Genshin 6.3 Columbina Banner: Pull or Skip Guide (2026)

Phase 1 Banner Overview (January 14, 2026)

Version 6.3 releases January 14, 2026. Phase 1 runs through February 3 (20 days).

Featured Characters

Columbina (Hydro Catalyst) introduces Lunar reaction system. Elemental Skill summons moon ring dealing continuous Hydro damage while generating Gravity Ripple points. Burst creates Lunar Domain buffing team Lunar reaction damage. Kit scales with Max HP.

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Ineffa (Electro Polearm) provides Electro application for Lunar teams. Synergizes with Aubade of Morningstar and Moon artifact set (+80 EM at 2pc, +20% off-field Lunar damage at 4pc).

Weapon Banner

Phase 1 features two signature 5-stars:

• Nocturne's Curtain Call (Columbina): 542 Base ATK, 88.2% CRIT DMG, Max HP scaling
• Lightbearing Moonshard (Ineffa): 542 Base ATK, 88.2% CRIT DMG

Both offer universal value for CRIT-focused builds.

Phase 2 Transition

Phase 1 ends February 3, transitioning to Zibai (Geo Sword) and Neuvillette (Hydro Catalyst rerun) with Illuga (4-star Geo Polearm) through February 24.

Primogem Cost Breakdown

Character Banner Pity

Hard pity: 90 pulls. Soft pity: starts pull 74, dramatically increases rates from 0.6% to ~33% per pull.

Costs:

• Soft pity (74 pulls): 11,840 Primogems
• Average (80 pulls): 12,800 Primogems
• Hard pity (90 pulls): 14,400 Primogems

Weapon Banner Pity

Hard pity: 80 pulls. Soft pity: pull 65. Epitomized Path guarantees selected weapon after two wrong 5-stars.

Worst-case: 240 pulls = 38,400 Primogems

50/50 System

First 5-star has 50% chance of featured character. Losing grants standard 5-star (Diluc, Jean, Mona, Qiqi, Keqing, Dehya, Tighnari) and guarantees next.

Budget scenarios:

• Best case (win 50/50 at soft pity): 11,840 Primogems
• Average (win at pull 80): 12,800 Primogems
• Guaranteed (lost previous 50/50): 14,400 Primogems max
• Worst (lose 50/50, then hard pity): 28,800 Primogems

Should You Pull Phase 1? Performance Analysis

Character Roles

Columbina: On-field Hydro DPS with Lunar reaction focus. Requires consistent Elemental application from off-field supports. HP-scaling allows artifact repurposing from Zhongli/Kokomi/Yelan builds.

Ineffa: Electro sub-DPS enabler for Lunar-Electro reactions. Burst-window damage with team flexibility.

Meta Comparison

Neuvillette's Phase 2 rerun offers proven Hydro Catalyst performance vs Columbina's experimental Lunar mechanics. Safer investment for immediate account strength.

Constellation Value

• C0: Full kit functionality
• C1: 10-15% improvements (typical)
• C2: 20-40% damage spikes (common for DPS)

F2P/low-spenders: prioritize C0 roster diversity over constellations.

Rerun Probability

New characters historically rerun within 6-12 months. Columbina/Ineffa likely return Version 6.8-7.2. Safe to wait for community testing and Spiral Abyss data.

Weapon Banner Worth?

Performance Gains

Signature 5-stars provide 15-30% damage increase over best 4-star alternatives. Nocturne's Curtain Call's HP passive likely reaches 20-30% improvement for Columbina's scaling.

4-Star Alternatives

Columbina options:

• Prototype Amber: HP% substat, team healing

• Hakushin Ring: EM for reactions, team buffs
• The Widsith: CRIT DMG, burst windows

Zero primogem cost preserves resources for characters.

Epitomized Path Strategy

Always set before pulling. Resets between banners—Fate Points don't carry over.

Pull weapon banner only if:

• Both featured 5-stars benefit your account
• You budget 240 pulls worst-case
• Character guarantees secured first

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Risk Assessment

Weapon banner = highest primogem risk. 38,400 Primogem worst-case equals 2.66 guaranteed characters. F2P's 14,540 Version 6.3 income insufficient.

