As I logged in to Teyvat in 2026, the excitement for the second half of Version 4.8 was still a vivid memory in my traveler's journey. It was a period marked by the debut of a truly unique perfumer from Fontaine and the return of some incredibly reliable, if perhaps overly familiar, companions. The main draw of Genshin Impact for me has always been its vibrant, evolving roster of characters, and the Fontaine arc had already gifted us with legends like the unshakable Chief Justice Neuvillette, the graceful Xianyun, the dynamic Archon Furina, and the formidable Arlecchino. These characters had become absolute staples in my Spiral Abyss runs, defining entire team strategies. The anticipation for something new, especially a Dendro specialist with a fresh twist, was palpable.

The star of the show was undoubtedly Emilie. As an accomplished perfumer from the Court of Fontaine, she wasn't just another fighter; she was an artist of aroma and destruction. What made her debut so thrilling was her entirely novel kit, meticulously crafted around the Burning Elemental Reaction. As the game's first-ever 5-Star Dendro Polearm user, she carved out her own niche from day one. I remember theory-crafters in the community buzzing with excitement, not just about her immediate potential, but about the incredible synergy she promised with the upcoming characters from the land of Natlan. The developers paired her on the Event Wish banner with the ever-elusive Yelan, creating a potent combination of Hydro application and Dendro expertise. However, the conversation quickly shifted to their supporting cast.

The 4-Star characters accompanying them were a mix that sparked a lot of discussion in my friend circle:

• Razor (4-Star Electro Claymore): The lone wolf of Wolvendom! His last banner appearance felt like a lifetime ago, back in Version 3.8. For many newer players I met, this was a fantastic chance to finally recruit this straightforward, powerful physical and Electro carry.

• Xiangling (4-Star Pyro Polearm): The legendary chef from Liyue, and arguably one of the most powerful 4-star characters in the entire game. Her Pyronado is simply iconic.

• Yanfei (4-Star Pyro Catalyst): The diligent legal advisor with a passion for justice and explosive Pyro seals.

Now, here's where the community sentiment split. While seeing Razor was a welcome return, both Xiangling and Yanfei had been featured very recently—Xiangling in Version 4.6 and Yanfei in 4.5. Among my veteran friends, there was a growing critique of what felt like favoritism towards these older, universally powerful 4-Star characters. The sentiment was that this was a strategy to instill a sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) in players, especially newer ones, encouraging them to wish on banners to secure these "essential" units, even if they were chasing the 5-star. As a player who started in the Inazuma era, I had my Xiangling at C6 long ago, so her appearance did little for me personally.

The Newcomer's Perspective

However, I had to remind myself (and my jaded veteran friends) of the other side of the coin. For a brand-new Traveler just starting their adventure in 2026, this banner was an absolute goldmine. Characters like Xiangling, and her Hydro counterpart Xingqiu (who wasn't here but is of the same caliber), are the bedrock of countless meta teams. They are incredibly powerful, versatile, and available for free through the Spiral Abyss and Paimon's Bargains. Having them featured on a banner with two fantastic 5-star characters gives newcomers a phenomenal starting point. The value for a new account versus a veteran account is dramatically different, and it's important to remember that the game is constantly welcoming new faces to Teyvat.

The Spectacular Weapon Banner

If the character banner sparked debate, the concurrent Weapon Banner was almost universally applauded for its quality. It was, in a word, stacked. The featured 4-star weapons were incredibly useful:

Weapon	Type	Key Feature
Favonius Warbow	Bow	Fantastic Energy Recharge support weapon
Favonius Lance	Polearm	Top-tier support weapon for many characters
Makhaira Aquamarine	Claymore	Unique Elemental Mastery buffing weapon
Wandering Evenstar	Catalyst	Great Elemental Mastery stat stick and buffer

And then there were the headline acts:

• Aqua Simulacra: Yelan's signature bow. Even years later in 2026, it's still revered as one of the best universal bows in the game. Its massive CRIT DMG stat and unconditional damage boost make it desirable on almost any bow DPS or sub-DPS.

• Lumidouce Energy: Emilie's signature polearm. While tailor-made for her Burning-focused playstyle, its strong base ATK, CRIT RATE secondary stat, and ATK-boosting passive made it a solid option for other polearm users who could benefit from its effects.

This weapon banner was a rare win-win. You could wish for Aqua Simulacra for your Yelan (or future bow users) and get an arsenal of top-tier 4-star support weapons along the way, or you could chase Emilie's polearm and still walk away with incredibly valuable loot.

Reflecting on the Banner's Legacy

Looking back from 2026, the second half of Version 4.8 (which ran from August 6 to August 27, 2024) holds a special place. It was the introduction of Emilie, a character whose Burning niche would later find even more friends and powerful team compositions as the roster expanded into Natlan and beyond. She proved that even specific reaction-focused kits could have lasting power and unique fun factor.

The banner also highlighted the ongoing balancing act HoYoverse manages: catering to veterans hungry for new constellations of rare characters while providing immense value to newcomers with foundational, powerful 4-stars. The debate around banner line-ups continues to this day, but the core truth remains—the value is in the eye of the beholder (or in this case, the Traveler). For me, it was a time to welcome a fragrant new ally to my team and to help my newer friends secure the pillars of their future Spiral Abyss conquests. The memories of pulling for Emilie, the scent of burning herbs, and the reliable whirl of Xiangling's Pyronado are all part of the rich tapestry of my journey through Teyvat. 🌿🔥💧