Hey fellow Travelers, it's your pal reminiscing about the wild ride of Genshin Impact version 3.6 back in 2023! Oh boy, I still get chills thinking about those character banners—HoYoverse really pulled out all the stops with new faces and fan-favorite reruns. As we cruise through 2025, it's fun to revisit how Baizhu and Kaveh finally stepped into the playable spotlight after being NPCs for ages. Seriously, it was like waiting for your favorite band to drop a new album—the hype was unreal! And let's not forget those phase banners: Nahida and Nilou kicking things off, followed by Baizhu and Ganyu teaming up. But here's the kicker, folks: looking back now, some characters aged like fine wine, while others... well, we'll get to that. So buckle up as I dive deep into the nostalgia, sharing my takes and what players were buzzing about.

First off, the Phase 1 banners were pure fireworks! Nahida, the Dendro Archon herself, strutted back onto the scene—she's like the wise grandma of Teyvat who can solve any puzzle with a wink. 😊 And Nilou? Oh man, her Hydro dance moves were smoother than butter! HoYoverse announced this during the livestream, matching the Sumeru expansion vibes. Here's a quick rundown of who starred in Phase 1:

• 🌟 Nahida: Dendro Archon, a total must-pull for her crowd control and elemental mastery—players went nuts for her!

• 🌟 Nilou: Hydro DPS dancer, not as flashy as Yelan or Childe but still a solid sub if you missed them.

Now, Phase 2 rolled in around late April, and boy, did it bring surprises! Baizhu, the long-awaited Dendro healer, finally became playable—talk about a glow-up from his NPC days. He's like that mysterious neighbor you always wondered about—so intriguing! Alongside him, Ganyu made a comeback; she's the Cryo queen who can freeze enemies in their tracks, perfect for AoE damage. And hey, Kaveh got his debut as a 4-star hero, popping up in both banners before joining the regular pool. Here's the Phase 2 crew:

Character	Role	My Quick Take
Baizhu	Dendro Support	Felt a bit shaky at first—oh man, the community was sweating over his mechanics!
Ganyu	Cryo DPS	Total beast for team comps, especially with Shenhe—still a top pick in 2025!
Kaveh	4-star Dendro	A fun addition, like the underdog who brings charm to any party.

Reflecting from 2025, these banners were a goldmine for team-building. Nahida? She's hands-down one of the best characters ever—like, why wouldn't you want her wisdom on your squad? But Baizhu... oh dear, he had us all on edge. After Dehya's messy release in 3.5, where her Elemental Burst got interrupted by a simple jump, players were biting their nails. Would Baizhu follow suit? Well, turns out HoYoverse tweaked him later—he ended up being pretty decent after some buffs! 😅 Nilou, though? She's like that reliable friend who's always there—not top-tier Hydro, but she held her own. And Ganyu? Pure magic—she's aged like a fine Cryo wine!

Many players also asked if it was worth saving Primogems for these banners back then. Oh, the debates were endless! For instance, folks wondered if Nahida could outshine older Archons, or if Kaveh was just filler material. Honestly, it all came down to playstyle—some pulled for meta, others for the story feels. Fast forward to now, these banners feel like a time capsule of Genshin's evolution.

To wrap up, let's tackle those burning questions in a quick FAQ—I've seen these pop up in chats even today!

FAQ: People Also Ask...

• Q: Was Baizhu worth pulling in 3.6?

A: At launch, he was a gamble—kinda like rolling dice blindfolded. But HoYoverse buffed him later, so in hindsight, yes! He's solid now.

• Q: How did Nilou compare to other Hydro characters?

A: She wasn't Yelan-level, but hey, she danced her way into many hearts—a viable sub for F2P players.

• Q: Is Ganyu still relevant in 2025?

A: Absolutely! She's a Cryo icon—perfect for freeze comps and events.

• Q: Did Kaveh get better after his debut?

A: Yup, as a 4-star, he added flair—nothing game-breaking, but fun for casual runs.

That's all for now, folks—hope this trip down memory lane sparked some joy! Catch you in the next adventure. 🌍✨