Risk mitigation:

• Have 38,400+ Primogems before starting
• Confirm both weapons provide value
• Accept marginal improvements vs new characters
• Wait for better secondary weapon pairings

Version 6.3 Primogem Income

F2P Total: 14,540 Primogems (107 pulls)

Breakdown:

• Daily Commissions: 60 × 42 days = 2,520
• Spiral Abyss: 2 cycles × 800 = 1,600
• Imaginarium Theater: 1,000
• Lantern Rite: 1,600 + 10 Fates (1,600 value)
• Archon Quest: 590 + 2 Fates (320 value)
• Maintenance: 600
• Codes: 300
• Exploration: 1,850
• Offering System: 950 + 7 Acquaint Fates

Welkin Moon & Battle Pass

Welkin: 90 daily + 300 immediate = 4,080 Genesis Crystals over 42 days Combined F2P + Welkin: 18,320 Primogems (131 pulls)

Battle Pass: ~680 Primogems + 4 Intertwined + 4 Acquaint Fates (1,320 value) Welkin + BP total: ~19,000 Primogems (139 pulls)

Redemption Codes

• ComeNightorDay: 100 Primogems
• Zibai0515: 100 Primogems
• GallopYeah: 100 Primogems

Redeem immediately—expire within days of livestream.

Player Type Totals

• Pure F2P: 107 pulls (one 5-star with average luck)
• Welkin only: 131 pulls (comfortable single guarantee)
• Welkin + BP: 139 pulls (guaranteed 5-star with remainder)
• Moderate spenders: 180+ pulls (guaranteed character regardless of 50/50)

Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Strategy

Phase 2 Features

February 3-24: Zibai (Geo Sword) and Neuvillette (Hydro Catalyst rerun) with Illuga (4-star Geo Polearm).

Zibai: Lunar-Crystallize reactions, DEF/EM scaling Neuvillette: Proven top-tier Hydro DPS Illuga: Geo support with CRIT/EM buffs for Geo teams

Value Comparison

Phase 1 advantages:

• New Lunar mechanics
• Dual new characters
• Earlier artifact set access

Phase 2 advantages:

• Neuvillette's proven performance
• Zibai's unique DEF/EM Geo DPS
• Free 4-star support
• 3 extra weeks primogem accumulation

Players prioritizing strength over novelty: seriously consider Neuvillette.

Opportunity Cost

Pulling Phase 1 commits primogems before Phase 2 community analysis. Risks missing better-suited characters and 1,000-1,500 late-patch primogems.

Waiting until Phase 2 announcement (1-2 days before Phase 1 ends) provides complete income visibility and damage calculations.

Decision Framework

Pull Phase 1 if:

• 28,800+ Primogems and want guaranteed Columbina/Ineffa
• Character design strongly appeals
• Need Hydro/Electro for team gaps
• Accept experimental kit risks

Wait for Phase 2 announcement if:

• Under 20,000 Primogems
• Meta performance outweighs collection
• Interested in Neuvillette
• Want community testing data

Wait for Phase 2 entirely if:

• Neuvillette fills critical gap
• Prefer established over experimental
• Zibai's Geo/DEF aligns with roster
• Can accumulate more primogems

Character + Weapon Strategy

Minimum Requirements

Worst-case:

• Character (lost 50/50): 28,800 Primogems
• Weapon (Epitomized Path): 38,400 Primogems
• Combined: 67,200 Primogems

Exceeds F2P income by 4.6x. Requires substantial savings or purchases.

Average Probability

Win 50/50 at pull 80, weapon at pull 140:

• Character: 12,800 Primogems
• Weapon: 22,400 Primogems
• Combined: 35,200 Primogems

Still 2.4x F2P income. Needs 20,660 existing savings or Welkin + BP + $50-100 top-up.

