Genshin Impact May Overhaul Banner System in Version 5.3 Update

Recent updates in the Genshin Impact universe have caused quite a stir, with whispers indicating that from Version 5.3 onwards, new characters might get their banners for the entirety of an update. This change is set to start with newcomers Mavuika and Citlali. The game, well-known for its Event Banners, is facing a bit of a crossroads. With over 90 characters now available to play, some of the 5-Star ones have been off the radar for more than a year. As Genshin Impact continues to expand its character roster, this inconsistency in banner scheduling is becoming more problematic.

Take Shenhe and Ganyu, for instance—two Cryo characters who haven’t been in the Event Banners lineup for over 500 days. Similarly, Wriothesley has been missing from feature banners since debuting in Version 4.1. Meanwhile, Clorinde is finally about to have her first rerun in Version 5.3, six updates following her release. It seems increasingly difficult for the game to maintain a steady Event Banner rotation, which has led to many players voicing demands for adjustments.

Rumors flying around platforms like Tieba suggest that HoYoverse plans to overhaul Event Banners across all its games. Starting with Version 5.3, every newly introduced 5-Star character in Genshin Impact might enjoy a banner lasting the full update period. Meanwhile, reruns of limited 5-Stars would likely be featured in the latter half of an update.

As we await further confirmations, it’s unclear how these changes might impact the Weapon Banner in Genshin Impact. However, some speculate it could lead to individual character weapon banners instead of bundling them together. Although leaks are always best taken with skepticism, this potential change echoes some of the recent conflicting data from the beta servers for Version 5.3. Under this new model, having Citlali and Mavuika share the first half and Arlecchino and Clorinde lead the second half would align perfectly.

If this adjustment goes live in Version 5.3, it remains uncertain whether it addresses all the current flaws with the existing banner model in Genshin Impact. Developers will still manage four Event Banners per patch, with the main advantage being extended durations for new 5-Stars. Nevertheless, isolating new characters with their banners could simplify increasing rerun opportunities in the game. With Version 5.3 launching on January 1, 2025, players should stay tuned for more details during the developer’s livestream, which will shed light on the forthcoming Event Banners.