For years, the pinnacle of character power in Genshin Impact has been firmly set at Level 90. A sacred ceiling, a maximum threshold that marked the completion of a hero`s growth journey. But what if that ceiling were to crack? What if a new horizon of power emerged, offering unprecedented boosts to our beloved allies?
Whispers from the hypothetical Update 6.0 suggest just that: the introduction of “Wandering Fortune,” a mysterious new item poised to redefine character optimization. This isn`t just about minor tweaks; it`s about pushing characters beyond their traditional limits, enabling them to ascend to Level 95 and even a legendary Level 100, unlocking significant base stat increases that could profoundly shift the meta.
What is “Wandering Fortune” and Why Does it Matter?
At its core, “Wandering Fortune” is an advancement material designed to extend a character`s maximum level beyond the established Level 90 cap. Each unit of “Wandering Fortune” allows a Level 90+ character to gain an additional five levels. Accumulate two, and your chosen hero could reach the fabled Level 100.
The implications are substantial. Higher base stats directly translate to increased damage, improved healing, and more robust defenses. For characters whose abilities scale directly with their core attributes, this expansion represents a monumental leap in potential performance. It`s not merely a numerical increase; it`s an opportunity for certain archetypes to truly shine.
The Elusive Path to Acquisition: Beyond C6
As with many coveted items in Teyvat, acquiring “Wandering Fortune” is a journey for the truly dedicated, or perhaps, the truly fortunate. According to preliminary information, this precious resource is exclusively obtained through the game`s “prayers” (wishes) system, but with a unique twist:
One unit of “Wandering Fortune” is granted for every constellation obtained beyond C6 for any 5-star (legendary) character.
Let that sink in. For players who have already invested enough to fully max out a 5-star character`s constellations, any subsequent pull of that same character will now yield a “Wandering Fortune.” This mechanism positions the item as an ultimate endgame reward, primarily accessible to those who have deeply engaged with the gacha system. For the vast majority of players, this means choosing very carefully which existing C6 5-star characters to continue wishing for, or simply acknowledging that this new power ceiling is reserved for the most dedicated patrons of the Paimon`s Bargains shop.
Conditions for Obtaining and Using:
- Source: Solely from obtaining a 5-star character beyond their C6 constellation.
- Usage Prerequisite: The target character must already be fully ascended to Level 90.
- No General Limit: There is no apparent hard cap on how many units of “Wandering Fortune” a player can accumulate.
Ascension Unlocked: The Process
Once you`ve managed to secure one or more units of “Wandering Fortune,” the process of elevating your chosen hero is straightforward:
- Navigate to the character menu.
- In the lower-right corner, you`ll find a new button labeled “Ascension Limit.”
- This new interface will display the “Wandering Fortune” you possess and allow you to spend it. It will also clearly list all the base stats that will increase with the level advancement.
Each character`s stat gains will vary, reflecting their unique scaling and role within a team. This means while every character gains, some will gain far more impactful benefits than others.
Who Benefits Most? A Meta Analysis
While a higher level inherently improves any character, “Wandering Fortune” offers disproportionate advantages to specific archetypes, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of Genshin Impact:
1. Masters of Second-Order Reactions
Characters who deal damage primarily through transformative elemental reactions (those that scale with Elemental Mastery and character level, rather than ATK%) stand to gain immensely. These “second-order” reactions, such as Overload, Electro-Charged, Frozen (specifically, shatter damage), Superconduct, and Dendro reactions like Bloom and Burning, directly benefit from an increased character level. The higher the level, the greater the base damage of these reactions.
- Hydro, Dendro, and Electro characters are prime candidates, as they are central to many powerful transformative reactions.
- New “Lunar” interactions, expected in Update 6.0, are also specifically mentioned as falling into this category. For instance, new characters like Flynns, described as a “Lightbringer” specializing in the “Lunar Charge” reaction, would see substantial damage increases. Similarly, Lauma, a Dendro catalyst user centered around “Lunar Bloom” reactions, would find her efficacy significantly boosted by reaching Level 100.
2. Elemental Mastery Scalers
Beyond transformative reactions, characters whose kit emphasizes Elemental Mastery (EM) will also see significant returns. A higher base level boosts all fundamental stats, including EM. For Anemo characters leveraging Swirls, or Dendro characters amplifying reactions, this passive increase to EM further compounds their damage output.
3. Core Damage Dealers (Main DPS)
Any character designated as a team`s primary damage dealer will naturally benefit from enhanced base stats. While less dramatic than the gains for reaction-based characters, a Level 100 Main DPS means higher raw ATK, DEF, and HP, translating to better sustained damage and survivability in challenging content like the Spiral Abyss or new “Grim Onslaught” modes.
4. Potent 4-Star Supports
Interestingly, some of the most impactful 4-star support characters, often used as off-field damage dealers or enablers, will also find new levels of utility. Characters like Bennett, whose ATK buff scales with his base ATK (which increases with level), or Kuki Shinobu, whose healing and Electro application greatly benefit from higher levels and Elemental Mastery, will become even more indispensable. For these characters, pushing past 90 means their contributions, already significant, become truly exceptional.
The Future of Teyvat`s Meta
The introduction of “Wandering Fortune” is more than just a new item; it`s a strategic shift in Genshin Impact`s progression system. It challenges players to re-evaluate their character investments, prioritize based on new scaling potentials, and perhaps, consider the long-term value of those “extra” 5-star constellations. While undeniably catering to a segment of the player base, its impact on high-level play, speedrunning, and overall team building will be profound.
As we anticipate Update 6.0 and the possibility of transcending the Level 90 barrier, the hunt for “Wandering Fortune” promises to be an intriguing, albeit exclusive, new chapter in our journey through Teyvat.
Finley Holt