Budget Strategies

Strategy 1: Character priority

1. Secure character (budget 28,800)
2. Use remainder for weapon attempts
3. Accept first weapon result
4. Stop regardless of outcome

Strategy 2: Skip weapon

1. All primogems to character
2. Build with best 4-star weapon
3. Wait for future weapon reruns
4. Accept 15-25% damage reduction

Strategy 3: Gambling (not recommended)

1. Pull weapon first
2. If under 80 pulls, proceed to character
3. If fails, abandon for character
4. High risk of neither

Hard Stop Conditions

Stop if:

• Remaining primogems drop below 28,800
• Reached 160 weapon pulls without target
• Less than 3 days remaining

Continue only if:

• 38,400+ Primogems remaining after current pity
• Character already acquired
• Both weapons provide value
• Accept potential failure

Budget Tier Plans

5,000-10,000 Primogems (31-62 pulls)

Strategy:

• Character banner only
• Pull only with 60+ existing pity or guarantee
• Skip weapon entirely
• Consider Phase 2 wait

Outcomes:

• 31 pulls: Builds pity, unlikely 5-star
• 62 pulls: ~40% 5-star chance
• Weapon: Impossible

10,000-20,000 Primogems (62-125 pulls)

Strategy:

• Secure character first (90 pulls max)
• Test weapon with excess
• Stop at first 5-star weapon
• Maintain 5,000 reserve

Outcomes:

• 85%+ character acquisition
• 30-60% one 5-star weapon
• 15% specific signature
• Possible: Character + off-banner weapon

20,000-30,000 Primogems (125-187 pulls)

Strategy:

• Guarantee character (90 pulls)
• Attempt weapon with 80-100 budget
• Use Epitomized Path, don't chase third pity
• Flexibility for constellations

Outcomes:

• Guaranteed character
• 60-75% one 5-star weapon
• 30-40% signature via Epitomized Path
• Alternative: Character + constellation

30,000+ Primogems (187+ pulls)

Strategy:

• Budget full character guarantee (180 worst-case)
• Allocate remainder to weapon
• Consider constellation vs weapon trade-off
• Maintain Phase 2 reserve

Outcomes:

• Guaranteed character with remainder
• 60-80% weapon acquisition
• Dual guarantee if 50,000+ Primogems
• Phase 2 flexibility

Common Mistakes

Close to Pity Trap

Pity carries indefinitely between same-type banners. 70 pity isn't sunk cost—it's savings for future banners. Pulling unwanted characters wastes 28,800 Primogems of guarantee value.

Correct: Treat pity as savings. Only pull when you want featured character.

Chasing 4-Stars

4-star rate-up has 50% chance per 4-star pull (not guaranteed). Average cost: 30-50 pulls. Risk of unwanted 5-star: 40-60%.

Correct: Only pull banners where you want the 5-star. Treat 4-stars as bonuses.

Pity Carryover Confusion

Character Event Wish pity carries between all limited character banners. Weapon pity carries between weapon banners. Epitomized Path (Fate Points) resets.

Never build pity on unwanted banners.

Emotional Pulling

FOMO creates artificial urgency. Reruns occur regularly (6-12 months).

Counter-framework:

1. Establish criteria before launch
2. Set hard budgets with stop conditions
3. Wait 7-10 days for community data
4. Accept missing banners is often correct
5. Remember reruns happen

Expert Recommendations

F2P Players (14,540 Primogems, 107 pulls)

Skip Phase 1 unless 60+ pity with guarantee. Wait Phase 2 for Neuvillette's proven value. Never touch weapon banner—roster diversity > marginal damage.

Pull Phase 1 only if:

• 70+ pity with guarantee AND want Columbina/Ineffa
• 28,800+ saved Primogems
• Design outweighs meta

Otherwise: Save for Phase 2 or future guarantees.

Low Spenders (18,320-19,000 Primogems, 131-139 pulls)

Evaluate both phases before committing. Consider weapon only if both featured weapons benefit AND 38,400+ total Primogems. Prioritize C0 expansion over constellations. Maintain 14,400 reserve.

Pull Phase 1 if Columbina/Ineffa fills gaps and you accept risks. Otherwise wait for Neuvillette or Version 6.4.

Skip weapon unless 50,000+ Primogems total.

