Hello, Travelers!
Another Lantern Rite, another tough choice: Which Liyue 4-star should you pick? Should you stick to the "Big Three" staples or go for the shiny new additions? Don’t just follow the crowd! This guide evaluates every candidate based on versatility, Constellation impact, and rarity to ensure you pick the hero your account actually needs.
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| Genshin Lantern Rite 2026 Event Date
Lantern Rite is expected to take place from January 30, 2026, to February 23, 2026.
As the core highlight of the Lantern Rite, the "Words to a Good Friend" invitation can only be accessed by participating in the flagship event, "A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon". Players must reach a certain level of event progress to unlock the character selection.
⚠️Note: To unlock the "A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon" event, players must reached Adventure Rank 20 and completed the Archon Quest "Prologue: Act III - Song of the Dragon and Freedom".
| Liyue 4-Star Character Selector: Full List
Here are the eleven characters available for selection:
- Xingqiu
- Gaming
- Beidou
- Chongyun
- Lan Yan
- Ningguang
- Xiangling
- Yaoyao
- Yanfei
- Yun Jin
- Xinyan
⚠️Note: The new 4-star character, Illuga, comes from Nod-Krai and is therefore not included in the Liyue-specific selection. If you're looking to add him to your team, he can only be obtained through the Version 6.3 second-half banners featuring Zibai and Neuvillette.
| Which Free Liyue 4-Star Should I Pick?
The tier list is based on performance across all three Abyss modes while also considering Open World utility. Since every account is unique, feel free to adjust these ratings based on whether a character would be a "Core Starter," a "Sub Flex," or simply "Bench Warmers" for your specific roster.
🌟 S-Tier: The Game Changers
Xingqiu (C0), Xiangling (C4), Gaming (C6), Lanyuan (C0)
Xingqiu: Must-have at C0
In the current meta, Xingqiu fits perfectly into high-tier teams like Nefer, Flins, and Skirk. He provides incredible comfort and utility even at C0, making him a plug-and-play staple for any account.
Xiangling: Core C4 Milestone
Xiangling remains a powerhouse in the current version and is essential for breaking specific enemy mechanics. Her C4 is her absolute core constellation, extending her Pyronado duration by 4 seconds—a massive boost to her off-field DPS and elemental application.
Gaming: Best at C6
A C6 Gaming boasts raw numbers that sit at the very top of the 4-star roster. His unique Plunging Attack playstyle allows him to carry even without a strict team synergy, making him a dominant force in Imaginarium Theater.
Lan Yan: High Utility at C0
Lan Yan is an incredibly versatile support. Her kit covers it all: Shields, Viridescent Venerer, Thrilling Tales/Prototype Amber carrier, minor grouping, and EM buffs (at C4).
- Flins Teams: Great for survivability (especially when Ineffa is unavailable).
- Arlecchino Teams: Provides much-needed shields, RES shred, and ATK buffs.
- C0 Neuvillette Teams (Neuvi-Furina-Sigewinne-Lan Yan): Offers shields, Anemo shred, and team-wide healing via Prototype Amber.
🟢 A-Tier: Top-Tier Upgrades
Xiangling C6, Xingqiu C2/C6, Lan Yan C1/C2/C4/C6
These are all enhancement-tier Constellations for top-tier units, providing boosts to DMG, support utility, energy rotations, and overall playability. Lan Yan’s C1 is a standout, as it enables Double Swirl setups.
🟡 B-Tier: Solid Niche & Utility
Xiangling C1–C3, Beidou C0/C1/C6, Yaoyao C0/C1, Gaming C4
Xiangling C1~C3
Just get her to C4 as soon as possible
Beidou C0/C1/C6
Beidou is a high-utility unit, offering off-field Electro application (20s rotation), interruption resistance, shielding (C1), and RES shred (C6). Previously, she was primarily used for shield-breaking or featured in niche teams like "Sucrose Taser". In the current meta, she can be slotted into Flins teams to improve overall comfort, especially as a solid alternative when Ineffa is unavailable.
Yaoyao C0/C1
Yaoyao primarily serves as an off-field Dendro enabler and healer. Her C1 provides a Dendro DMG bonus to the active character. Currently, she is mostly utilized in Bloom or Burn teams and can also be used to counter specific enemy mechanics.
Gaming C4
As a Q-start DPS, Gaming’s C4 significantly improves his energy rotation. It is his most crucial constellation milestone before reaching C6.
⚪ C-Tier: Utility & Collection
Ningguang C0/C6, Yanfei C0/C4, Gaming C0–C3
Ningguang C0/C6
Ningguang is primarily used as a counter-pick for specific mechanical bosses (such as the Golden Wolflord). While her C6 provides respectable DPS, she can also function as a support when equipped with Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers or Prototype Amber.
- Passive Utility: Displays the location of nearby Ore veins on the mini-map while in the party.
Yanfei C0/C4
Yanfei displays Liyue Local Specialties on the mini-map (similar to Qiqi). Her C4 provides a shield upon using her Elemental Burst, allowing her to serve as a support when equipped with Prototype Amber or Thrilling Tales of Dragon Slayers.
Gaming C0–C3
Before reaching C6, Gaming is primarily used as an early-game progression carry. He can also be utilized to counter specific plunging attack mechanics.
| Conclusion
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your account: pick Xingqiu or Xiangling for meta strength, Gaming for raw DPS, or Lan Yan for versatile utility. While chasing constellations is great for performance, remember that "Meta is temporary, but favorites are forever"—if you love a character’s design, bring them home!
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