C6 Columbina or save for Zibai?

I’m struggling with whether to pull for C6 Columbina. She’s new, she’s \*gorgeous\*, and I genuinely enjoy her playstyle. I know she’s not going to be the highest DPS powerhouse, but she can function as a main DPS and I just like enjoy walking around the map so daintily.

Right now she’s C2 R1. I also have C0 Nefer, C0 Lauma, and C2 R1/R2 (two Ineffa weapons do I refine?) Ineffa. I’ve been playing for about six months, I kind of care about meta, I have C6 R5 Vanessa (don’t judge) and C2 R1 Arlecchino. I still haven’t cleared SO or hit 36 stars in SA so those are goals for me.

My original plan was to go all in on Zibai when she released, but now that Columbina is here I’m second guessing the plan. I’d rather not invest heavily in both characters. If I go for C6 Columbina I’ll probably still be able to get C2 R1 Zibai, but I’m not sure if that’s the smartest move or if I’m just getting swept up in how much I like Columbina’s design and vibe.

I don’t really know what I’m asking for. What are your thoughts? If you were in my spot, trying to balance liking a character with wanting to make a smart meta decision, what would you do?

Commentaires

Rough-Stranger-3142026-01-16 20:23

Hard to say, because sounds like you like Columbina a lot, but Zibai will probably be veeery strong, considering that last Geo main dps we had was Navia over 2 years ago.

I think that I would still go with Columbina, because I prefer the liking about a character over how good meta wise a character is.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 20:27

I read a lot about how Geo is always shafted too— i’m a bit worried if I save and Zibai comes out not as impressive I’ll regret not pulling C6 Columbina. Thanks man.

Gehrman_ZaWorld2026-01-17 14:31

Zibai is as strong as the other 2 nod krai dps unless we're talking about C6.

mctdynamic2026-01-16 20:29

Personally if you have enough for a c6, I would get both characters and their sig weapon. And if you’re still adamant in getting “c6”, Columbina will likely have a rerun sooner so you can save till then.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 20:31

Yea, either way I’m likely to get Zibai C2R1. So basically just deciding who I want to take to C6….

Prudent-Ad45092026-01-16 23:06

I'd say pick the one that you will stuck with the longest, meta or no meta. For me this includes a blue dragon for most things, sometimes paired with YaoYao of Xilonen depending on the situation. I might C6 Neuvillette eventually if I feel like it.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 01:04

I’ve heard he’s really fun to play. My other two mains are Varesa and Arlecchino. They’re just both so fun. 🥰 Xilonen is apart of my overworld team, too. She’s great.

Prudent-Ad45092026-01-17 12:04

I've missed Varesa, but she must be great for long-range exploration due to her speed. As well as Xilonen, Chasca, Citlali, and their 4-stars counterparts. I have no opinion on Kinich.

Wuthering Waves mechanics have \*really\* forced Hoyo's hand during Natlan development to make better characters for map exploration, and we are all better for it. It was a big step up. I guess they will never powercreep Furina water walking ability, but all the other old goats are surpassed by now.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 14:52

I started playing around Ineffa’s first banner, I think. I first started pulling characters with Chasca and Mualani. I missed Citlali.

The exploration definitely make QoL so much better. That was one of my big cons with the game, so I’m glad I started playing at the right time. 😆

I may still pull for Neuvillette, I hear he’s incredibly fun to play and quite versatile. Probably still great for what I need at C2R1.

Pretend-Meeting51612026-01-17 14:53

No, 🔪

Sanmiie2026-01-17 10:28

I second this. New characters over cons.

Pretend-Meeting51612026-01-17 14:53

🔪.

Elifia2026-01-16 20:31

Well, personally I think getting C6 is kinda a waste from a meta perspective. You don't need that stuff unless you want to do Dire Stygian in 180s. That's why I'd never recommend C6 unless you're a megawhale or just love the character so much that you don't care about the meta.

Honestly, you should be able to easily 36-star the current Abyss with your current characters. Columbina + Ineffa absolutely stomps their side even at C0R0, and a C6R5 Varesa should be able to brute force just about anything.

