Genshin Impact 6.3 vs 6.4: Weapon Banner or Save for Varka

Understanding the 6.3 vs 6.4 Dilemma

Version 6.3 runs Jan 14 to Feb 24, 2026. Lightbearing Moonshard debuts Phase 2 (Feb 3), while Varka arrives 21 days later (Feb 25) in Version 6.4. This compressed timeline forces strategic primogem allocation.

Weapon banners demand up to 240 pulls through Epitomized Path versus 180 for character guarantees—a 33% cost increase. For F2P players, this makes weapon pulls significantly riskier.

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Why This Matters

5-star weapons boost damage 15-25% over 4-star options. New characters unlock fresh team comps and strategies. For accounts lacking core DPS or supports, Varka's versatile Anemo kit delivers greater long-term value than marginal damage gains.

Version 6.3's 42 days provide exactly 107 F2P pulls (14,540 Primogems + 29 Intertwined Fates). Spending half on weapons leaves insufficient reserves to guarantee Varka (14,400 Primogems for 90 pulls).

Weapon Banner Investment Challenge

Epitomized Path awards one Fate Point when you pull a featured 5-star that isn't your selected weapon. Two Fate Points guarantee your target on the next 5-star. This caps cost at 240 pulls (38,400 Primogems), but average acquisition runs 150-180 pulls (24,000-28,800 Primogems).

Weapon pity triggers at 80 pulls (vs 90 for characters), with soft pity starting pull 65 where rates jump to ~7%. Base rate: 0.7% for pulls 1-64. Featured weapons claim 75% of 5-star drops.

Critical: Fate Points reset when banners expire. Progress on Phase 2 disappears when 6.4 launches.

Version Timeline

• Phase 1: Jan 14 - Feb 3 (20 days) - Nocturne's Curtain + Fractured Halo
• Phase 2: Feb 3 - Feb 24 (21 days) - Lightbearing Moonshard (Zibai's weapon)
• Version 6.4: Feb 25 - Varka banner starts

F2P income: 64 pulls Phase 1, 43 pulls Phase 2. Players at zero pity can reach soft pity on character banner by Phase 2 end, but can't guarantee both weapon and Varka without purchases.

Lightbearing Moonshard Analysis

Stats and Passive

Level 90: 542 Base ATK, 88.2% CRIT DMG

R1 Passive: 20% DEF + 64% Lunar-Crystallize DMG for 5s after Elemental Skill
R5 Passive: 40% DEF + 128% Lunar-Crystallize DMG

Lunar-Crystallize is Zibai-specific. For other characters, this is a pure stat stick—88.2% CRIT DMG with zero passive value.

Character Compatibility

Zibai: Primary beneficiary. Testing shows 22% damage increase vs 4-star options when passive activates consistently.

Other Sword Users (Ayaka, Keqing, Alhaitham): Gain only CRIT DMG stat. Mistsplitter Reforged (Elemental DMG bonuses) or Primordial Jade Cutter (CRIT Rate + HP scaling) outperform through active passives.

Investing 24,000+ Primogems for a stat stick contradicts sound account building when 4-stars like Amenoma Kageuchi offer comparable utility at zero limited resource cost.

Spiral Abyss Performance

Zibai Floor 12: Moonshard R1 completes rotations 8-12 seconds faster than R5 Amenoma (18-20% improvement). Stems from higher base stats + Lunar-Crystallize amplification.

Non-Zibai Characters: 5-8% clear time difference. Ayaka with Moonshard vs Amenoma shows minimal distinction in freeze teams where CRIT DMG hits diminishing returns.

Refinements: R1→R5 costs four additional copies (potentially 153,600 Primogems worst-case), delivering only 10-15% damage increase. Whale territory.

vs Alternative Weapons

Mistsplitter Reforged: Wins on universal applicability. Elemental DMG bonuses benefit every sword DPS. For accounts without Zibai or planning to bench him, Mistsplitter offers objectively superior long-term value.

Primordial Jade Cutter: CRIT Rate substat provides better artifact flexibility + HP scaling for Ayato/Kuki. Reduces artifact farming pressure. If you own Jade Cutter, skip Moonshard unless maining Zibai.

4-Star Options: Black Sword (Battle Pass) or Lion's Roar close gaps to 12-18% on appropriate characters. This differential rarely justifies 24,000+ Primogem investments when those resources guarantee new characters.

