Since the launch of Genshin Impact, gacha games have become increasingly popular in mainstream gaming. Our hub features notable titles like Zenless Zone Zero, Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves, and Nikke—all of which count as gacha games. But what are gacha games really? How do they work? Here's what you need to know about gacha games, including the confusing terminology and what to consider while playing.
Gacha comes from the Japanese term gachapon, which are coin-operated capsule machines that dispense a set number of prizes at random. Gachapon advertise a selection of prizes that match a certain theme, tempting players to try their luck at getting the most appealing one. They work similarly to gumball machines at your local mall. Like the color of the gumball, the prize you ultimately get is equally uncertain. Randomness is key here, as you aren't guaranteed a particular prize for playing.
Gacha games revolve around similarly randomized prizes. While Genshin Impact will promote limited-time characters to add to your team every six weeks or so, Infinity Nikki will tempt you with beautiful limited-time outfits. It just depends on the goal of the game, whether that's to build a super-strong team to bulldoze bosses or collect stunning cosmetics.
Many of the most popular gacha games happen to be action or strategy RPGs, but they can also be rhythm games, tower defense games, and other genres. It's just that many of the PC- and console-compatible gacha games fall into the RPG category.
Every gacha game has something called a banner—a place within the designated gacha system to trade currency for chances at a valuable, randomized item. Different currencies exist within the game like cash for buying mundane items, resources for strengthening characters, and crystals of some sort to trade in for tickets for the banner.
There's usually a standard or permanent banner that features characters or items you will always have the chance to get, as well as limited-time banners that feature prizes you can only get within a certain time frame, typically a couple of weeks. Limited-time banners tend to rerun (come back at some point in the future), but you won't know for sure when you will have a chance at getting the same item again.
Each gacha game has different drop rates for its items, which are the likelihood you will get that item if you spend currency on the banner. Most items you get from a banner are unremarkable—not useless, just so common that they won't be noteworthy.
Pulls are the colloquial term for the number of chances you have to turn the knob on the proverbial capsule machine. Gacha games use exchangeable items like stars, passes, and tickets as the pulls for its banners. They all mean the same thing: one item from the banner. One toy from the capsule machine.
Most players will pull on limited-time banners in hopes of receiving a five-star character or item, but these are the most difficult to get. Thankfully, gacha games give you a way to eventually get what you want through the pity system.
Gacha games feature items marked with one to five stars (★) or organized by different colors to note their rarity. Five-star items and characters, sometimes outlined in gold, are the rarest and most valuable of their kind. For example, five-star characters are often the strongest in the game, and five-star items usually offer an advantage that makes it easier to complete challenges.
Four-star items and characters can sometimes become more powerful than a five-star equivalent with the right investment. They also have higher drop rates, even if they aren't as powerful. Banners mostly spit out three-star characters and items, followed by four-star and then five-star counterparts. Save up enough resources for five-star characters or items, and do what you can with freebies and four-star prizes to stay thrifty.
A pity system guarantees that you will eventually get a valuable item at some point. Gacha games typically rate the rarity of its items from one to five stars, with four- or five-star items as the most valuable. For example, miHoYo's games guarantee one four-star item from its banners every 10 pulls.
Pity systems kick in after a certain number of pulls, but the terms depend on the game. Some games might guarantee a limited-time five-star item after 80 pulls, but some might require 90. Some will also increase the five-star drop rate the closer you get to that magic number (called soft pity).
You need to be wise about spending your currency on banners because you only have so many pulls. If you run out, then you might not be able to get an item you really want, especially on limited-time banners where you have a short time to get it.
It depends. If it's a permanent banner, then try to only use free pulls. After all, the prizes will always be available. For limited-time banners, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the items you want from the banner and be real with yourself about if you can afford it with in-game currency. You should prioritize limited-time banners for your pulls.
Why? Well, they often have the most desirable items—the strongest characters, most beautiful cosmetics, and so on. Gacha games highlight the five-star prizes on their limited-time banners to make them seem more appealing and tempt players to spend.
It isn't a sin to desperately want a five-star item, but you should budget your resources and carefully consider which five-stars would best benefit you. If you "need" every limited-time five-star prize, you will quickly deplete your resources.
Gacha games tend to be free-to-play live service games that don't require any kind of real-world payment. However, you do have the option to buy in-game currency and resources. If you need more pulls for a banner to get an item you really want, you might consider paying for it. Popular items also include paid login bonuses or battle passes for stronger weapons, more currency, and so on.
That said, a good gacha game will make it possible for all of its players to enjoy its content, no matter how much they spend. Payment is always optional.
In gacha games, resources are limited and precious. Tier lists help you make informed decisions about which characters to invest in, prioritize for pulls, and build teams around. Understanding the meta ensures you're maximizing your progression, clearing endgame content efficiently, and competing effectively without wasting valuable resources.
Our tier lists are regularly updated to reflect the current meta. Major updates occur when new characters release or game patches introduce balance changes (typically every 3-6 weeks per game). Check the "Updated" date on each tier list below.
Turn-based RPG from miHoYo featuring strategic combat, path-based character systems, and challenging endgame modes. Master team compositions for Memory of Chaos, Pure Fiction, and Apocalyptic Shadow content.
Fast-paced action game with stylish urban aesthetics and dynamic combat. Master timing, combos, and team synergies to dominate Shiyu Defense and Deadly Assault modes. Features DPS, Stun, and Support role classifications.
Third-person shooter meets gacha RPG. Command a squad of Nikkes through Campaign, Boss battles, and PvP Arena. Rankings based on versatility, damage output, and team synergy across all game modes.
Open-world action RPG competing with Genshin Impact, featuring fluid combat, parkour mechanics, and resonator-based teams. Master DPS, Sub-DPS, and Support roles to conquer all game modes.