What's Actually in This Banner?
The Rubedo of White Stone Born banner kicks off Version 6.2 Luna III Phase 1 on December 3rd and runs through December 23rd, 2025. That's 20 days to decide if Durin's worth your Primogems.
Here's what makes Durin interesting: he's not your typical one-trick Pyro DPS. This 5★ Pyro Sword user comes with Essential Transmutation abilities that give you two completely different playstyles. Think of it as getting two characters in one — though whether that's actually better than having one really good kit is debatable.
Denial of Darkness mode (Burst: Principle of Darkness) hits with 3x AoE Pyro damage, then summons the Dragon of Dark Decay for focused single-target attacks. The kicker? +40% Vaporize/Melt damage. Perfect for those chunky boss fights.
Confirmation of Purity mode (Burst: Principle of Purity) also delivers 3x AoE Pyro waves, but swaps to the Dragon of White Flame for area damage plus Pyro resistance shredding on reactions. Better for mob clearing and team support.
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The Supporting Cast
The 4★ lineup brings some real value — especially if you're missing certain pieces. Jahoda's the new kid on the block: a 4★ Anemo Bow healer whose Burst summons two Purr-sonal Household Helper Coordinators (yes, that's the actual name). Targets above 70% HP get +100 Elemental Mastery for 6 seconds, which could be surprisingly useful in quick-swap teams.
Bennett's inclusion alone makes this banner worth considering for newer players. He's still S-tier support material, and his constellations — particularly C1 — are game-changers.
Faruzan rounds out the trio with Anemo support utility. She's not flashy, but her crowd control and potential synergy with Geo compositions (especially in the emerging Hexerei meta) shouldn't be overlooked.
The weapon banner runs Epitome Invocation with 5★ Athame Artis and The Daybreak Chronicles, plus the usual 4★ suspects: The Alley Flash, Rainslasher, Prospector's Drill, Wine and Song, and The Stringless. Athame Artis is Durin's signature weapon — 608 base ATK, +33.1% CRIT Rate, with special buffs that get +75% effectiveness for Hexerei characters.
How the Gacha Actually Works
Standard Character Event Wish mechanics apply. 0.6% base 5★ rates, 1600 Primogems per 10-pull via Intertwined Fates. Hard pity hits at exactly 90 pulls, but soft pity starts ramping up at pull 74.
In practice, most players see their 5★ between pulls 76-80 thanks to soft pity's exponential rate increases. The 4★ pity runs independently — guaranteed 4★ every 10 pulls, no exceptions.
The Pity System Breakdown
50/50 and Guarantee Mechanics
Your first 5★ on any Character Event Wish has a coin flip: 50% chance for the featured character (Durin), 50% chance for a standard 5★. Lose that 50/50? Your next 5★ from any Character Event Wish is guaranteed to be the featured character.
This guarantee status carries over between banners. So if you lose 50/50 on Durin's banner but don't pull again, your next 5★ on the following banner will be guaranteed.
Pity progress also transfers between Character Event Wish banners but stays completely separate from weapon and standard banners. That's crucial for resource planning.
Durin Deep Dive: Is He Worth It?
Understanding His Kit
Durin's complexity comes from his Essential Transmutation system. Press Skill to apply the transmutation state, then use Burst to activate one of two modes. The optimal rotation is Skill → immediate Burst to maximize your transmutation window.
Principle of Darkness excels in single-target scenarios. Those three AoE waves hit hard, but the Dragon of Dark Decay's +40% Vaporize/Melt bonus is where the real damage lives. Perfect for Spiral Abyss boss chambers.
Principle of Purity shines in multi-enemy situations. The Dragon of White Flame keeps the AoE pressure going while shredding Pyro resistance on reactions — basically buffing your entire team's Pyro damage output.
