Ganyu: The Cryo Queen of Genshin Impact – A Comprehensive Guide
Ganyu’s name brings images of snowy landscapes and accurate shots. This half-Qilin adeptus is secretary to the Liyue Qixing. She is a Cryo powerhouse. Players have loved her since her debut. Let’s explore who Ganyu is and why she is so popular. We’ll cover her banner availability and personality.
Ganyu Banner and Availability: When Can You Wish For Her?
You want powerful Cryo support in your team. Ganyu has caught your attention. Great choice! But when can you get her? Ganyu is a 5-star limited character. She is not always in the standard wish banner. Ganyu appears during special event banners.
When Was the Ganyu Banner? Remembering Past Appearances
Every Ganyu banner is highly awaited. They come back periodically. Her first banner, “Adrift in the Harbor,” launched in January 2021. She has since returned many times, usually during updates and game festivals. Her return with Zhongli in Version 2.4 launched on January 25, 2022. This banner allowed play to wish for both characters while sharing pity counts. If you missed Ganyu, don’t worry! Limited characters will return. You must keep up with Genshin Impact’s news for her future banners.
How to Get Ganyu After Banner? The Pity System Explained
Let’s assume Ganyu’s banner is active. You want her on your team. How does the wishing system work? Not everyone has luck on their side. Genshin Impact uses a “pity system.” This system ensures you eventually receive a 5-star character. Here’s how it functions:
- The Base Odds: The chance of pulling any 5-star character is only 0.6%. It’s low. This is where the pity system helps.
- Soft Pity: At around 73-83 wishes, you reach “soft pity.” Your chances of pulling a 5-star begin to slightly increase. The game is saying, “You’ve wished enough, here’s a boost.”
- Hard Pity: If you reach 90 wishes without a 5-star, the 90th wish guarantees a 5-star character. This is “hard pity.” Even with bad luck, you get a 5-star by the 90th wish.
- 50/50 Chance: Upon pulling a 5-star on Ganyu’s banner, there’s a 50% chance it will be her. This is the “50/50.” Winning the 50/50 means Ganyu is yours!
- Losing the 50/50 and Guaranteed Character: If you “lose” the 50/50 and get a standard banner character instead of Ganyu, don’t panic! The game remembers this. Your next 5-star character on this banner is guaranteed to be Ganyu.
If you’re aiming for Ganyu and can handle hard pity, you will get her by 180 wishes (90 to get the first 5-star, and if losing the 50/50, another 90 for Ganyu). The system allows dedicated players to achieve desired characters by planning. Lucky players who pull her early get a bonus!
Can You Still Get Characters After the Banner is Gone? Limited vs. Standard Banner Characters
New players often ask what happens to characters after their banner ends. There’s a key difference between “event-exclusive 5-stars” and “standard banner characters.”
- Event-Exclusive 5-Stars (Like Ganyu): Characters such as Ganyu on limited-time banners cannot be pulled from the standard banner “Wanderlust Invocation” after their event concludes. They can only be obtained during their appearance. However, as stated before, these characters return in re-run banners. If you miss Ganyu, you must wait for her next chance.
- Standard Banner Characters: These are always available in the “Wanderlust Invocation” standard banner and can be pulled from losing the 50/50 on event banners too. Characters like Diluc, Jean, Mona, Qiqi, and Keqing fall under this category. New 4-star characters often debut in event banners, then move to standard banners after their initial appearances, expanding your possible pulls.
In summary, if you want Ganyu, wish on her limited banner when available. That’s the only way to obtain her. Historically, these banners cycle back, offering future chances to add her to your team.
What Update Did Ganyu Come Out? Version 2.4 and Double Banners
Ganyu debuted in Version 1.2 “The Chalk Prince and the Dragon,” which went live on December 23, 2020. Her character banner “Adrift in the Harbor” became available shortly after in January 2021. She re-emerged in Version 2.4 with Zhongli, marking a significant update with double banners. This change let players wish on two character banners at once, sharing the pity count. This update gave flexibility for those interested in different featured characters during the same cycle. Check out this article for details on Version 2.4 banners.
Limited Availability and the Allure of Ganyu
The limited nature of Ganyu and similar event-exclusive characters makes them desirable. Knowing you can only get her during set times creates urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out). Her outstanding performance and stunning design add to her appeal. The chance of pulling any 5-star character is low at 0.6%. Plus, with the 50/50 mechanic, players need to prepare for full pity to guarantee Ganyu. Yet, players worldwide still eagerly await her banner re-runs, ready to spend Primogems for their Cryo queen. Her popularity proves she remains coveted years after her debut.
