Will Genshin Impact Standard 5-Stars Ever Have Rate-Ups? The Crystal Ball Gazes

The question that has haunted Genshin Impact players since the game’s launch: Will the coveted standard banner 5-star characters ever receive dedicated rate-up banners? The short, slightly unsatisfying, but brutally honest answer is: currently, no, and realistically, the chances are slim. Let’s delve into the whys and wherefores, dissecting the game’s mechanics and exploring potential future scenarios.

The Allure and Agony of the Standard Banner

The allure of the standard banner, the Wanderlust Invocation, lies in its ever-present accessibility. New players, veterans, and even those who rarely touch the gacha can accumulate Acquaint Fates and pull for a chance at securing powerful characters like Diluc, Jean, Qiqi, Mona, and Keqing, alongside a selection of weapons.

The agony, however, stems from the excruciatingly low odds of specifically pulling the 5-star you desire. Unlike the limited character banners, where a targeted approach and careful saving can almost guarantee a specific character, the standard banner is a lottery with incredibly long odds. This is because you could get any of the five characters or a variety of standard banner 5-star weapons.

Why No Rate-Ups (So Far)?

Several factors contribute to the absence of rate-ups for standard banner characters:

• Monetization Strategy: Genshin Impact’s core monetization hinges on the limited-time character banners. The exclusivity and limited availability create a sense of urgency and drive players to spend Primogems (and, by extension, money) to acquire desired characters. Introducing standard banner rate-ups would potentially undermine this system by providing an easier and more direct route to acquiring powerful units, thus reducing the pressure to pull on limited banners.
• Character Rarity and Perceived Value: The standard 5-star characters, while strong, are generally considered less powerful or meta-defining than their limited banner counterparts. Granting them rate-ups would diminish the perceived value of the limited characters, particularly those that have similar gameplay functions.
• Banner Fatigue: Imagine the sheer volume of banners if each standard 5-star character received their own rate-up, even if it was on a rotation. This would result in banner fatigue, making it harder for players to keep track of what’s available and potentially decreasing overall spending.
• The Weapon Problem: The standard banner also includes a pool of 5-star weapons. A character rate-up banner would logically have to exclude these weapons, or the rates for the weapon would be terrible. This creates additional complications for the banner design and overall appeal.

Is There Any Hope for the Future?

While the current situation paints a bleak picture, the possibility of changes in the future shouldn’t be entirely dismissed. Hoyoverse has shown a willingness to adapt and evolve its game mechanics based on player feedback. Here are a few (highly speculative) scenarios where standard banner rate-ups could become a reality:

• Increased Character Pool: As the game’s roster expands significantly, the standard banner could become diluted to the point where its value diminishes drastically. At this point, Hoyoverse might consider introducing rotating rate-ups for specific characters to revitalize interest in the standard banner.
• A New Banner System: A completely new banner system could be introduced alongside the existing ones, specifically designed to target standard banner characters. This system might involve a different currency, different pity mechanics, or even a guaranteed character selector after a certain number of pulls.
• Anniversary Celebrations: In the past, the developers have been known to give players a free standard banner character. This could mean in the future, players may be able to select a standard banner 5-star character as part of a significant milestone or anniversary event.
• Character Buffs and Relevancy: If certain standard banner characters receive significant buffs or redesigns, making them more meta-relevant, Hoyoverse might consider temporary rate-ups to capitalize on the renewed interest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions related to Genshin Impact’s standard banner and the possibility of rate-ups:

1. What are the current odds of pulling a 5-star on the standard banner?

The standard banner has a 0.6% base rate for obtaining a 5-star character or weapon. The pity system guarantees a 5-star pull within 90 wishes. However, this pity does not guarantee a specific character; it could be any of the five standard characters or one of the 5-star weapons.

2. What is the difference between Acquaint Fates and Intertwined Fates?

Acquaint Fates are used exclusively on the standard banner (Wanderlust Invocation), while Intertwined Fates are used on the limited character and weapon banners.

3. How can I obtain Acquaint Fates?

Acquaint Fates can be obtained through various means, including:

• Character Ascension Rewards: Certain characters reward Acquaint Fates upon reaching specific ascension levels.
• Battle Pass: The Battle Pass offers Acquaint Fates as rewards.
• Paimon’s Bargains: Acquaint Fates are periodically available for purchase with Starglitter in Paimon’s Bargains.

4. Is it worth pulling on the standard banner?

Whether it’s worth pulling on the standard banner depends on your goals and resources. If you are a new player and don’t have any of the standard 5-star characters, then it may be worth it. For veteran players, it’s generally advisable to save your Primogems for limited character banners, as these characters tend to be more powerful and impactful.

5. Which standard banner 5-star character is the best?

This is subjective and depends on your team composition and play style. Generally, Diluc and Jean are considered strong all-around characters, while Mona provides excellent support capabilities. Keqing is a good electro main DPS and Qiqi is a healer. However, all five characters have their strengths and weaknesses.

6. Are 4-star characters also included in the standard banner?

Yes, the standard banner includes a wide selection of 4-star characters and weapons. The odds of pulling a specific 4-star are significantly higher than pulling a 5-star.

7. Does the standard banner pity carry over to other banners?

No, the pity system is specific to each banner type. Pity on the standard banner does not carry over to the limited character or weapon banners, and vice versa.

8. If standard banner 5-stars did get rate-ups, how would it work?

Hypothetically, rate-ups could work in several ways: individual character banners with a 50/50 chance (similar to limited banners), rotating banners featuring two or more characters at a time, or a banner with increased odds for all standard characters.

9. What are constellations, and how do they relate to standard banner characters?

Constellations are character enhancements obtained by acquiring duplicate copies of a character. Constellations can significantly improve a character’s abilities and effectiveness. Getting constellations for standard banner characters can be challenging due to the low odds of pulling them.

10. Is it possible to get standard banner characters from limited character banners?

Yes, while limited character banners focus on a specific character, the standard banner characters are still included in the general pool of characters that can be pulled. However, the odds of pulling a standard character on a limited banner are very low.

11. Are there any alternatives to pulling on the standard banner to obtain standard banner characters?

Apart from pulling on the standard banner, there is no direct method to obtain standard banner characters. However, the Starglitter Exchange in Paimon’s Bargains occasionally features 4-star characters who may synergize well with the standard 5-star characters.

12. Will Hoyoverse ever consider a “Standard Banner Selector”?

While entirely speculative, a “Standard Banner Selector” (perhaps earned through exceptional in-game achievements or significant milestones) would be a highly desirable feature for many players. It would provide a guaranteed way to obtain a specific standard banner character, alleviating the frustration associated with the gacha’s randomness. However, the introduction of such a system would likely have a significant impact on Hoyoverse’s monetization strategy and is therefore unlikely in the short term.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while the dream of dedicated rate-ups for standard banner 5-star characters remains elusive, the possibility shouldn’t be entirely discounted. As Genshin Impact continues to evolve, Hoyoverse may reconsider its approach to the standard banner to maintain player engagement and address the challenges associated with an ever-growing character roster. Until then, players must rely on patience, careful resource management, and a healthy dose of luck to acquire their desired standard banner units.