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Meta Positioning
Let's be honest — Durin's entering a crowded field. Hu Tao, Yoimiya, and Lyney already dominate the Pyro DPS space, each with their own strengths. What Durin brings is versatility. That dual-mode functionality means he can adapt to different content types without team swapping.
The Hexerei synergy angle is intriguing but unproven. If you're running Albedo, Venti, Klee, Mona, Sucrose, Fischl, or Razor, those Secret Rite buffs could create some interesting team compositions. But that's a lot of ifs for a meta that's still developing.
The 4★ Value Proposition
Jahoda's Potential
New 4★ healers don't come around often, and Anemo healing is practically nonexistent in the current roster. Jahoda's Burst healing combined with that +100 EM buff for healthy targets creates some interesting team building possibilities. The 6-second duration aligns perfectly with quick-swap rotations.
Bennett: The Banner's MVP
Honestly? Bennett's presence might be the strongest argument for pulling on this banner. If you're missing him or need constellations, this could be your best opportunity in months. C1 Bennett removes the HP restriction on his ATK buff — that's a massive upgrade for any account.
Faruzan's Niche Appeal
Faruzan won't set the world on fire, but her crowd control and elemental application have their place. With the Hexerei meta potentially expanding, her synergy with Albedo-focused teams could become more relevant. Her constellations significantly boost her utility, so multiple copies aren't wasted.
Should You Actually Pull?
Durin's Honest Assessment
What works: Dual-mode flexibility adapts to any encounter type; strong reaction bonuses (+40% Vaporize/Melt) compete with top-tier DPS; AoE resistance shredding supports team damage; potential Hexerei synergies offer future-proofing.
What doesn't: Direct competition with established Pyro DPS characters; dual-mode complexity requires learning investment; optimal performance likely demands specific team compositions; unproven meta positioning.
Account Stage Considerations
Early Game (AR 1-35): Durin provides excellent DPS foundation. Pyro dominates overworld exploration and early Spiral Abyss content. The learning curve isn't prohibitive at this stage.
Mid Game (AR 35-50): Evaluate your current DPS roster honestly. Missing strong Pyro DPS? Durin's a solid upgrade. Already running Hu Tao or Yoimiya? Maybe skip unless you want roster diversity.
Late Game (AR 50+): This becomes about roster completion and meta exploration. Hexerei synergies might unlock new team archetypes, but that's speculation territory.
The Real Verdict
F2P Players: Only pull if you're missing Pyro DPS and have 180+ pulls banked. The 4★ roster provides excellent value even if Durin doesn't come home.
Low Spenders (Welkin/BP): Strong consideration territory. Durin's versatility and the Bennett factor make this worthwhile for most accounts.
Whales/Dolphins: Recommended for completion and potential meta shifts.
Smart Pulling Strategies
F2P Resource Management
F2P success requires discipline. The golden rule: have 28,800 Primogems (180 pulls) saved before starting. Anything less is gambling, not planning.
But there are exceptions. High pity count (60+ pulls) with guaranteed featured character? That changes the math significantly. You might only need 20-30 more pulls.
Low Spender Approach
Welkin Moon and Battle Pass purchasers can reasonably attempt Durin with 120-150 pulls saved. Monthly Welkin provides 3,000 Primogems plus daily bonuses — that's meaningful pulling power over time.
Consider the pull to first 5★ strategy regardless of pity count, then evaluate continuation based on results. Got Durin early? Celebrate and save. Lost 50/50? Decide if the guarantee is worth continuing.
Know When to Stop
Set clear stopping points before you start pulling: first 5★ acquisition (regardless of character); desired 4★ constellation achievement; predetermined pull count; Primogem reserve threshold for future banners.
That just one more 10-pull mentality destroys accounts. Don't be that player.
Resource Math and Reality Check
Worst-Case Scenario Planning
Guarantee requires 180 pulls (28,800 Primogems). But soft pity mechanics mean most players need 150-160 pulls in practice. Still, plan for worst-case — hope for better.