Ganyu Character Details: Unveiling the Half-Qilin Adeptus
What makes Ganyu fascinating beyond banners? Let’s look at her lore, personality, and attributes.
What Race is Ganyu? The Qilin Hybrid
Ganyu isn’t just any ordinary human from Teyvat. She is a half-human, half-Qilin hybrid. Her unique heritage shapes her identity and characteristics from horns to shyness. Her mother was a Qilin, a mythical creature in Chinese folklore resembling a mix of dragon, deer, and goat traits. This ancestry explains Ganyu’s elegant horns, a signature aspect of her design. She was born a hybrid; it’s part of her innate nature from birth. Being connected to the adepti—monstrous beings protecting Liyue—adds to her mystique and power.
How Old is Ganyu Canonically? An Ancient Adeptus
You might feel young now. Ganyu is over 3000 years old. Indeed, she is one of the oldest non-Archon characters in Genshin Impact, second only to actual gods and some ancient adepti. Her long life comes from her Qilin lineage. She experienced the Archon War, fighting alongside Morax (Zhongli). This extensive age grants her perspective on time and wisdom, making her demeanor sometimes seem weary. Imagine the stories she could tell if only she would share them!
the stories she could tell! Over three millennia old brings perspective.
What Does Ganyu Scale Off Of? ATK is Key
Ganyu’s damage scales off her ATK (Attack) stat. This is vital for her charged shots and Elemental Burst. High ATK maximizes her damage. Her Elemental Burst, “Celestial Shower,” shows “pseudo-quadratic scaling.” Damage increases with grouped enemies. More enemies in her Burst’s AoE increases icicle damage overall. This makes her effective against crowds.
Why is Ganyu Called Cocogoat? A Hilarious Misunderstanding
“Cocogoat.” A nickname that led to many memes. Why is Ganyu, an elegant adeptus, connected to a funny name? The origin is humorous, rooted in a misunderstanding during a quest. Paimon misinterprets Ganyu’s description of a mythical adeptibeast, the “Cocogoat.” Ganyu reminisces about the milk it produces. Paimon fixates on “coco” and “goat,” creating the nickname. Cocogoat is not a real creature. Ganyu finds it nostalgic and slightly confused. This charming quirk has stuck with fans. Now, “Cocogoat” is a silly yet affectionate nickname for Ganyu.
Are Ganyu’s Horns Real? The Ornament Deception
Ganyu’s horns are striking. But are they real? Yes, her horns are real, part of her Qilin heritage. Yet, she often pretends they are just ornamental hairpieces to blend in. Ganyu prefers not to draw attention. This white lie shows her gentle nature, despite her powerful abilities. It makes you wonder how many people believe her “ornament” story!
Why is Ganyu So Shy? A Reserved Demeanor
Ganyu is often described as shy, meek, and reserved. This personality stems from her half-Qilin heritage. She is flustered easily and avoids the spotlight. Despite shyness, she works diligently. Ganyu is dedicated to her duties as Liyue Qixing’s secretary. She often works overtime to ensure perfection. Her reserved nature clashes with her immense power, adding depth to her character.
What Species is Ganyu? Qilin Hybrid, Again!
To clarify, Ganyu’s species is half-human, half-Qilin hybrid. This blend defines her being and answers “what species is Ganyu?”. She combines human and mythical traits.
Is Ganyu Chinese or Japanese? Liyue’s Roots
Genshin Impact incorporates diverse cultures. Liyue, Ganyu’s homeland, draws heavily from Chinese culture and mythology. The name “Ganyu” may seem Japanese, but it also refers to a location in China. Her design, lore, and Qilin heritage are firmly rooted in a Chinese cultural context. The Qilin is a significant creature in Chinese tradition. Despite the game’s global nature, Ganyu’s origins lie in Chinese mythology.
What is Ganyu Mixed With? Human and Qilin
For emphasis, Ganyu is a Human-Qilin Hybrid. This mix is her essence, influencing her appearance, lifespan, personality, and powers.
Why Does Ganyu Wear a Bell? A Symbol of Diligence
The bell Ganyu wears is more than just decoration. It’s a symbol of her work ethic and connection to the Qilin. Some suggest it helps her work “smoother.” It may provide rhythmic focus or remind her of her duties. There’s also a charming theory about it linking to her nickname’s “goat” aspect, hinting at her gentle, guiding nature. The bell adds uniqueness to her design.
What Animal is Ganyu? Qilin Traits
A Qilin is a mythical composite creature. Key traits include aspects of a dragon, deer, and goat. You see deer-like elegance in her posture and horns. There’s perhaps a touch of dragon in her powers. The goat influence connects to the “Cocogoat” nickname and her sure-footedness in mountains. She embodies the grace of this mythical beast.
