: the weapons. This banner was notoriously good.

The 5-Star Headliners:

  1. Primordial Jade-Winged Spear: Xiao's signature weapon. It boosts ATK and CRIT Rate, and its passive stacks up as you attack, making Xiao's plunges hit even harder. It's the key that unlocks his full, devastating potential.

  2. Kagura's Verity: Yae Miko's signature Catalyst. This weapon is a masterpiece for skill-damage dealers. It buffs Elemental Skill DMG and gives an even bigger boost when you use the skill multiple times—perfect for Yae's three-stack turret setup. For her, it's not just a weapon; it's a sacred ritual object amplifying her every move.

genshin-impact-4-4-phase-2-yae-miko-xiao-reruns-weapon-banner-deep-dive-image-0

The Stellar 4-Star Lineup:

This is where the banner truly shined. We're talking about some of the most universally useful 4-star weapons in the entire game:

Weapon Type Why It's Great
The Stringless Bow BiS (Best-in-Slot) for so many support archers like Venti, Fischl, and Yelan. Huge boost to Elemental Skill & Burst DMG.
The Widsith Catalyst The ultimate stat-stick for catalyst DPS characters. Its random buffs can provide massive temporary power spikes.
Favonius Lance Polearm The premier energy recharge weapon. Essential for supports like Zhongli, Yun Jin, or any polearm user who needs their Burst up constantly.
Lithic Blade Claymore A strong ATK% claymore whose power increases with more Liyue characters in your party. Great for niche but powerful setups.

Pulling on this banner for the 5-stars often meant walking away with multiple refined copies of these 4-star gems. It was an incredible value proposition.

⏰ Mark Your Calendars: Global Schedule

Because Teyvat time operates on server magic, the banners went live at different times. Here was the schedule back then:

  • ASIA Server: February 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM (UTC+8)

  • Europe Server: February 20, 2024, at 4:00 AM (UTC+1)

  • America Server: February 21, 2024, at 11:00 PM (UTC-5)

The anticipation in the community was palpable. Discord servers and subreddits were flooded with "pull plans" and saved pity counters. It was one of those banner phases that reminded you why saving your Primogems can be so rewarding. Whether you were a veteran player finally getting that last constellation for your main or a newbie snagging a powerhouse character, Phase 2 of 4.4 delivered big time. It was a perfect storm of desirable characters and best-in-class weapons, a banner that has become a benchmark for quality in the years since.