Is Rolling on the Standard Banner Worth It? A Deep Dive
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In the vast and vibrant worlds of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, the allure of summoning powerful characters and weapons is undeniable. However, navigating the labyrinthine banner systems can be daunting, particularly when it comes to the Standard Banner. The question on every player’s mind is: Is it worth spending your precious in-game currency (Primogems or Stellar Jade) on the Standard Banner?
The short answer is: Generally, no. While the Standard Banner offers a rotating pool of characters and weapons, its inherent design makes it a less efficient use of resources compared to limited-time character and weapon banners. You are better off using your resources in other banners and relying on free pulls for the standard banner.
Let’s break down why this is the case and explore the nuances of the Standard Banner.
Understanding the Standard Banner
The Standard Banner, often referred to as the Permanent Banner, is a constant fixture in gacha games. Unlike limited-time event banners, it doesn’t feature rate-ups for specific characters or weapons. Instead, it offers a wide selection of items that are always available. This pool typically includes:
- A selection of 5-star characters, such as Jean, Diluc, Mona, Keqing, and Qiqi in Genshin Impact.
- A range of 5-star weapons.
- Various 4-star characters and weapons.
The primary appeal of the Standard Banner lies in its accessibility. You can roll on it at any time, using either Acquaint Fates (Genshin Impact) or regular Star Rail Passes (Honkai: Star Rail), which are often obtained through gameplay, battle pass rewards, or events.
The Problem: Lack of Focus and Efficiency
The core issue with the Standard Banner is its lack of focused rewards. Because it encompasses such a broad range of items, the chances of obtaining a specific character or weapon you desire are significantly lower compared to banners with rate-ups.
Imagine trying to find a needle in a haystack. The Standard Banner is that haystack, filled with numerous characters and weapons, making it statistically challenging to acquire your desired item. Moreover, since there’s no guarantee that you’ll pull characters instead of weapons, if you’re actively looking to expand your team, rolling on this banner will probably be discouraging.
Pity System and Its Implications
Both Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail employ a pity system to ensure players eventually receive high-rarity items. This system guarantees a 4-star item (character or weapon) every 10 pulls and a 5-star item (character or weapon) every 90 pulls on the Standard Banner.
While this pity system provides some level of assurance, it doesn’t mitigate the fundamental problem of diluted odds. You’re still just as likely to get a 5-star weapon that you don’t need as you are to get a 5-star character that could significantly enhance your team.
Opportunity Cost
Perhaps the most compelling argument against spending premium currency (Primogems or Stellar Jade) on the Standard Banner is the opportunity cost. These currencies are primarily intended for limited-time character and weapon banners, which offer:
- Rate-ups: Significantly increased chances of obtaining specific characters or weapons.
- Guaranteed pulls: Mechanisms that ensure you’ll eventually get the featured character or weapon.
By spending your Primogems or Stellar Jade on the Standard Banner, you’re essentially sacrificing the potential to acquire highly sought-after characters or powerful weapons from event banners. These limited-time banners often feature characters and weapons that are meta-defining and can dramatically improve your gameplay experience.
When Might the Standard Banner Be Worth Considering?
While generally not recommended, there are a few niche situations where the Standard Banner might warrant a second look:
- You’re a new player and need characters: The Novice Banner, which is a kind of Standard Banner, guarantees a few characters. Getting characters early is essential.
- You only have a few options for characters: The Standard Banner guarantees that you can get characters, which is better than nothing if you need one to complete your team.
- You have a surplus of Acquaint Fates/Star Rail Passes: If you’ve accumulated a significant number of these currencies through gameplay and have no immediate use for them, using them on the Standard Banner won’t hurt. Think of it as a low-stakes gamble for potentially useful items.
- You desperately want a specific Standard Banner character: If you have a burning desire to acquire a particular 5-star character from the Standard Banner (e.g., Diluc, Jean, Mona), and you’re willing to accept the risk of getting a weapon instead, you could consider rolling. However, even in this scenario, it’s generally more efficient to wait for that character to potentially appear on a future rate-up banner.
- You are only missing a couple of items: If you have almost everything on the Standard Banner and need that last 5-star weapon, it might be worth pulling.
- You are close to pity: If you are close to pity, it makes sense to wish and you don’t really lose anything.
The Bottom Line
The Standard Banner is a tempting prospect, offering a chance to acquire powerful characters and weapons at any time. However, its lack of focused rewards and the opportunity cost associated with spending premium currency make it a less efficient option compared to limited-time event banners.
