The Ballad of Barbatos: Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Venti (and Maybe a Little More)
Ah, Venti. The Anemo Archon, God of Freedom, and bane of your Primogem stash when his banner rolls around. Or rolled around, depending on when you’re reading this. Predicting Genshin Impact reruns is chaotic. Speaking of chaos, Venti has an allergy we will discuss later.
You want to know more about this whimsical wind spirit? Are you curious about his potential return (if at all in 2022 – spoiler: the internet knows nothing)? Or why this bard, always drunk on dandelion wine, is loved by half the Genshin community? Grab a drink, and let’s dive into Venti.
Is Venti Really That Rare? Spoiler: Yes.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Is Venti rare? In Genshin, he is definitely on the “unicorn” side. Back in October 2020, players whispered about Venti and Diluc as the rarest 5-star characters. Why? Because everyone and their cat wanted them. Desire creates perceived rarity.
Snagging Venti: A Gacha Gamble
So, can you walk up and ask Venti to join your team? Sadly, no. Genshin uses the thrilling (and soul-crushing) Gacha system, affectionately called “wishing.” It’s like digital loot boxes, but instead of skins, you gamble for characters.
Can you get Venti for free? Technically, yes. Earn Primogems in-game, convert them to wishes, then pray to RNGesus for his presence. The catch? It’s pure, unadulterated luck.
Banner Blues: The Ephemeral Nature of Character Availability
Now, about those banners. Character banners in Genshin, especially for limited 5-stars, are fleeting. They last about three weeks, tease with boosted drop rates, then vanish like dandelion seeds. You’re left wondering when they’ll return.
Banner Reruns: Hope Springs Eternal (Eventually)
The good news is, limited characters do return. HoYoverse understands the FOMO. They offer reruns. It may take time – patience is key –but Venti will likely return eventually. Just don’t expect an exact schedule. It’s a “when the wind feels right” situation.
Odds and Ends: The Cold, Hard Truth of Wishing
Let’s discuss chances. The base chance for pulling any 5-star character is a measly 0.6%. Yes, less than 1%. Even if you hit the 5-star jackpot, there’s no guarantee it’ll be Venti. You could get Diluc, Mona, or Jean – anyone could crash the Venti party.
The odds of pulling Venti specifically? Finding a four-leaf clover in a dandelion field seems easier. But hey, someone has to win the lottery, right?
Venti: A Blast from the Past (Version 1.0, to be Exact)
Venti isn’t a newbie. He’s an OG, a veteran, and a relic from Genshin’s launch era. He debuted back in Version 1.0. That’s ancient history in internet terms. He was the very first limited 5-star character banner. High expectations, huh?
And he’s remained popular since. Why? We’ll explore his strengths soon, but launching with Venti was like starting a race with a rocket strapped to your back.
Limited Edition Anemo Archon: Cherish Him When You Can
Remember: Venti is a limited 5-star character. This isn’t a character from the general banner. When his banner is gone, he’s gone (at least temporarily). So, to add this breezy bard to your team, you must roll those wishes when his banner is active.
Unmasking Venti: The God Behind the Bard
Let’s peel back the layers of this mysterious musician. Venti isn’t just a charming bard with a drinking problem. He has a secret identity, a divine alter ego.
Barbatos: The True Name Revealed
Venti’s real name is Barbatos. Yes, that Barbatos. The Anemo Archon. Ruler of Mondstadt, though he prefers to let the humans govern.
Picture Venti as Barbatos’s “bard form.” Barbatos decided to ditch “omnipotent deity” duties and chill in Mondstadt as a regular dude. A regular bard who happens to be a god in disguise.
God of Freedom, Not Just Wind (Though Wind is Cool Too)
While Venti commands winds, he is more than the “God of Wind.” He is the God of Freedom. Big difference. Wind is a tool while freedom is a philosophy. His vibe is about letting people live freely without oppression. Thus, Mondstadt’s free spirit exists.
The Nameless Bard Connection: A Touch of Melancholy
Here’s where things get bittersweet. Venti’s bard persona is not solely his creation. He modeled it after a nameless bard, a comrade killed fighting alongside him for Mondstadt’s liberation. By taking on this identity, he honors his fallen friend.
Venti: The Divine Vessel
So, to recap: Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, is the spirit. Venti is the vessel he uses to interact with mortals. He’s Barbatos among us with a love for lyres and cheap wine.
Why the Venti Love? Popularity Perks
Why is Venti so beloved? Is it the hair? The wind powers? His gentle drunkenness? Probably a mix of everything.
Musical Charisma: Bardly Beloved
In-denizen, Venti is popular. He’s won “Most Popular Bard of Mondstadt” thrice. People love his tunes. They don’t know he’s a god but enjoy the free entertainment and chill vibes.
Meta Marvel: Strength in Support
Out-of-universe, Venti is popular for being good. Really good. He’s a top-tier support character. He can group enemies with his Elemental Skill and Burst, making them perfect targets for damage dealers. “Crowd control” could be his middle name (if he had a middle name).
Some argue about the best Anemo character (Kazuha often enters that debate), but Venti remains powerful. He’s excelled since day one. That’s impressive.
Venti’s Achilles’ Heel: Feline Foes
Now for a fun fact adding delightful absurdity: Venti is allergic to cats. Yes, the Anemo Archon, wielder of wind, is vulnerable to fluffy felines.
