Genshin Impact Columbina vs. C6 Aino — The Best Comparison Guide

With the release of the Nod-Krai region, the Lunar Reaction mechanic has become central to team building. For many players, the four-star Hydro character Aino has been the essential, free-to-obtain cornerstone of their Lunar Reaction teams. However, the arrival of the five-star Columbina has sparked a crucial question: is the new limited character a mandatory upgrade, or can a fully-invested C6 Aino hold her own? This guide will provide you with the most comprehensive answer! Let's dive right in!

Columbina Overview

Columbina is a five-star Hydro catalyst user designed as the definitive Lunar Reaction support and sub-DPS.

Rarity: 5★ | Element: Hydro | Weapon: Catalyst | Ascension Stat: CRIT Rate +19.2%

Her core strength lies in her seamless, low-maintenance application and potent buffs

• Elemental Skill (E): Deploys a "Gravity Ripple" that follows your active character for 25 seconds, providing consistent, mobile Hydro application without restricting your movement. This alone is a massive quality-of-life improvement over stationary abilities.
• Elemental Burst (Q): Creates a "Lunar Domain" that boosts all party members' Lunar Reaction DMG by 40%.
• Key Passive Talent: Converts standard Electro-Charged, Bloom, and Crystallize reactions into their more powerful Lunar versions (Lunar-Charged, Lunar-Bloom, Lunar-Crystallize). Furthermore, it provides a up to 7% Base DMG increase to these reactions based on her Max HP, a valuable damage multiplier.

 

Aino Overview

Aino is a four-star Hydro claymore user, a gifted inventor from the "Ding-a-Ling Crunchy Roll Workshop". Players can obtain her for free by completing Nod-Krai's Archon Quests.

Rarity: 4★ | Element: Hydro | Role: Support | Region: Nod-Krai

She functions as a supportive off-field Hydro applier:

• Elemental Burst (Q): Summons the "Cool Your Jets Ducky," which creates a stationary zone that periodically attacks enemies with Hydro.
• Constellation 6 (C6): This is her major supportive milestone. Within her Burst's field, it increases DMG from Lunar Reactions by 35% (15% + an additional 20%).

Her first constellation provides an Elemental Mastery buff to the team, and she passively increases the party's "Moonsign" level, which is crucial for activating enhanced Lunar Reaction states.

Who Is Stronger? Why Columbina Is Aino's Upgrade

On paper, their buffs seem comparable: C6 Aino offers 35% Lunar Reaction DMG and 80 Elemental Mastery, while C0 Columbina offers 40% Lunar Reaction DMG and up to 7% Base DMG. However, practical gameplay and team dynamics reveal a clear winner.

Feature	C0 Columbina	C6 Aino	Verdict
Hydro Application	Mobile, E-based, 25s duration. Freedom to move.	Stationary, Q-based, 14s duration. Restricts positioning.	Columbina wins. Her follow-field effect is vastly more flexible and comfortable.
Personal Damage	High sub-DPS damage from her Skill's "Gravity Interference" and Hydro ticks.	Very minimal personal damage.	Columbina wins. She significantly boosts team total damage, not just buffs.
Reaction Enablement	Converts standard reactions to Lunar. Unlocks the system by herself.	Requires other characters to already trigger Lunar Reactions.	Columbina wins. She is the enabler, making team-building more flexible.
Energy & Rotation	Low pressure. 60 Energy cost, Skill-focused.	High pressure. 50 Energy cost, must burst on cooldown.	Columbina wins. Much easier to build and play smoothly.

Columbina isn't just "stronger." She redefines the Lunar Reaction team archetype. While a C6 Aino team might show a similar damage number for your main DPS's single hit, Columbina provides:

• Massive Team DPS Increase: Her substantial personal damage adds a whole new source of damage Aino lacks.
• Mechanical Superiority: Her mobile Hydro application and reaction conversion make teams more resilient and adaptable in combat.
• Future-Proof Flexibility: As the dedicated Lunar Reaction architype support, she will optimally benefit any future Lunar Reaction DPS.

 

Pro Team-Building Advice

Your choice should align with your roster and goals～～！

For Players with Flins/Ineffa(The Meta Choice):

Prioritize Columbina. She is the final, premium piece for a top-tier Lunar-Charged team. Replacing Aino with her is a dramatic upgrade in power and feel.

For New Players or Those Saving Primogems:

C6 Aino is exceptional and completely viable. You can clear all game content with well-built teams around her. She is a fantastic, zero-cost investment.

Weapon & Build Priority for Columbina: She is not weapon-dependent. The craftable Prototype Amber aids team healing and her energy, while the battle-pass weapon Jadefall's Splendor is an excellent stat stick. Focus on obtaining her C1 first before considering her signature weapon, as her early constellations provide significant gains.

 

Concluision

Columbina represents the natural evolution of the Lunar Reaction support role that Aino introduced. C0 Columbina is a comprehensive upgrade over C6 Aino, offering superior damage, unmatched ease of use, and greater team versatility. While C6 Aino is an excellent and accessible support, C0 Columbina is her unequivocal superior and direct upgrade in almost every meaningful way, especially for teams built around characters like Flins or Ineffa.

So Pull for Columbina if you want to maximize the potential of your Lunar Reaction teams and value smooth, powerful gameplay～～！