Let me take you back to early 2022, when Genshin Impact was absolutely on fire. The 2.4 update had just dropped, and honestly? It was one of those patches that made you feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Between the jaw-dropping new region of Enkanomiya and the arrival of absolute fan favorites like Yun Jin and Shenhe, miHoYo was not messing around. But the real cherry on top was the Lantern Rite event — a massive, celebratory blowout that, among other things, let you snag a free 4-star character from Liyue. Even now in 2026, I still look back at that banner and think, "Man, they really spoiled us." So buckle up, fellow Travelers, because I'm going to break down exactly how I pulled that off, and why events like these are still the gold standard.

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First off, a bit of context for anyone who wasn't around back then (or if you just need a nostalgia trip). The 2022 Lantern Rite, officially called Fleeting Colors in Flight, was the second iteration of this annual Liyue festival, and it dwarfed the first one in nearly every way. The event ran during Version 2.4, which at this point is practically ancient history, but the mechanics still hold up. The star of the show was the free 4-star selector, which let you pick from all available Liyue 4-star characters—yes, all of them, including the newly added Yun Jin. For a budget player like me, that was a big deal. I mean, who doesn't love a free character, right? Especially when you could finally grab that elusive constellation or, oh boy, a brand-new support you'd been eyeing.

Now, the nitty-gritty. To actually claim your freebie, you had to grind through a specific quest chain called The Stars Inscribe the Year's Wishes and collect a boatload of event currencies. Let me lay it out real simple with a table, 'cause I'm a visual learner and maybe you are too:

Requirement Details
Complete the main event quest The Stars Inscribe the Year's Wishes – this had multiple acts and involved running around helping Liyue NPCs, which was actually quite charming.
Collect 1,000 Affluence Talismans Earned by completing specific event tasks like Wondrous Shadows (shadow puppet puzzles) and Oceanic Defender (a combat challenge).
Collect 1,000 Conquest Talismans You got these from doing the Flameplume Starflower smelting challenge (gotta love those timed combat trials) and daily login bonuses.
Reach a certain event progress threshold Once you hit the required total talismans and finished the quest, the 4-star character invite popped up in the event menu. Easy peasy!

Let’s be real, the whole process was a lot less grindy than it sounds. You know how some events make you want to pull your hair out? This wasn't one of them. The Affluence and Conquest Talismans pretty much fell into your lap if you did the daily event activities. I think it took me maybe four or five days of casual playing—nothing too sweaty. And the variety of mini-games kept it fresh. The shadow puppet puzzles? I’d pay primos to have those back as a permanent feature, no cap. The combat trial where you had to smelt plants with fire? That one was a bit janky, but hey, it had style.

Here's a quick pro tip from yours truly, even in 2026: if you ever stumble upon a similar event, prioritize the character you actually need. I remember agonizing between getting a Yun Jin constellation (since she was brand new and her normal attack buff was cracked for my Yoimiya) or finally pulling Xingqiu from the selector to unlock his C6. Spoiler alert: I went with Xingqiu, and to this day, that decision was chef's kiss. The moral of the story? Free selector events are not just about collecting shiny things; they're a lowkey way to patch up team comps. Use 'em wisely.

Speaking of team comps, let's not forget that the Lantern Rite also brought massive story moments and some gorgeous cutscenes. The finale with fireworks over Liyue Harbor? Absolute cinema. It's those little touches that make Genshin events feel like more than just reward dispensers. And miHoYo (now Hoyoverse, of course) has kept this tradition alive right up to our current 2026 festivities. Even though the roster has ballooned like crazy with Dendro and now whatever cosmic element they're teasing, the free character during the yearly festival remains a staple. In fact, I've noticed the grind has gotten even more streamlined over the years—remember the 2025 Lantern Rite that just handed you a 4-star selector after a few quick quests? Yeah, they've learned.

So, whether you're a day-one veteran like me or a newer player who just joined during the Fontaine or Natlan arcs, these event formulas are part of the game's DNA. They're generous without being trivial, and they always tie into the world's heart. That 2022 freebie still feels iconic because it came at a time when the game was really hitting its stride. And honestly? It taught me to never underestimate the value of a well-timed Liyue 4-star.

Anyway, that's the scoop from the memory banks. If you're chasing a free character in 2026's Lantern Rite (or whatever event is currently running), take it from an old-timer: do your dailies, enjoy the story, and for the love of Rex Lapis, pick the one that makes your main team shine. Good luck out there, Travelers!