The characters in Genshin Impact come in all shapes and sizes. The current roster is already impressive as it is, and every patch strives to give us more playable units. With 4 slots available in every team, it’s no wonder that people are always itching for new characters in their team.

This guide will help you satisfy your craving for a new unit to play with. Read along to find out the best ways to get characters in the game. There's a step by step guide for each, so you don’t miss out on any important details.

10. Spend Real Life Cash

If Childe was a player, he would have C6 and R5 for everything.

The most obvious way to get your desired character is to spend real life currency and get your fair share of genesis crystals. 

You get a pretty generous bonus when it’s your first time purchasing any bundle. This deal gets reset every anniversary, so time your purchase accordingly.

It’s highly advised that you only go for this option if you have the extra money for it or if you’ve really saved up for a character. Genshin Impact is a gacha game with addictive properties similar to gambling, so be careful when reaching for your wallet.

How It Works

• Open the Paimon menu.
• Open the shop tab.
• Navigate through the Crystal Top-Up section.
• Choose which bundle you need.
• Pay through your preferred method.
• Enjoy your genesis crystals!

9. Play The Initial Quests

You get arguably the best scholar Sumeru every had entirely for free.

The game gives you a good set of free beginner characters. Aside from the obvious 5-star Traveler, you get a variety of 4-stars, namely, Amber, Kaeya, and Lisa.

They represent different elements and weapon types, which is essential in learning how different units work, along with their reactions. 

These free starter characters are far from the best on the roster. You can choose to build them up if you really want to, but it is generally recommended that you wait to invest in better units that you’ll get along the way.

How It Works

• Start your journey in Teyvat as the Traveler.
• Follow wherever the initial quests take you.
• After using the mentioned characters as trial units, you may proceed to claim them immediately.

8. Wait For More Playstation Rewards

She could be better, but hey, she's free.

PlayStation has always been a strong partner of the game. Since its launch, many players still explore Teyvat through their consoles. Knowing the company, it was almost a sure thing that Playstation would give out freebies to their patrons.

This is where Aloy comes in. She is a known character from another franchise, yet the developers have found a way to get her in the game. Other freebies previously given include wings and weapons.

As of now, there’s no current news on whether they’ll be doing another Aloy-like marketing strategy. Only time will tell, as the potential is boundless. Imagine perhaps Kratosor Cloud in the game? 

How It Works

• Play on PlayStation and instantly receive your goodies.

7. Reach Certain Floors In Spiral Abyss

Thank Hoyoverse for including Collei among the free characters you can get early on.

The Spiral Abyss is considered the hardest content in the game. This series of combat challenges offers generous rewards. The initial floors aren’t that difficult, but the higher you get, the more you’ll be put to the test.

Currently, you can get 2 free characters by completing specific parts of the arena. To get Xiangling, you must conquer Floor 3 Chamber 3, for Collei, you must beat Floor 4 Chamber 3. 

When starting out, you can invest all your resources in a single main DPS unit. This can get you quite far if you run the right build. For more difficult areas, you may need to finally start building everyone else.

For floors 9 to 12, you’re going to need 2 sets of teams. It’s highly recommended that allbe built up just to be safe. 

How It Works

• Make sure to be ready for intense combat. Have at least one solid DPS character that can carry your team through the early stages of the abyss.
• It is recommended to have crowd control units with you to make your fights more convenient.
• When you reach floors 9 to 12. You must have at least two separate teams prepared in order to accomplish the challenges within the given time.
• Don’t feel bad if you can’t get 36 stars immediately, as this truly is a challenge, even for veteran players.
• Get as many stars as you can every reset and work your way up as you upgrade even your support characters.

6. Gain The Blessing Of Statues

Wherever you go, a statue is sure to light your way.

The world of Teyvat is driven by the power of the Archons. These gods have statues of themselves placed all around the map, serving as an altar. 

The Traveler, having no vision, has a special interaction when it comes to these monuments. When playing as the Traveler, you have the option to gain the blessing of the chosen statue, and gain control of their respective element.

By far, the best element for the Traveler is dendro. This is due to the scarcity of dendro units overall, and the utility of their kit. The Traveler is infamous for being a sub-par unit, but nonetheless, this is a free unit, so we can’t be too picky.

