Genshin Impact's Artifact Dilemma: The Case for Honkai's Variable Dice

As Genshin Impact sails through the turbulent waters of Version 5.3 – having recently concluded Natlan's fiery narrative arc and introduced four new characters including Pyro Traveler Citlali – HoYoverse's flagship action RPG continues refining quality-of-life features. The elimination of world boss cooldowns now allows immediate rematches after claiming rewards, a seismic shift from the original release's interminable respawn waits. Yet beneath these improvements festers an unaddressed malignancy: the soul-crushing randomness of Artifact enhancement. Players navigate this system like alchemists trying to transmute lead into gold with vanishing ink recipes, where promising substat rolls frequently implode upon leveling into useless DEF% upgrades. This persistent agony makes Honkai: Star Rail's newly introduced Variable Dice feel like discovering an oasis in Genshin's desert of disappointment.

The Variable Dice Revolution

Since its debut in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.0, Variable Dice has fundamentally altered gear optimization mechanics. This consumable item allows redistribution of substat enhancements on max-level Relics (Honkai's Artifact equivalents). When applied to a level 15 Relic, it reshuffles previously allocated upgrades like a casino dealer granting players one miraculous hand reshuffle. Crucially:

• 🔄 Redistributes existing substat boosts (e.g., moving DEF% upgrades to CRIT DMG)

• ⚠️ Doesn't alter base substats, only their enhancement distribution

• 🎲 Retains RNG elements but offers damage control for ruined upgrades

Artifact Agony in Teyvat

Genshin's current substat system functions like a malicious roulette wheel where promising artifacts frequently morph into tragic comedies during enhancement. The core frustrations:

Pain Point	Consequence
Substats upgrading undesirable stats	85% CRIT DMG artifacts gaining flat DEF
No enhancement redistribution	Months of farming rendered useless
Psychological toll	Burnout from "failed" god-roll pieces

Recent interface changes revealing upgrade frequency hint at developer awareness—yet remain Band-Aids on a hemorrhaging system. Players recount horror stories of DPS artifacts sprouting HP% boosts like weeds choking a prized rose garden, transforming potential masterpieces into inventory clutter.

Cross-Game Precedents

Genshin's adoption of Honkai-inspired solutions isn't theoretical:

1. Relic/Ornament crafting debuted in Honkai at launch

2. Genshin implemented Artifact crafting in Natlan's Version 5.0

3. Sanctifying Elixir directly mirrors Honkai's Self-Modeling Resin

This pattern suggests Variable Dice integration isn't a matter of if but when. HoYoverse already demonstrated cross-pollination willingness, transforming Artifact acquisition from pure lottery to targeted crafting. The logical evolution? Salvaging botched upgrades that waste weeks of resin.

Future Outlook: Beyond Version 6.0

As a veteran who's endured three years of substat purgatory, I foresee Variable Dice mechanics arriving by Version 6.0—perhaps rebranded as "Chrono Shards" or "Substat Catalysts." This wouldn't eliminate RNG but would transform artifact building from binary success/failure into nuanced sculpting. Imagine salvaging 70% of previously discarded pieces, reducing resin requirements by magnitudes while preserving grind incentives. Such implementation could spark Teyvat's equivalent of an industrial revolution in character optimization, where players finally wield precision tools instead of blunt RNG hammers. The alternative? Watching Honkai's QOL innovations become taunting signposts toward roads Genshin stubbornly refuses to travel.