Will Genshin Standard 5-Stars Ever Have Rate-Ups?
In the world of Genshin Impact, the pursuit of 5-star characters and weapons is a cornerstone of the game. Players invest time, effort, and often resources into pulling for their desired characters or weapons, hoping to add them to their collection. However, one question has been on the minds of many players: will standard 5-star characters and weapons ever receive rate-ups in the future? This article delves into this topic, exploring the possibilities and implications.
Understanding the Current System
First, it’s important to understand how the current Genshin Impact banner system works. The game features limited-time banners for characters and weapons, each with a specific 5-star focus. These banners often include a pity system, which guarantees a 5-star pull after a certain number of attempts. However, standard 5-star characters and weapons—those not featured on any banner—have a significantly lower base pull rate, making them harder to obtain.
The standard 5-star pool includes characters like Diluc, Jean, and Mona, as well as weapons like the Wolf’s Gravestone and The Widsith. These are highly sought after due to their versatility and power in various team compositions. However, their low pull rates have led to frustration among players, many of whom have spent considerable time and resources trying to acquire them.
The Possibility of Rate-Ups
So, will standard 5-stars ever have rate-ups? While there’s no definitive answer, there are several factors to consider:
Developer Intent: HoYoverse, the developer of Genshin Impact, has consistently emphasized the importance of limited-time banners as a way to introduce new characters and weapons. This suggests that standard 5-stars may not receive dedicated rate-up banners, as they are not the focus of the game’s monetization strategy.
Player Demand: The community has been vocal about the difficulty of obtaining standard 5-stars. This pressure could potentially lead to changes in the future. For example, HoYoverse has made adjustments to the game’s systems in response to player feedback, such as the introduction of the pity system for weapons.
Game Balance: Introducing rate-ups for standard 5-stars could disrupt the game’s balance. Many of these characters and weapons are already powerful, and making them more accessible could lead to an overrepresentation in gameplay, potentially making the game less challenging or diverse.
The Role of Limited-Time Banners
Limited-time banners are a key part of Genshin Impact’s revenue model. By featuring specific characters and weapons, HoYoverse creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, encouraging players to pull before the banner ends. If standard 5-stars were to receive rate-ups, it could diminish the appeal of limited-time banners, potentially affecting the game’s profitability.
That said, there is precedent for HoYoverse to revisit older characters and weapons. For example, the return of popular characters like Klee and Ganyu in re-run banners shows that the developer is willing to give players another chance to acquire highly sought-after characters. This could suggest that standard 5-stars might receive similar treatment in the future.
Case Studies and Examples
To better understand the likelihood of standard 5-stars receiving rate-ups, it’s helpful to look at how other gacha games handle similar systems. For instance, games like Honkai Impact 3rd and Fate/Grand Order have implemented systems where older characters and weapons can be obtained through special events or increased drop rates. This approach maintains player engagement while keeping the game’s monetization model intact.
In Genshin Impact, the introduction of the Epitome Path in Version 3.0 was a step in this direction. This system allows players to earn a guaranteed 5-star weapon of their choice, albeit after a significant number of pulls. While this doesn’t directly address standard 5-star characters, it shows that HoYoverse is exploring ways to make high-tier items more accessible.
Conclusion
While there’s no guarantee that standard 5-stars will ever have rate-ups, the possibility cannot be ruled out entirely. HoYoverse has shown a willingness to adapt to player feedback and evolve the game’s systems. If enough players express interest in standard 5-star rate-ups, it’s possible that the developer will find a way to accommodate these requests without disrupting the game’s balance or monetization strategy.
For now, players can continue to pull for their desired standard 5-stars, albeit with the understanding that the process may be lengthy and challenging. As the game continues to grow and evolve, it will be important to stay tuned for any updates or changes that could impact the availability of