Genshin Impact Luna VIII Phase II Banner Guide: Columbina, Raiden Shogun, and Weapon Pull Planning

Genshin Impact Version Luna VIII Phase II puts two very different 5-star decisions in front of players: Columbina on Somnias a Luna and Raiden Shogun on Reign of Serenity. Both character banners run from July 21, 2026, 18:00 to August 11, 2026, 14:59 server time, so the important question is not only who is featured, but where your shared character pity should go.

If your account already has a clear Hydro target, Columbina is the new Phase II focus to evaluate first. If your roster still needs a proven Electro centerpiece or you prefer a familiar rerun, Raiden Shogun is the safer planning anchor; just keep the weapon banner budget separate from your character wishes.

Quick answer: Luna VIII Phase II starts on July 21 at 18:00 server time. Columbina is the new Hydro Catalyst DPS target to test first, while Raiden Shogun is the rerun Electro Polearm DPS/Sub-DPS whose value is easier to judge from existing teams. Their guarantee count is shared, and the weapon banner has its own planning track with Nocturne's Curtain Call and Engulfing Lightning.

The Phase II schedule is clean: both character banners and the Epitome Invocation weapon banner use the same start and end window. The dates below are server time, so your in-game banner timer remains the final countdown for your region.

Banner	Featured focus	Availability	Planning note
Somnias a Luna	Columbina, 5-star Hydro	July 21, 18:00 - August 11, 14:59	Character Event Wish
Reign of Serenity	Raiden Shogun, 5-star Electro	July 21, 18:00 - August 11, 14:59	Character Event Wish-2
Epitome Invocation	Nocturne's Curtain Call and Engulfing Lightning	July 21, 18:00 - August 11, 14:59	Weapon Event Wish

Phase II Character Overview: Icons, Roles, and Pull Notes

The Phase II character pool has two 5-star targets and three shared boosted 4-stars. Use this table as the practical roster snapshot before you decide where to spend character-banner pity.

Character	Current profile	Banner role	Pull-planning note
ColumbinaWelkin Moon's Homecoming	5-star Hydro Catalyst	Featured 5-star on Somnias a Luna	Best for players who want a new Hydro DPS target and are ready to commit shared character pity after checking her Test Run, weapon plan, and team fit.
Raiden ShogunPlane of Euthymia	5-star Electro Polearm	Featured 5-star on Reign of Serenity	Best for players who prefer a familiar Electro DPS/Sub-DPS rerun target and want a character whose account value is easier to judge before spending extra resources.
JahodaWindthreading Shadow	4-star Anemo	Boosted 4-star on both character banners	A useful bonus if you are already pulling for Columbina or Raiden. Do not spend shared 5-star pity only because you want a 4-star copy.
OroronShadow of the Night-Wind	4-star Electro	Boosted 4-star on both character banners	Good to pick up along the way if your 5-star target is clear. He should not be the reason to swap from your preferred featured 5-star.
SethosWisdom's Measure	4-star Electro	Boosted 4-star on both character banners	Nice value if you are comfortable with either Phase II 5-star outcome. Stop pulling once your 5-star plan is no longer worth the risk.

Columbina Build Snapshot: Hydro DPS Pull Value

Columbina deserves her own decision pass because she is not just another name in the Phase II list. Current build coverage frames her as a Hydro Catalyst DPS, which means the pull question should start with whether your account actually needs another damage-focused Hydro character, not with the novelty of a new banner.

For early planning, treat Columbina as a character who wants a dedicated DPS setup: a clear weapon plan, a focused artifact route, and a team slot where she is expected to carry meaningful field time or damage responsibility. If that sounds like a role your account already has covered, wait for the Test Run and live player testing before spending into the banner.