For most players, it’s best to reserve your Primogems or Stellar Jade for banners that feature rate-ups and guarantees, maximizing your chances of obtaining the characters and weapons you truly desire. Rely on the Acquaint Fates and Star Rail Passes you receive through gameplay to slowly chip away at the Standard Banner, and hope for a lucky pull.
Remember, patience and strategic resource management are key to success in gacha games. Don’t fall into the trap of chasing immediate gratification on the Standard Banner. Instead, focus on planning your pulls and prioritizing banners that offer the best value for your investment.
Interested in learning more about game design and the psychology behind player engagement? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between the Standard Banner and Event Banners?
The Standard Banner is a permanent banner with a fixed pool of characters and weapons, while Event Banners are limited-time banners that feature rate-ups for specific characters or weapons. Event Banners offer a higher chance of obtaining the featured items, making them a more efficient use of premium currency.
2. Does pity carry over from the Standard Banner to Event Banners?
No, pity does not carry over between different types of banners. Pity built up on the Standard Banner will only apply to future Standard Banner pulls. However, pity does carry over between event banners of the same type (e.g., character event banners).
3. How many Primogems/Stellar Jade do I need for a guaranteed 5-star on the Standard Banner?
You need a maximum of 14,400 Primogems/Stellar Jade (90 pulls) to guarantee a 5-star item on the Standard Banner, thanks to the pity system.
4. Is it better to do single pulls or 10-pulls on the Standard Banner?
There is no difference in the rates or outcomes between single pulls and 10-pulls. Both methods have the same chance of triggering the pity system and obtaining 4-star and 5-star items.
5. Can I get the same characters from the Standard Banner as from Event Banners?
Yes, you can get some of the same characters from both the Standard Banner and Event Banners. However, Event Banners often feature characters that are exclusive to those banners and are not available on the Standard Banner. The Standard Banner characters can also appear if you lose a 50/50 on the limited banner.
6. What is the 50/50 system, and how does it affect the Standard Banner?
The 50/50 system applies to Event Banners. When you pull a 5-star character on a character event banner, there’s a 50% chance it will be the featured character and a 50% chance it will be a character from the Standard Banner pool. The 50/50 system does not directly affect the Standard Banner itself.
7. Which 5-star character from the Standard Banner is the best?
The “best” 5-star character depends on your team composition and needs. Diluc is a strong DPS option, Jean is a versatile healer and support, Mona provides powerful Hydro application, Keqing offers consistent Electro damage, and Qiqi is a dedicated healer.
8. Can I get weapons from the Standard Banner?
Yes, you can get both characters and weapons from the Standard Banner. This is one of the main reasons why it’s generally not recommended for players seeking specific characters.
9. Should I wish on the Beginner Banner (Genshin Impact)?
The Beginner Banner is a discounted banner that guarantees Noelle, making it a worthwhile investment for new players. It’s a good way to start your adventure with a reliable character.
10. How often does the Standard Banner update?
The Standard Banner’s pool of characters and weapons does not typically change. It remains a permanent fixture with the same selection of items.
11. Is it possible to get 1,600 Primogems/Stellar Jade in a single day?
While challenging, it is possible to obtain 1,600 Primogems/Stellar Jade in a day through a combination of daily commissions, events, exploration, and redemption codes. However, this is not a sustainable daily income.
12. How long does it take to save up 14,400 Primogems/Stellar Jade (enough for a guaranteed 5-star)?
It can take several weeks or months to save up 14,400 Primogems/Stellar Jade as a free-to-play player, depending on your activity level and the availability of events.
13. Is paying for Genshin Impact/Honkai: Star Rail worth it?
Whether or not paying for in-game currency is “worth it” is a personal decision. If you enjoy the game and want to support the developers, purchasing Genesis Crystals/Oneiric Shards can enhance your experience. However, it’s important to set a budget and avoid overspending.
14. What is soft pity, and does it affect the Standard Banner?
Soft pity refers to an increased chance of pulling a 5-star item after a certain number of pulls (usually around 75-80) before reaching the guaranteed 90 pulls. Soft pity does apply to the Standard Banner, increasing your odds of getting a 5-star item as you approach the hard pity threshold.
15. Should I pull for signature weapons on weapon banners instead of rolling on the Standard Banner?
Generally, it is better to pull for signature weapons on weapon banners if you are comfortable with your character roster and have enough Primogems. Weapon banners offer a more focused path to obtaining powerful weapons that can significantly enhance your characters’ performance. However, weapon banners also come with their own risks and require careful planning.