Genshin Impact Luna V Launches Feb 25 with Varka Debut

HoYoverse has announced that Genshin Impact's Version Luna V update, titled “Song of the Welkin Moon: Variation Homeward, He Who Caught the Wind,” launches on February 25, 2026, across all platforms including mobile, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

This update centers on a return to Mondstadt, the starting region where players first arrived in Teyvat. A major event hosted by the Knights of Favonius reunites players with familiar faces, evoking memories through evocative visuals and challenges that revisit early journey moments.

The highlight is the debut of Varka, Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, as a playable Anemo claymore user with a dual-wield combat style. His kit features enhanced Normal Attacks that trigger a special Elemental Skill or a Stamina-free Charged Attack more frequently, providing flexible and powerful offense.

Varka's Hexerei effect boosts skill and charged attack frequency, amplifying damage output. After defeating Wolf Spirit fragments, players unlock a free new weapon appearance for his weapons. His signature weapon, Gest of the Mighty Wolf, appears on the Phase 1 banner alongside Flins (Electro polearm).

Phase 1 banners (Feb 25): Varka and Flins. Phase 2: Escoffier (Cryo polearm) and Skirk (Cryo sword) rerun.

Players dive into Gliding and Combat Challenges. The Combat Challenge summons Knight Shadows to exploit enemy weaknesses, rewarding the Phantasmal Gift: Star Omen catalyst weapon skin upon completion.

New mini-games include a Kamera challenge to photograph landmarks in Natlan, Fontaine, and Sumeru; a strategic defense mode against enemy waves; and updates to Travelers’ Tales. Miliastra Wonderland gains a voice feature with tailored modes, plus free Owl Envoy cosmetics for Manekin/Manekina via events.

A Varka Story Quest and Venti-related event “Homeward, He Who Caught the Wind” add narrative depth, with Skirk's return.

This update matters for its blend of nostalgia and innovation, drawing millions back to Genshin Impact's gacha-driven world. Varka's kit caters to aggressive playstyles, potentially shifting meta team compositions toward Anemo-centric damage dealers. Free rewards like weapon skins and cosmetics lower entry barriers, encouraging participation amid ongoing live-service competition.

Imagine a player, years into their Teyvat adventure, gliding over Mondstadt's windswept fields during the event, snapping Kamera shots of Sumeru ruins while fending off foes in defense modereviving the thrill of discovery that hooked them initially.

HoYoverse shared three Primogem codes active until February 13, 2026: Homeward, VarkaArrives, VisitWonderland. Each grants 100 Primogems, 5 Hero’s Wits, 10 Mystic Enhancement Ores, and 50,000 Mora.

• Combat flexibility via Varka's no-stamina attacks.
• Nostalgic Mondstadt revisit with new twists.
• Free cosmetics and weapon appearances.

Looking ahead, Luna V signals HoYoverse's focus on legacy characters like Varka, teased since launch, satisfying long-term fans. With voice features in Wonderland and expanded mini-games, it hints at deeper social and creative tools, possibly influencing future updates toward multimedia integration. As Genshin nears its sixth year, such content keeps the player base engaged, sustaining revenue through banners while combating fatigue in the open-world gacha genre.

Bug fixes, like Neuvillette's outfit effects, ensure polish. Trailers showcase Varka's boss fights and event stories, building hype.