How to Get Characters in Genshin Impact: A Complete Guide

Genshin Impact gives players a variety of ways to unlock new characters, but not all of them are obvious at first. Some are earned through gameplay, while others depend on limited-time banners or special shops. Understanding how each system works will help you build a stronger team without wasting resources.

In this guide, you’ll find every method currently available for getting characters, including free unlocks, the Wish system, in-game shops, and time-limited events.

Free Ways to Unlock Characters in Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact gives players a few guaranteed characters at no cost. These are unlocked through main story progression, beginner banners, Adventure Rank milestones, or challenge completion. They offer a starting point for building a team without relying on gacha pulls.

Here’s how the methods to unlock Genshin Impact characters for free work:

As you can see, not all characters in Genshin Impact come from wishes. A handful are given through story progression, early game milestones, or specific in-game achievements. These characters require no Primogems and can be unlocked by simply playing the game.

Here’s a breakdown of some Genshin Impact characters you can currently unlock for free:

These characters give you a foundation to build a team without relying on gacha mechanics. They are also permanent unlocks, not tied to limited-time events.

Also Read: How Many Characters Are in Genshin Impact? (March 2025)

How does Wish System Work in Genshin Impact?

Most characters in Genshin Impact are unlocked through the Wish system. This is the game’s version of a gacha mechanic, where players spend a special item called a Fate to make a pull from one of the available banners.

Two types of banners offer characters. The standard banner stays available at all times and includes a wide range of characters. The limited-time event banner changes regularly and features boosted drop rates for a specific selection. Each banner type requires a different kind of Fate.

The system also includes a built-in guarantee. If you make enough pulls without receiving a high-rarity character, the game will eventually guarantee one. The threshold is lower for four-star characters and higher for five-star characters.

Fates can be collected by converting Primogems or by earning them through events, commissions, and login rewards. Each pull costs one Fate. A set of ten pulls can be made at once, but the outcome is always randomized unless the pity system activates.

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Genshin Impact: Getting Characters Through the Shop

In addition to Wishes, Genshin Impact offers another way to unlock characters through a section of the in-game shop called Paimon’s Bargains. This shop features a limited character selection that rotates once a month. Only two characters are available during each cycle, and the lineup changes on the first day of every new month.

To unlock a character from the shop, you’ll need Masterless Starglitter. This is a currency earned when you pull duplicate characters or weapons from the Wish system. The amount depends on the rarity of the duplicate, with higher rarity items giving more Starglitter.

Characters in the shop are not permanent. If a specific one appears and you want it, that month may be your only opportunity. The shop rotation is global and fixed, so checking it regularly is the best way to avoid missing anything.

Event and Time-Limited Genshin Impact Characters

Not all characters in Genshin Impact are tied to banners or shops. Some are introduced through seasonal events and limited-time challenges. These often reward players with free characters as part of special celebrations or version updates.

Occasionally, the game allows players to choose a character after completing an event objective. These rewards are usually tied to specific goals such as login streaks, domain completions, or activity milestones. Once the event ends, the offer expires and cannot be reclaimed.

In recent versions, anniversary events have included the option to select a high-rarity character from a set pool. These choices are limited to one per account and must be claimed during the event window. Four-star characters are more commonly offered and often appear during collaboration or celebration events.

None of these characters are added to your roster automatically. You need to participate and complete the requirements before the event ends. If missed, they usually do not return.

Final Words

Unlocking characters in Genshin Impact takes planning. Resources like Primogems and Fates are limited, especially for free-to-play players, so knowing when to spend and when to save matters more than most realize.

Keep an eye on upcoming banners before spending your currency. New characters are announced in advance, and leaks are often reliable. If a limited-time banner is not offering someone you need, saving your Intertwined Fates for a future update is often the smarter move.

Make full use of your daily commissions, event rewards, and Spiral Abyss progress. These are your most consistent sources of Primogems. When stacked over time, they allow you to make a large batch of pulls during a banner you care about.

Keep track of how many pulls you've made, and don’t waste them on low-priority banners. Every pull counts toward the next guarantee. Spacing them out across multiple banners resets your progress and reduces your odds.

Avoid using Masterless Starglitter on wishes unless the shop offers something you genuinely need. Character unlocks from the Starglitter shop are rare, and using that currency on standard pulls offers very little in return.

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