Btw, I won't judge you for having C6R5 Varesa (she's great), but I will judge you for getting her name wrong >:(

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 20:33

OMG 😆😆 I completely missed that autocorrect messed up her name. 💀 Vanessa. Kill me.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 20:34

Oh and to add yea, I just pulled Ineffa and Columbina. Then had the flu for the past few days so haven’t even had a chance to play them after I pulled! 😭 Trying to start AQ today, hoping I have enough time before I have to pick up the kids.

KiteSG2026-01-16 21:05

IMO if meta is what you're concerned with, I think you should prioritize multiple high investment teams over a single C6 unit. For example, I think a C2 Skirk, C2 Mavuika, C2 Zibai will get you further in Dire Stygian than a C6 Columbina (unless you're aiming for <180s).

Personally I don't like C6 Columbina that much because it's just a damage increase. I prefer something like C6 Furina which opens up new team comps by removing the healer requirement.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 21:07

Yea fair enough. That being said, I’ll likely do C2R1 for characters I don’t have anyway. I just didn’t want to invest C6 twice— once for Columbina and once for Zibai.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 21:09

Oh and to add, I’ll likely C6 Arlecchino when she comes back around. Father is banging. 😆

KazakiriKaoru2026-01-17 05:28

Same. I also C6'ed Furina cause it opens up the chance for a dps onfielder vape Furina

squishlight2026-01-16 21:12

I'm skipping Columbina entirely for Zibai. Unfortunately I already have way too many Hydro characters so am looking for Geo.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 21:18

Yea, I’m going for Zibai’s premium team, so gotta have Columbina.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 22:11

Thanks all! I’m now a proud owner of C6R1 Columbina! 💫🌕💫

polinice2026-01-17 09:07

Congratulations. I would like to take one, too. But my primogems are few.

Melon7632026-01-16 22:15

Just keep her at C2, iirc her C6 only effects her personal damage, and there’s no real reason for her to be a DPS when she can just buff other characters with higher damage

So I would just save for Zibai and other potential Nod-Kari characters

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 22:16

Yea, I just went C6 😆 ~300 pulls from C2

I’m going to make her my main DPS. I know, I know, heads will explode.

DaSpood2026-01-16 22:34

C6 bina and C2R1 Zibai sounds good

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 22:39

Heyyyyyyyy…. That’s what I think now too.

bringbackcayde72026-01-16 22:55

The damage gain you get from C6 Columbina is not as good as getting C6 Nefer or C6 Lauma. The advantage is she can be used in 2 more teams, but it would be a waste of pulls for most people when there are many more optimal options to pull for.

PraysToHekate2026-01-16 22:56

I hate Nefer. 😆 Have her, don’t like her. I ended up giving in & C2-C6 was roughly ~300 pulls.

vezt2026-01-17 00:47

300 pulls got me C0 Ineffa and C0 Columbina 🫠

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 00:55

I wasn’t as lucky pulling Ineffa & Bina, both to C2 took me a bit over 600. Then a bit more for R1s.

Edit: correction

Beef_Jones2026-01-17 02:50

You should at least try Nefer with Columbina. A lot of her jank is gone now that Dew isn’t way too slow for her.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 03:59

Ugh. 😩 I’ll give it another go. I just hated her. Once I’m happy with a few days playing Columbina, I’ll try Nefer again.

Kingpimpy2026-01-16 23:13

imo

i would just never in my life again pull for the yearly liyue slop character again

save the money and go for something with emotional value

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 02:10

Soooo Columbina? 😂

Kingpimpy2026-01-17 08:21

yup

Gehrman_ZaWorld2026-01-17 14:34

Zibai is top 3 dps lol

Kingpimpy2026-01-17 14:37

okay and now?

shenhe was a top char before too never seen her besides in the forced LR slop event

yelan? same shit

cloud? same shit

lanyan? same shit

outside of a once a year event you wont hear or see about her at all she has no relevance and nobody spoke about her in 5 years

Gehrman_ZaWorld2026-01-17 15:08

Yelan is still ss tier sub dps. Xianyun is still the best plunge support. Lanyan has a better shield than Zhongli at C2. Zibai is different from the other lantern rite characters. She is related to the moon sisters and is Istaroth's daughter. She is not a slop character lol. And she is introducing Lunar Crystallize mechanic into the game.

