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What is the Hardest Item to Get in Genshin Impact? The Ultimate Collector’s Guide

The elusive nature of certain items in Genshin Impact has fueled countless debates and near-existential crises among players. So, what reigns supreme as the hardest item to obtain? The answer, while nuanced, leans heavily towards perfectly rolled Artifacts with specific substats for your desired character build. While not strictly an “item” in the traditional sense like a weapon or food, these Artifacts represent the pinnacle of the game’s grind, demanding an extraordinary amount of time, resin, and a healthy dose of luck. While character constellations also require significant time investment, the Artifact grind offers no guarantees and can take months, sometimes even years, to achieve perfection. Let’s delve into why this is the case and explore other contenders.

Why Artifacts Take the Crown

The Artifact system in Genshin Impact is notorious for its layers of randomness. Let’s break down why achieving those coveted perfect stats is akin to winning the lottery:

Domain RNG: You must first obtain the desired Artifact set from specific Domains. The drop rate for 5-star Artifacts is already relatively low, but getting the specific set you need is the initial hurdle.
Main Stat RNG: Once you’ve got the right set, you need the correct main stat. For example, a Crit DMG circlet is far more valuable than an ATK% circlet for many DPS characters. The probability of getting the right main stat is heavily weighted against you for the rarer options.
Substat RNG: This is where things get truly brutal. Each Artifact comes with four substats. These are randomly selected from a pool of possibilities, and you need the right substats for your character’s role. Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge are usually the most desired, but DEF, HP, and Elemental Mastery can also appear.
Substat Upgrade RNG: As you level up your Artifact, these substats are randomly upgraded. Each substat is rolled once every four levels. This means the probability of getting upgrades on the correct substats is only 1/4. It’s entirely possible to get an Artifact with perfect substats initially, only to have all upgrades funnel into a useless stat like Flat HP.
Hidden Weighting: Many players suspect that certain substats are rarer than others, further skewing the odds. While Mihoyo hasn’t explicitly confirmed this, anecdotal evidence suggests that substats like Crit Rate and Crit DMG have a lower probability of appearing.

Given these compounded layers of randomness, achieving a truly “perfect” Artifact – one with the right set, main stat, and highly desirable substats that consistently roll well during upgrades – is an incredibly rare feat. It’s this inherent randomness and lack of player control that makes it the most frustrating, and arguably the hardest, item to obtain in Genshin Impact.

Other Contenders for Hardest to Get

While perfect Artifacts take the top spot, several other items deserve honorable mention:

Character Constellations (C6): Obtaining all six constellations for a 5-star character requires significant luck and potentially thousands of dollars (or a massive stockpile of Primogems accumulated over a long period). While not random in the same way as Artifacts, the time investment and potential financial cost are substantial.
Specific 5-Star Weapons: Like characters, acquiring a specific 5-star weapon from the Weapon Banner requires luck and Primogems. The Epitomized Path system provides some level of guarantee, but even then, it can take a considerable amount of pulls to get your desired weapon.
Dream Solvent: Used to convert talent ascension materials from weekly bosses, Dream Solvent drops are entirely random. Players can find themselves drowning in one type of material while desperately needing another, making the process of leveling up talents frustratingly slow.
Prototype Amber (Refinement 5): A craftable catalyst that requires Northlander Catalyst Billets. These billets are notoriously rare drops from weekly bosses. Refining Prototype Amber to level 5 takes a very long time.

The Psychological Impact

The pursuit of these elusive items, particularly perfect Artifacts, can have a significant psychological impact on players. The constant grinding, the repeated failures, and the feeling of powerlessness in the face of RNG can lead to frustration, burnout, and even feelings of resentment towards the game. It’s important to remember that Genshin Impact is, at its core, a game designed for enjoyment. Chasing perfection at the expense of your mental well-being is never worth it.

Finding Balance and Enjoying the Game

So, how can you navigate the Artifact grind and other challenging aspects of Genshin Impact without succumbing to frustration?

Set Realistic Expectations: Don’t aim for perfection. Focus on incremental improvements to your characters’ builds. A few good Artifacts are often enough to clear most content.
Prioritize Main Stats Over Substats: A 5-star Artifact with the correct main stat is almost always better than a 4-star Artifact with slightly better substats.
Manage Your Resin Wisely: Resin is the primary limiting factor in Genshin Impact. Prioritize spending it on Domains that offer Artifact sets you need, and avoid wasting it on Domains that drop irrelevant items.
Take Breaks: If you’re feeling burned out, take a break from Artifact farming. Focus on other aspects of the game, like exploring new areas, completing quests, or participating in events.
Join the Community: Talking to other players about your experiences can be helpful. Sharing your frustrations and successes can make the grind feel less isolating.
Remember It’s Just a Game: Ultimately, Genshin Impact is a game. Don’t let the pursuit of perfect items consume you. Focus on having fun and enjoying the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about hard-to-obtain items in Genshin Impact, to help you navigate the challenges:

Is there a pity system for Artifacts? No, there is no pity system for Artifacts. Drop rates are purely based on RNG.
What is the best way to farm Artifacts? Focusing on the domains associated with the specific set you want is the most efficient way to farm Artifacts. Use fragile resin if you want to do multiple runs in a single day.
Are some Artifact sets harder to farm than others? The difficulty is mostly uniform, however your luck may vary. The difficulty comes from the randomness of the stats more so than the specific set.
How much resin does it cost to run an Artifact Domain? Each run of an Artifact Domain costs 20 Original Resin.
What is the most important substat for a DPS character? Crit Rate and Crit DMG are generally the most important, followed by ATK% and Energy Recharge. The specific substats you need will depend on your character’s build and weapon.
What is the “1:2 Crit Ratio”? The 1:2 Crit Ratio refers to having approximately twice as much Crit DMG as Crit Rate on your character. This is generally considered the optimal balance for maximizing damage output.
How can I increase my Crit Rate and Crit DMG? Through Artifacts, Weapons, and character ascension bonuses.
What is the best way to get Dream Solvent? Defeat weekly bosses like Stormterror, Andrius, Childe, Azhdaha, and Signora. The drop rate is random, but the more weekly bosses you fight, the higher your chances.
How many constellations are there for each character? Each character has six constellations (C1 to C6).
Is it worth pulling for constellations? That depends on your budget and the specific character. Some constellations provide significant power boosts, while others are less impactful.
What is the Epitomized Path? The Epitomized Path is a system on the Weapon Banner that allows you to choose a specific weapon and accumulate “Fate Points” towards guaranteeing that weapon. If you don’t get your chosen weapon, you’ll have to save up enough wishes to try again.
How does the pity system work on banners? The character banner has a soft pity around 75 wishes and a hard pity at 90. The weapon banner soft pity is around 65 wishes and hard pity at 80. The standard banner also has a pity system.
Where can I find Northlander Billets? Northlander Billets can be obtained from weekly bosses and special events.
What are the best resources for learning more about Genshin Impact? Websites like Genshin.gg, the Genshin Impact Wiki, and various community forums can provide valuable information. For resources and research related to game design and the impact of games on society, you can explore the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Should I use Genshin Optimizer? Genshin Optimizer is an external tool used to identify the best artifact loadout for your characters. The tool can be helpful but also confusing to new players.

Final Thoughts

The pursuit of rare and powerful items is a central part of the Genshin Impact experience. While the RNG can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that the game is designed to be enjoyed over a long period. By setting realistic expectations, managing your resources wisely, and focusing on having fun, you can navigate the challenges and achieve your goals without burning out. Happy adventuring!

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