How to Wish for New Characters

Genshin Impact is an outstanding RPG that is heavily inspired by BOTW. It is one of the hottest titles now, as the game is available on multiple platforms. While this free-to-play game is rich with single-player content, it has mobage or mobile game elements included in the form of the Wish (gacha) system. Please read below to learn how the system works, how to maximize the limited resources you have to recruit new characters, and many more.

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What is a Gacha System?

Commonly found in mobile games, Genshin Impact also incorporates a gacha system that will allow players to recruit additional characters to their party.

If you’re already familiar with the gacha system, you can skip this part. For those who are new to this terminology, think of it as a lottery, where you’ll spend (usually) premium currency to “draw” or summon random characters/equipment. Depending on your luck, you may be able to obtain the high-rarity, top-tier characters or equipment; but it should be expected that the rate of drawing common or low-rarity ones are higher. On very bad days, you won’t even get something worthwhile.

In this game, the “normal” chance to get a 5-star character is 0.6 - 1.6%, 4-star characters are 5.1 to 13%, while the rest are just 3-star weapons. This rate can be changed if there are event banners where there is a temporary increase in draw probability on certain characters or weapons. Fortunately, the game has some kind of “pity” system that can give players some consolation. For example, 10 wishes can give players a guaranteed 4-star unit (it is still possible to obtain a duplicate of what you already have).

For every 90 wishes, you’re guaranteed to get a 5-star character. Take note that the 90 wishes will reset once you obtain a 5-star character. If you’re very unlucky with your wishes that it took you 90 attempts, that’s the only time you’ll get a random, consolation (pity) character.

The bottom line is whatever you’ll get is by chance and there's no guarantee if you'll get a 5-star character or the one you really want. It’s strongly recommended to save up your Fates and Primogems so you can attempt 10 wishes at a time. At least you’re guaranteed to get a 4-star unit that way.

How to Wish

You’ll unlock the Wish feature after going through the initial missions until after the aerial fight with Stormterror and meeting Jean and Lisa at the Knights of Favonius HQ. From there, you’ll have access to four banners. Depending on the banner, it will require either Intertwined Fate or Acquaint Fate. (1 Fate = 1 Wish). Take note that they’re exclusive to their respective banners. So for example, you can’t use Acquaint Fates for Wishing in Event Banners and vice versa.

What to Wish First

Out of the four, you need to prioritize wishing on the Beginner Banner since it has a discounted 10-draw (requires 8 Acquaint Fates out of the normal 10) and will also give you a very reliable 4-star Geo-element, greatsword-user named Noelle. If you’re lucky enough, you can even get another 4-star or even a 5-star character aside from the guaranteed character (Noelle). You can only draw up to 2 times (20 individual or 2 for a 10-draw) before the Beginner Banner disappears from the options.

Your next choice is to wish on the event banner since a new character has an increased rate of appearance. Since launch, the event banner has a top-tier character named Venti in rate-up. So far he’s one of the highest tier characters in the game but at this point, any 5-star character will be worth your while. The main reason why players reroll is for hopes to get a 5-star character to make their journey a lot easier. Please refer to our Re-rolling guide for more information about this arduous process.