Alright, let’s address the Cryo-elephant in the room—500 days. It’s been over 500 days since Ganyu, one of the most beloved characters in Genshin Impact, had her banner. Yep, you read that right. It’s like the game’s version of a drought. In a world where players are pulling left and right for new characters, the absence of Ganyu is like going on a fishing trip and realizing you forgot the bait.
If you’re wondering why Ganyu has been missing from the banners for so long, well, you’re not alone. The community has been buzzing about it, throwing around all kinds of theories. Let’s dive into this mystery and see if we can make sense of it all.
Wait… 500 Days Without Ganyu?
First off, 500 days sounds like a lot—because it is. The last time we saw Ganyu on a banner was back in May 2023 during Version 3.6. That’s over 14 updates ago, and since then, players have gone through the entire Fontaine arc without so much as a glimpse of Ganyu in the banners. I mean, it’s almost like she packed her bags and took a long vacation, while we’re all here, refreshing the banner page like, “Hey, where’s our Cryo queen?”
A Reddit user actually made a whole video commemorating this “milestone,” and naturally, it went viral. Over 5k upvotes later, people are admitting they kind of forgot Ganyu even existed in the gacha system. Ouch. And can you blame them? New characters are rolling out like candy, and yet, Ganyu—one of the best DPS characters, by the way—is nowhere to be seen.
Cryo Characters: Falling Behind?
So, what’s the deal? Why has HoYoverse left Ganyu (and other Cryo characters) out in the cold? Well, here’s where things get a little more meta—literally.
Ever since the Dendro element was introduced in Genshin Impact, it’s been dominating the elemental reaction scene. Bloom, Quicken, Hyperbloom—you name it, Dendro’s got it. And Cryo? Not so much. Superconduct and Frozen just aren’t cutting it in boss battles anymore, which has left characters like Ganyu, Shenhe, and even Eula looking a little, well, irrelevant. It’s like when you buy the coolest new gadget, and a few months later, it’s already outdated. Yeah, Cryo feels a bit like that right now.
Ganyu might still be a powerhouse on her own, but with the current state of the game’s meta, it’s hard to fit her into those must-have team compositions. And that could be why HoYoverse hasn’t given her another banner. Why push a character who’s struggling to fit in with the new strategies? But still—500 days, though? Come on.
Ganyu Isn’t the Only One Missing
Here’s the kicker—Ganyu’s not the only Cryo character getting ghosted. Shenhe, the polearm-wielding support queen, has also been missing for 13 updates, and rumor has it she won’t be making a comeback in Version 5.2 either. And then there’s Eula, who reached her own 500-day milestone not too long ago. What is it with Cryo characters and these extended absences? It’s like they’ve been put in the deep freezer and forgotten.
Players have been pretty vocal about their frustration. Many are calling for HoYoverse to buff Cryo reactions or introduce new ones that can make these characters shine again. Right now, using Frozen on a boss is like throwing a snowball at a tank—it just doesn’t do much.
The Community’s Take: Frustration, Memes, and Hope
Now, let’s talk about the community’s reaction because, as you can imagine, it’s been… interesting. Some players are frustrated beyond belief, saying that Cryo characters are being unfairly benched while Dendro and Hydro keep hogging the spotlight. Others? Well, they’re turning the whole thing into a meme. I mean, if you can’t pull for your favorite character, you might as well laugh about it, right?
There’s even a silver lining for some players who find Ganyu’s absence almost impressive—like hitting 500 days without a banner is some kind of twisted achievement. But for many, it’s getting old fast. It’s like showing up to your favorite restaurant only to find out they’ve removed your go-to dish from the menu, again.
Still, there’s hope. Every update brings a new chance for balance changes or, dare we dream, a Cryo rework. And when Ganyu does come back—because she has to come back eventually—there’s going to be a wave of players pulling for her. HoYoverse might just be waiting for the right moment to drop her banner again, but until then, all we can do is wait and hope.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Looking ahead, it’s clear that something’s gotta give with Cryo characters. HoYoverse can’t keep them in the deep freeze forever. Whether it’s buffing Cryo reactions, adding new elemental mechanics, or just making room for them in future updates, there’s no way Ganyu, Shenhe, and Eula will stay out of the spotlight forever. Players are way too passionate about these characters to let that happen.
The real question is: when will it happen? And how will these changes impact the game’s meta going forward? With so much of Genshin Impact leaning into the Dendro element, it’ll be interesting to see how HoYoverse balances things out. But one thing’s for sure—when Ganyu finally gets her banner back, it’s going to be a moment.
Final Thoughts: Is Ganyu’s Return Imminent?
So, what do we do while we wait for Ganyu’s long-overdue return? Maybe brush up on your Cryo skills, or start planning team comps for when she finally does come back. Either way, Ganyu’s 500-day absence has sparked plenty of conversation, and it’s clear the community is eager to see what happens next.
Let’s just hope we don’t hit 600 days without her. You hear that, HoYoverse?