Duet Night Abyss has become popular because it removes all pay-to-win elements while still keeping a banner system. This is why many players are confused when they first log in. In this guide, we will break down exactly how banners work, what you can pull from them, and how the cosmetic gacha system actually fits into the game.
No Gacha for Power
Every character, weapon, equipment, and upgrade material can be earned by playing normally. Nothing related to power is locked behind a banner. To unlock a new character, you must collect 30 Thoughts, which are pieces gained by using Secret Letters.
Each Secret Letter has a 10% chance to grant 10 Thoughts. You can earn Secret Letters from items called Secret Letter Clues, where 10 clues convert into 1 Secret Letter. All of this can be done solo or in co-op with friends or random players.
When a new hero debuts, their Secret Letters come from a mode called Immersive Theater, which works like a challenge tower. After their debut period, their Secret Letters move into Nocturnal Echoes, the weekly boss challenge mode.
You can also buy characters directly with real money, but nothing disappears permanently. If you would rather grind, you will unlock everything for free.
Cosmetics Are the Only Gacha Element
With power progression removed from banners, the gacha focuses entirely on cosmetics. Default appearances cannot be dyed, but any skin obtained from gacha can be customized with nine dyes, making each look unique.
Banner Terms You Should Know
- Banner: the pool of items available
- Pull: one attempt
- Pity: guaranteed reward after a set number of pulls
There are two currencies:
- Pristine Hourglasses (white) for the Standard Banner
- Prismatic Hourglasses (rainbow) for the Event Banner
Standard Banner Details
The Standard Banner contains Golden tier cosmetics such as character and weapon skins. Pity requires 90 pulls, and you pull using Pristine Hourglasses, which can be earned for free from quests, events, and the Phoxene currency.
The downside is you cannot choose which Golden item you get. It is completely random. This banner is permanent, so you can take your time.
Event Banner Details
Event Banners are limited-time, and pity does not carry over to the next banner. You must use Prismatic Hourglasses, which usually cost real money. One pull costs around $2.50, though bundles offer better value. When you trigger the Golden reward, there are three outcomes:
- Featured skin (45%)
- 25 Iridescent Prisms (45%)
- 50 Iridescent Prisms (10%)
Iridescent Prisms are used to buy skins and other limited cosmetics from the shop. Duplicate skins convert into 25 prisms, so nothing is wasted.
Lucent Prism Currency
On the Standard Banner, duplicate items become Lucent Prisms instead. You will not receive Iridescent Prisms here. Lucent Prisms can be exchanged monthly for:
- 5 Pristine Hourglasses
- 5 Prismatic Hourglasses
This allows free-to-play players to slowly collect premium pulls.
Bonus Temporary Hourglasses
Some pulls reward temporary Prismatic Hourglasses. They expire, so you must use them before the timer ends. You can earn up to 30 bonus pulls through this system.
Buying Skins Directly
Not all cosmetics require gacha. Seasonal bundles, like Christmas outfits, can be purchased and allow you to choose which character receives the skin. The main character even gets a special $1 cosmetic option. These skins can also be dyed, including effects and aura colors.
The banner system in Duet Night Abyss is a cosmetic-only gacha designed for visual customization. With no stamina, no power banners, and free access to all playable content, you can enjoy the game without spending. If you love fashion, dyes, and flexing unique outfits in multiplayer hubs, banners can be fun.
Otherwise, you can ignore them entirely and still play at full strength. By understanding how the currencies and pity work, you can plan your pulls wisely and avoid wasting resources.