How to Convene and Unlock New Characters in Wuthering Waves

For many players stepping into the post-apocalyptic world of Wuthering Waves, the first truly thrilling moment comes not from slashing through Tacet Discords but from hearing that shimmering sound that signals a new Resonator joining their roster. Combat in this open-world action RPG is built around teamwork. While the mysterious Rover is a competent main character, the real depth lies in switching party members and unleashing coordinated attacks. To get those extra allies, one must dive into the Convene system—a gacha mechanic that has captivated the community since the game launched in 2024. By 2026, even with a few quality-of-life improvements, the core summoning loop remains the beating heart of character collection.

A new account won't have access to the Convene menu right away. The game wants every player to first understand the basics of movement and combat. That means following the main quest line without deviation. Once a player enters the city of Jinzhou and completes the brief training simulation alongside Baizhi, the Terminal will finally unlock the Convene function. It’s almost a rite of passage. One can also press the F3 key on a keyboard to open it instantly, bypassing the need to navigate through multiple menus.

Within the Convene menu, things get exciting. The left side of the screen displays various banners, each featuring specific 5-star and 4-star Resonators or weapons. These banners rotate regularly, often tied to ongoing events or limited-time collaborations. A player must choose a banner carefully—after all, resources are scarce. Once the ideal banner is selected, a single press of the “Convene” button on the bottom right initiates the pull. But before that button glows, the inventory needs the right currency.

Most standard banners require Lustrous Tides, blue-tinted orbs that shimmer with potential. They can be earned through several in-game activities: completing event tasks, raising Union levels, redeeming limited-time codes from official social channels, or directly exchanging items via the Item Exchange menu. A common strategy is to hoard ten Lustrous Tides and perform a 10-pull, which guarantees at least a 4-star item. Compared to single pulls, this method often feels more rewarding and is the go-to choice for most players.

Limited or event-specific banners, however, demand a more elusive resource: Radiant Tides. These golden orbs function identically to Lustrous Tides but are much harder to come by. The most reliable way to obtain them is through the Item Exchange menu, where players can trade Afterglow Coral or Oscillated Coral earned from duplicate pulls. Another route involves spending Astrite, a premium currency that players accumulate passively from dailies, achievements, and exploration. For a free-to-play player, deciding between saving Astrite for Radiant Tides or spending it on weapon banners can become a daily dilemma.

Now, a note on probabilities—something every experienced player learns to respect. The drop rates in Wuthering Waves are clearly disclosed, and they haven’t changed significantly by 2026. Here’s a breakdown that often gets pinned in community Discords:

Rarity	Probability
Base 5-Star Resonator	0.8%
Average 5-Star (pity)	1.8%
Base 4-Star (item)	6.0%
Average 4-Star	12.0%
Base 3-Star Weapon	93.2%

Those numbers stare back coldly. Pulling a 5-star Resonator on the first try is the stuff of legend. The system does include a so-called “pity” mechanic—after a certain number of pulls without a high-rarity character, the consolidated probability kicks in, raising that 0.8% to a more reassuring 1.8% averaged out. Even so, players should expect to see a flood of 3-star weapons. The silver lining? Duplicates aren’t wasted. Any extra copy of a character or weapon converts into Corals and Wavebands. These materials can then be fed back into the Item Exchange menu to grab more Tides or even a guaranteed 4-star weapon. It’s a slow, cyclical economy that rewards patience.

Veteran players often share one piece of advice: never pull impulsively. Banners rotate, and a character who is meta today might be outshined by a new Resonator next patch. Keeping an eye on official announcements and planning around one’s team composition saves both in-game currency and real money. Some go as far as calculating the exact number of pulls needed to hit the second pity threshold. By mid-2026, a few limited banners introduced a “path” system that lets players select a featured 5-star after a set number of failed 50/50 attempts, gently nudging the odds in the player’s favor. Nonetheless, the heart of the Convene process remains the same: collect Tides, choose a banner, and hope for that golden glow.

When those coruscating rings finally swing down and reveal a new 5-star Resonator, the feeling is euphoric. It’s why the system works, why players log in daily, and why the gacha model continues to thrive. Understanding the mechanics behind Lustrous and Radiant Tides, drop rates, and the exchange loop transforms summoning from blind luck into a more calculated endeavor. Anyone looking to build a formidable team in Wuthering Waves should start by mastering these fundamentals—and maybe keep a lucky charm nearby for those 0.8% moments.