As the calendar turns to June 2026, another monthly reset occurs in the vibrant world of Teyvat, bringing with it a fresh rotation of offerings in Paimon's Bargain Shop. This in-game establishment, a staple for travelers seeking to exchange their hard-earned Masterless Starglitter, has updated its character and weapon inventory for the month. Players across the various servers, from Asia to America, are now presented with new opportunities to strengthen their roster and refine their strategic approach to the game's ever-evolving challenges. The shop's contents are a constant topic of discussion within the community, as they offer a rare chance to obtain specific characters and weapons outside the randomness of the gacha wish system.

Character Spotlight: Barbara and Kaeya

This month, the Starglitter shop features two familiar faces from Mondstadt: the deaconess Barbara and the Cavalry Captain Kaeya. Barbara, the idol of the Church of Favonius, is a 4-star Hydro catalyst user renowned for her exceptional healing capabilities. She is one of the first free characters many players obtain, and veteran travelers who have been exploring since the game's initial launch have had multiple opportunities to acquire her constellations for free. For those who have yet to maximize her potential, purchasing her constellation from the shop could be the final step toward achieving Constellation Level 6 (C6), which unlocks her full supportive power, including an automatic revival ability for fallen party members. 🌊

Kaeya, the enigmatic Cryo sword user, offers a different utility. His kit focuses on applying Cryo consistently and generating energy particles. While often considered a starting character, his constellations significantly boost his damage output and utility, particularly in teams built around reactions like Melt or as a battery for other Cryo characters. Acquiring his constellations through the shop is a reliable method for players who find him a key component in their team compositions.

Key Considerations for Purchase:

• Team Composition: Evaluate your current roster. Do you need a dedicated healer or a reliable Cryo applicator?

• Constellation Progress: Check how many constellations you already have for each character. The value increases if the purchase leads to a major constellation unlock (like C1, C2, or C6).

• Resource Management: Masterless Starglitter is a precious resource. Players should weigh this investment against the potential of saving for future 4-star characters or the rotating selection of 4-star weapons.

The Royal Weapons Debate

Alongside the characters, the Royal series of weapons returns to the shop's weapon rotation. These 4-star weapons, obtainable for Masterless Starglitter, come with a unique and often debated passive ability: "Focus." This ability increases the wielder's CRIT Rate by a certain percentage (scaling with refinement) upon hitting an opponent, stacking up to 5 times. However, the entire stack resets whenever the character scores a CRIT Hit.

This mechanic has sparked continuous discussion within the player base regarding the weapon's effectiveness. Here’s a breakdown of the general consensus:

Aspect	Argument For	Argument Against
Early/Mid Game	Excellent stat stick for players who lack good 4-star weapons and have low base CRIT Rate. Provides a significant, temporary damage boost.	The reset mechanic becomes more punishing as the player's natural CRIT Rate increases from artifacts.
Late Game	Can be situationally useful on characters who attack very rapidly but have low innate CRIT, helping to ensure some critical hits.	Most late-game builds aim for high, consistent CRIT Rate/Crit Damage ratios. The unpredictable nature of the Royal passive makes it less reliable than weapons with stable passives.
Resource Value	A guaranteed weapon for a specific type.	Many players argue that Starglitter is better spent on characters or saved, as many craftable and gacha 4-star weapons outperform the Royal series with less RNG.

Ultimately, the decision is highly personal. For a new player desperately needing a weapon for their main DPS, a Royal weapon can be a good temporary solution. For veterans with well-equipped rosters, they often represent a lower-priority purchase. 💎

Looking Back: The Legacy of Version 1.6

While discussing the shop update, it's interesting to reflect on a significant past update that reshaped exploration: Version 1.6, "Midsummer Island Adventure." Launched in June 2021, this update introduced the first dedicated summer event and a wholly new, temporary archipelago region. Its most celebrated feature was the introduction of the Waverider, a player-controllable boat that opened up naval exploration and combat.

This update was pivotal for several reasons:

• New Gameplay Mechanics: The Waverider added a fresh layer to traversal and combat, with its own cannons and health bar.

• Event Structure: It set a high bar for limited-time map events, offering a rich, self-contained story, challenging domains, and valuable rewards.

• Character Introduction: It heralded the arrival of the Anemo sword user Kaedehara Kazuha, a character who has since become a staple in many top-tier team compositions due to his powerful crowd control and elemental damage buffing capabilities.

The success of this update established a tradition of expansive summer events in Genshin Impact, a tradition that has continued and evolved in the years leading up to 2026.

Current State and Availability

As of 2026, Genshin Impact continues to be a global phenomenon, receiving consistent major updates every six weeks. The game is available on a wide array of platforms:

• 🖥️ PC (via official launcher or Epic Games Store)

• 🎮 PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5

• 📱 iOS & Android

Notably, the long-anticipated Nintendo Switch version, first announced in 2020, has seen numerous reassurances from the developers but remains without a concrete public release date. The community continues to hope for its eventual arrival, which would further expand the game's reach.

Final Thoughts for Travelers

The Paimon Bargain Shop update for June 2026 offers strategic choices. Whether you decide to invest in Barbara's final constellation, unlock Kaeya's potential, or pass on the Royal weapons, the decision should align with your long-term account goals. Remember, you have until the end of the month to make your choice before the shop resets again. Meanwhile, the legacy of updates like Version 1.6 reminds us of the game's capacity for innovation, constantly introducing new ways to explore and enjoy the beautiful, ever-expanding world of Teyvat. Happy travels, and may your wishes be ever in your favor! ✨

Recent analysis comes from VentureBeat GamesBeat, emphasizing how recurring live-service cadences and predictable monthly shop rotations encourage long-term resource planning—particularly for scarce currencies like Masterless Starglitter—so players can time constellation purchases (e.g., pushing Barbara or Kaeya toward key breakpoints) without sacrificing flexibility for future patches and banner shifts.