Did Ganyu Fight in the Archon War? A Veteran of Ancient Battles
Yes, Ganyu fought in the Archon War. This massive conflict shaped Teyvat and decided the Archons. Ganyu answered Morax’s call, the God of Geo (Zhongli), and fought alongside him. Her involvement underscores her age, power, and connection to Liyue. After the war, many adepti retreated. Ganyu chose to support humanity and improve society. This reflects her dedication to the human realm.
Is Ganyu Insecure About Her Weight? A Quirky Fear
This humorous quirk reveals that Ganyu is insecure about her weight. An unusual incident caused her this insecurity, where her weight caused a monster to choke. This strange event created a long-standing concern. For millennia, she has kept a slim figure and shown impressive self-control, driven by a morbid fear.
Who is Ganyu’s Best Friend? Qingxins and Solitude
In a melancholic yet humorous sense, Ganyu’s best friend could be Qingxin flowers. These delicate white flowers grow at high peaks in Liyue and often in solitude. Ganyu cherishes these flowers, perhaps mirroring her love for solitude. While working among humans, she finds peace in nature’s serenity. This detail adds depth to her character.
Why Does Ganyu Eat Flowers? A Vegetarian Diet
Ganyu enjoys a vegetarian diet, reflected in her fondness for flowers. She is particularly linked to the Glaze Lily, a beautiful flower in Liyue. These flowers may serve as Character Ascension Materials for her and help with talent level-ups. Her preference for flowers aligns with her gentle character.
How Sensitive are Ganyu’s Horns? A Secret to Protect
Ganyu’s horns are sensitive, both physically and mentally. This sensitivity explains why she tries to hide their true nature. She dislikes curious onlookers touching her horns. This would be uncomfortable for her. Such sensitivity enhances her shyness and desire for privacy.
Can Ganyu Eat Eggs? Vegetarian Preferences
In the “Spices From the West” event, Ganyu explicitly refused food with milk or eggs. This emphasizes her vegetarian preferences. It’s unclear if she’s vegan, but she avoids animal products like milk and eggs. This aligns with her gentle nature.
Does Ganyu Hate Keqing? A Work Rivalry?
The relationship between Ganyu and Keqing is nuanced. There’s no hate, but there’s professional rivalry and differing viewpoints. Ganyu has voiced opinions about it in the game.
Ganyu often clashes with Keqing due to their differing views on Rex Lapis (Zhongli). Keqing embodies a modern approach to Liyue’s governance. Ganyu, however, prefers tradition. Their disagreement is professional rather than personal. Rex Lapis sees value in Keqing’s viewpoint for the modern world, though Ganyu is skeptical.
Why Doesn’t Ganyu Eat Meat? Tradition and Temptation
Ganyu follows tradition and her Qilin heritage by being vegetarian. Ironically, she loves “Adeptus’ Temptation,” a non-vegetarian dish. Despite this, she resists its urge, upholding Qilin values. This humorously reflects her self-discipline and temptations.
Why is Ganyu Weak? The Glass Cannon Aspect
Ganyu excels at damage output but suffers from low defense and HP. She is termed a “glass cannon.” While capable of immense damage, she is also easy to defeat. If caught in enemy attacks, especially when players focus on charged shots, she can fall quickly. This vulnerability balances her power. Players must position her well.
Ganyu’s Strengths and Weaknesses: A Balanced Perspective
Here’s a summary of Ganyu’s combat profile, showing her strengths and weaknesses.
Ganyu’s Strengths: Cryo DPS Queen
- Exceptional Charged Shot Damage: Ganyu’s Level 2 Charged Attack, Frostflake Arrow, is key to her damage. It strikes twice, delivering massive Cryo damage. This is ideal for Melt and Freeze teams.
- Powerful Elemental Burst: Celestial Shower unleashes a large AoE Cryo Burst that drops icicles. It delivers consistent Cryo damage and inflicts Cryo on foes. This is great for reactions and controlling crowds.
- Versatile Team Compositions: Ganyu fits well in both Melt and Freeze teams, aiding team formation flexibility. Occasionally, she serves as a decent Cryo support.
- F2P Friendly: She performs well at Constellation 0 using F2P weapons like Prototype Crescent and Hamayumi.Check detailed guides here.
- Excellent Fowl Hunter and Oceanid Counter: Her charged shots excel in hunting birds for fowl. Her Cryo damage works well against Oceanid bosses.
Ganyu’s Weaknesses: Fragility and Aiming Reliance
- Low HP and Defense: She is a glass cannon and vulnerable. Players must be cautious with positioning and may need shields.