Weapon Banner Mechanics

Fate Point System

1. Select one featured 5-star as Epitomized Path target before pulling
2. Each featured 5-star that isn't your choice = 1 Fate Point
3. 2 Fate Points = guaranteed target on next 5-star pull
4. Fate Points reset completely at banner expiration

The 75% featured rate means 25% of 5-stars yield standard weapons (Skyward Blade, Amos' Bow). These provide no Fate Points—complete resource loss.

Worst-Case Cost

Maximum: 240 pulls = 38,400 Primogems (losing both initial 5-stars to other featured weapon, hitting 80-pull hard pity three times)

Average: 150-180 pulls = 24,000-28,800 Primogems (accounting for soft pity pulls 65-79)

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Pity Mechanics

• Hard pity: 80 pulls
• Soft pity: Starts pull 65, rates increase 0.7%→7%
• Most 5-stars drop pulls 65-77
• Pity carries between weapon banners; Fate Points don't

Check wish history to count pulls since last 5-star weapon = current pity.

Featured 4-Stars Value

4-star pity guarantees one every 10 pulls, 75% being featured weapons. Across 240 pulls for Moonshard, expect ~24 four-stars, ~18 being featured.

Strong 4-stars (Favonius, Sacrificial series) add 15-20% effective value. Weak lineups (The Bell, Rainslasher) offer minimal compensation.

Varka: 6.4 Release Info

Leaked Kit

• Weapon: Claymore
• Element: Anemo (5-star)
• Mechanics: Physical DMG conversion + team-wide buffs (multipliers unconfirmed)

Anemo provides universal flexibility via Viridescent Venerer set. Even if personal damage proves mediocre, resistance shred ensures baseline utility. This versatility contrasts hyper-specialized weapons like Moonshard.

Claymore grants strong 4-star alternatives: Serpent Spine (Battle Pass), Prototype Archaic (craftable), event weapons. Performance gaps typically 15-22% vs 30%+ for catalyst/bow users.

Predicted Signature Weapon

Ballad of the Mighty Wolf (leaked):

• 608 Base ATK, 33.1% CRIT Rate at Level 90
• Passive scales with Physical DMG or DEF (unconfirmed)
• CRIT Rate substat offers broader applicability than CRIT DMG

If passive synergizes like Moonshard pairs with Zibai, expect 25-30% damage improvement over 4-stars.

Meta Potential

Anemo characters dominate meta through reaction enabling and resistance shred. Kazuha and Venti maintain top-tier status across patches. Varka's 5-star scaling positions him for similar longevity.

Potential Teams:

• Varka/Furina/Bennett/Flex (Anemo carry)
• Varka/Eula/Raiden/Diona (Physical DMG)

Investment priority: characters over weapons when meta potential uncertain. Acquiring Varka guarantees new gameplay options; skipping him for Moonshard locks resources into optimizing one existing character.

Banner Schedule

Start: Feb 25, 2026 (Version 6.4 Phase 1)
Duration: ~20-21 days

Primogem Requirements:

• Character hard pity: 90 pulls, soft pity starts pull 74
• 50/50 system: up to 180 pulls (28,800 Primogems) for guarantee
• Most trigger soft pity pulls 75-82, averaging 120-140 total with 50/50 loss

Conservative Planning: 14,400 Primogems (90 pulls) from 6.3 + 8,000 from early 6.4 = 140 pulls available. Covers guarantee for zero-pity players.

Primogem Math: 6.3 to 6.4

Complete Income Breakdown

Version 6.3 (42 days) - F2P:

• Daily Commissions: 2,520 (60/day × 42)
• Lantern Rite 2026: 1,600 + 10 Fates (3,200 total)
• Spiral Abyss (2 resets): 1,200 (36-star clears)
• Maintenance/web events: 2,000-2,500
• Total: 14,540 Primogems + 29 Fates = 107 pulls

New players accessing Fontaine: +5,000 Primogems from exploration. Veterans with 100% completion see minimal gains.

Spending Tiers

F2P: 14,540 Primogems + 29 Fates = 107 pulls

Welkin Moon: +3,780 Primogems (90/day × 42) = 18,320 total = 131 pulls (+22%)

Welkin + Battle Pass: +1,320 (680 Primogems + 4 Fates) = 19,000 total = 139 pulls (+32 vs F2P)

Current Pity Factor

Navigate wish history, count pulls since last 5-star:

• Weapon banner: Subtract from 80 (hard pity) or 65 (soft pity)
• Character banner: Subtract from 90 (hard) or 74 (soft)

Players at 60+ character pity should preserve progress for Varka rather than resetting via weapon pulls.

