The white-haired shrine maiden has finally stepped out of the shadows. Hiyuki, the most anticipated Resonator in Wuthering Waves right now, is set to headline the 2nd Anniversary in WuWa Version 3.3 as a Glacio main DPS with a dual-form combat system.
Here's what we know so far about her kit, her expected banner timeline, and how to start saving now. We'll keep this article updated as new details are confirmed.
Need extra Astrite for her banner? Top up Wuthering Waves Lunite at GamsGo and save up to 30%!
Who Is Hiyuki?
On March 25, 2026, Kuro Games officially unveiled Hiyuki through the Version 3.3 drip marketing, confirming her as the next playable Resonator. The reveal quickly became one of the most discussed character announcements in the community, with her official splash art generating massive buzz across social media.
The official Wuthering Waves YouTube channel also released a character teaser alongside the splash art:
On March 27, Wuthering Waves' official YouTube channel released character cards confirming Hiyuki's element as Glacio and her weapon type as Sword.
On March 31, Xbox's official channel released an exclusive gameplay preview of Hiyuki and Denia. The footage showcases Hiyuki's normal attacks, long-range frost sword wave sequences, and her dual-form transformation during Resonance Liberation.
Background and Identity
Hiyuki is a miko (shrine maiden) and a member of the Special Response Force from Startorch Academy in Lahai-Roi, with a long-standing connection to the Threnodian known as Aleph-1.
The official drip marketing describes her as "the embodiment of icy purity", driven forward by the wishes entrusted to her during brief encounters with others. With her Suzu, Hiyuki can perceive and utilize "future possibilities" of herself, crystallizing ice and snow before striking with lightning speed.
She was first hinted at through NPC dialogue and environmental clues as far back as Version 2.8, and has since become one of the most discussed unrevealed characters in the community.
During the Version 3.2 Special Program, she was shown alongside President Lucilla, suggesting a close relationship between the two. The full nature of their connection hasn't been revealed yet, but it's expected to unfold in the Version 3.3 storyline.
Players can also get an early glimpse of Hiyuki in the The Flaming Red in Memory event, available on April 16, 2026 during Version 3.2's second phase.
Design and Appearance
Hiyuki's in-game model was first revealed during the Version 3.2 Special Program livestream on March 13, 2026. Her full official splash art was then unveiled through the Version 3.3 drip marketing on March 25, 2026, giving players their first detailed look at her finalized design.
She is a tall female character with long white hair tied in a high ponytail with a red ribbon, dressed in a red-and-white shrine maiden outfit with sakura blossom motifs throughout her design. The background of her official art features an environment laced with ice and frost, reinforcing her Glacio identity.
She wields a katana-style sword, and her combat animations feature frost-laced strikes that match her Glacio attribute.
The visual direction blends traditional Japanese miko aesthetics with the sci-fi tone of Lahai-Roi, a combination that has already generated strong community buzz since the livestream aired.
Following the drip marketing reveal, many in the community have called it one of the most gorgeous character designs Wuthering Waves has released to date.
Hiyuki's Known Details
Element, Weapon, and Rarity
Based on the Version 3.2 livestream reveal, the official drip marketing, and supporting community sources, here is what has been confirmed or strongly indicated so far:
If Hiyuki releases as predicted, she is likely to secure a top spot on the Wuthering Waves tier list for her high burst potential.
Combat Mechanics (Beta Leak Update)
Version 3.3 beta leaks have now revealed Hiyuki's full kit. The following details come from beta gameplay footage and data mining shared across the community. All values, names, and mechanics are subject to change before official release.
Best Echo Set (New in 3.3)
Version 3.3 introduces a new Echo set tailor-made for Hiyuki and Glacio Chafe teams:
This set is purpose-built for Hiyuki — it rewards her core loop of applying Glacio Chafe, dealing Resonance Liberation DMG (which nearly all her Foreclaimed Self attacks count as), and passing buffs to teammates on swap. It is expected to be her best-in-slot Echo set on release.
What Makes Hiyuki Worth Pulling
- Glacio has been underserved for over a year. The last premium Glacio main DPS was Carlotta in Version 2.0 (January 2025). Hiyuki fills a gap that ice team players have been waiting on for a long time.
- Anniversary headliners are built differently. The first anniversary (Version 2.3) featured Zani and Ciaccona, both of which received strong tuning and broad team compatibility. Hiyuki is likely to get the same treatment as the 2nd Anniversary's main attraction.
- The Glacio Chafe mechanic opens new team strategies. Her stacking debuff into Glacio Bite and Frostblind detonation gameplay rewards setup and timing, giving Glacio a burst-oriented identity it hasn't had before.