- Charged Shot Playstyle Can Be Demanding: Ganyu’s damage often hinges on charged shots, requiring aiming. This detracts from mobility and can complicate fast combat.
- Vulnerable While Aiming: Players can become distracted by aiming, leading to missed attacks when aiming for charged shots.
Is Ganyu Still Good on Reddit? Community Sentiment
The Genshin Impact meta changes often, affecting character rankings. So is Ganyu still seen as “good”? The answer is yes, indeed. Some may argue she lost her “broken” status, but she remains a top-tier DPS character. Characters like Ayaka challenge her, mainly in Freeze setups, yet she also shines. Her flexibility in both Melt and Freeze keeps her relevant. Reddit discussions reflect her lasting power and adaptability, maintaining her top-tier status. Ganyu may not reign supreme in every scenario, but she’s still among the best DPS options in Genshin Impact.
Is Ganyu Boring Genshin? Gameplay Enjoyment
Is Ganyu’s gameplay style “boring”? Most players say no, she’s not boring. Her focus on charged shots offers unique satisfaction for many. Landing high-damage Frostflake Arrows feels rewarding. Her ability to tackle enemies, especially during Melt or Freeze combos, engages players. Some might prefer melee combat’s dynamics. However, many find joy in Ganyu’s strategic aiming and positioning. Moreover, the variety in her team compositions keeps gameplay fresh, enhancing her damage output experience.
Ganyu’s Abilities and Scaling: Understanding Her Kit
Let’s analyze Ganyu’s abilities and scaling for optimizing her build.
Scaling Recap: ATK Focus
As discussed, ATK drives Ganyu’s damage outcomes. This focuses on Normal Attacks, Charged Attacks, and Elemental Burst. Building artifacts, weapons, and team buffs around her ATK stat boosts damage output.
Burst Scaling: Pseudo-Quadratic Power
Ganyu’s Elemental Burst, Celestial Shower, shows pseudo-quadratic scaling. Damage output increases more effectively with more foes within its AoE. The more enemies gathered, the higher overall damage from icicles. This makes her Burst particularly advantageous against groups of foes, rewarding tactical enemy placements.
Charged Shots: ATK Scaling and Melt/Freeze Dominance
Ganyu’s Level 2 Frostflake Arrow’s charged shots scale off her ATK stat. These shots form her damage basis, especially in Melt and Freeze setups. The Frostflake Arrow impacts twice and maximizes reaction potential and damage. Mastering her charged shot mechanics unlocks her DPS abilities.
Elemental Skill Scaling: HP for Trail of the Qilin
Her Elemental Skill, Trail of the Qilin, taunts enemies while dealing Cryo damage. The skill scales off her Max HP, affecting the Ice Lotus’ health when the skill ends or gets destroyed. While it isn’t a main damage source, it offers utility, distraction, and Cryo application. Nonetheless, building HP isn’t a priority since damage scaling relies on ATK.
Ascension Stat: Crit DMG for Damage Amplification
Ganyu’s Ascension Stat is Crit DMG%. This enhances damage output directly, particularly with a healthy Crit Rate ratio. Aiming for a good Crit Rate combined with high Crit DMG proves essential for capitalizing on her constant damage output. Her Ascension Stat encourages a Crit DMG-focused build that pairs well with her base damage.
Does Ganyu Burst Have an ICD? No Internal Cooldown on Charged Shots
A key advantage of Ganyu is that her Level 2 Charged Attack lacks an ICD (Internal Cooldown) on both damage instances. This means both the first hit and Frostflake Bloom can independently trigger reactions on every hit. This allows her to consistently induce Melt or Freeze reactions for both charged shot hits, making her incredibly effective in Melt setups.
Ganyu Constellations: Power Boosts or Luxury?
In Genshin Impact, constellations are character-specific buffs unlocked by obtaining duplicate characters. What influences do Ganyu’s constellations have on performance? Are they worth pursuing?
Is C0 Ganyu Good? Absolutely Top-Tier
The fantastic news for players is that C0 Ganyu (Constellation 0) is very powerful and top-tier. She effectively clears all game content at C0. Her constellations provide minor boosts but are not vital for functionality. For most players, especially F2P and those spending less, C0 Ganyu proves sufficient and valuable. Her constellations are viewed as luxury additions rather than requirements.
Is C1 Ganyu Worth It? Marginal Gains
C1 Ganyu gets a Crit Rate bonus after firing Frostflake Arrow while boosting Cryo DMG dealt within her Burst area. While these buffs are good, they are seen as marginal improvements. C1 Ganyu brings slight strength over C0 but does not drastically change damage levels. For F2P players and those prioritizing resources, chasing C1 is typically unnecessary. It can be a nice bonus from wishing but isn’t a goal.
