I still remember the first time their banner dropped back in early 2022—the sheer excitement was off the charts, and now here we are again in 2026, staring at the same iconic duo. MiHoYo has really outdone itself this time, bringing back Ganyu and Zhongli just in time for the annual Lantern Rite festival. Honestly, my Primogems are trembling. Whether you missed them before or are just looking to snatch constellations, this rerun is the talk of every Teyvat traveler's group chat.
Banner Launch Timing
Let’s get straight to it. The dual-character wish event "Adrift in the Harbor" goes live on January 27th, 2026, and as usual, the servers will update simultaneously across regions:
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🕒 15:00 PT (Pacific Time)
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🕕 18:00 ET (Eastern Time)
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🕙 22:00 GMT
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🕖 07:00 AEST (January 28th)
Make sure you’ve downloaded the pre-installation package a day before, because nothing hurts more than missing that first 10-pull due to a massive update file. I always set an alarm; the gacha itch is real.
Why This Banner Shines
You might think, "Another rerun? Snooze." But no, not with these two. Ganyu’s charged-shot playstyle still dominates the Spiral Abyss, especially with the current ley line disorders favoring Cryo melts and freezes. And Zhongli? The Geo Archon’s shield remains the ultimate comfort pick. Even in 2026, after dozens of new characters, his unbreakable jade shield simply refuses to be power-crept. Pairing them gives you one of the safest, hardest-hitting overworld and domain teams.
What seals the deal, however, is the 4-star lineup. MiHoYo confirmed the rate-ups, and they are absolutely stacked for this event:
| Character | Element | Weapon | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beidou | Electro | Claymore | Off-field DPS / Counter Queen |
| Yanfei | Pyro | Catalyst | On-field Pyro DPS / Legal Advisor |
| Xingqiu | Hydro | Sword | Hydro applicator / Damage reduction |
All three are top-tier supports or sub-DPS units. Xingqiu alone is a must-have for any Pyro DPS team, and his constellations (especially C6) are game-changing. Yanfei got a massive boost last year with the Scarlet Sands Polearm... oh wait, she uses catalysts—but you get my point. She’s a solid Pyro carry, and her C4 grants a beefy shield. Beidou’s Stormbreaker obliterates everything in multi-target scenarios. If you’re lacking any of these, this banner is an easy decision.
Lantern Rite 2026: Free 4-Star Awaits
Now for the part that makes even F2P players smile. As part of the 2026 Lantern Rite festival, "Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze", we get to invite one 4-star Liyue character home—completely free. No gacha, no luck, just pure choice. The selection pool this year is identical to the classic roster, but that’s not a bad thing at all:
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⭐ Beidou – If you didn’t pull her from the banner, grab her here.
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⭐ Yanfei – Great value for a new Pyro DPS.
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⭐ Ningguang – Still a Geo machine gun, perfect for mono-Geo with Zhongli.
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⭐ Yun Jin – A normal attack buffer that makes Yoimiya and Ayato sing.
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⭐ Xiangling – The Pyro Archon in disguise, C4 Xiangling is a must.
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⭐ Xingqiu – Honestly, take him if you need Hydro; you won’t regret it.
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⭐ Chongyun – Cryo infusion shenanigans, great for melt teams.
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⭐ Xinyan – Underrated physical burst support.
You’ll earn event currency by completing festival mini-games: firing fireworks, shadow-puppet theater puzzles, and the ever-peaceful Waverider boat races across Liyue’s waters. Once you hit 1200 Festive Fever points, that 4-star invitation is yours. My advice? If you’re pulling hard on the banner, hold your free pick until the very end. That way you avoid a dreaded C7 character and can fill a missing hole in your roster.
My Pulling Strategy
I’ve been saving since the mid of 5.4, and I’m sitting on roughly 24,000 Primogems with a 50/50 guarantee because I lost my last 50/50 to Diluc (still only C3 in 2026...). Zhongli is my top priority. Ganyu’s C1 is tempting, but an unbreakable shield on both halves of the Abyss is more valuable to me. I’ll risk a few ten-pulls for Ganyu after securing the Geo Archon. The 4-stars are all desirable, so even if I “lose” I’m winning constellations.
Remember last year’s Lantern Rite when they gave us a free Liyue 4-star but also that adorable floating lantern pet? This year’s pet is a little stone tiger cub named Shirou that rolls around when you sprint, and honestly, that alone is worth logging in daily.
The double drop-rate on Talent Books from the Liyue domain during the festival is another reason to grind. Pre-farm those Prosperity books if you haven’t already—Ganyu and Xingqiu both need them.
A Quick History Check
It’s wild to think this exact banner first appeared in January 2022. Back then, the community was divided between pulling for Ganyu’s bloom damage or Zhongli’s shield. Now in 2026, with the Dendro reactions fully mature and the recently added Luminance element giving shields a new layer of utility, Zhongli’s value has actually climbed. Ganyu may not be the undisputed DPS queen she once was, but her synergy with the new Cryo/Dendro Shatterbloom teams has revived her in the meta.
The 4-stars in that original run were Beidou, Xingqiu, and Yanfei—exactly the same lineup we have now. Some things just never change, and I’m thankful for that consistency.
Final Thoughts
January 2026 is packed. Between the banner, the Lantern Rite events, and the new Intertwined Fates from daily logins, there’s enough to push even the most cautious player into the wish screen. Set your goals, resist the weapon banner siren call (unless you truly love the Vortex Vanquisher’s aesthetic), and may your 50/50s land on the golden silhouette you’re dreaming of. I’ll see you in Liyue Harbor, lanterns in hand.