Kingpimpy2026-01-17 20:03

thanks for reading carefully enough to get my point

Gehrman_ZaWorld2026-01-17 20:40

I don't get ur point tho? How is a character with so much lore a slop character? Zibai is different from the previous lantern rite characters

Kingpimpy2026-01-17 20:45

they appear once

came out of nowhere

got absolute 0 story relevance and the relevance they get are forced from nothing to begin with (LR event exclusive once a lifetime)

the "so much lore" you refer to is a shit event they appear once in but not actual lore you can experience

you saying "she is related to the moon sisters!" as if that means we get actually information that is interesting

lets face it we all will see her talk about them for 3 minutes then have one LR animation about it and then never hear about it again from them

just like the amazing important yelan story we got or shenhe or ANY LIYUE SLOP CHAR

it happened 5 times so far you have to be super delusional to believe that the 6th time we actually get something useful out of LR

Gehrman_ZaWorld2026-01-17 20:48

Zibai is actually mentioned in multiple books in Liyue since 1.0 lol. She didn't come out of nowhere. She's Venti's "sister" and the "daughter" of Ruler of Time. There's a high chance she could be relevant. She actually has more lore than Varka

Hotspur0002026-01-16 23:20

From everything I've seen C6 on Columbina really isn't necessary.

I would say get both her and Zibai C2R1. That would probably be way more impactful.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 04:17

Yep. Doing that already. I should have worded my post differently. But yea, I ended up C6 Bina.

Nizz_32026-01-16 23:49

I wouldn't recommend pulling a C6 if you are not a whale, but that is my pov, if you really enjoy that go for it, at the end of the day not everyone enjoys the game in the same way

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 04:20

I’ve humbly learned from this post, that I am in fact a whale. 🐳 Maybe a dolphin? 🐬

Key-Due2026-01-17 00:30

Zibai. She comes with a gorgeous overworld gadget (a horse carriage). Also, she's probably gonna be good for geo theater for the upcoming year or two.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 04:21

Fair. I’ll pick up C2R1 Zibai, most definitely.

One-Spare-7982026-01-17 00:53

C2R1 Columbina + C0R1 Zibai if I were you

Genshin favors more horizontal investment afaik.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 02:11

I ended up getting C6R1 Bina. I’ll pull for C2R1 Zibai. 🥰 Best of both worlds. I just won’t be able to pull for other characters for a bit. But I got time to save — and a few pay checks before then. 😆

Bunktavious2026-01-17 01:34

Sigh... and here's me waiting on the 20 free Lantern Rite pulls to hopefully finally get Ineffa, after spending 67 pulls to get Jean.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 01:36

Hey I got a Jean today too. 😭😆

cafeeeli2026-01-17 01:43

Now what about Alice?

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 02:05

What about Alice?

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 02:11

JK I’ll likely pull for her too. She’s clutch.

cafeeeli2026-01-17 02:34

🐳

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 03:53

I honestly didn’t think I was a whale. But after seeing responses to my post, where people are saying “well what about him, her, C2 Zibai.”

Honestly, I think I just needed someone to say “Go for it!” so I felt better. 😆 And it did! Pulling her 360 C2 - C6 felt great!

Likely, the fun upcoming 5 Stars, I’ll C2R1. I keep telling myself weapons aren’t worth it and then I look at the designs and am like, well shit. Why not. But I can’t keep spending like this up indefinitely. Which is why I wanted to invest in a few core pieces…. I guess Columbina is now one of those over Zibai.

I honestly am looking forward to having her as my mdps. I’ve played mobile strategic games for the past decade. This is my first gacha game. I’m really loving it! 😆 And, I’m spending LESS money. It’s a win, win. 🏆

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 03:54

Apologies for typos and misspellings. Multi-tasking.

