Why is it So Hard to Farm Artifacts in Genshin Impact?
The artifact system in Genshin Impact is often cited as one of the game’s most frustrating aspects, and for good reason. It’s not just about time; it’s a complex web of RNG (Random Number Generation), limited resources, and the pursuit of perfection in a system designed to be a significant time sink. In short, it’s hard to farm artifacts because of multiple layers of randomization combined with a limited daily resource, Resin, all of which create a grind that can feel endless and often unrewarding. Let’s break down the key components contributing to this difficulty.
The Multiple Layers of RNG
Artifact Set & Type
The first hurdle is the randomness of the artifact set and the artifact type. Each domain in Genshin Impact drops a limited number of artifact sets, and even then, you are not guaranteed the specific set you need for your character. Furthermore, each artifact has a specific slot: flower, feather, sands, goblet, and circlet. Each of these pieces can drop from different sets. The RNG dictates which slot you’ll get, adding an extra layer of uncertainty. For instance, you might need a Crimson Witch of Flames set but end up with many Lavawalker pieces from the same domain.
Main Stat
Once you get the correct slot and set, the next challenge is the main stat, which is also random. Each artifact slot has a different pool of potential main stats. For example, a goblet can roll with an elemental damage bonus, physical damage bonus, attack%, HP%, DEF%, and elemental mastery, whereas a feather will always have a flat attack. If you need a Pyro damage bonus goblet but keep receiving HP%, you will see that your efficiency is reduced. This is a core frustration in the system.
Substats
This is where the RNG truly kicks into high gear. Every artifact also has substats, each of which is initially random and can vary greatly in quality. When you enhance an artifact, you increase one of the four substats by a certain amount, but which one upgrades, and by how much, is once again random. You might get the ideal main stat and then see the subs get upgraded in an undesirable direction. Landing good substats and having them upgrade favorably is a statistically unlikely event, and that’s what makes a perfect artifact so difficult to achieve.
The Resin System
The Resin system is the other side of the same coin. Resin is the game’s energy system. Each artifact domain run costs 20 Resin, and the amount of Resin a player can have is limited to 160. With a regeneration rate of one Resin every 8 minutes, it means a full refill takes 21 hours and 20 minutes. As a result, even if you’re willing to play for hours every day, you’re only able to do a limited number of domain runs to get artifacts. This artificial constraint compounds the problem, making it a time-gated grind that could take weeks, months, or even years to get truly “perfect” artifacts.
The 5-Star Artifact Guarantee
While the odds of a 5-star artifact drastically improve at Adventure Rank 45 (AR 45), that’s also where a player’s artifact grind starts in earnest. Before AR 45, it is advisable to build with 4-star artifacts as 5-star artifacts are not guaranteed. You are guaranteed one 5-star artifact per domain run at AR 45 (or two if you use Condensed Resin), but there are so many variables in the system that it is not guaranteed to be of any use.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Artifact Farming
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of artifact farming in Genshin Impact:
1. What are artifacts in Genshin Impact?
Artifacts are equipment items that provide stat boosts to your characters in Genshin Impact. They come in various sets, each with its unique bonuses and slots. Artifacts are essential for increasing your character’s power and performance in battles.
2. What is the best Adventure Rank to farm artifacts?
The optimal adventure rank for farming artifacts is AR 45. At AR 45, you are guaranteed a 5-star artifact from each domain run, making it the most efficient point to invest your Resin into artifacts.
3. What is the hardest artifact set to farm?
Wanderer’s Troupe is often considered one of the most difficult artifact sets to farm. This is because it is only available from weekly bosses and not a dedicated domain, so you have less influence on your chances to get it.
4. Why should I wait until AR 45 to farm artifacts?
Waiting until AR 45 guarantees that you will receive at least one 5-star artifact from each domain run, which is far more efficient than the low drop rates before this adventure rank.
5. Is farming for artifacts worth it?
Yes, farming for artifacts is worth it, as they provide a significant increase in damage output and character strength. However, it should only be done on days where you don’t need other resources such as talent books, EXP books, or weapon ascension materials.
6. What is the easiest artifact domain to farm?
The “Valley of Remembrance” domain in Mondstadt is often recommended as one of the easier artifact domains to farm, particularly for newer players.
7. What World Level should I farm artifacts?
The World Level is related to your Adventure Rank. You should prioritize farming at World Level 6, which is unlocked at AR 45, as it guarantees 5-star artifacts.
8. Should I farm artifacts at AR 30?
Farming for artifacts at AR 30 is acceptable for getting basic sets of 4-star artifacts to properly power your characters, but avoid spending Fragile Resin. You should primarily focus on character leveling, talents, and weapon ascensions before AR 45.
9. Should I farm artifacts before AR 45?
No. It’s generally not recommended to heavily invest in artifact farming before AR 45. You will get 5-star artifacts at a much lower rate than at AR 45, so it’s better to prioritize other resources and save your resin for that point.
10. How many artifacts should I level to 20?
Leveling one full set of 5 artifacts to level 20 costs 1,352,375 EXP & Mora. Only level your main characters’ artifacts to 20. Support artifacts can be leveled to 12 or 16.
11. Should I farm artifacts or talents first?
Typically, focusing on talents, character weapon, and character level first before artifact farming is recommended as they provide more guaranteed power increases, while artifact farming has a lot of random factors. Artifacts should come after those.
12. Is Genshin artifact farming hard?
Yes, many players consider artifact farming to be one of the hardest aspects of Genshin Impact due to the heavy reliance on RNG, the time-gated Resin system, and the difficulty of obtaining the desired stats.
13. Are DEF artifacts good?
While they can be useful in very niche builds that require characters with high DEF scaling, DEF (Defense) is generally considered one of the least desirable main and substats for artifacts, especially when your goal is dealing damage.
14. What should I do before AR 45?
Before AR 45, focus on leveling your main team, raising their talents, and ascending their weapons. Save your Fragile Resin and don’t prioritize spending Resin on farming artifacts.
15. How long does it take to get to AR 45?
Reaching AR 45 can take approximately 2-3 weeks if you consistently complete daily commissions, spend your Resin, and explore the game.
The Takeaway
The difficulty in farming artifacts in Genshin Impact is not just about the sheer amount of time needed, but also the complexity of the system and the layers of RNG involved. It’s about spending a limited resource (Resin) in pursuit of a statistically rare and often elusive combination of stats. While it may be frustrating, understanding the mechanics of the system can help you strategize your time and resources effectively. Ultimately, optimizing your characters through artifacts is essential for progressing through the end-game content, making it a necessary and often lengthy journey.