Beginner Banner vs. Standard Banner: Which Wish Should You Make First in Genshin Impact?
The age-old question for new Genshin Impact players: Should I spend my precious Primogems on the Beginner’s Wish banner or the Standard Wish banner (Wanderlust Invocation)? The definitive answer, unequivocally, is the Beginner’s Wish banner. This banner offers a significant discount and guarantees specific characters, making it the most efficient way to kickstart your Genshin Impact adventure. Once you’ve made 20 wishes on it, the Beginner’s Wish disappears forever, so there’s no reason to save it.
Let’s dive into the reasons why, and explore the intricacies of Genshin Impact’s wishing system.
Why the Beginner’s Wish is the Best Starting Point
The Beginner’s Wish, also known as the Novice Wish, provides several key advantages to new players:
- Discounted Rate: Each 10-pull costs only 8 Acquaint Fates instead of the usual 10. This is a 20% discount, making it significantly cheaper to obtain early characters.
- Guaranteed Noelle: The first 10-pull guarantees you Noelle, a reliable Geo character who is effective for shielding and healing.
- Guaranteed 4-Star (or higher): The second 10-pull guarantees you another character that is at least a 4-star rarity.
- Limited Availability: The banner disappears after 20 wishes, meaning you can’t hoard your fates for a “better” time – it’s use it or lose it!
In contrast, the Standard Wish (Wanderlust Invocation) banner is a permanent fixture in the game. It features a wide pool of characters and weapons, but there are several disadvantages:
- No Discount: Standard Wishes cost the full 10 Acquaint Fates per 10-pull.
- RNG-Dependent: There are no guarantees besides the standard pity system (explained later). You might end up with weapons you don’t need or characters that don’t fit your team composition.
- Always Available: It is always available, so there’s no rush to spend your fates on it. Acquaint Fates are given as rewards as you level up your Adventure Rank, the Battle Pass and from Ascension rewards.
By using your limited Beginner’s Wish, you’ll receive a guaranteed foundation to build your team around, making it a more efficient use of your resources in the early game.
Understanding Genshin Impact’s Wish System
Before making any wishes, it’s crucial to understand the basics of Genshin Impact’s “pity” system and how it works across different banners. The pity system is in place to help alleviate the Random Number Generator (RNG) and ensure you receive a 5-star character or weapon after a certain number of wishes.
- Pity: Pity refers to the number of wishes you’ve made on a specific banner since your last 5-star item (character or weapon).
- Soft Pity: This refers to an increased chance of getting a 5-star. It starts at around 75 wishes on character event banners and 65 on weapon event banners.
- Hard Pity: This guarantees a 5-star character or weapon within a certain number of wishes. This will occur at 90 wishes on the standard banner and character event banners, and at 80 wishes on the weapon event banner.
Avoiding Common Beginner Mistakes
Many new players make common mistakes that can hinder their early progress. One of the biggest mistakes is pulling on the Standard Banner with Primogems that should be saved for Event Banners. While it may be tempting, it’s generally not the best strategy. The event banners, especially character event banners, offer time-limited characters that are often powerful and can significantly enhance your team. These characters can often be much more powerful and have access to far stronger weapon options.
The Long Game: Saving Primogems
Genshin Impact is a marathon, not a sprint. Learning to save your Primogems is key to acquiring the characters you want in the long run. This means prioritizing event banners, completing daily commissions, participating in events, and exploring the world to find hidden chests. By managing your resources wisely, you can increase your chances of obtaining the characters and weapons that will make your Genshin Impact experience more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Genshin Impact’s wish system and banner choices, to further help you make informed decisions:
1. Does pity carry over between banners?
Pity does not carry over between different types of banners. For example, pity built up on the Standard Banner does not carry over to the Limited Character Event Banners. However, pity does carry over between Limited Character Event Banners. So, if you make 80 wishes on one character banner and don’t get a 5-star, those 80 wishes will carry over to the next character banner.
2. What is the 50/50 and how does it work?
On Limited Character Event Banners, there is a 50% chance to get the featured character and a 50% chance to get a standard banner character when you get a 5-star. If you lose the 50/50 (meaning you get a non-featured character), the next 5-star you pull on that banner is guaranteed to be the featured character.
3. Is it better to wish 1 by 1 or 10 at a time?
There is no difference in the gacha rates whether you wish 1 by 1 or do a 10-pull. Ten pulls are just more convenient.
4. What is the average wish to get a 5-star character?
While the hard pity is at 90 wishes, the average pull is around 62-63, thanks to the effects of soft pity starting around wish 75.
5. Should I pull on the Standard Banner?
Generally, it is recommended to avoid pulling on the Standard Banner with Primogems. Use the Acquaint Fates you naturally obtain through gameplay. It is much better to save Primogems for the Limited Character Event Banners and Weapon Event Banners.
6. How many Primogems do I need for a guaranteed 5-star character?
Assuming you hit hard pity, you would need 90 wishes * 160 primogems/wish = 14,400 Primogems for a guaranteed 5-star character.
7. Does losing the 50/50 reset pity?
No, the 50/50 mechanic and the pity counter are separate. Losing the 50/50 does not reset your pity. Your pity only resets when you actually get a 5-star character.
8. What are the rates on the Weapon Event Banner?
The Weapon Event Banner has slightly different mechanics. Instead of the 50/50, it uses a system called Epitomized Path. You choose one of the two featured weapons, and if you get a 5-star weapon that isn’t the one you chose, you get one Fate Point. After two Fate Points, your next 5-star weapon is guaranteed to be the weapon you chose.
9. How long does pity last? Does it reset after a certain time?
Pity does not reset over time. It will remain the same until you obtain a 5-star character or weapon on that particular type of banner. Only getting a 5* will reset it.
10. Are there any characters I should prioritize pulling for?
This depends on your playstyle and team composition. However, characters with strong support abilities (e.g., Yelan, Xingqiu, Bennett, Kazuha) are generally valuable additions to any team. Check out the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) for discussion on character builds and team compositions.
11. Can you get a 5-star weapon on the Beginner’s Wish banner?
No, you can only get characters on the Beginner’s Wish banner. It’s designed to help you build a basic team early in the game.
12. How does soft pity affect my pulls?
Soft pity starts around wish 75. This means that the gacha rates begin to gradually increase as you approach the pity threshold, making it more likely to get a 5-star before reaching hard pity.
13. Is it worth spending real money on Genshin Impact?
That depends on your personal budget and how much you value obtaining specific characters or weapons. The Blessing of the Welkin Moon and the Battle Pass are generally considered to be the most cost-effective options if you’re looking to spend a little money.
14. How does Genshin Impact relate to education and learning?
Genshin Impact, like many complex games, presents opportunities for learning in areas such as problem-solving, resource management, and collaborative teamwork. Educational communities like the Games Learning Society are exploring the potential of games like Genshin Impact for informal learning and skill development. You can find more information on the association at: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
15. What should I do with my Masterless Starglitter and Stardust?
These are currencies obtained from wishing. Masterless Starglitter can be used to purchase rare items in Paimon’s Bargains, including characters and weapons. Masterless Stardust can be used to buy Fates and other useful materials.
Final Verdict: Embrace the Beginner’s Wish!
In conclusion, the Beginner’s Wish banner is undoubtedly the best starting point for new Genshin Impact players. Its discounted rate and guaranteed characters provide a strong foundation for your adventure in Teyvat. Once you’ve used your 20 wishes there, focus on saving your Primogems for Limited Character Event Banners to build a powerful and diverse team. Remember to understand the pity system, manage your resources wisely, and have fun exploring the world of Genshin Impact!