Banner Duration Income
The 20-day window provides: Daily Commissions (1,200 Primogems), Spiral Abyss (600 Primogems for 36-star completion twice), Events (estimated 1,000-1,500 Primogems), Maintenance Compensation (300 Primogems).
Total estimated income: 3,100-3,600 Primogems during banner period. That's about 19-22 pulls — helpful but not game-changing for most accounts.
Genesis Crystal Efficiency
Genesis Crystals convert 1:1 to Primogems after first-time bonuses. Those first-time bonuses offer exceptional value: $0.99 package yields 120 crystals, $99.99 package yields 12,960 crystals with bonus.
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Common Pulling Mistakes
Banner Confusion
Durin only appears on the Rubedo Character Event Wish banner. You cannot get him from Standard Banner, ever. Limited characters stay limited — that's the whole point.
Pity Misunderstanding
Pity doesn't transfer between banner types. Character Event Wish pity stays separate from weapon banner and standard banner pity. The 50/50 guarantee only applies to Character Event Wishes.
Resource Planning Failures
Impulsive pulling without adequate reserves leads to incomplete acquisitions and wasted Primogems. Establish clear goals and resource requirements before touching that wish button.
Post-Pull Setup Guide
Immediate Talent Priorities
Durin's Elemental Burst takes priority — it's your primary damage source and scales dramatically with investment. Level it to 8+ immediately for substantial damage improvements.
Elemental Skill gets secondary priority as the Essential Transmutation enabler. Normal Attack can wait unless you're planning heavy field time.
Artifact Strategy
Crimson Witch of Flames 4-piece remains optimal for reaction-focused builds. +15% Pyro damage plus reaction bonuses align perfectly with Durin's kit.
Stat Priority: Sands (ATK% or Elemental Mastery), Goblet (Pyro Damage Bonus), Circlet (CRIT Rate or CRIT Damage). Substats follow the usual DPS hierarchy: CRIT Rate/DMG > ATK% > Elemental Mastery > Energy Recharge.
Weapon Recommendations
Athame Artis (5★): Durin's signature weapon. 608 base ATK, +33.1% CRIT Rate, with Hexerei character bonuses. Expensive but optimal.
Mistsplitter Reforged (5★): Universal Sword DPS weapon. High base ATK, CRIT Damage substat, Elemental damage bonuses. Works on anyone.
The Black Sword (4★): Battle Pass weapon providing CRIT Rate and healing. Accessible and effective for most players.
Team Building Basics
Vaporize Team: Durin + Xingqiu + Bennett + Sucrose. Consistent Hydro application, reaction support, healing, and VV shred.
Hexerei Team: Durin + Albedo + Venti + Mona. Leverages Hexerei synergies for enhanced damage output — if the meta develops that way.
FAQ: The Real Questions
When exactly does this banner start and end? December 3-23, 2025. That's 20 days before transitioning to Phase 2 with Varesa and Xilonen.
How many Primogems for guaranteed Durin? Worst case: 28,800 Primogems (180 pulls). Realistic expectation: 24,000-25,600 Primogems (150-160 pulls) thanks to soft pity.
Does my pity carry over? Yes, between Character Event Wish banners. No, between different banner types (Character/Weapon/Standard).
Which 4★ characters are featured? Jahoda (new Anemo healer), Bennett (Pyro support god), and Faruzan (Anemo support). Bennett alone makes this banner valuable.
Is Durin worth it for F2P? Only if you're missing Pyro DPS and have 180+ pulls saved. Don't gamble with limited resources.
What's soft pity again? Starts at pull 74, exponentially increases 5★ rates each pull. Most players get their 5★ between pulls 76-80, not at hard pity (90).
The bottom line? This banner offers solid value for the right accounts. Durin brings versatility to the Pyro DPS space, and that 4★ lineup — especially Bennett — provides excellent supporting value. Just make sure you're pulling with a plan, not on impulse.
