The wait is finally over, Travelers. After years of anticipation and endless teasing throughout the Nod-Krai arc, the legendary Grand Master Varka is officially set to debut in Genshin Impact Version 6.4, titled "Luna V." With the update confirming a February 25, 2026 release date, the latest wave of leaks has blown the lid off Varka’s final gameplay kit and the game-changing Hexerei system. This new mechanic promises to revitalize legacy Mondstadt units like Venti and Albedo, shaking up the meta just in time for the Grand Master's arrival.

Varka’s Kit: The Titan of the North Finally Takes the Field

Varka arrives as a 5-star Anemo Claymore user, but his playstyle is far from traditional. According to the latest beta data, Varka acts as a hybrid on-field carry who bridges the gap between raw Anemo damage and elemental reactions. His kit revolves around a unique dual-form mechanic that justifies his title as the strongest Knight of Favonius.

Elemental Skill: Sturm und Drang

The core of Varka’s kit is his Elemental Skill, Sturm und Drang. When activated, Varka enters a "Gale Rush" state, dual-wielding claymores for a rapid-attack sequence. Crucially, this skill features a priority infusion system similar to the Traveler’s absorption mechanics but far more potent. If there are Pyro, Hydro, Electro, or Cryo characters in the party, Varka’s attacks deal both Anemo DMG and the corresponding absorbed Elemental DMG simultaneously.

Passive Talent: Dawn Wind’s March further incentivizes building him with high Attack. This talent converts every 1,000 points of Varka’s ATK into a 10% Anemo DMG Bonus and a matching bonus for his absorbed element, capping at 25%. This dual-scaling implies that Varka will likely replace standard drivers in "Rainbow" teams, potentially power-creeping units like the Wanderer in multi-element compositions.

Elemental Burst: Northwind Avatar

His burst is a massive single-strike nuke that unleashes the "Northwind Avatar," dealing immense AoE Anemo damage. If an element was absorbed during his skill duration, the burst creates a lingering field that pulses with that element, making him an excellent off-field applicator for late-rotation reactions.

The Hexerei System: A Second Wind for Mondstadt Legends

Perhaps even more significant than Varka himself is the introduction of the Hexerei System. Lore-wise, this system is tied to the Hexenzirkel—the circle of witches including Alice and Rhinedottir. Players will unlock "Hexerei: Secret Rite" buffs by completing a new questline called "Witch’s Homework" for eligible characters.

The system functions like a new resonance: having two or more Hexerei characters in your party activates unique buffs for them. The leaked buffs for Venti and Albedo are particularly groundbreaking:

  • Venti’s Hexerei Buff: When Venti’s Stormeye (Burst) absorbs an element, it now shreds an additional 20% of the enemy's defense. More importantly, it can now pull in heavier enemies that were previously immune to his crowd control, fixing his biggest glaring weakness in Floor 12 Abyss content.
  • Albedo’s Hexerei Buff: The "Secret Rite" grants Albedo the Silver Isotoma effect. His Geo construct becomes indestructible for its duration and pulses faster based on the number of Hexerei members in the team. This finally solves the long-standing issue of bosses destroying his flower instantly.

Other characters confirmed to receive Hexerei traits include Klee, Mona, and the recently released playable Durin.

Version 6.4 Banners and Roadmap

The banner schedule for Version 6.4 is stacked. Phase 1 will feature Varka alongside a rerun of Flins, the Electro polearm user who dominated the meta in early 6.x. Phase 2 sees the return of Skirk and Escoffier.

While fans were hoping for the release of Dornman Port in this patch, leaks suggest the map expansion has been pushed to Version 6.5 to align with the conclusion of the Mondstadt festival arc. For now, players should focus on farming the new "Wolf’s Fang" ascension materials and saving Primogems, as Varka’s signature weapon, Ballad of the Mighty Wolf, is rumored to provide a massive Crit DMG stat stick that will be best-in-slot for almost all claymore users.

Best Varka Team Comps

With the new Hexerei synergy, Varka’s best teams will likely lean heavily into Mondstadt pairings. A "Knights of Boreas" team featuring Varka, Venti (Hexerei), Durin, and Bennett is shaping up to be a top contender. Venti activates the Hexerei buff for crowd control and energy refund, Durin provides off-field coordinate attacks, and Bennett buffs Varka’s ATK to maximize his Dawn Wind’s March passive.

As we approach the February 25 launch, keep an eye on the official livestream for final multiplier confirmations. The King of Mondstadt is coming home, and he’s bringing a whole new meta with him.