The Genshin Impact landscape has evolved dramatically since its launch, with the gap between old 5★ characters and newer additions becoming increasingly apparent. As we move through 2025, players continue to debate whether HoYoverse will ever address the power disparity by reworking the original cast or introducing new weapons to breathe life into these beloved but outdated characters.
Let's face it - many of the Mondstadt and Liyue 5-stars were designed for what feels like a completely different game. Characters like Diluc, Keqing, and Jean - once the cream of the crop - now feel clunky and underpowered compared to the smooth, high-damage ceiling characters released in recent updates. This situation is especially tough for limited 5-stars like Klee, who aren't available in the standard banner but lack the power to justify featuring in new event banners.
The Power Gap Problem
The power creep in Genshin Impact has been real, y'all. The old characters from version 1.0 days can't hold a candle to what we're seeing in 2025. As one player aptly put it in a recent forum discussion, "Many of the Mondstadt and Liyue 5 stars feel far more unwieldy versus the new 5 stars." This sentiment resonates throughout the community, with many wondering if these characters will simply be left to collect dust.
HoYoverse hasn't historically done character reworks in Genshin Impact, which is why the community has been buzzing about alternative solutions. One approach that's gaining traction is the introduction of specialized weapons designed specifically to enhance the old 5★ characters' capabilities.
New Weapons: A Second Chance for Old Favorites?
Rather than reworking characters directly, HoYoverse appears to be taking a page from other gacha games by introducing tailored weapons that significantly boost the old characters' performance. This approach is a win-win - it preserves the original character designs while giving players a reason to dust off their benched favorites.
Some examples of these specialized weapons include:
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A claymore that dramatically reduces skill cooldowns while increasing attack speed - perfect for making Diluc feel more fluid
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A sword that converts standard attacks into elemental damage based on the wielder's element - giving Keqing the electro infusion she desperately needs
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A catalyst that increases damage based on healing provided - making Jean's hybrid role more viable
Battle Pass Weapons: Worth the Investment?
Speaking of weapons as solutions, the Battle Pass offerings remain an accessible option for players looking to enhance their character roster. The Black Sword continues to be a solid choice for many sword users, including some of the old 5★ characters.
However, with the meta constantly shifting, it's worth considering whether refinements or diversification is the better strategy. As one player noted, "I chose the black sword and since I've made it to level 50 during this one I was wondering which other weapon I should get, or if it's just better to get refinements."
For players looking to revitalize their old characters, spreading Battle Pass selections across different weapon types might be more beneficial than high refinements on a single weapon, especially with the new specialized weapons entering the mix.
Looking to Honkai for Clues
Many Genshin players have looked to HoYoverse's other title, Honkai Impact, for indications of how they might handle character balancing long-term. Honkai has implemented various systems to keep older characters relevant, including augment cores and specialized equipment.
If Genshin Impact follows a similar pattern, we might see more comprehensive solutions for the old characters in the coming updates. The specialized weapons appear to be just the beginning of HoYoverse's strategy to address the power gap.
Community Wishlist
The Genshin Impact community has been vocal about what they'd like to see for the old characters. Some popular suggestions include:
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Constellation adjustments that modernize outdated effects
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New artifact sets designed specifically for older character kits
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Special weapons that synergize perfectly with specific characters
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Team resonance bonuses that enhance older character performance
As one frustrated but hopeful player put it, "This feels bad honestly, especially for 5 stars that are not in the standard banner like Klee." The sentiment is clear - players who invested in these characters, either financially or emotionally, want to see them shine again.
In the meantime, the introduction of Genshin Impact old 5stars new weapons offers a glimmer of hope. These specialized tools are helping bridge the gap, allowing the old characters to compete in the current meta without requiring a complete redesign of their kits.
Whether this approach will be enough to satisfy the community remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure - the conversation around balancing old and new content will continue to be a hot topic as Genshin Impact moves forward in 2025 and beyond.