Genshin Impact 6.1: Full Analysis of Arlecchino, Nefer, Furina, and Zhongli's Account Value, Free-to-Play Accessibility, and Vertical Investment

Summary:

This video analyzes four upcoming 5-star characters in Genshin Impact 6.1: Arlecchino, Nefer, Furina, and Zhongli, along with their weapon banners.

Arlecchino (Pyro DPS) is a strong, flexible character, not strictly meta but aging well with new team synergies.
Nefer (Dendro Catalyst DPS) is a meta DPS on release if paired with Nahida, benefiting greatly from her unique shield.
Furina (Hydro Support/Off-Field DPS) is meta for Skirk and Neuvillette, and highly flexible, but her buffs might become less relevant for future DPS units.
Zhongli (Geo Support/Shielder) is considered a poor pull choice due to his outdated shield and lack of meta value.
The video recommends skipping the weapon banners for Arlecchino and Nefer due to their poor value, suggesting constellations instead.
Players are cautioned about Furina's banner being "bait" before the potential release of more powerful "Nodcry" universal meta characters like Columbina and Duran.

Overview of 5-Star Characters and Weapon Banners [0:00:00]

The video provides an analysis of four upcoming 5-star characters in Genshin Impact 6.1: Arlecchino, Nefer, Furina, and Zhongli, as well as their associated weapon banners.
This analysis aims to help players decide which characters, if any, are worth wishing for and how to build them.

Correction on Banner Order: The initial recording assumed Nefer and Arlecchino in the first half, but it's actually Nefer and Furina.
Weapon Banner Recommendations:
- Both Nefer's and Arlecchino's weapon banners are strongly advised to be skipped.
- Furina's weapon is generally not usable until C4 on most teams, though it can be okay in Neuvillette or Raiden double hydro teams if Furina gets ample energy.
- Most players will run Furina with Favonius or other energy weapons, especially in Spiral Abyss.
- It is highly recommended to invest in character constellations (C1, C2) for Nefer or Arlecchino rather than their signature weapons.

The video presents a detailed comparison using a spreadsheet, evaluating each character across several categories.

Account Value:
- She is considered a "just-under meta" DPS, capable of performing well alongside meta characters.
- Has strong new teams with Nefer and maintains powerful melt and overload teams.
- Possesses potential for future buffs with characters like Columbina (monopyro teams).
- Very flexible in team compositions, making her a decent pick if players like her, but not a must-pull for strict meta reasons.
Free-to-Play Accessibility:
- Has "mid" weapon choices; battle pass or specific 5-star weapons (Jade-Winged Spear) improve her performance.
- Free-to-play team options are "okay," with vape teams being acceptable, but overloaded and melt teams often require higher constellations or other 5-star characters.
Off-Meta Value: Highly flexible, pairs well with Bennett (though not strictly required) and can fit into various synergies.
Downsides:
- Cannot be healed except through her burst, which is a damage loss due to the Bond of Life mechanic and future rotation impact.
- Her AOE damage is decent but not exceptional.
Early Vertical Investment:
- C1 and C2 are considered great investments.
- Her signature weapon (R1) is good if no other strong 5-star weapon is available.

Account Value:
- Will be a meta DPS on release, especially with Nahida, due to her "Nodcry" shield.
- Her raw DPS might be similar to Arlecchino, but the "Nodcry" shield makes her feel much stronger in relevant content.
- Likely to remain a meta DPS with future potential, as her full team (e.g., proper Hydro character like Columbina) is not yet released.
- Offers a significant upgrade to Dendro teams, outperforming Nahida hyperbloom teams with good artifacts and investment.
Free-to-Play Accessibility:
- Requires Nahida to be strong and "free-to-play friendly."
- Using Nahida without Nefer could be seen as a more free-to-play friendly route to diversify an account.
- Has a good free-to-play weapon.
Off-Meta Value: With Nahida and any Hydro unit, plus a fourth slot, Nefer's teams are strong. Without Nahida, her kit is not fully utilized.
Downsides:
- Considered "dead without Nahida"; there is no strong reason to use her otherwise.
- Her AOE damage has been buffed and is now quite good, better than Arlecchino's.
Early Vertical Investment:
- R1 and C1 are great investments.
- C2 is also considered good (will be confirmed in a dedicated Nefer video).

Account Value:
- Meta for Skirk and Neuvillette teams.
- A consistently strong option for Spiral Abyss, almost always having a use.
- However, her value may decrease with new DPS characters that do not utilize her primary damage percent buffs effectively (e.g., "Nodcry" characters).
- Columbina is anticipated to be a strong Hydro alternative, potentially becoming the preferred option for many powerful teams.
Free-to-Play Accessibility:
- Very free-to-play friendly due to strong weapon options (Favonius Sword, "fishing sword"/Fleuve Cendre Ferryman).
- Does not require constellations to be effective and works on many teams.
Off-Meta Value: Offers massive team options and flexibility for creative team building.
Downsides:
- Might become less relevant as new DPS units emerge that don't scale well with her damage percentage buffs.
- Columbina is expected to be a superior Hydro option for newer, stronger teams, potentially pushing Furina out of the meta slightly.
Early Vertical Investment:
- Her signature weapon (R1) is considered terrible and not worth pulling for.
- C1 is great and "underrated."
- C2 is also very good but "overrated."

Account Value:
- Possesses "no meta value."
- Considered "really bad" and not justifiable for the full price of a 5-star.
- Players are advised to wait for potential Geo buffs or new Geo characters.
Free-to-Play Accessibility:
- A "waste" for free-to-play players.
Off-Meta Value:
- Has some "okay" and "fun" options, such as Archaic Petra for a 35% damage bonus (underrated) and 15% universal resistance shred.
- However, these are not strong enough to warrant pulling him.
Downsides:
- A "total waste of pulls."
- His shield, once highly valuable, is now less so due to many characters having intrinsic interruption resistance or team healers.
- Initial theories about his synergy with Nefer are now uncertain.
- The presenter implores Hoyoverse to buff Zhongli.
Early Vertical Investment: "Bad, bad, bad" all around; no worthwhile vertical investment.

The banners, particularly Furina's rerun, are strategically placed before the potential release of highly anticipated "Nodcry" universal meta characters like Columbina and Duran.
Columbina:
- Expected to be a Hydro off-field unit.
- Not necessarily a "power creep" for Furina but likely to push Furina out of the meta in certain strong teams.
- Expected to be best-in-slot for many teams where Furina previously excelled, raising the power ceiling.
- Will likely have stronger synergies with new "Nodcry" units than Furina.
- Anticipated to be the best character in the game on release.
Duran:
- Could be a very strong off-field Pyro unit, a rare and valuable archetype.
Pulling Strategy: Players are advised to be cautious with their pulls on current banners, especially if strapped for resources, as Columbina and Duran might offer more flexible and splashable meta value.