- She's the safer pick in a double 5-star patch. Version 3.3 features both Hiyuki and Denia. For players with limited Astrite, the anniversary headliner is generally the higher-value investment.
- Massive team-wide buff utility. Her "Like Reeds on Tides" team buff (20% damage increase for 30 seconds) and Glacio DMG amplification against debuffed targets make her valuable even beyond her personal damage.
Expected Banner Schedule
Based on Wuthering Waves' consistent update pattern, here is the projected timeline:
| Milestone | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Version 3.2 launch | March 19, 2026 |
| Hiyuki drip marketing | March 25, 2026 ✅ |
| "The Flaming Red in Memory" event | April 16, 2026 |
| Version 3.3 Preview Special Broadcast | Around April 19 ~ 24, 2026 (estimated) |
| Version 3.3 (Anniversary) | Around April 29 ~ 30, 2026 |
| Hiyuki banner (Phase I) | Around April 29 ~ 30, 2026 |
| Denia banner (Phase II) | Around May 20, 2026 |
Hiyuki is expected to headline the first phase of the Version 3.3 Anniversary banners. As an anniversary headliner, she will likely come alongside anniversary events, login rewards, and potentially a large-scale rerun banner featuring past limited 5-star Resonators.
How to Prepare for Hiyuki
With Hiyuki's full kit now leaked from the 3.3 beta, there's plenty you can do right now to be ready on day one. Besides farming, make sure to keep an eye out for Wuthering Waves redeem codes for free Astrite and materials.
Save Your Astrite
Version 3.2 is a transitional update with Sigrika as the only new character, making it the ideal saving window. Here's how much you might need:
| Scenario | Pulls Needed | Astrite Cost |
| Win the 50/50 | Up to 80 | 12,800 |
| Lose the 50/50 (guaranteed) | Up to 160 | 25,600 |
If you're also considering her signature weapon Frostburn, budget an additional 80 pulls on top of that.
Running low on Astrite? Top up Wuthering Waves at GamsGo to save up to 30% and get closer to your guarantee.
Pre-farm Glacio Materials
Hiyuki's specific ascension materials haven't been officially confirmed, but as a Glacio Sword character, the following are safe to start farming now:
- LF Whisperin Core (all tiers)
- Glacio boss drops (e.g. from Glacier Predator or Mourning Aix)
- Sword forgery materials (Cadence series)
- General EXP materials and Shell Credits
- Start farming the new Wishes of Quiet Snowfall Echo set as soon as Version 3.3 launches
Players who previously built Carlotta or other Glacio characters will already have a head start on most of these.
Build Your Support Roster Early
Based on beta leaks, these characters are the most likely teammates for Hiyuki:
| Resonator | Synergy Description |
|---|---|
 Chisa | Despite being a Havoc attribute character, Chisa is one of Hiyuki's best supports. Her core mechanic "Thread of Bane" provides massive buffs to teams that apply negative statuses — a perfect match for Hiyuki's Glacio Chafe debuffs. She offers crowd control, defense shredding, and all-attribute damage amplification. A strong support option available now. |
 Lucilla | Designed as Hiyuki's dedicated Condensation Sub-DPS, providing sustained off-field Glacio damage and completing the ultimate Glacio trio. Her Glacio Chafe application feeds directly into Hiyuki's Glacio Bite conversion for maximum detonation damage. Currently a story NPC; she is expected to become playable in Version 3.4. |
 Verina | Universal healer/buffer, fits into virtually any team. A safe third-slot option when paired with Hiyuki + Chisa. |
 Ciaccona | Top-tier coordinated attack support with broad compatibility. |
Recommended team comps from beta leaks:
- Best current team: Hiyuki + Chisa + Verina (or Zani) — Chisa accelerates Chafe stacks for Hiyuki's burst windows, healer rounds it out.
- Quick-swap alternative: Hiyuki + Lynae (Sub-DPS) + Mornye (Support) — leverages Hiyuki's Outro Skill Glacio DMG buff and Lynae's coordinated attacks for stable DPS between burst windows.
- Future ceiling team (3.4+): Hiyuki + Lucilla + Chisa — the complete Glacio Condensation trio with maximum Glacio Bite synergy.
For the best results on day one, prioritize building Chisa now — although she is a Havoc Resonator, her "Thread of Bane" mechanic directly synergizes with Hiyuki's Glacio Chafe debuffs. Lucilla, Hiyuki's optimal dedicated Glacio partner, is expected to become playable in Version 3.4, so plan your Astrite accordingly if you want the complete Glacio Condensation team. Verina and Ciaccona are safe pre-investments since they work across all teams.
