5 Major Considerations Before Pulling On Shenhe/Ayaka Banner | Genshin Impact 3.5

Introduction

The much-anticipated Ayaka and Shanha banner has finally dropped in Genshin Impact, and it seems that our predictions were pretty spot on this time. This banner brings not only a unique and powerful character in Ayaka but also an essential cryo support in Shanha. In this video, we will discuss five important points you should consider before pulling on this banner.

Ayaka: The Top-Tier DPS

First and foremost, Ayaka is still one of, if not the, top-tier DPS character in the game. Her gameplay is incredibly unique, with her cryo infusion having a 100% uptime. This makes her perfect for running in a freeze or melt team. Additionally, her normal and charged attacks deal significant damage. Although her burst damage is not to be laughed at, as it can quickly eliminate enemies on the battlefield. When using Ayaka, it's important to invest in her artifact set, whether you choose the Blizzard Strayer or the Emblem Fate set. However, overall, Ayaka is a beautiful, unique, and powerful character with minimal downsides.

Shanha: The Niche Cryo Support

Shanha, on the other hand, is a niche cryo support character who excels at buffing cryo teams. If you have her on a cryo team, you will notice a significant difference in performance. Shanha's buffs aren't limited to cryo characters either; other elements on your team will receive a buff as well. However, it's worth noting that many of Shanha's buffs come from her burst, so it's crucial to manage her energy recharge level and rotation effectively. She can be somewhat challenging to fit into different team compositions, often competing with healers or shields. But with the abundance of healers in the game now, integrating Shanha into your team shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The Four-Star Roster: A Perfect Cryo Team

Taking a closer look at the four-star characters on this banner, it becomes apparent that this roster is quite interesting. Interestingly, Eula is not included, even though she is a cryo character. However, it is still a great roster overall. Mika is an excellent character for physical teams, making him a perfect fit for those building teams around Eula or Razor. Diona and Sucrose both make sense thematically and can round out a full mono cryo team with Ayaka and Shanha. While Sucrose's elemental mastery buff may not be fully utilized in a mono cryo team, it's still a fantastic opportunity for players who are newer or lacking in characters.

The Weapon Banner: Calamity Quello and More

The weapon banner accompanying this event features the coveted Splitter. Additionally, the banner includes the Calamity Quello, which happens to be an excellent weapon for Shanha. Even if you don't manage to pull Shanha, the Calamity Quello is still a valuable weapon due to its high base attack and useful passive. The banner also offers other four-star weapons such as the Favonius Lance, Sacrifical Soul, and Favonius Bow. Overall, this weapon banner is a good opportunity to enhance your arsenal.

Looking Ahead: Byzu, Kave, and More

Looking beyond this banner, it's essential to consider future banners. The upcoming banners in patch 3.6 are expected to feature highly sought-after characters like Byzu and Kave. Byzu, in particular, is highly anticipated by many players. Additionally, speculation suggests that the beloved dendro archon, Nahida, may also make an appearance. These characters are considered must-haves from a meta standpoint, so keep them in mind when making your pulls.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Ayaka and Shanha banner offers an exciting opportunity to obtain powerhouse characters. Ayaka's unique gameplay and top-tier DPS capabilities make her a desirable character for any team. Shanha's cryo support abilities are vital for cryo teams and provide buffs to other elements as well. The four-star roster, including Mika, Diona, and Sucrose, is a great addition for players starting out or looking to strengthen their cryo teams. The weapon banner offers the sought-after Calamity Quello, as well as other valuable weapons. Looking ahead, future banners featuring Byzu, Kave, and potentially Nahida offer more potential character acquisitions. As always, consider your options carefully and weigh the potential benefits before making your pulls.

Now that you have a better understanding of this banner, it's time to decide which characters and weapons are right for you. Good luck and may your future pulls be filled with success!