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Varesa VS Xianyun in 5.5

The first phase of Genshin Impact’s 5.5 update is bringing an incredible character event wish, featuring the debut of Varesa and the rerun of Xianyun from March 26 to April 15. Both 5-star units bring unique strengths—Xianyun as a top-tier Plunge Attack buffer and healer, and Varesa as a fast-paced Electro DPS with Nightsoul mechanics.

The synergy between these two characters is particularly notable, as Xianyun’s kit supports Plunge Attack playstyles, which aligns well with Varesa’s mechanics. But should you pull for Xianyun, Varesa, or both? And what about their signature weapons? Let's break it down. What makes this banner even better is the lineup of featured 4-star characters—Chevreuse, Iansan, and Gaming, all of whom offer strong elemental synergies and valuable team options. If you’re deciding whether to pull, here’s what you need to know.

Varesa: Natlan’s First Electro DPS

Overview

  • Element: Electro

  • Weapon: Catalyst

  • Role: Main DPS

Strengths

✅ High Electro Damage: Leverages Nightsoul mechanics for sustained DPS.
✅ Plunge Attack Synergy: Her Fiery Passion state allows her to unleash enhanced Plunging Attacks.
✅ Increased Mobility: Can dash across water and interact with Natlan’s Phlogiston mechanics.
✅ Energy Regeneration: Her Elemental Burst resets Nightsoul Points, ensuring consistent Electro output.

Weaknesses

❌ Mechanic-Heavy Playstyle: Requires proper Nightsoul Point management for max damage.
❌ Energy Cost Issues: Needs Energy Recharge investment for frequent Elemental Bursts.
❌ Team-Building Complexity: Performs best with Xianyun or other Plunge Attack enablers.

Varesa’s Best Constellations

  • C1: Enhances Plunge Attack multipliers and reduces Energy cost.

  • C2: Improves Elemental Skill, increasing her agility and burst potential.

Special Note: If you want a high-speed Electro DPS with unique mechanics, Varesa is worth pulling. She becomes even stronger paired with Xianyun.

Xianyun: The Plunge Attack Support and Healer

Overview

  • Element: Anemo

  • Weapon: Catalyst

  • Role: Support / Healer

Strengths

✅ Plunge Attack Buffs: Grants a significant boost to Plunge Attack damage and allows frequent execution.
✅ Healing Utility: Her Elemental Burst provides consistent healing, keeping teams sustained.
✅ Exploration Enhancement: Her Elemental Skill allows a high jump and increased gliding efficiency.
✅ Synergy with Varesa: Helps Varesa trigger her Fiery Passion state for higher DPS output.

Weaknesses

❌ Limited Buff Scope: Mainly benefits Plunge Attack-reliant characters (Varesa, Xiao, Wanderer).
❌ Energy Cost Issues: Requires high Energy Recharge to maintain buffs and healing uptime.
❌ Competes with Existing Healers: While she excels in Plunge Attack teams, players with Jean or Sayu may find her niche.

Xianyun’s Best Constellations

  • C1: Reduces Elemental Burst cost, improving overall consistency.

  • C2: Enhances Plunge Attack buffs, making her synergy with Varesa and other Plunge users even stronger.

Special Note: If you play Xiao, Wanderer, or Varesa, Xianyun is a must-pull. She’s also a fantastic exploration tool thanks to her unique movement mechanics.

Why This Banner Is Special: 4-Star Lineup

Beyond the two strong 5-star units, this banner offers some of the best 4-star characters in recent patches:

  • Chevreuse (Pyro / Polearm) – A top-tier Pyro support who buffs Overload reactions, making her a great option for Varesa teams.

  • Iansan (Pyro / Catalyst) – A Pyro sub-DPS with fast attack speed, complementing Varesa’s Electro for Overload reactions.

  • Gaming (Pyro / Claymore) – A flexible off-field Pyro DPS that fits well into reaction-based teams.

This combination makes the 5.5 Phase 1 banner one of the strongest in recent memory—even if you don’t get a 5-star, the 4-stars provide valuable team-building options.

Who Should You Pull For?

Pull Xianyun If:

  • You need a Plunge Attack support for characters like Xiao, Wanderer, Wriothesley or Varesa.

  • You want a strong Anemo healer.

  • You enjoy exploration perks—her movement skills are excellent.

Pull Varesa If:

  • You want a high-speed Electro DPS.

  • You like Plunge Attack mechanics and want a character that maximizes them.

  • You’re interested in Natlan-themed gameplay mechanics.

Pull Both If:

  • You want maximum synergy—Xianyun enables Varesa’s Plunge Attacks, making her significantly stronger.

  • You have enough Primogems saved and want a meta-relevant team.

Skip If:

  • You’re saving for future characters like Skirk or Akkefi or maybe for reruns of Xilonen and Mavuika.

  • You already have a well-built Electro DPS (Raiden Shogun, Cyno, Keqing).

Are Constellations Worth It?

  • Xianyun’s C1 and C2 are excellent for reducing Energy issues and improving her Plunge Attack buffs.

  • Varesa’s C1 and C2 make her Plunge Attacks stronger and increase her damage consistency, but she remains viable at C0.

Should You Pull for Their Signature Weapons?

Alongside Varesa and Xianyun, their signature weapons will be featured in the Weapon Banner.

  • Xianyun’s Signature Weapon: Boosts ATK and Elemental Burst efficiency, enhancing her healing and support capabilities.

  • Varesa’s Signature Weapon: Increases Electro DMG, improves her Plunge Attack scaling, and enhances her Nightsoul mechanics.

Should You Pull for the Weapons?

If you plan to main Varesa or Xianyun, their weapons are highly recommended.

If you have good alternatives (e.g., Lost Prayer to the Sacred Winds, Skyward Atlas), you might not need them.

Weapon banners are risky—only pull if you have enough Primogems and don’t mind potentially getting the other featured weapon.

Conclusion

This is one of the strongest banners in Genshin Impact 5.5, featuring two valuable 5-star characters and an exceptional 4-star lineup. If you’re looking for Plunge Attack synergy, Electro DPS options, or strong Pyro support units, this is a great time to pull.

And if you are interested in building these two characters stay tuned for our character build guides!!!

Good Luck for your pulls!!!