Version Luna II just introduced Miliastra Wonderland, Genshin Impact‘s groundbreaking UGC (User-Generated Content) mode, complete with its own gacha system and premium currency: Arcane Keystones. If you’re wondering how to pull for those exclusive 5-star Legendary and 4-star Elite Cosmetic Sets, understanding Arcane Keystones is essential. Here’s everything you need to know about this new currency, including how to obtain it, conversion rates, and whether it’s worth your investment.
Table of Contents
What Are Genshin Impact Arcane Keystones?
Arcane Keystones are Miliastra Wonderland’s equivalent of Intertwined Fates in the main game. They function as the premium currency required to pull on the Event Ode banner, which features exclusive cosmetic sets unavailable through regular gameplay.
| Comparison | Main Game | Miliastra Wonderland |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Currency | Genesis Crystals | Chronal Nexus |
| Gacha Currency | Intertwined Fates | Arcane Keystones |
| Gacha System | Character/Weapon Banners | Event Ode (Cosmetic Sets) |
| Conversion Rate | 1 Genesis Crystal = 1 Primogem | 1 Chronal Nexus = 1 Arcane Keystone |
| Rewards | Characters, Weapons | Legendary & Elite Cosmetic Sets |
Source: HoYoverse Official Genshin Impact Site
The system mirrors the main game’s monetization structure but operates entirely within the Miliastra Wonderland UGC ecosystem.
For more Genshin Impact guides and currency explanations, check our Genshin resource hub.
How to Get Arcane Keystones: Step-by-Step Guide
Currently, there is only one method to obtain Arcane Keystones: purchasing Chronal Nexus with real money, then converting it to Arcane Keystones. Unlike Primogems (which can be earned through quests, events, and dailies), Arcane Keystones are exclusively premium-locked.
Step 1: Purchase Chronal Nexus Packs
Access the Shop:
- Open the Paimon Menu (ESC on PC, Menu button on console/mobile)
- Navigate to Miliastra Wonderland
- Click on the Shop icon
- Select the “Obtain Nexus” tab
Available Chronal Nexus Packs:
| Pack Name | Chronal Nexus Amount | Bonus (First-Time) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Chronal Nexus | 60 | +60 (First-time) | $0.99 |
| 300 Chronal Nexus | 300 | +30 | $4.99 |
| 980 Chronal Nexus | 980 | +110 | $14.99 |
| 1,980 Chronal Nexus | 1,980 | +260 | $29.99 |
| 3,280 Chronal Nexus | 3,280 | +600 | $49.99 |
| 6,480 Chronal Nexus | 6,480 | +1,600 | $99.99 |
Important Note: Prices are identical to Genesis Crystal packs in the main game, and first-time purchase bonuses apply the same way.
Step 2: Convert Chronal Nexus to Arcane Keystones
Conversion Process:
- After purchasing, click the star icon on the top-right of your screen
- Access the Miliastra Wonderland Event Ode banner
- Click the “Redeem” button (bottom-left corner)
- Convert Chronal Nexus at a 1:1 ratio (e.g., 980 Chronal Nexus = 980 Arcane Keystones)
- Confirm conversion
Conversion Mechanics:
- No conversion fees or penalties
- Instant processing (no waiting period)
- Partial conversions allowed (don’t need to convert all at once)
- Chronal Nexus doesn’t expire (safe to hold for future banners)
Step 3: Use Arcane Keystones to Pull
Once converted, your Arcane Keystones appear in the Event Ode banner interface. Each pull costs 1 Arcane Keystone for a single wish or 10 Arcane Keystones for a 10-pull (no discount for 10-pulls, unlike main game guarantees).
Explore the complete Miliastra Wonderland gacha mechanics on our gacha system breakdown page.
Event Ode Banner: What Can You Get?
The Event Ode features exclusive cosmetic sets ranked by rarity:
Legendary Cosmetic Sets (5-Star Equivalent):
- Complete avatar customization packages
- Ultra-rare skins and accessories
- Enhanced visual effects
- Limited-time exclusivity
Elite Cosmetic Sets (4-Star Equivalent):
- High-quality cosmetic pieces
- Themed outfit collections
- Unique animations
- More accessible than Legendary sets
Pity System: The Event Ode follows similar pity mechanics to the main game:
- Hard Pity: Guaranteed Legendary Cosmetic Set at 90 pulls
- Soft Pity: Increased rates starting at pull 75
- 50/50 System: First Legendary has 50% chance to be featured set
- Guaranteed Featured: Second Legendary pity guarantees featured set
Can You Earn Arcane Keystones for Free?
Here’s the harsh truth: No free methods currently exist. Unlike the main game where you can earn hundreds of Intertwined Fates through:
- Daily Commissions
- Events and web events
- Spiral Abyss
- Battle Pass
- Maintenance compensation
- In-game mail rewards
Miliastra Wonderland operates on a pure pay-to-pull model with no F2P earning options. This has generated significant community discussion about accessibility and fairness.
