Following a tumultuous beta, Genshin Impact is set to release Varka alongside Version 6.4 on February 25, 2026, with an ability kit that promises an exciting 5-Star Anemo Claymore but may not necessarily deliver in the execution. With Lantern Rite officially underway, Genshin Impact players are enjoying a myriad of rewards, a new Permanent Event, and the promise of Zibai and Illuga around the corner. Columbina's Event Banner has been remarkably popular, and HoYoverse has made sure to give fans ample opportunity to obtain the Moon Maiden of Nod-Krai.
Whereas Columbina in Genshin Impact represents the crowning jewel of Lunar Reaction teams in Nod-Krai, the new region has developed another playstyle in parallel since Version 6.2: the Hexerei. Thanks to the Hexerei system, Mondstadt characters have had a chance to shine again in the current meta, reinforced by newcomers such as Durin and Varka. With Durin being an off-field Pyro character, many Genshin Impact players correctly assumed that he would be one of Varka's finest supports. However, even in his best team, Varka's damage numbers have left theorycrafters concerned.
Genshin Impact Tier List
Here's a Genshin Impact tier list to help players see who's in the meta and who isn't.
Genshin Impact: Varka Overview for Version 6.4
- Name: Varka
- Gender: Male
- Rarity: 5-Star
- Vision: Anemo
- Weapon: Claymore
- Constellation: Lupus Majoris
Varka's drip marketing kicked off on January 23, 2026, revealing the Knight of Boreas as the first Genshin Impact character to dual-wield Claymores. According to datamined information from Hakushin, Varka is a 5-Star Anemo hypercarry with an exclusive focus on Swirl. To make full use of his ability kit, Varka requires one Anemo teammate and two teammates of the same Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo element. Given that he scales with ATK, Varka functions best in a composition featuring two Anemo and two Pyro characters – with Venti, Durin, and Bennett forming his ideal team.
As a Hexerei character in Genshin Impact, Varka benefits from having other Hexerei members in his party. For players who may not have obtained Durin in Version 6.2, this enables Varka to run a team featuring Mona, Furina, and Jean. While beta testers have praised Varka's gameplay and animations, his damage leaves a lot to be desired. Even in his best team, Varka struggles to match the output of Lunar Reaction hypercarries such as Flins and Nefer.
Despite the concerns, there are a few things to consider. Varka has powerful Constellations and a Signature Weapon worth investing in, making him friendly to players who want to vertically invest. Most importantly, it's quite possible that his best support hasn't been released yet. Both Nicole and Lohen are expected to be Hexerei characters, with the latter seemingly delayed to Version 6.6. Given that Version 6.4 also delayed Dornman Port, Varka will be the sole focus of the upcoming Genshin Impact update. As such, Varka will receive a dedicated Story Quest in Version 6.4, rumored to feature Thrain and Roland – two legendary knights from Teyvat's history.
While players will be able to pre-farm the majority of his ascension materials, Version 6.4 will also introduce a new World Boss for Varka in Genshin Impact: the Moongecko. Varka will otherwise need talent books from Mondstadt, the Trounce Domain from Version 5.6, and Wolfhooks. Genshin Impact players will be able to pull for Varka during the first half of Version 6.4, but it remains to be seen who HoYoverse will pair him up with. Though the Event Banners for Version 6.4 have been datamined to feature Skirk, Escoffier, Varka, and Flins, their exact order is yet to be determined.
Genshin Impact will provide an official overview of Varka and Version 6.4 during the next Special Program Announcement on February 13, 2026. Until then, players will have ample time to enjoy the Lantern Rite, stock up on Primogems, and ultimately make a decision on whether Varka is worth the pull.
Genshin Impact
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 28, 2020
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.
You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.
Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds...
MASSIVE OPEN WORLD
Climb any mountain, swim across any river, and glide over the world below, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery each step of the way. And if you stop to investigate a wandering Seelie or strange mechanism, who knows what you might discover?
ELEMENTAL COMBAT SYSTEM
Harness the seven elements to unleash elemental reactions. Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo interact in all sorts of ways, and Vision wielders have the power to turn this to their advantage.
Will you vaporize Hydro with Pyro, electro-charge it with Electro, or freeze it with Cryo? Your mastery of the elements will give you the upper hand in battle and exploration.
BEAUTIFUL VISUALS
Feast your eyes on the world around you, with a stunning art style, real-time rendering, and finely tuned character animations delivering you a truly immersive visual experience. Lighting and weather all change naturally over time, bringing every detail of this world to life.
SOOTHING SOUNDTRACK
Let the beautiful sounds of Teyvat draw you in as you explore the expansive world around you. Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the soundtrack changes seamlessly with the time and gameplay to match the mood.
BUILD YOUR DREAM TEAM
Team up with a diverse cast of characters in Teyvat, each with their own unique personalities, stories, and abilities. Discover your favorite party combinations and level up your characters to help you conquer even the most daunting of enemies and domains.
JOURNEY WITH FRIENDS
Team up with friends across various platforms to trigger more elemental action, tackle tricky boss fights, and conquer challenging domains together to reap rich rewards.
As you stand atop the peaks of Jueyun Karst and take in the rolling clouds and vast terrain stretching out before you, you may wish to stay in Teyvat a little longer... But until you are reunited with your lost sibling, how can you rest? Go forth, Traveler, and begin your adventure!
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
