When Wuthering Waves hit the ground running in May 2024, its first banners were the talk of the town. The launch setup followed the familiar gacha playbook: one standard banner for the long haul, plus limited banners for each phase of Version 1.0. Fast-forward to 2026, and those opening banners are a nostalgic time capsule—yet they remain a handy reference point for anyone curious about how Kuro Games introduced its roster. For players who like to do their homework, the launch-window leaks and official reveals painted a crystal-clear picture of the first pulls.
Phase 1: Jiyan Leads the Charge ⚔️
The first limited character banner was expected to spotlight Jiyan, an Aero Broadblade user with the kind of big-ticket presence that makes reroll guides sit up and take notice. Alongside him, the 4-star lineup looked ready to pull its weight: Danjin, Chixia, and Mortefi. That mix of Havoc and Fusion damage gave players plenty of room to experiment, and no one had to bend over backwards to assemble a functional team.
| Rarity | Character | Element | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-star | Jiyan | Aero | Broadblade |
| 4-star | Danjin | Havoc | Sword |
| 4-star | Chixia | Fusion | Pistols |
| 4-star | Mortefi | Fusion | Pistols |
For anyone keeping score, Jiyan was the headline act, but the supporting cast was no joke. Danjin brought high-risk Havoc swordplay, Chixia packed Fusion pistol pressure, and Mortefi offered off-field coordination. In the grand scheme of launch banners, it was a lineup with a little something for every playstyle—no sweat if a player preferred melee chaos or ranged chip damage.
Phase 2: Yinlin Takes the Baton ⚡
The second phase of the Version 1.0 banner was expected to feature Yinlin, an Electro Rectifier user. While the 4-star details remained TBA during the leak cycle, Yinlin herself was enough to keep theorycrafters chatting. Electro teams had a natural anchor to look forward to, and her Rectifier kit promised a different flavor from Jiyan's Broadblade swings.
| Rarity | Character | Element | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-star | Yinlin | Electro | Rectifier |
| 4-star | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 4-star | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| 4-star | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Kuro Games kept the supporting 4-star cast close to the chest, leaving players to keep their eyes peeled for the official reveal. Even so, the phase structure was old hat for gacha veterans: one marquee 5-star, a handful of 4-star companions, and a ticking clock. Yinlin's Electro Rectifier role made her a tempting target for anyone who wanted to build around elemental reactions and ranged control.
The Standard Banner: The Usual Suspects 🌀
The first standard banner was expected to feature five 5-star characters: Calcharo, Verina, Encore, Lingyang, and Jianxin. Each brought a distinct element and weapon type to the table, giving the standard pool a broad spread rather than a one-note lineup.
| Rarity | Character | Element | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-star | Calcharo | Electro | Broadblade |
| 5-star | Verina | Spectro | Rectifier |
| 5-star | Encore | Fusion | Rectifier |
| 5-star | Lingyang | Glacio | Gauntlet |
| 5-star | Jianxin | Aero | Gauntlet |
Beyond the five-star headliners, the standard banner was expected to include all nine 4-star characters: Aalto, Baizhi, Chixia, Danjin, Mortefi, Sanhua, Taoqi, Yangyang, and Yuanwu. That meant the standard pool was stacked with odds and ends for every account—Aero pistols, Glacio support, Havoc swordplay, and more.
| Rarity | Character | Element | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-star | Aalto | Aero | Pistol |
| 4-star | Baizhi | Glacio | Rectifier |
| 4-star | Chixia | Fusion | Pistol |
| 4-star | Danjin | Havoc | Sword |
| 4-star | Mortefi | Fusion | Pistol |
| 4-star | Sanhua | Glacio | Sword |
| 4-star | Taoqi | Havoc | Broadblade |
| 4-star | Yangyang | Aero | Sword |
| 4-star | Yuanwu | Electro | Gauntlet |
The standard banner was expected to remain available for the entire version and stay unchanged, just like other gacha games. On top of that, rumors pointed to a special beginner banner with a 5-star selector. Players could choose one of the standard 5-star characters and summon them with a guarantee after hitting soft pity. That selector was the cherry on top—a real bang-for-your-buck option for anyone who wanted to start with a favorite rather than leave things to chance.
A Quick Peek at Version 1.1 🐉
Wuthering Waves also used drip marketing to tease two new characters for Version 1.1: Changli and Jinhsi. Information was thin on the ground at the time, with neither character's element or weapon type officially confirmed. From the trailers, Jinhsi was shown as a dragon-chosen figure who could summon dragons to attack, and she was expected to be very strong. Changli, meanwhile, had yet to appear in any of the Wuthering Waves trailers—at least from what players had seen.
By 2026, both characters are old news to longtime players, but back then they were tantalizing loose threads. The launch livestream was expected to shed more light on the first banners, and players were already debating which character deserved their first pull. Some wanted Jiyan's Aero Broadblade pressure; others were saving for Yinlin's Electro Rectifier style; and plenty were ready to go the whole nine yards on the standard selector.
The Bottom Line ⭐
Looking back from 2026, the first Wuthering Waves banners are a neat snapshot of the game's opening chapter. Jiyan headlined Phase 1 with Danjin, Chixia, and Mortefi in support; Yinlin was expected to take the baton in Phase 2; and the standard banner offered Calcharo, Verina, Encore, Lingyang, Jianxin, plus a deep 4-star bench. The beginner selector rumor added extra spice, and the Version 1.1 tease gave players a reason to keep their wallets and their curiosity ready. It was a launch lineup with plenty to chew on—and for gacha fans, that was no small potatoes.