Columbina check	Current build direction	Pull-planning action
Main role	Hydro Catalyst DPS	Pull only if your account wants a new Hydro damage core, not simply because the banner is new.
Best weapon direction	Nocturne's Curtain Call is the featured weapon to watch; other Catalyst options can reduce pressure if your account already has strong replacements.	Decide the character first. Do not enter the weapon banner unless Columbina is already your confirmed target.
Artifact direction	DPS-focused setups are the expected early route, with community build coverage pointing toward Night of the Sky's Unveiling as the premium set.	Check your resin and artifact inventory before topping up for extra wishes.
Best account fit	Players who need a Hydro carry or want to build around the new Phase II character.	Use the Test Run to confirm play feel, then set a hard Primogem limit before pulling.

Strong Columbina case

You lack a Hydro DPS plan, want to build around a new character, and can support her with artifacts, a weapon route, and a real team slot.

Medium Columbina case

You like the character but would need to rebuild teams or farm from scratch. In this case, stop at the character and avoid weapon-banner pressure.

Weak Columbina case

Your Hydro teams are already stable, your pity is close to guarantee, or you are saving for the next version. Waiting is a clean decision.

Raiden Shogun Build Snapshot: Electro DPS and Energy Core

Raiden Shogun is the more familiar Phase II decision. Her value is easier to estimate because she is commonly planned as an Electro Polearm DPS/Sub-DPS who can support burst-focused team rotations while still contributing her own damage.

If you already know you enjoy Raiden's playstyle, this banner is less about discovery and more about account math: do you need her first copy, a constellation goal, or a weapon upgrade? If the answer is unclear, character pulls should still come before Engulfing Lightning.

Raiden check	Current build direction	Pull-planning action
Main role	Electro Polearm DPS/Sub-DPS	Prioritize her if your roster wants a reliable Electro core or a burst-oriented team engine.
Best weapon direction	Engulfing Lightning is the headline weapon for Raiden planning, with alternative Polearms lowering the need to chase the weapon banner.	Only consider the weapon banner after deciding whether Raiden herself is the goal.
Artifact direction	Emblem of Severed Fate remains the natural planning set, with Energy Recharge, CRIT, ATK, and Electro DMG stats depending on your weapon and team.	Check existing Emblem pieces first; a good artifact base makes Raiden easier to justify.
Best account fit	Players who value known rerun performance, flexible Electro utility, and a clearer long-term investment path.	Choose Raiden over Columbina if you prefer a tested account upgrade over a newer DPS project.

Strong Raiden case

You need an Electro anchor, already have teams ready for her, or want a familiar rerun whose build path is easy to prepare.

Medium Raiden case

You already own her but want more account comfort. Set a constellation or weapon limit before spending.

Weak Raiden case

Your current teams do not need another Electro slot, or you are only pulling because Engulfing Lightning is available.

Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun side notes visual for Phase II planning

After separating the two characters, the banner choice becomes clearer. Columbina is the sharper Phase II question because she asks players to evaluate a new Hydro DPS project around their current roster and saved pulls. Raiden Shogun is easier to place in a long-term account plan because her Electro DPS/Sub-DPS role, Energy Recharge needs, and weapon path are already familiar to many players.

The pity rule is the first thing to remember: Character Event Wish and Character Event Wish-2 share guarantee count. If you spend pulls testing Columbina and then move to Raiden, you are still using the same character-banner pity track.

Pull Columbina if

You want the Phase II Hydro DPS, have a team plan for her, and are comfortable committing shared character pity to a newer target.

Pull Raiden if

You want a familiar Electro DPS/Sub-DPS rerun, value her account role, or prefer a character whose long-term team use is easier to judge.

Skip for now if

Your pity is low, the next version matters more, or you are only reacting to banner pressure without a team or weapon plan.

The Phase II weapon banner features Nocturne's Curtain Call and Engulfing Lightning. Its 4-star rate-up pool includes Waveriding Whirl, Sacrificial Sword, The Bell, Favonius Lance, and Favonius Warbow.