Hiyuki vs. Denia — Which One Should You Pull?
Version 3.3 presents Rovers with a classic gacha dilemma: two new limited 5-stars in one patch, and likely not enough Astrite for both. Here is how they compare at a glance:
- Pull Hiyuki if you have been waiting for a Glacio carry, you want the anniversary headliner experience, or you enjoy burst-oriented playstyles with high visual impact.
- Pull Denia if you already have Aemeath and want to round out her Fusion DoT team, you prefer off-field sub-DPS characters, or you are building toward long-term Fusion team flexibility.
For most accounts, Hiyuki is the safer priority. Anniversary main DPS characters tend to have stronger overall tuning and wider team compatibility than niche support units.
We will be publishing a dedicated Denia character preview soon. Stay tuned for the full breakdown.
Looking Ahead: Version 3.4 and Resource Planning
Keep in mind that Version 3.4 is also shaping up to be a major pull-heavy patch. Leaks point to a Cyberpunk: Edgerunners collaboration featuring Lucy and Rebecca as playable characters, alongside the debut of Lucilla as Hiyuki's optimal Glacio Sub-DPS partner.
If you plan to build the complete Glacio Condensation team, factor in the cost of pulling Lucilla in 3.4 when budgeting your Astrite now.
Final Thoughts
Hiyuki has been one of the most anticipated characters in Wuthering Waves since players first began piecing together her identity through lore clues over half a year ago.
As the 2nd Anniversary headliner, she carries the weight of being a meta-defining release, and from what we have seen in the Version 3.2 livestream, the official drip marketing reveal, and now the detailed beta leaks, Kuro Games appears to be delivering on that expectation.
Her dual-form combat, Glacio Chafe/Bite detonation system, Iai Stance teleportation, and time-stop Resonance Liberation make her one of the most mechanically ambitious Resonators to date.
GamsGo will update this article as more information becomes available, and will follow up with a full Build Guide (Echoes, weapons, team comps) and Ascension Materials breakdown once official data is released. Bookmark this page and check back for the latest updates.
We've prepared an exclusive promo code for all blog readers:
Enjoy an additional 3% off on your next purchase!
Valid across all categories: streaming accounts, AI tools, game top-ups, software subscriptions, and more.
FAQ
When Is Hiyuki's Release Date in Wuthering Waves?
Hiyuki is expected to release in Phase I of Version 3.3, around April 29 ~ 30, 2026. Her official drip marketing was published on March 25, 2026, confirming her as the next playable Resonator. The exact banner date will be confirmed during the Version 3.3 Preview Special Broadcast (estimated around April 19 ~ 24, 2026).
What Element and Weapon Does Hiyuki Use?
Hiyuki is a Glacio (Ice) Resonator who wields a Sword. She is positioned as a burst-oriented main DPS with a dual-form combat system (Present Self / Foreclaimed Self) built around the Glacio Chafe mechanic. Her signature weapon is called Frostburn.
How Many Pulls Do I Need for Hiyuki?
In Wuthering Waves, the 5-star pity is 80 pulls. If you lose the 50/50, you will need up to 160 pulls to guarantee her. Start saving Astrite now if she is your target. With the estimated 30 ~ 40 free pulls from anniversary rewards, the actual Astrite requirement drops significantly.
Should I Pull for Hiyuki or Denia in Version 3.3?
For most players, Hiyuki is the safer priority. She is the anniversary headliner and fills a long-standing gap in the Glacio DPS roster. Denia is a better pick if you already have Aemeath and need a Fusion sub-DPS to complete her team.
Who Is Hiyuki's Best Teammate?
Chisa is currently Hiyuki's best available support. Despite being a Havoc Resonator, her "Thread of Bane" mechanic buffs teams that apply negative statuses — a perfect match for Glacio Chafe. Lucilla, Hiyuki's dedicated Glacio Sub-DPS, is expected in Version 3.4 and will complete the optimal Condensation trio.
What Is Hiyuki's Best Echo Set?
The new Wishes of Quiet Snowfall Echo set arriving in Version 3.3 is tailor-made for Hiyuki. Its 5-piece effect rewards applying Glacio Chafe and dealing Resonance Liberation DMG — both of which are central to Hiyuki's kit. This is expected to be her best-in-slot set on release.
Is Hiyuki Good for Free-to-Play Players?
Yes. Beta data suggests Hiyuki performs well at S0 thanks to anniversary-level tuning. Her Present Self Resonance Liberation costs no energy, and her kit provides a team-wide 20% damage buff through "Like Reeds on Tides," giving her value beyond personal damage alone.
🔍 You Might Also Like:
