If you’ve spent any time scrolling Genshin Impact community forums or joining random co-op domains recently, you’ve probably spotted the red-haired cryo bow user with a machine-themed kit that looks nothing like Teyvat’s usual cast. She’s Aloy, the protagonist of the Horizon franchise, and she’s one of the only limited crossover characters ever added to the game. Lots of players who joined after her release are left asking can i still get aloy in genshin impact, especially since she was handed out for free with no gacha pulls required. I’ve tested her kit extensively over the years, and I’m breaking down everything you need to know about her availability, alternatives, and possible rerun chances in this guide.
When Was Aloy First Added to Genshin Impact?
Aloy first dropped as part of a collaboration between miHoYo and Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West titles. She launched first for PlayStation players in the Version 2.1 update in September 2021, with all other platforms (PC, mobile, Nintendo Switch) getting access to her free login event a month later in Version 2.2. Any player who logged into their account at any point during either of these two event windows received Aloy directly in their mail, with no gacha pulls required to unlock her. She was labeled as a “free limited 5-star” character, which already hinted that she wouldn’t be added to the standard permanent banner after her event ended.
Her kit was designed to match her Horizon backstory, with a cryo elemental infusion for her normal attacks and a burst that throws a freeze bomb that deals AoE cryo damage. She works great as a sub-DPS or even main DPS for free-to-play players who don’t have other strong cryo units, and her unique animations and voice lines make her a fan favorite for collectors even if she’s not the meta pick for most endgame content right now. A lot of new players don’t realize this, but she was also the first free 5-star character ever released in the game, which is part of why demand for her is still so high years after her launch.
Can I Still Get Aloy in Genshin Impact Right Now?
The short answer is no, there is no active in-game method to unlock Aloy for new or returning accounts created after her event ended. Unlike most limited Genshin Impact characters that get rerun on event banners every 6 to 18 months, Aloy is a crossover character, which means her availability is tied to intellectual property licensing restrictions between miHoYo and Guerrilla Games, not just miHoYo’s usual banner schedule. She was never added to the standard banner, the Starglitter shop, or any other permanent unlock pool, so there’s no way to earn or buy her with in-game currency right now.
You might see random tips online saying you can unlock her by reaching a certain Adventure Rank or completing a specific quest, but those are all outdated or false. Those requirements only applied during her original login event, when players needed to be at least Adventure Rank 20 to claim her from their in-game mail. If you didn’t log in during that window, those steps won’t do anything to unlock her on your account now. I’ve even seen people claim you can get her by linking a PlayStation account to an existing PC or mobile account, but that trick only worked during the original event period too, so it won’t work for new accounts created after 2021.
What Can You Do If You Missed Out on Aloy?
Just because you can’t unlock Aloy right now doesn’t mean you have no options if you want to experience her kit or find a similar character for your team. I’ve helped dozens of new players figure out workarounds for missing limited characters, and these are the most reliable steps you can take right now:
- Keep an eye on official miHoYo and Genshin Impact social media accounts for potential crossover announcements, especially when Guerrilla Games releases new Horizon franchise content or updates
- Join co-op sessions with friends who have Aloy unlocked to test her kit out for yourself, so you can decide if she’s worth waiting for if a rerun ever happens
- Use free-to-play alternative cryo bow characters that fill a similar role in your team, like Diona for healing and shield support, or Layla for strong off-field cryo application and shielding
One big rule I always tell players to follow: never purchase third-party accounts to get Aloy. Not only is this a violation of Genshin Impact’s terms of service that can get your account permanently banned with no warning, but most of these accounts are stolen or hacked, so you risk losing all your progress and any money you’ve spent on the game. It’s never worth the risk just to get one character.
If you’re looking for a character with a similar playstyle, Layla is a great free option that’s often given away for free during event rewards, and she’s much stronger than Aloy for most endgame content like Spiral Abyss runs. Diona is also available on the standard banner, so you’ll probably unlock her naturally as you pull for other characters, and she’s one of the best support units in the game for new and veteran players alike.
Will Aloy Ever Rerun in Genshin Impact?
As of now, there’s no official confirmation of a future Aloy rerun from either miHoYo or Guerrilla Games. That said, there’s still a chance she could come back in the future, especially since both companies have a good working relationship and there’s consistent high demand from the Genshin Impact player base for her return. If she does ever rerun, it’s almost guaranteed that she’ll be handed out for free again via another login event, just like her original release, instead of being locked behind a paid gacha banner.
There are a few factors that could make a rerun more likely. For example, if Guerrilla Games releases a new Horizon game or a major DLC for an existing title, a crossover event with Genshin Impact would be a great marketing move for both companies. We’ve already seen miHoYo rerun other small crossover content in the past, like the KFC glider collaboration in some regions, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Aloy to come back eventually.
For now, the best thing you can do is not get your hopes up too high, and focus on building the other strong free characters available in the game right now. If a rerun is ever announced, you’ll have plenty of warning from official channels, and you’ll just need to log in for a single day to claim her, no grinding or pulls required.
At the end of the day, the answer to can i still get aloy in genshin impact is no for all new accounts created after her original 2021 event window, but that doesn’t mean she’ll never be available again. She’s a fun, unique character with a lot of nostalgic value for fans of both franchises, so it makes sense that so many players want to add her to their rosters. For now, you can test her out in co-op, use one of the great free alternative cryo bow characters available, and keep an eye on official announcements for any news of a possible rerun down the line.