The banner system in Genshin Impact is the primary way to obtain characters. Knowing when to pull — and when to skip — is the most important decision a free-to-play player makes. This guide explains the banner system, pull strategy, and what’s coming in 2026.
How Genshin Banners Work
Banner Types
| Banner | Cost | Rate-Up | Pity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Character | 160 Primogems / Intertwined Fate | Featured 5★ + 3 Rate-Up 4★s | 90 hard pity, 50/50 at 75-80 |
| Limited Weapon | 160 Primogems / Intertwined Fate | 2 Featured 5★ Weapons | 80 hard pity, 75/25 win rate |
| Standard (Wanderlust) | 160 Primogems / Acquaint Fate | No rate-up, all standard 5★s | 90 hard pity |
Pity System Explained
- Soft Pity (75-80 pulls): Dramatically increased 5★ chance
- Hard Pity (90 pulls): Guaranteed 5★
- 50/50: First 5★ on limited banner has 50% chance to be the featured character. If you lose, next 5★ is guaranteed featured.
- Guarantee carries over: If you lose 50/50 on this banner, your guarantee applies to the next banner you pull on.
- Never pull on Standard Banner. You get free Acquaint Fates for it. Spend Intertwined Fates only on Limited banners.
Optimal Pull Strategy for F2P
Golden Rules
- Save until you have 180 pulls (28,800 Primogems). This guarantees the featured 5★ even if you lose 50/50.
- Pull for Archons first. They’re the safest investment — universal value, flexible teams.
- Skip Weapon Banner entirely as F2P. Characters > Weapons.
- Don’t pull for 4-stars. You’ll get them eventually from standard banner and off-banner pulls.
- Plan 2-3 patches ahead. Use banner leaks and schedules to budget.
Pull Priority for New Accounts
| Priority | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universal Support (Kazuha, Xilonen, Zhongli) | Fits any team, never replaced |
| 2 | Hydro Sub DPS (Furina, Yelan) | Enables best reactions |
| 3 | Dendro Enabler (Nahida) | Entire Dendro archetype |
| 4 | Top Main DPS (Neuvillette, Arlecchino) | Clear content fast |
| 5 | Niche supports | For specific teams only |
Version 6.x Banner Predictions (2026)
Based on rerun patterns and story relevance, here’s the expected banner schedule:
| Patch | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | Furina (rerun) | Yelan/Xianyun | Strong Hydro patch |
| 6.6 | New Natlan Character | Raiden Shogun (rerun) | Natlan conclusion |
| 6.7 | Kazuha (rerun) | Mavuika (rerun) | Current patch |
| 6.8 | New Snezhaya Character | Arlecchino (rerun) | Snezhaya prologue |
| 6.9 | Tsaritsa (new) | Zhongli (rerun) | Archon patch |
| 7.0 | New Region Character | Venti (rerun) | Major update |
Priority Pulls for 2026
- Tsaritsa (6.9): Cryo Archon. Expected SS-tier based on Archon pattern.
- Furina (6.5): Best support in the game. If you don’t have her, save everything.
- Kazuha (6.7): Universal crowd control and buffing. Essential.
How to Budget Primogems
If you earn ~8,000 Primogems per patch (F2P — see our Primogem farming guide):
- You get ~50 pulls per patch
- A guaranteed 5★ costs 180 pulls = ~3.5 patches of saving
| Goal | Required Saving |
|---|---|
| 1 copy of featured 5★ (50/50 win) | ~80 pulls (1.5 patches) |
| 1 copy guaranteed | 180 pulls (3.5 patches) |
| C2 + Signature Weapon (whale goal) | 600+ pulls (12 patches) |
Should You Pull on the Current Banner?
Checklist before pulling:
- Do I have 180 pulls saved? (If no — consider skipping)
- Is this character a universal support or Archon? (If yes — pull)
- Do I have a team that needs this character? (If no — save)
- Is there a better character coming in the next 1-2 patches? (If yes — save)
- Am I close to pity? (If yes and you want the character — pull)
If you answered “no” to 3+ of these, save your Primogems.
Genshin rewards patience. The difference between a struggling F2P account and a thriving one is pull discipline. Plan ahead, save for Archons and universal supports, and you’ll clear all content without spending a cent.
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