Complete Breakdown Of Phase II Weapons In Version Luna IV: Stats, Lore, And Viability
Introduction: The Arsenal of the Moon
Hello, Travelers! Paimon’s voice is ringing in our ears once again, and for good reason. Today, January 29, 2026, marks the official detailed reveal of the Phase II weapon banner for the massive "Luna IV" update. While much of the community’s attention has been monopolized by the dazzling character animations of Zibai and the lore bombs dropped by Columbina, seasoned veterans know that the true power creep often lies in the Weapon Event Wish.
The post titled "A Traveler on a Winter's Night" introduces us to a brand-new suite of armaments designed to complement the unique mechanics of the new Geo and "Lunar-Crystallize" meta. Phase II is notoriously dangerous for your Primogem stash, often featuring niche weapons that only work for specific characters. However, looking at the stats revealed today, this banner might just be a universal powerhouse that redefines the DPS standards for Polearm and Catalyst users.
In this comprehensive guide, we will dissect the stats of the new signature 5-star weapon, analyze its passive mechanics, compare it against existing titans like the Staff of Homa and Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, and evaluate the value of the 4-star lineup. We will also touch upon which legacy characters—including a certain Cavalry Captain—might see a resurgence thanks to these new tools.
The Headliner: "Traveler on a Winter's Night" (5-Star Polearm)
While the official name in the lore text is poetic, let's break down the "Winter's Night" Polearm (speculatively named Beacon of the Frozen Tundra or simply Winter's Night based on the post title) which serves as Zibai’s signature weapon.
Base Stats and Substats (Level 90)
Base ATK: 674. This is a high-base ATK weapon, putting it in the same bracket as the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear. A high base attack is crucial for characters who scale on ATK% or who have passives that convert other stats into ATK.
Secondary Stat: Critical Damage (44.1%). While lower than Staff of Homa (66.2%), the high base ATK balances this out. This stat distribution makes it an excellent stat stick for any damage dealer, regardless of their kit mechanics.
Passive Ability: "Silent Snowfall"
Refinement Rank 1 (R1):
"Grants a 12% All Elemental DMG Bonus. When the wielder triggers a Crystallize reaction, or hits an enemy affected by a Crystallize shield (Lunar State), they gain 1 stack of 'Moonlit Gallop.' Each stack increases Movement Speed by 5% and ATK by 8% for 10 seconds. Max 3 stacks. When the wielder possesses 3 stacks, their Charged Attack DMG is increased by an additional 24%."
Deep Dive Analysis:
This weapon is a monster. It is clearly tailor-made for Zibai, whose kit revolves on speed and Geo reactions.
The Trigger Condition: Triggering Crystallize is easy for any Geo character. However, the secondary condition—"hitting an enemy affected by a Crystallize shield"—is interesting. It implies that in the new Illuga meta, enemies might carry a "Lunar" aura that counts as a shield interaction.
The Speed Buff: Speed is a rare stat in #GenshinImpact. A 15% movement speed buff at max stacks is significant for exploration and for characters like Hu Tao or Arlecchino who rely on dash-canceling.
The Charged Attack Bonus: This locks the weapon into a specific playstyle. It isn't just for Zibai; this could theoretically work for a Reverse-Melt Rosaria or even a Hu Tao in a double-Geo team, provided you can maintain the Crystallize shields.
Comparison vs. Staff of Homa
Staff of Homa: Provides HP% and an ATK bonus based on HP. It is universally good because every character has HP. It gives more Crit DMG.
Winter's Night: Provides Movement Speed and high Base ATK. It requires reactions (Crystallize) to peak.
Verdict: If you are playing a Geo team, Winter's Night is superior due to the ease of stacking. For generalist builds, Homa still reigns supreme due to its unconditional passive. However, if you value movement speed for overworld travel or dodging, the new Polearm is a quality-of-life upgrade.
The 4-Star Lineup: "Glinting Frost" Series
Phase II also introduces a new series of 4-star weapons, likely the "Glinting Frost" set mentioned in previous leaks. These weapons share a passive that boosts Energy Recharge after sprinting—a clear nod to the mobility theme of Version Luna IV.
The Standout: "Frost-Etched Blade" (4-Star Sword)
Stats: Base ATK 510, Substat: ATK 41.3%.
Passive: "After sprinting or using an ability that increases movement speed, the wielder's next Elemental Skill deals 16% increased DMG and generates 2 Energy particles. Cooldown 10s."
The Kaeya Connection
This sword is a hidden gem for #Kaeya. Kaeya’s passive already reduces sprinting stamina, and his playstyle often involves weaving dashes between his Normal Attacks and Elemental Skills.
Equipping Kaeya with the Frost-Etched Blade in a Quick-Swap team allows him to act as an even better battery. You dash to position yourself behind the enemy (activating the passive), hit his Elemental Skill "Frostgnaw," and enjoy the boosted damage plus extra particles. For F2P players who don't have a 5-star sword, this is a fantastic, aesthetic, and functional upgrade for the Cavalry Captain.