HoYoverse’s Rationale: The developers positioned Miliastra Wonderland cosmetics as “purely optional luxury items” that don’t affect gameplay power, unlike character pulls in the main game. Since cosmetics provide zero combat advantages, the paywall is justified as funding ongoing UGC development.
Is It Worth Spending on Arcane Keystones?
Consider Spending If: ✅ You’re passionate about character customization
✅ You actively create/play custom Wonderland content
✅ You have disposable income for luxury gaming items
✅ You’re a completionist who wants exclusive cosmetics
✅ Supporting ongoing UGC development appeals to you
Skip If: ❌ You prioritize gameplay power over aesthetics
❌ You’re F2P or on a tight gaming budget
❌ You rarely engage with cosmetic content
❌ You’re saving for upcoming character/weapon banners
❌ The lack of free earning methods frustrates you
Budget Recommendation: If you decide to spend, the $14.99 pack (980 + 110 Chronal Nexus) offers the best value for casual spenders, providing enough for 10-11 pulls to test your luck without major investment.
Community Reactions: Mixed Feelings
The Genshin community has expressed divided opinions on the Arcane Keystone system:
Positive Sentiment:
- “At least it’s cosmetics only, not pay-to-win”
- “The UGC mode is free to play, so exclusive cosmetics are fair”
- “Better than locking actual game content behind paywalls”
Negative Sentiment:
- “Every other gacha game offers free cosmetic currency through events”
- “Creates FOMO for limited-time cosmetic sets”
- “The 1:1 conversion feels predatory compared to Primogem earnings”
The Middle Ground: Most players acknowledge that while the pure-paid model feels restrictive, it doesn’t impact core gameplay. The main concern is whether HoYoverse will eventually introduce free earning methods through Wonderland achievements, events, or milestones.
Future Possibilities: Will Free Methods Emerge?
Based on HoYoverse’s track record with Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail, several potential free earning methods could arrive in future updates:
Possible Future Sources:
- Miliastra Wonderland achievement rewards
- Seasonal event login bonuses
- Community creation milestones (e.g., “10,000 maps created = free Keystones”)
- Battle Pass integration (paid track)
- Anniversary/special occasion gifts
- Compensation for server issues or bugs
For now, players should assume Arcane Keystones will remain premium-only and plan purchases accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Arcane Keystones permanent, or will they expire after the current Miliastra Wonderland event ends?
A: Arcane Keystones and Chronal Nexus are permanent currencies tied to the Miliastra Wonderland UGC mode, not time-limited event items. HoYoverse confirmed that Miliastra Wonderland is a permanent addition to Genshin Impact (introduced in Version Luna II), similar to how the Serenitea Pot housing system remains accessible indefinitely. This means any Chronal Nexus or Arcane Keystones you purchase will carry over to future Event Ode banners featuring different cosmetic sets. However, the specific cosmetic sets on each Event Ode banner are time-limited (typically running for 20-40 days before rotating). If you don’t pull the featured Legendary or Elite sets during their banner period, they may not return for months or could become permanently exclusive. So while the currency persists, the availability of specific cosmetics is limited, creating urgency to pull during featured periods.
Q: Can I convert regular Genesis Crystals or Primogems into Arcane Keystones, or are they completely separate economies?
A: No, Genesis Crystals, Primogems, and Chronal Nexus/Arcane Keystones are completely separate currency systems with no cross-conversion. You cannot use your main game Genesis Crystals or Primogems to obtain Arcane Keystones, nor can you convert Chronal Nexus into Primogems. HoYoverse intentionally designed Miliastra Wonderland with its own isolated economy to prevent players from diverting character banner resources toward cosmetics (and vice versa). This means if you’ve saved 180 Intertwined Fates for a guaranteed featured character, those savings don’t help in Miliastra Wonderland—you must purchase Chronal Nexus separately with real money. The only shared element is pricing structure: Chronal Nexus packs cost the same as Genesis Crystal packs (e.g., $99.99 for 6,480 + bonus). This separation ensures that gameplay-critical pulls (characters/weapons) remain funded separately from luxury cosmetic content, though many F2P players view this as a frustrating double-paywall system.
The Bottom Line: Premium Cosmetics for Dedicated Players
Arcane Keystones represent Genshin Impact’s first major venture into premium-only cosmetic monetization within a permanent game mode. While the lack of free earning methods may disappoint F2P players, the system doesn’t affect combat power or progression—true to HoYoverse’s “cosmetics are luxury” philosophy.
If you’re a fashion-focused player who loves customization and has budget flexibility, the Miliastra Wonderland cosmetic sets offer unique personalization unavailable in the main game. For everyone else, the core UGC creation and gameplay experience remains completely free, with Arcane Keystones serving as optional luxury spending.
As the system evolves with future updates, keep an eye out for potential free earning methods through achievements, events, or community milestones. For now, budget wisely and prioritize your spending based on what brings you the most joy—powerful characters or stylish cosmetics.
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Last updated: October 23, 2025 | Word count: 689