How It Works

• Explore the world and unlock statues of the seven.
• Play as the Traveler and interact with the statues.
• Click on “receive statue’s blessing” and enjoy your new powers.

5. Special Character Events

The best mixer in Mondstadt ironically has a grudge against the wine industry.

In the myriad of events that the game has to offer, there are a select few that actually reward you with a free unit just for completing some requirements. 

A good example is the Energy Amplifier Event, which gave out a free Diona. Back then, you had to accomplish a series of challenges in order to get a free Diona. This was a pretty big deal, as Diona was and still is one of the better support characters in the game.

These events are generally easy, and only require you to do the bare minimum to get the free character. In the general format of events, going for high scores can only award you with a few bonus resources, so don’t push yourself too hard.

How It Works

• Keep an eye out for what events are coming.
• Play the events that offer characters as rewards.
• Enjoy your new unit!

4. Lantern Rite Festival Free Character

She can serve both deep poems and fiery rap verses.

The event that mirrors Chinese New Year does not disappoint when it comes to gifts. Aside from the lengthy quests and interesting interactions between units, the event also features a free 4-star unit from Liyue of your choice.

The free 4-star unit has been a consistent reward from this event ever since it started. It is also usually accompanied by the release of a new unit from Liyue, so you can either choose to get any of the past units or the spicy new one. Whatever you choose totally depends on what you think will help your account grow.

How It Works

• Stay updated on when the Lantern Rite Festival is held. This is usually towards the end of the year.
• Play through the different chain quests and challenges.
• Claim the free unit of your choice and enjoy!

3. Starglitter Exchange

The leader of Liyue looks on to plan her next move.

Starglitter is a currency that you receive after wishing on any banner. This can be used to purchase wishes, characters, weapons, and world materials.

If you can, try to save this currency so you have the option to purchase anything you need in a heartbeat, but it is also understood if you go for the wishes immediately after getting 5 pieces of starglitter.

It takes some time to build up on starglitter, especially if you’re F2P. Use your resources well, and make sure to think twice before purchasing.

There are some really good options in the shop. Units such as Beidou are a good catch, and Blackliff weapons are also handy to have on your DPS units if you have no CRIT weapons. 

How It Works

• Wish on any banner and save up on the currency.
• Open the Paimon menu.
• Tap on the “Paimon’s Bargains” tab.
• Open the “Starglitter Exchange” shop.
• Shop to your heart's content.

2. Stardust Exchange

So pure and well-mannered, Yaoyao is a heartwarming addition to the roster.

The better option when it comes to the Paimon’s Bargains menu. The stardust exchange system lets you pick up a maximum of 10 fates per month using currency that you naturally build up anyway.

These wishes are nearly guaranteed if you know how to manage your resources. Hold off on spending your stardust on ascension materials and go for wishes instead!

The best way to maximize this option is to always have 750 stardust on your account. This is the exact amount needed each month to get your fair share of wishes. Trust that missing out on even just one wish will bother you for quite a long time.

How It Works

• Open the Paimon menu.
• Tap on the “Paimon’s Bargains” tab.
• Open the “Stardust Exchange” shop.
• Shop to your heart's content, or until you empty out the fates available for the month.

1. Save Up The Old Fashioned Way

After years of playing the game, we still don't know what they actually look like under their masks.

Nothing beats hard work and perseverance. This may sound hard, but saving and planning are still the best ways to get characters.

This option requires no spending at all, and you drastically improve your chances of getting your desired character as you have the currency to get guaranteed pulls.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Make sure to know what character you want, and how much you need exactly to get this unit. If you’re F2P, this option requires you to be even more patient, and sometimes you just have to power through the urge to wish. Thankfully, the payoff is almost always worth it, and nothing beats the feeling of getting something you worked hard for.

How It Works

• Be consistent when playing events, taking on Spiral Abyss, and doing commissions.
• When starting from 0 pity, it’s going to take you a maximum of 180 wishes to get your desired character, depending on if your last 5-star was a featured character or a standard one.
• Try to avoid staring at the wishing menu, having the mindset of “just one wish” can usually lead to an unwanted wishing spree.
• When the time is right, spend your savings to your heart’s content and enjoy your prize.

You May Also Be Interested In:

• Genshin Impact Best Support Tier List (1.6)
• Genshin Impact Best Main Dps Tier List (1.6)
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