Can You Afford Both?

Conservative: Reserve 14,400 (90 pulls) for Varka = zero weapon pulls. Guarantees character for F2P at minimal pity.

Moderate: Allocate 11,840 (74 pulls) for Varka, banking on soft pity. Frees 2,700 (17 pulls) for weapons—can't reach soft pity. Inefficient splitting.

Aggressive: Reserve 8,000 (50 pulls) for Varka, assuming existing pity or accepting 50/50 risk. Enables 6,540 (41 pulls) toward weapons—still short of soft pity. Only viable with substantial existing pity on both banners.

Strategic Decision Framework

When Moonshard Is Worth It

1. Zibai mains: Extended usage across 6+ months. 22% damage improvement = meaningful QoL gains
2. Complete rosters: Own all desired characters through 6.4. Redirect income to weapon optimization
3. Collectors: Prioritize limited item acquisition over meta (acknowledge opportunity cost of skipping Varka)

Red Flags to Skip

1. Missing meta characters: Furina, Neuvillette, Kazuha gaps. Varka's Anemo/claymore fills different niches
2. Limited reserves (<25,000): Weapon banner's 240-pull worst-case demands safety margins. Character banners' 180-pull max allows tighter budgeting
3. Existing 5-star swords: Mistsplitter/Jade Cutter reduce Moonshard's marginal value. Upgrade = luxury, not necessity

Account Type Strategies

F2P: Skip Moonshard unless sitting on 40,000+ Primogems with all desired characters owned. Reserve all 14,540 + 29 Fates for Varka. Equip Prototype Archaic or Serpent Spine.

Light Spenders (Welkin/BP): Purchase Welkin for 6.3 (107→131 pulls). Skip BP unless needing Serpent Spine. Consider one-time Genesis Crystal purchase during first-time double bonus. Avoid weapon banner unless 30,000+ banked.

Dolphins ($50-100/month): Can pursue both by supplementing patch income with Genesis Crystals. Prioritize weapon banner first (avoid Fate Point resets), then redirect to Varka with early 6.4 income.

Meta Chasers: Evaluate Varka's leaked kit vs current meta. If top-tier (Kazuha/Neuvillette level), prioritize character. Skip Moonshard unless Zibai proves meta-dominant in sustained testing. Allocate toward proven multi-team flexibility.

Long-Term Value

Characters: Highest value through permanent roster expansion + new gameplay. Each enables fresh team comps, reactions, strategies. Versatility compounds over time.

Weapons: Permanent stat increases, lack transformative impact. 20% damage improvement pales vs unlocking new team archetypes.

Constellations: Between weapons and characters. Early cons (C1-C2) provide meaningful spikes. Late cons (C4-C6) = whale territory with diminishing returns. C0 diversity > constellation refinements.

Alternative Weapons for Varka

Best 4-Star Predictions

Serpent Spine (Battle Pass): Likely top 4-star via CRIT Rate substat + stacking ATK% buffs. Synergizes with main DPS playstyles. Reaches 85-90% of 5-star signature at R5.

Prototype Archaic: Strongest F2P craftable. ATK% substat + AoE procs. Performs 75-80% of signature levels. Refinements via weekly boss drops.

Whiteblind: Relevant if Varka scales with DEF (like Itto/Noelle). DEF% substat + ATK/DEF stacking passive. Could match Serpent Spine in specialized builds.

Standard Banner 5-Stars

Skyward Pride: 36.8% Energy Recharge + vacuum blade procs. Supports burst-focused playstyles with high energy costs. Enables smoother rotations.

Wolf's Gravestone: 49.6% ATK% substat + team-wide ATK bonus below 30% enemy HP. Universally strong for ATK-scaling DPS. Faces diminishing returns with Bennett/ATK buffers.

The Unforged: Scales with shield strength. Pairs with Zhongli. ATK% buffs + Shield Strength scaling competitive if Varka teams naturally incorporate shielders. Team-dependent.

Craftable Viability

Prototype Archaic R5: 75-80% of signature performance = 20-25% deficit. Rarely prevents Abyss 36-star clears with proper artifacts/teams. Zero primogem cost = baseline F2P recommendation.