Weapon Banner Economy: The "Fate Point" Trap
We must address the elephant in the room: The Epitomized Path. The weapon banner is notoriously unforgiving. To guarantee the Winter's Night Polearm, you might need to hit pity three times (240 pulls in the worst-case scenario).
Soft Pity: Starts around 63 pulls.
Hard Pity: 80 pulls.
With Phase II starting on February 3, you have a limited window to gather resources. Many players expended their savings on the Phase I characters, leaving them vulnerable now. If you are sitting at 0/2 Fate Points, you need to calculate your risks carefully.
Financial Strategy: Optimizing Your Top-Ups
If you have done the math and realized you are short on Primogems to reach that third pity, you might be considering opening your wallet. Weapon banners are the primary reason players break their F2P status. If you decide to spend, do not do it blindly. Paying the full regional price on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store is often inefficient due to currency conversion rates and platform fees.
I highly recommend you take a moment to Google search for "buffget". It is a platform that the high-tier community—the theory-crafters and the whales—uses to maintain their accounts. By using buffget, you can discover options to buy Genshin Impact Genesis Crystals that are significantly cheaper than the standard rates.
Typically, you can secure a discount of around 20%. On a weapon banner where you might need to buy multiple $100 packs to reach the guarantee, that 20% savings adds up to hundreds of dollars. It effectively gives you "free" Fate Points compared to the standard price. If you are going for Refinement Rank 5 (R5), using a discounted service is practically mandatory to keep the cost reasonable.
Refinement Analysis: Is R1 Enough?
For 99% of players, Refinement Rank 1 (R1) is sufficient.
R1: 12% Elemental DMG, 8% ATK per stack.
R5: 24% Elemental DMG, 16% ATK per stack.
The scaling is linear. Going from R1 to R5 essentially doubles the passive buffs. While this results in a massive damage increase (roughly 20-25% total DPS output), the cost is exorbitant (potentially 1000+ pulls).
Recommendation: Stop at R1. The Winter's Night Polearm is powerful enough at base level to clear Floor 12 of the Spiral Abyss with ease. Save your money for future characters like Columbina.
Lore Implications: The Story in the Description
Weapon descriptions are often where HoYoverse hides its deepest lore. The title "A Traveler on a Winter's Night" references a specific fable in Snezhnaya.
The weapon's lore likely tells the story of a messenger (perhaps Zibai in her youth, or a previous White Horse Adeptus) who had to cross a frozen wasteland to deliver a warning to the Geo Archon.
The "Winter" Motif: This hints at the encroaching influence of the Cryo Archon (The Tsaritsa). As we inch closer to the Snezhnaya chapter (Version 6.0+), we are seeing more weapons that bridge the gap between Liyue (Contracts/Gold) and Snezhnaya (Love/Ice).
The "Traveler": This could be a meta-reference to us, the player, or the twin. Pay close attention to the flavor text when you unlock the weapon in the Archive. It might contain clues about the "Loom of Fate."
Team Synergy: Who Wants These Weapons?
Zibai (Main DPS)
Obviously, she is the primary user. The movement speed allows her to execute her "Spectral Steed" attacks more frequently, and the ATK buff scales her damage.
Xiao (Anemo DPS)
Xiao is always hungry for ATK and Crit DMG. While he doesn't trigger Crystallize often, if you run him in a "Double Geo" team (Xiao, Jean, Zhongli, Albedo), he can maintain the shield uptime to benefit from the passive. The base stats alone make it a top 3 weapon for him.
Cyno (Electro DPS)
Cyno needs Elemental Mastery, but he also appreciates ATK and Crit. If you run Cyno with a Geo unit like Zhongli or the new Illuga, he can utilize the Winter's Night passive. The movement speed is a nice bonus for chasing enemies during his Burst mode, preventing them from kiting him.
Should You Pull? The Verdict
Pull IF:
You have secured Zibai and want her to perform at 100% potential.
You are a Geo main (Itto/Navia/Zibai) and want a versatile stat stick that encourages Crystallize gameplay.
You have plenty of Primogems or have used buffget to secure a discount on your crystals.
Skip IF:
You already have a Staff of Homa or Primordial Jade Winged-Spear. The damage difference is likely less than 10%.
You are saving for Columbina or the Pyro Archon.
You do not play Geo teams. The passive is wasted without Crystallize.
Conclusion: A Weapon for the New Age
The "Traveler on a Winter's Night" weapon showcase proves that Version Luna IV is dedicated to shaking up the stagnant reaction meta. By incentivizing Crystallize—a reaction long considered "useless"—HoYoverse is forcing us to rethink our team compositions.
The new Polearm is a beautiful, deadly, and mechanically complex addition to the armory. Whether you wield it with Zibai to trample your enemies or give it to Xiao to conquer the Abyss, it is a worthy investment for any dedicated Traveler.
Check your Primogem counts, double-check your Fate Points, and may the gacha gods bless your pulls in Phase II!