Should You Skip the Ganyu Banner? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether to pull for a character in Genshin Impact is always complex, and the return of Ganyu’s banner is no exception. Should you skip Ganyu’s banner? The short answer is: it depends on your specific needs, playstyle, and current roster. While Ganyu is undeniably a powerful Cryo DPS, she’s not universally the best choice for everyone. This article will delve into the pros and cons of pulling for Ganyu, helping you make an informed decision.

Ganyu: The Pros and Cons

Ganyu is widely regarded as one of the top DPS characters in Genshin Impact. Her kit revolves around charged attacks that deal massive AoE Cryo damage. Here’s a breakdown of why she’s so popular:

Exceptional Damage Output: Ganyu’s charged attacks, especially her second-level charged shot, can deal significant damage, particularly when paired with the correct artifacts and team compositions.
Area of Effect (AoE) Damage: Unlike many single-target DPS characters, Ganyu excels at hitting multiple enemies simultaneously with her charged attacks, making her highly effective against groups.
Versatility: Ganyu can be used in multiple team compositions, including Freeze and Melt teams. This adaptability allows her to fit into many different playstyles.
Relatively F2P Friendly: While her signature weapon, Amos’ Bow, is powerful, Ganyu can still perform admirably with F2P alternatives like the Prototype Crescent.

However, Ganyu is not without her drawbacks:

Aiming Dependent Gameplay: Ganyu’s core gameplay requires precise aiming, which can be challenging for mobile players and even some PC players. The aiming mechanic in Genshin Impact is often criticized as clunky, and Ganyu’s effectiveness is directly tied to how well you can aim.
Potentially Boring Playstyle: Some players find her gameplay, which primarily involves charged attacks, repetitive and less engaging compared to more action-oriented characters like Xiao.
Requires Investment: While she is easier to build than some characters, Ganyu still needs a good set of artifacts and supportive team members to reach her full potential.
Not a Universal Fit: Ganyu doesn’t fit into every team composition. If you already have a strong main DPS that fits your playstyle and current team, pulling for her may be redundant.

When to Pull for Ganyu

Consider pulling for Ganyu if:

You need a powerful main DPS capable of consistently dealing high AoE damage.
You enjoy the aimed shot gameplay style, or are willing to adapt to it.
You have the right resources to build her, such as good artifact sets (Wanderer’s Troupe or Shimenawa’s Reminiscence) and suitable weapons (Amos’ Bow, Prototype Crescent, or other 5-star bows).
You’re willing to build a team around her to maximize her damage output (Melt or Freeze teams, for example.)
You want an easy to use character with high damage potential.
You want a character that excels at applying Cryo allowing for powerful elemental reactions.

When to Skip Ganyu’s Banner

You might want to skip Ganyu’s banner if:

You are a mobile player who struggles with the aiming mechanics.
You already have a well-built DPS character that suits your playstyle.
You find her playstyle boring and repetitive.
You have limited Primogems and are saving for other upcoming characters you prefer more (such as Raiden Shogun or Alhaitham).
You lack the required artifacts and weapons and don’t want to invest time in farming for them.
You prefer a more dynamic and action-oriented gameplay experience.

Decision Time

Ultimately, the decision to pull for Ganyu comes down to your personal preferences and needs within the game. She is a fantastic character who can excel in a variety of teams. However, her reliance on aimed shots might not be for everyone. Evaluate your current situation, and choose the best option that fits your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Ganyu difficult to use?

Ganyu herself is not a difficult character to manage, with straightforward mechanics. Her main challenge lies in mastering aimed shots. It may take practice for players to get comfortable with her playstyle. Otherwise, her materials are easy to obtain.

2. What’s the best weapon for Ganyu?

Ganyu’s best weapon is Amos’ Bow, which significantly boosts her charged attack damage. However, if you don’t have Amos’ Bow, Prototype Crescent and Hamayumi are excellent F2P options. Other 5-star bows also work well.

3. What artifact sets are best for Ganyu?

The two most effective artifact sets for Ganyu are Wanderer’s Troupe (for Melt teams) and Shimenawa’s Reminiscence (for consistent damage).

4. What team compositions work best with Ganyu?

Ganyu shines in two primary team archetypes: Freeze teams (Morgana comp) and Melt teams. Freeze teams often include characters like Mona, Venti, or Kazuha for crowd control and Cryo application. Melt teams usually include Bennett, Xiangling for Pyro application.

5. How does Ganyu compare to Xiao?

Ganyu excels at ranged AoE damage with charged attacks, while Xiao is a melee DPS focused on plunging attacks. If you prefer a more traditional, ranged play style, Ganyu is better. If you prefer fast-paced, action-packed gameplay, Xiao is the better option.

6. How does Ganyu compare to Hu Tao?

Ganyu is a Cryo-based AoE DPS, while Hu Tao is a Pyro-based single-target DPS. If you need a strong DPS that attacks multiple enemies, Ganyu is the best option. If you prefer characters that can deal massive damage to a single target, Hu Tao is better. Consider what your roster lacks the most.

7. How does Ganyu compare to Kazuha?

Ganyu is a DPS, while Kazuha is a support character. Kazuha is a powerful Anemo support that can buff elemental damage and group enemies. Ganyu’s role is to deal high damage output to enemies. These two characters have completely different roles, therefore they don’t compare to each other.

8. Is Ganyu better than Ayaka?

Both Ganyu and Ayaka are strong Cryo DPS characters, but they have different strengths. Ganyu is generally better for AoE damage, while Ayaka is more focused on single-target damage with her elemental burst. Their effectiveness is often situational and depending on your team compositions.

9. Is Ganyu a must-pull character?

While Ganyu is an excellent DPS, she is not a “must-pull”. She is a strong option if you need a Cryo DPS and prefer her play style. However, you can complete most content without her. If she doesn’t fit into your current team or you dislike her gameplay, there are other characters that may be more suitable for you.

10. Is it worth leveling Ganyu to level 90?

Leveling characters to level 90 in Genshin Impact offers only slight stat increases. It’s generally not recommended for most characters. Instead, most players should level to 80/90 or 81/90 as the material requirements at level 90 are not worth it.

11. Does Ganyu need Zhongli?

While Zhongli can work very well in a Reverse Melt team with Ganyu, it’s not essential. Ganyu can excel in teams that do not include Zhongli. The Morgana/freeze team does not require Zhongli.

12. What is the probability of pulling Ganyu?

The probability of getting a 5-star character on a banner is 0.6%. In a featured character banner like Ganyu’s, the chance of the 5-star you get being Ganyu is 50%.

13. Is it okay to play Ganyu on Mobile?

Playing Ganyu on mobile can be challenging due to the clunky aiming system. Some players prefer to play her on a PC for easier control. If you are comfortable using touch controls, you can still enjoy her on mobile with some practice.

14. How many times has Ganyu had a rerun?

Ganyu has had three reruns, showing that she is a popular and desired character among the community.

15. Why does Ganyu seem sleepy?

Ganyu’s tendency to take naps and her surprisingly accurate internal clock is part of her character. She has a habit of falling asleep suddenly when the lunch hour comes, which further emphasizes her unique personality.

Should I skip ganyu banner?