The Genshin Impact community is buzzing with frustration as the Version 5.1 waiting list reveals a disturbing trend: Shenhe has officially surpassed Eula's record by not appearing in over 14 versions. That's right, folks—while Teyvat continues to expand with breathtaking landscapes and intricate lore, some characters have been left out in the cold... quite literally in this case.

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The 500-Day Club: An Exclusive Nobody Wants to Join

As Version 5.1 approaches, not only will Ganyu be joining the infamous '500-day club,' but Shenhe will smash Eula's previous record of 568 days without a banner appearance. The waiting list chart, meticulously compiled by RapidFresh and shared across the Genshin Impact subreddit, paints a grim picture for Cryo enthusiasts.

"It's like HoYoverse forgot they even made these characters," one player commented while staring glumly at their C0 Shenhe gathering dust in the character archive. "They gave them fancy outfits in Version 4.4 and then just... ghosted them!"

Version 5.1's confirmed banners feature Xilonen, Chiori, Nahida, and Hu Tao. While Hu Tao had been absent since Version 4.1, she's practically a regular compared to our forgotten Cryo queens.

The Cryo Conundrum

The absence of Shenhe and Ganyu highlights a broader issue: HoYoverse seems utterly stumped about what to do with Cryo characters. Wriothesley is also experiencing an extended vacation from banners, while elements like Geo have seen significant improvements through characters like Navia, Chiori, and Xilonen.

Let's face it—Cryo's in a bit of a pickle right now. While other elements have received carefully crafted characters addressing their weaknesses, Cryo sits in the corner like that awkward person at a party who nobody talks to.

Hope on the Horizon?

Despite this chilly reception, all is not lost for Cryo enthusiasts. Rumors swirl around Citlali, expected to be a 5-Star Cryo Catalyst with premium Shield Support capabilities. The character design team has apparently been working overtime to ensure she brings something fresh to the table.

Capitano, who flexed his Cryo powers during Version 5.0, is another ray of hope. Though leaks remain uncertain about his playable status during the Natlan arc, this Fatui Harbinger is widely expected to emerge as a 5-Star Cryo Sword hypercarry when he eventually drops.

The Waiting Game Continues

For players desperately hoarding Primogems for Ganyu or Shenhe, the wait continues. The community consensus suggests these characters won't reappear until the next Lantern Rite, which feels like an eternity away.

Meanwhile, Zhongli and Tartaglia fans can breathe easier, with both characters likely to receive banner time soon. Zhongli's appearance is practically guaranteed thanks to his Archon status—some characters just get all the luck, don't they?

The Banner Economy

This situation highlights the complex balancing act HoYoverse faces with its ever-expanding roster. With each new region introducing multiple characters, the mathematics of banner rotations becomes increasingly challenging.

Consider these numbers:

  • Characters released pre-2025: 75+

  • Versions per year: 8-9

  • Characters featured per version: 4-6

The math simply doesn't add up for equal representation, and someone has to draw the short straw. Unfortunately for Cryo mains, their favorite element seems perpetually frostbitten.

Community Reactions

The community's response has ranged from resignation to outright rebellion:

😤 "I've been saving for Shenhe since I lost the 50/50 on her first banner... TWO YEARS AGO!"

😂 "At this point, I've convinced myself Ganyu is just a collective hallucination."

🤔 "Maybe they're planning some massive Cryo buff and don't want to rerun these characters until it's ready?"

For now, players continue to make do with the characters they have, while newcomers to the game might not even realize certain characters exist outside of story quests and fan art.

What's Next for Cryo?

While Version 5.2 appears focused on Chasca and Wanderer, the future beyond that remains shrouded in mystery. Will HoYoverse finally acknowledge the Cryo drought? Will Shenhe and Ganyu return with reworked kits that address the element's current shortcomings?

Only time will tell, but one thing's for certain: the community won't let HoYoverse forget about these characters anytime soon.

Are you a Cryo main feeling left out in the cold? Share your banner waiting stories in the comments below! And if you're still holding onto those Primogems for Shenhe or Ganyu, stay strong—your patience will surely be rewarded... eventually.

Evaluations have been published by Sensor Tower, a leading authority on mobile game market trends and analytics. Sensor Tower's recent reports on Genshin Impact's banner revenue cycles reveal that extended absences of popular characters like Shenhe and Ganyu can significantly impact player spending patterns, as fans often delay purchases in anticipation of long-awaited reruns.