New vs Veteran Players

New (AR 1-45):

• Prioritize versatile characters
• One strong DPS + supports per element
• Skip weapon entirely
• Consider Neuvillette over Columbina

Veteran (AR 55+):

• Evaluate Spiral Abyss gaps
• Consider weapon for invested builds
• Weigh constellations vs new characters
• Can afford experimental if reserves allow

Action Plan

1. Calculate total primogems: Current + Version 6.3 income + savings
2. Check pity: Review history, count pulls, confirm guarantee
3. Evaluate value: Team gaps? Neuvillette vs experimental? Wait for data?
4. Apply tier strategy: Under 20k (character focus), 20-30k (character + weapon test), 30-50k (serious weapon attempt), 50k+ (dual guarantee possible)
5. Execute with discipline: Set stops, track pulls, abandon weapon if threatened, accept outcomes

Maximizing Primogems

Daily/Weekly Optimization

Daily (60 Primogems):

• Complete 4 Commissions (40)
• Claim Katheryne reward (20)
• Never miss days

Weekly:

• Clear Abyss Floors 9-12 (1st/16th monthly)
• Three weekly bosses
• Imaginarium Theater
• Teapot currency

Bi-weekly:

• HoYoLAB check-in (~60 monthly)
• Web events (40-120 each)
• Redeem codes immediately
• Monitor social media

Event Optimization

Lantern Rite (1,600 + 10 Fates):

• Start day one
• Complete all quests/mini-games
• Claim daily logins
• Participate in photo events

Archon Quest (590 + 2 Fates):

• Complete immediately
• Unlock exploration areas
• Access event content

Exploration (1,850):

• Use interactive maps
• Complete world quests
• Solve puzzles
• Unlock waypoints

BitTopup Strategy

When F2P insufficient, strategic purchases bridge gaps. BitTopup offers competitive pricing, fast delivery, secure transactions.

Cost-effective approach:

• First-time buyer bonus: double crystals (one-time per tier)
• Optimal tier: largest pack = best per-crystal pricing
• Targeted: calculate deficit, buy minimum required

Timing:

• Top up before banner launch
• Use first-time bonuses strategically
• Combine with Welkin
• Budget as entertainment spending

Long-Term Planning

Framework:

• Research leaks 2-3 versions ahead
• Calculate accumulation (14,540 per version F2P)
• Identify must-pull vs skip
• Build reserves

Targets:

• Minimum: 14,400 (single with won 50/50)
• Comfortable: 28,800 (lost 50/50 guarantee)
• Weapon consideration: 50,000+
• Dual guarantee: 67,200+

FAQ

How many primogems for guaranteed 5-star in 6.3?

14,400 for hard pity at 90 pulls with guarantee. 28,800 accounting for losing 50/50 first. Most acquire around pull 80 (12,800) due to soft pity at 74.

Is Phase 1 weapon banner worth pulling?

Only if 38,400+ Primogems AND both weapons benefit your account. Most F2P/low-spenders: poor value vs character roster expansion. 15-25% damage improvement doesn't justify cost when 4-stars exist.

What's weapon banner pity?

Hard pity: 80 pulls. Soft pity: pull 65. Epitomized Path guarantees selected weapon within 240 pulls max (three 5-stars). Each off-banner grants one Fate Point; two Fate Points guarantee selection next.

Should F2P pull weapon banners?

Avoid except when both weapons significantly benefit AND 50,000+ Primogems after securing characters. Roster diversity > marginal weapon damage. Prioritize C0 characters over weapons.

Can I get both character and weapon in 6.3 Phase 1?

Requires 35,200-67,200 Primogems depending on luck. Version 6.3 provides only 14,540 F2P, making dual acquisition impossible without substantial savings or purchases. 50,000+ Primogems enables reasonable attempt—prioritize character first.

How many primogems in 6.3?

F2P: 14,540 + free fates = 107 pulls. Welkin: +3,780 = 131 pulls. Welkin + BP: ~139 pulls. Includes Commissions, events, Abyss, exploration, codes, compensation across 42 days.