Why is Artifact Farming So Hard in Genshin Impact?
Artifact farming in Genshin Impact is notoriously challenging due to a confluence of factors centered around time constraints, RNG layers, and progression milestones. Essentially, the system is designed to keep players engaged over the long term, incentivizing daily play and potentially discouraging rapid progression. The resin system limits the number of artifact runs you can do daily, and each run has a chance of giving you the artifacts you need, from the right set, to the right main stat, to the right sub stats. This multi-layered RNG means that even dedicated players can spend weeks or months chasing the perfect artifact builds. Furthermore, efficient artifact farming is directly tied to Adventure Rank (AR) progression, which forces players to focus on world exploration and quest completion before they can truly optimize their gear.
The Layers of RNG in Artifact Farming
Set, Main Stat, and Substat RNG
The primary source of frustration lies in the layers of Random Number Generation (RNG) influencing each artifact drop. Even after spending resin to challenge a domain, players face the following uncertainties:
- Artifact Set: Will the artifact even belong to the set you need for your character?
- Main Stat: Does the artifact have the correct main stat for your character’s build (e.g., ATK%, Crit Rate, Elemental Mastery)? Specific main stats, like elemental damage bonus, are rarer.
- Substats: Does the artifact roll the desired substats (e.g., Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, Energy Recharge)?
- Substat Upgrades: When leveling the artifact, will the upgrades go into the desired substats, and will they roll high values?
The sheer number of variables means that the probability of obtaining a perfect artifact is incredibly low, leading to extended periods of farming with minimal gains.
The Resin System: Time-Gated Progression
Genshin Impact’s resin system further exacerbates the problem. Players can only earn a limited amount of resin each day, restricting the number of domain runs they can complete. This time-gated progression prevents players from grinding endlessly for artifacts, forcing them to wait for resin to replenish or spend premium currency (Primogems) to refill it. This limitation is especially frustrating when facing poor RNG, as players may feel like they are making little progress despite investing time and resources.
Adventure Rank and World Level: Barriers to Entry
Newer players can’t obtain the best artifacts right away. High-level artifacts, especially those with 5-star rarity, are primarily obtained from domains that require a high Adventure Rank and a correspondingly high World Level. This encourages players to explore the world, complete quests, and level up their characters before focusing on min-maxing their builds. While this progression system prevents players from becoming overpowered too early, it also means that lower-level players may struggle with challenging content while using suboptimal gear.
Efficiency Strategies for Artifact Farming
While the artifact system has its limitations, players can employ certain strategies to maximize their efficiency:
- Prioritize Artifacts at AR 45: Focus on dedicated artifact farming once you reach Adventure Rank 45, as this guarantees at least one 5-star artifact per domain run.
- Target Specific Domains: Research which artifact sets are best suited for your characters and focus on farming those domains. This minimizes the chance of obtaining irrelevant sets.
- Use Condensed Resin: Craft Condensed Resin to double the rewards from domain runs, allowing you to farm more efficiently.
- Leverage Strongboxes: Utilize the Artifact Strongbox system to exchange unwanted 5-star artifacts for a chance to obtain artifacts from specific sets.
- Manage Expectations: Acknowledge that perfect artifacts are rare and focus on incremental improvements rather than chasing perfection.
The Psychological Impact of RNG
The unpredictable nature of artifact farming can also have a psychological impact on players. The constant disappointment of receiving undesirable artifacts can lead to frustration, burnout, and a feeling of helplessness. Some players may even be tempted to spend excessive amounts of money on resin refills in an attempt to bypass the system’s limitations.
It’s important to remember that Genshin Impact is a game designed to be enjoyed over the long term. While optimizing your character builds can be satisfying, it’s equally important to focus on the other aspects of the game, such as exploring the world, completing quests, and interacting with other players. The Games Learning Society promotes a balanced approach to gaming, emphasizing enjoyment and social interaction over obsessive grinding. More information can be found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Artifact Farming: FAQs
1. When should I start farming for artifacts in Genshin Impact?
Generally, you should start seriously farming artifacts around Adventure Rank 45. Before this rank, the drop rates for 5-star artifacts are lower, making the process less efficient. Focus on leveling your characters and talents until you reach AR 45.
2. What is the best way to farm artifacts?
The best way to farm artifacts is by consistently clearing domains that drop the sets you need, especially at AR 45 and above, as they guarantee 5-star artifacts. Using Condensed Resin to double your rewards can also save time.
3. Is it worth farming artifacts before AR 45?
It’s generally not recommended to invest heavily in artifact farming before AR 45. You can acquire artifacts from bosses and quests, but save your resin for when you have a higher chance of obtaining 5-star pieces.
4. What makes an artifact good in Genshin Impact?
A good artifact has a main stat that complements the character’s role (e.g., ATK% for DPS characters, HP% for certain supports), along with beneficial substats such as Crit Rate, Crit DMG, ATK%, and Energy Recharge.
5. What is the best stat on Genshin artifacts?
Crit DMG and Crit Rate are generally considered the most desirable stats for DPS characters, as they significantly increase damage output. However, ATK%, Elemental Mastery, and Energy Recharge are also valuable depending on the character and build.
6. How does the Resin system affect artifact farming?
The Resin system limits the number of domain runs you can complete each day. This makes artifact farming a time-gated process, preventing players from grinding endlessly and potentially encouraging them to spend Primogems to refill Resin.
7. What is the rarest artifact stat in Genshin Impact?
Specific main stats like Elemental DMG Bonus goblets or Crit Rate circlets are rarer than other main stats. Similarly, certain substat combinations, such as double Crit stats with high roll values, are also exceedingly rare.
8. Which is the easiest artifact domain to farm in Genshin Impact?
The “Valley of Remembrance” domain, which drops the Viridescent Venerer and Maiden Beloved sets, is often considered one of the easier domains due to its enemy composition and generally useful artifact sets. However, “easy” is relative to your character strength and team composition.
9. What is the maximum level for a 5-star artifact?
A 5-star artifact can be leveled up to a maximum of level 20. Each level grants additional substats or upgrades existing substats.
10. Can you farm artifacts without using Resin in Genshin Impact?
Yes, you can farm artifacts without using Resin by investigating glowing spots around the world. However, these artifacts are typically lower rarity and should be used primarily for fodder to level up your main artifacts.
11. What is the difference between 4-star and 5-star artifacts?
5-star artifacts have higher base stats and a higher maximum level compared to 4-star artifacts. They also have more substats, making them significantly more powerful.
12. What is the “strongbox” system in Genshin Impact?
The Artifact Strongbox system allows players to exchange three unwanted 5-star artifacts for one artifact from a specific set. This provides a targeted way to obtain artifacts from sets that are difficult to farm.
13. How long does it take to farm a good set of artifacts?
The time it takes to farm a good set of artifacts varies greatly due to the RNG involved. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to obtain a set with the desired main stats and substats.
14. What should I do with unwanted artifacts?
Unwanted artifacts can be used as fodder to level up other artifacts. If you have excess 5-star artifacts, consider using them in the Artifact Strongbox to exchange them for a chance at getting a set you need.
15. Is it possible to get two 5-star artifacts in one domain run?
Yes, it is possible to get two 5-star artifacts in one domain run, especially when using Condensed Resin. However, the chance of this happening is relatively low, around 7%.