Weapon wishes should come after the character decision, not before it. Nocturne's Curtain Call matters most if Columbina is already your confirmed Hydro DPS project, while Engulfing Lightning is most relevant to players who are actively investing in Raiden Shogun. Epitomized Path helps you chart a course toward a promotional 5-star weapon, but weapon-banner spending can still drain a budget faster than a character-only plan.

Weapon pool	Featured items	Pull-planning advice
5-star weapons	Nocturne's Curtain Call Engulfing Lightning	Only pull if either result helps your account, or if your target weapon is worth the risk.
4-star weapons	Waveriding Whirl, Sacrificial Sword, The Bell, Favonius Lance, Favonius Warbow	Treat these as secondary value, not the main reason to enter the weapon banner.
Weapon course	Epitomized Path	Set your weapon course before wishing and keep character-banner resources separate.

Primogem and Genesis Crystal Planning

Genshin Impact Columbina side notes visual for Somnias a Luna

The best Phase II budget is built backward from one target. First check your current pity, guarantee state, and saved Intertwined Fates; then decide whether Columbina, Raiden Shogun, or a weapon is the only outcome you actually want.

Run the Test Run before spending heavily. It will not answer every account-building question, but it does help you avoid converting currency for a character whose play feel or team slot does not match your expectations.

Before you spend	Why it matters	Best move
Check character pity	Columbina and Raiden share the character-banner guarantee count.	Choose one main 5-star target before pulling.
Separate weapon budget	Weapon wishes use a different planning track.	Do not mix weapon pulls into your character guarantee plan.
Use Test Run	It gives a fast feel check during the banner period.	Try the character before converting extra Genesis Crystals.
Clean up events	Sunny Summer Fontinalia and When We Look Up at the Moon remain available in Phase II.	Claim remaining rewards before topping up.
Set a hard stop	Banner pressure can push players past the original goal.	Stop when your target or planned limit is reached.

Planning rule: use free Primogem routes and remaining event rewards first, then top up only if the live banner timer, pity count, and target choice are clear.

Prepare Genshin Impact top-up after your banner plan is clear

Choose Columbina, Raiden, or the weapon banner first, then use the product page only for the Genesis Crystals or Welkin option you actually need.

Top Up

FAQ: Genshin Luna VIII Phase II

When does Genshin Luna VIII Phase II start?

Phase II starts on July 21, 2026, at 18:00 server time. The character and weapon banners are scheduled to end on August 11, 2026, at 14:59.

Are Columbina and Raiden Shogun on separate pity?

No. The Character Event Wish and Character Event Wish-2 share guarantee count. Pulls on Columbina's banner and Raiden Shogun's banner both affect the same character-banner pity track.

Who are the Phase II 4-stars?

The boosted 4-star characters are Jahoda, Ororon, and Sethos. They appear on both Phase II character banners, so they should not be the main reason to choose one 5-star banner over the other.

What build direction should I plan for Columbina?

Plan Columbina as a Hydro Catalyst DPS target first. If you cannot support that role with a team, artifact route, and weapon plan, wait for more live testing before spending extra currency.

Is Engulfing Lightning worth pulling for Raiden Shogun?

It is worth considering only after Raiden herself is already your confirmed goal. If your character pity, guarantee, or Primogem limit is not secure, keep weapon wishes separate and stop at the character banner.

Should I top up before pulling?

Do not top up first. Check your pity, use the Test Run, clean up remaining event rewards, and choose one target. A top-up makes sense only after the exact pull gap is clear.

Luna VIII Phase II is a strong pull-planning moment because both character banners compete for the same guarantee count. Choose Columbina if your account wants a new Hydro DPS project, choose Raiden Shogun if you prefer a familiar Electro DPS/Sub-DPS plan, and treat the weapon banner as a separate budget decision.

The cleanest ManaBuy-style plan is simple: collect remaining rewards, check pity, test the character, then top up only for a confirmed pull gap. If the target is not clear, saving is still a valid banner decision.