Version 6.4 centers on a narrow but deliberate banner lineup, with your attention drawn almost entirely to Varka and a small group of established five-star reruns. Datamined beta details indicate that the update prioritizes character banners rather than world expansion or new permanent systems. You should not expect Dornman Port or Lohen to appear in this patch, despite earlier speculation.
Varka enters the roster as a 5‑Star Anemo Claymore user with a kit built around Swirl interactions and attack scaling. His design places strong emphasis on team structure, which directly affects how much value you gain from his abilities. You need to plan compositions carefully to unlock his intended damage profile.
Banner lineup and featured characters
Version 6.4’s Event Banners reportedly include one debut and three reruns. While the order remains unconfirmed, the character pool itself appears stable based on consistent beta data.
| Character | Rarity | Element | Weapon | Original Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varka | 5‑Star | Anemo | Claymore | Version 6.4 |
| Flins | 5‑Star | Electro | Polearm | Version 6.0 |
| Escoffier | 5‑Star | Cryo | Polearm | Version 5.6 |
| Skirk | 5‑Star | Cryo | Sword | Version 5.7 |
This lineup gives you clear options depending on whether you want a new main DPS or proven team enablers. If you already pulled heavily during Version 6.3, banner pacing may influence how aggressively you spend in 6.4.
Varka’s combat identity and team demands
Varka’s playstyle revolves around dual-element Normal Attacks enabled by his Elemental Skill. Anemo damage applies consistently, while a secondary element triggers based on your non-Anemo teammates. That second element can be Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo, and it remains fixed during combat.
To reach his full potential, your team must satisfy multiple overlapping conditions:
- Two Anemo characters
- Two Hexerei characters
- Two characters sharing the same non-Anemo element
These requirements overlap rather than stack independently, but they still restrict your roster choices. In practical terms, optimized teams narrow quickly, which limits experimentation if your account lacks specific units.
A commonly cited example uses Varka, Venti, Durin, and Bennett, which satisfies Anemo presence, elemental alignment, and Hexerei synergy. If you cannot meet similar criteria, Varka’s output drops noticeably.
Power expectations and investment value
Early theorycrafting places Varka’s damage ceiling below recent top-tier releases. You should approach him as a character whose performance depends heavily on future support options rather than immediate dominance. Comparisons to earlier Natlan-era damage dealers appear frequently in community analysis.
That said, vertical investment improves his results in measurable ways. His signature weapon and constellations provide straightforward stat gains and mechanical refinements rather than niche bonuses. If you prefer focusing resources on one carry instead of building multiple teams, Varka remains a stable option.
Potential future teammates such as Nicole or Lohen could also shift his standing. Their absence in Version 6.4 limits his current ceiling but does not close off long-term growth.
Rerun value and team coverage
If you favor horizontal investment, the rerun characters may offer stronger immediate returns. Escoffier and Skirk continue to function as a reliable core for Freeze teams, especially in high-pressure content like the Spiral Abyss or Stygian Onslaught.
Escoffier, in particular, fills multiple roles at once:
- Consistent off-field Cryo application
- Team-wide healing
- Resistance reduction for Cryo and Hydro damage
You can slot her into many Freeze or hybrid teams without restructuring your entire roster. Skirk complements her with steady on-field damage and simple execution, which reduces mechanical burden during difficult encounters.
Flins appeals most if you already own Columbina and Ineffa. In that case, Version 6.4 lets you complete a Lunar-Charged setup without waiting for later reruns.
Pull timing and resource considerations
Version 6.4 launches shortly after Lantern Rite, which directly affects your pull economy. You receive twenty Intertwined Wishes from login rewards, plus additional Primogems from the flagship event. These bonuses soften the cost of chasing a five-star, especially if you enter the patch with saved currency from Version 6.3.
No featured four-star characters have surfaced in current data. Given Varka’s Hexerei affiliation, you may see a faster-than-usual rerun for Sucrose, though this remains unconfirmed until the Special Program.
Release timing and expectations
New five-star debuts usually occupy the first banner phase, and available information suggests Varka follows that pattern. You can expect Version 6.4 to go live on February 25, 2026, with the Special Program scheduled for February 13, 2026.
Until official announcements arrive, you should treat banner order and four-star lineups as provisional. The overall structure, however, points to a focused update built around character pulls rather than exploration or narrative expansion.