Luxurious Sea-Lord (event): ATK% + Elemental Burst DMG bonuses. Suits high-multiplier bursts. May outperform Archaic in burst-oriented builds despite lower base ATK.

Snow-Tombed Starsilver: Physical DMG% substat. Relevant if Varka emphasizes Physical damage. Passive deals additional Physical damage. Specialization limits flexibility vs ATK% weapons.

Performance Gap

Signatures deliver 20-30% damage improvements over best 4-stars (accounting for passive synergies). Gap widens to 35-45% vs generic 4-stars, narrows to 15-20% vs refined Battle Pass weapons.

Performance differential rarely determines clear success. Abyss 36-stars depend more on team comp, artifacts, execution than weapon choice. Strong artifacts + optimized teams clear content comfortably with 4-stars.

Diminishing Returns: Upgrading 4-star→signature costs 24,000+ Primogems for 20% gain. Optimizing artifacts via resin delivers similar improvements at zero primogem cost. Prioritize resin efficiency before chasing weapons.

Maximizing Primogems

Emergency Sources

• Hangout Events: 60 Primogems/route. All routes (Bennett, Noelle, Fontaine cast) = 500+
• Teapot Achievements: 400+ via Trust Rank milestones + furniture sets. Requires sustained resin investment
• Web Events: 40-120 Primogems/event via daily check-ins. Monitor official social media—expire quickly

Exploration Checklist

Fontaine: Highest density for incomplete exploration. Each sub-region = 200-400 Primogems (chests, waypoints, Statues). Prioritize <80% progress areas.

Sumeru Underground: Hundreds of overlooked chests in caves/ruins. Desert of Hadramaveth hides clusters in passages not contributing to surface percentages.

Inazuma: Time-gated quests unlock primogem sources. Complete Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, Tatara Tales for hidden areas + achievements.

Event Optimization

Lantern Rite 2026: 1,600 Primogems + 10 Fates. Prioritize above all—exceeds typical events by 200-300%.

Combat Events: 420 Primogems via challenge completion. Even struggling players claim 300+ through normal/hard modes.

Daily Login Events: 300-600 Primogems via check-ins. Under 30 seconds daily, essential for maximizing free acquisition.

Efficient Top-Up

BitTopup: Competitive Genesis Crystal pricing, instant delivery, secure payment. Supports credit cards, PayPal, regional options.

First-Time Bonus: Double crystals on all tiers, effectively halving cost/primogem. Optimal entry point for first purchase.

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FAQ

Is Lightbearing Moonshard worth pulling in 6.3?

Only for dedicated Zibai mains planning extended usage. Passive benefits exclusively Lunar-Crystallize mechanics. For other sword users, it's a stat stick (88.2% CRIT DMG, no active passive). Mistsplitter/Jade Cutter superior. F2P skip entirely to preserve resources for Varka (Feb 25).

How many primogems can I save between 6.3 and 6.4?

F2P: 14,540 + 29 Fates = 107 pulls. Welkin: 18,320 = 131 pulls. Welkin+BP: 19,000 = 139 pulls. Skipping weapon pulls preserves all for Varka. Early 6.4 adds 7,000-8,000 during his banner.

What's guaranteed weapon banner cost?

Epitomized Path caps at 240 pulls (38,400 Primogems) via Fate Point guarantee. Average: 150-180 pulls (24,000-28,800) accounting for soft pity pulls 65-79. Individual results vary—75% featured rate, 25% standard spooks.

Should F2P ever pull weapon banners?

Avoid until owning comprehensive rosters: two built DPS/element + all core supports. Weapons provide 15-25% damage; characters unlock new team comps. Consider only with 40,000+ banked Primogems and no desired upcoming characters.

How does Epitomized Path work?

Select one featured 5-star before pulling. Each featured 5-star that isn't your choice = 1 Fate Point. 2 Fate Points = guaranteed target on next 5-star. Caps cost at three 5-star acquisitions. Fate Points reset at banner expiration—non-transferable.

Best 4-star alternatives for Varka?

Serpent Spine (BP): Likely optimal via CRIT Rate + stacking ATK%. Reaches 85-90% of signature at R5. Prototype Archaic: Strongest F2P craftable, ATK% + AoE procs, performs 75-80% of signature. Whiteblind: Relevant if DEF-scaling kit, potentially matching Serpent Spine.