PokeFantic2026-01-17 01:58

Off topic, but thanks for the new lock screen.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 02:06

Thank Hoyo! Not me. Credit: https://m.hoyolab.com/#/article/42012583

PokeFantic2026-01-17 04:48

I assumed it was official, but I probably wouldn't of seen it if you didn't post it :)

Honorable_D2026-01-17 02:04

Bina exists to buff/support the Nod-Krai Lunar DPS chars...so if you're not gonna pull Flins/Nefer/Zibai then it seems kinda silly to go balls deep into Bina.

There are 5 Nightsoul DPS...so I do hope we'll see 5 Lunar DPS. Each new Lunar DPS will increase Bina stonks.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 02:07

My post does mention I have Nefer and am pulling for Zibai.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 02:13

Likely, since I decided to C6 Bina, I’ll do C2R1 Zibai and then figure out what comes next. I’ll be pretty stacked after that, so won’t be C6 anyone else for a bit.

Until Father’s on a banner again, possibly.

MassRedemption2026-01-17 02:45

It's always more worth it to get multiple characters than a c6, from a meta perspective. However, if you want to c6 bina, she is a very strong DPS at c6 with signature.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 03:57

It’s honestly not either or for me. I guess I should have made that clear. I’ll still end up investing C2R1 in Zibai and other new characters.

Now that I’m reading everyone’s replies, the real question I was asking is, do I C6 Columbina OR wait to C6 Zibai. Because I’ll be C2R1 them both. And likely any other new characters that I like that come out. So, the money wasn’t the issue. It was — I don’t even know anyone. I just needed someone to say, “yea Columbina C6!” 😆

MassRedemption2026-01-17 03:58

It's whoever you like more. Zibai will only affect zibai teams, while bina will affect any nod krai teams.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 04:05

That’s another reason I thought Bina. I C6 her today. If I want to invest in more NK for future, she’ll be great. I did pick up Ineffa C2 as well. Now I’m rolling!

eileyle2026-01-17 02:56

You have Columbina, Nefer, Lauma, Ineffa, Vanessa, and Arlecchino, most at multiple constellations, and you've been playing six months. You're clearly a whale, so why not just C6 both? I don't mind that you're giving Hoyo money because that money will be used to make Genshin better, but you might as well C6 both characters, and while you're at it you can get the R5 too.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 04:03

Well, unfortunately that’d be a bit too much for me at the moment. While I do spend quite a sum, I do have a rough game budget.

And as for R5, I probably won’t do that again. I don’t regret it on Varesa because I just love her, but I don’t think it’s worth it in the long run.

I want to have C6 Arlecchino next banner… and then someone really has to wow me again for another C6. But yea, I ended up going C6 Bina. 🌕

RoninRyy2026-01-17 04:08

I feel like ur account is at a point where u need more versatile team instead of 1 very strong character. Columbina can work on several team. She can bring the old teams back as well as most likely work with future team as well. Cuz she a hydro n hydro is in most case the most flexible element. But zibai will be locked to just 2 hydro 2 geo or smthg like that. So in my opinion columbina might be the better play long term unless u really want a super strong geo character.

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 04:14

That’s what I started realizing when I was learning more about Columbina. Is it sounds like she’s dope for any NK team. And I pulled C2 Ineffa as well, so I’m set. I think having her as a strong support and a flex mdps is going to be hella fun!

Extra_Friendship_6402026-01-17 04:36

How much money do yall put in cause I got C 1 innefa and that was definitely a purchase

The-Oppressed2026-01-17 04:57

If you care about clearing dire then getting more C2R1’s is better to deal with shill than a single C6. If Bina is your favorite and you don’t care about dire then C6.

Meettherubbish2026-01-17 05:15

Dont refine weapon banner weapons it's almost never worth it unless they're extremely niche and unusable on anyone but their character

Also 36 stars abyss should be doable with your roster, easily even, so check guides on how to clear abyss because this isn't an investment issue at all, but more likely a gameplay issue

_19Ali2026-01-17 09:15

bro you have the amount to pull a c6 character and thinking about one copy of zibia?

PraysToHekate2026-01-17 14:49

No, both will be C2R1. Asking which one to C6. I chose Bina.

Pretend-Meeting51612026-01-17 14:53

🔪.

magnidwarf19002026-01-18 10:10

C6 Bina

PraysToHekate2026-01-18 16:37

Got her! 🌕