Genshin Impact 5.0 Update: Natlan's Banner Characters and What to Expect

The Genshin Impact community is buzzing with excitement as HoYoverse has officially dropped the deets on the upcoming Version 5.0 banner characters. This major update is shaping up to be one of the most fire additions to the game in 2025, introducing players to the scorching landscapes of Natlan and a roster of characters that are about to shake up the meta in a big way.

The Confirmed Banner Lineup

The Special Program livestream was an absolute goldmine of information, confirming that Version 5.0 will feature two banner cycles with a mix of fresh faces and beloved returners. Let's break down who's coming and when:

First Banner Cycle (Three-Week Duration)

• Mualani - 5★ Hydro Catalyst (NEW!)

• Kaedehara Kazuha - 5★ Anemo Sword (Rerun)

• Bennett - 4★ Pyro Sword

• Xinyan - 4★ Pyro Claymore

• Kachina - 4★ Geo Polearm (NEW!)

Second Banner Cycle (Three-Week Duration)

• Kinich - 5★ Dendro Claymore (NEW!)

• Raiden Shogun - 5★ Electro Polearm (Rerun)

• Four-star characters TBA

New Characters: What's the Tea?

Mualani - The Hydro Catalyst Queen

Mualani is serving main DPS realness with her unique Nightsoul Blessing mechanic. Her kit is all about enhanced Normal Attacks that absolutely slay in terms of damage output. While recent leaks suggest she's received some minor nerfs, these adjustments only affect her exploration capabilities, not her combat prowess. She's still going to be a total boss in battle, so don't sleep on her banner!

Kinich - Dendro's Grappling Hook King

Kinich is bringing something totally fresh to the table with his grappling hook mechanic. This innovative 5★ Dendro claymore user can literally hook onto enemies, circle around them while dealing continuous Dendro damage. It's giving Spider-Man meets forest guardian vibes, and we're here for it! This mechanic is bound to create some insane combat combinations that will have Travelers experimenting with new team comps.

Kachina - The 4★ Geo Surprise

As the only 4★ newcomer in this update, Kachina is rocking a Geo vision and wielding a polearm. While detailed kit information is still somewhat under wraps, having her featured alongside Bennett (the OG support MVP) suggests she might complement his playstyle in interesting ways.

Rerun Characters: Still Slaying After All This Time

Kaedehara Kazuha

Kazuha remains that guy in the support category. His ability to shred enemy resistances while buffing the entire team's elemental damage makes him a must-pull for anyone who missed him previously. In 2025's meta, he still comfortably sits in the S-tier support category, fitting into almost any team composition with ease. His crowd control capabilities and elemental damage buff are simply chef's kiss.

Raiden Shogun

The Electro Archon is making her grand entrance into Natlan as the first Archon to appear on a banner in the new region. Talk about making an entrance! Raiden continues to be an incredibly versatile character who can:

• Act as a battery for energy-hungry teams

• Deliver massive burst damage

• Enable various reaction-based team compositions

• Look absolutely iconic while doing it all

What This Means for the Meta

The introduction of these characters, especially the new Natlan natives, signals a potential shift in the current meta. With Mualani's Hydro application and DPS capabilities, she could become a cornerstone for vaporize and freeze comps. Meanwhile, Kinich's unique Dendro application method might revolutionize how players approach Bloom, Hyperbloom, and Burning reactions.

The decision to rerun Raiden Shogun instead of the rumored Geo Archon is particularly interesting. It suggests HoYoverse might be deliberately setting up electro-themed team compositions to synergize with certain mechanics or enemies in Natlan.

Tips for F2P and Budget Players

If you're not a whale who can afford to pull on every banner, here's some advice for maximizing your primogems:

1. Prioritize based on your roster gaps - If you lack a strong Hydro DPS, Mualani could be your girl

2. Consider the 4★ value - Bennett alone makes the first banner high value

3. Wait for early testing - Let the community test the new characters before committing

4. Remember upcoming reruns - More characters will return later in 2025

5. Save for the Archon - If you don't have Raiden yet, she's a game-changer

Final Thoughts

Version 5.0 is about to be a major moment for Genshin Impact. The introduction of Natlan, three new characters, and the return of some of the game's most powerful units makes this update a can't-miss event. Whether you're a day one player or just starting your journey in Teyvat, there's something to be hyped about.

The banners are expected to drop right after the current version ends, so start saving those primogems now! The wait will definitely be worth it when you're exploring Natlan with these new powerhouses in your party. No cap, this update is going to be absolutely fire! 🔥✨

What are your thoughts on the lineup? Which character are you most excited to pull for? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!