Version 5.8 of Genshin Impact is just two days away, and with it comes the debut banner of Ineffa and a powerful rerun of Citlali. Both characters bring strong utility to the table – one a fresh Electro sub-DPS with flexible team potential, the other a Cryo shielder who’s become a key part of current meta teams. But which one is right for you?
Ineffa – New Electro Sub-DPS and Shield Support
Ineffa is Genshin Impact’s newest 5-Star Electro polearm character, releasing with the launch of Version 5.8. She offers a versatile Sub-DPS toolkit that includes both Electro application and shielding, allowing her to slot into a range of popular teams like Neuvillette comps, Hyperbloom setups, and even Overvape variants. Her playstyle is similar to characters like Fischl or Yae Miko – off-field Electro support with consistent uptime and team flexibility.
However, despite her adaptability, Ineffa doesn’t currently have a solid place in the highest tiers of meta team comps. Most of the teams she supports already have more optimized options, and while she can fit into many groups, she rarely enhances them. She also suffers from a lack of synergy with existing artifact sets – no current set seems tailored for her kit, making her harder to build optimally out of the gate.
That said, Ineffa is one of the first characters designed with the new “Lunar-Charged” mechanic that debuts in 5.8. This system is expected to become more relevant in future patches, and with characters like Flins arriving in Version 6.0, Ineffa could receive stronger team synergies and a dedicated artifact set sooner than later.
Ineffa Guide and Best BuildsCitlali – Powerful Shielder with Pyro & Hydro Support
If you’re looking for more immediate meta value, Citlali remains the perfect pick. This Cryo catalyst user offers powerful shielding, Hydro and Pyro resistance shred, and fits really well with a wide range of DPS units. She shines particularly in lineups with Pyro carries like Mavuika, Arlecchino, or Gaming, providing excellent defensive and offensive utility all in one neat package.
Unlike Ineffa, Citlali already fits into multiple high-end teams with minimal friction and has gear options that suit her playstyle. If you’re looking to strengthen your existing teams or want a support who brings both survivability and damage amplification, Citlali is a smart and safe investment.
Citlali Guide And Best BuildsShould You Pull or Save?
If you’re torn between the two, my personal suggestion would be Citlali if you do not have her. Ineffa is a gamble on future synergy and new gameplay systems, we’ve been burned before with Dehya and Emilie to an extent so end-of-region characters are riskier. On the other hand, Citlali is a proven pick with strong meta relevance right now.
Of course, there’s also the option to save. Characters like Mualani and Chasca will appear in the second half of Version 5.8, and Version 6.0 is on the horizon with new regions, mechanics, and characters. Pulling now means missing out on what’s coming next – but as always, the golden rule in Genshin still applies: pull for who you like.