This charming weakness humanizes him. Even gods have quirks. He reminds us that even if an all-powerful Archon, Venti enjoys simple aspects of life, including unpleasant allergies.
Some theorize this stems from his original form as a wind spirit, which resembles birds. Cats are natural bird predators. Regardless, it’s a hilarious trait.
Venti’s Weakness? Debatable Divinity
Speaking of weaknesses, there’s a running joke in the Genshin community about Venti being the “weakest Archon.” Canonically, he’s hinted to be in a “weakened state.”
Is he actually weak in-game? Absolutely not. He remains effective. But in terms of lore and power relative to other Archons? He might rank lower on the totem pole.
He’s more of a “handout” Archon. He gives his Gnosis freely. Others tend to be more possessive.
Venti’s Entanglements: Relationships and Rumors
Let’s look at Venti’s social life.
Aether Affection? Fan Speculation Abounds
A theory exists that Venti may have a crush on the Traveler, Aether. Is it canon? Not explicitly. The hints, though, are there. The Genshin fandom loves shipping.
Unnamed Bard BFF: A Bond Beyond Forms
The nameless bard inspired Venti’s form. They were very close friends. This bond is a key part of Venti’s backstory and motives.
Paimon Ponderings: Ancient Acquaintance?
Then there’s Paimon. Some theories suggest she may be an old friend of Venti, linked to the deity Istaroth. Is Paimon Venti’s mom? Not likely mom, but the Istaroth theory is fascinating for lore fans.
Venti’s Canon: Non-Binary and Proud
For those wondering, Venti is canonically non-binary. The Genshin team states this explicitly. Let’s end the “boy or girl” debate here.
Constellation Conundrums: Are Venti’s Constellations Worth It?
Constellations are upgrades in Genshin. They come by pulling duplicate characters. But are Venti’s constellations worth getting?
The answer? Not really, if you care about meta. Venti is great at C0 (Constellation 0). His constellations increase his strength, but not enough. You should save Primogems for new characters.
C1, “Skyward Sonnet,” lowers enemy Anemo and Physical RES. Useful, but not crucial. Levels 2, 4, and 6 provide buffs too. Still, they are minor boosts.
Genshin Banner Basics: A Quick Refresher
Now, let’s recap the Genshin banner system for newer players.
Banner Duration: Three Weeks of Wishing
Character event banners last for about three weeks. You have this time to pull for the 5-star character (like Venti).
Pity System: Your Guaranteed 5-Star Safety Net
Genshin uses a “pity system.” After 90 wishes, you are guaranteed a 5-star character. This is called “hard pity.” “Soft pity” starts around 75 wishes, boosting your 5-star odds.
50/50 Loss: The Heartbreak and Hope
When you pull 5-stars, there’s a 50% chance it’s the featured character (like Venti). Another 50% chance gives you a standard character (Diluc, Jean). Losing means your next pull is guaranteed to be the featured character.
Primogem Predicament: Fueling the Wish Machine
Wishes cost Primogems. One wish is 160 Primogems. To hit hard pity (90 wishes), you’ll need 14,400 Primogems. Saving is a long process.
How to Hoard Primogems: Becoming a Primogem Pro
Where do you get Primogems? Everywhere.
- Quests: Archon quests, side quests, and hangouts give lots of Primogems.
- Exploration: Chests, achievements, talking to NPCs – doing this pays off.
- Events: Limited-time events are full of Primogems. Livestreams often share free codes too.
- Daily Tasks: Daily Commissions provide a steady source of Primogems.
- Spiral Abyss: If you have strong teams, the Spiral Abyss gives recurring Primogems.
Starbucks “Venti”: A Tangential Treat
A slight detour. Have you ordered a “Venti” at Starbucks? Wonder why it’s called “Venti”?
It’s Italian for “twenty.” It means 20 ounces for hot or 24 ounces for iced Venti. Starbucks founder Howard Schultz drew inspiration from Italian coffeehouses. He aimed to bring that “romance and theater of coffee” to America.
A Venti latte at Starbucks comes with 2-3 shots of espresso. A fun tidbit while waiting for Venti’s banner in Genshin. Maybe a Venti from Starbucks will bring good luck? (Probably not, but caffeine helps.)
Other Banner Banter: Mizuki and Elemental Musings
Let’s touch on some related banner points.
Mizuki Banner: Pull or Pass?
Someone may wonder if they should pull for Mizuki from another game. General advice? Unless you love the character design, maybe pass. Mizuki isn’t top-tier and might join the standard pool soon.
Anemo vs. Geo, Hydro vs. Everyone: Elemental Debates
People often debate which element is better. Anemo excels in crowd control and Swirl. Geo is strong, shielding from damage. Hydro is versatile, triggering reactions like Vaporize.
No single “best” element exists. It’s about your style, team, and challenges. Anemo and Geo have strengths. Hydro is powerful too. Find what works for you.
In Conclusion (Just Kidding, We Don’t Do Conclusions Here)
So there you go. A dive into Venti’s breezy world. Hopefully, this answers your questions and quenches your thirst for Venti info.
If you’ll excuse me, I hear the wind calling. I have some dandelions to research. Maybe I’ll grab a Venti latte along the way. Just for research, of course.
