Version 4.4 hands every Trailblazer a free limited 5-star through the Fate Contract: Renewal event, and the only real decision is which one you take. The choice comes down to Gilgamesh, a Lightning damage dealer on the Path of Destruction, or Archer, a Quantum single-target unit on the Path of The Hunt. You get exactly one, and the pick is locked once you claim.
Quick answer: If you already claimed Archer during the first Fate collaboration in Version 3.4, take Gilgamesh so you gain a brand-new unit instead of an Eidolon. If you own neither, pick Archer when you need Quantum single-target damage and have Sparkle, and pick Gilgamesh if you own or plan to build Saber.
What the Fate Contract: Renewal free pick gives you
The event is a straight character selector with no pull and no pity attached. You log in during the Fate/stay night collaboration, open Fate Contract: Renewal, and select one of the two 5-stars. Claiming also drops enough materials to raise that character to level 60 and upgrade its Traces at the same time, so the unit is combat-ready the moment it lands in your roster.
The collaboration opened on July 24, 2026, roughly a week into the patch, and the free claim stays available through the end of Version 4.6. Every server can claim it, and there is no rush to grab it the instant the event goes live.
Separately, reaching 200 pulls on the collaboration warps unlocks a signature Light Cone of your choice. That side of the event only matters if you are chasing Eidolons or a weapon beyond the free E0 copy.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Event | Fate Contract: Renewal |
| Choices | Gilgamesh (Destruction, Lightning) or Archer (The Hunt, Quantum) |
| Cost | Free, one unit only |
| Bundled materials | Level 60 plus upgraded Traces |
| Claim window | July 24, 2026 through the end of Version 4.6 |
Pick based on your account state
Two things decide the right call: whether you already own Archer, and which supports and teammates you can build around. Archer was handed to every Trailblazer for free back in Version 3.4, so a large chunk of the player base already has him. Choosing him again only bumps his Eidolon, and an Eidolon on a unit you never deploy adds nothing in practice.
| Your situation | Best pick |
|---|---|
| You own neither character | Gilgamesh |
| You already own Saber or plan to build her | Gilgamesh |
| You already own Archer but don’t use him | Gilgamesh |
| You have Sparkle and want to main Archer | Archer |
| You missed the Version 3.4 Archer giveaway | Archer |
| You own Rin or plan to pull her | Archer |
Elemental coverage is the tiebreaker if you own neither. Short on a reliable Quantum single-target DPS, lean Archer and plan for Rin Tohsaka. Missing Lightning damage, lean Gilgamesh and aim for a Saber team. For free-to-play accounts, commit to one Fate team rather than splitting pulls across both.
Why Gilgamesh is the safer pick for most players
Gilgamesh is the newer collaboration DPS, with stronger base scaling and a more flexible kit than Archer. As a fresh unit for the majority of accounts, he adds an option you don’t already have, which is almost always worth more than a duplicate Eidolon.
His headline feature is a special synergy with Saber. When the two share a team, they trigger a joint follow-up attack that makes the pair far more valuable together than apart. A free Gilgamesh immediately makes a low-investment Saber playable again, and you can build toward his signature Light Cone through the 200-pull milestone to form a solid 0+1 core without heavy spending.
He also slots into teams outside the Saber core. Gameplay showcases place him comfortably in Elation comps, Blade and Eshveil squads, and lineups built around Aglaea. If you lack the supports Archer wants, that flexibility makes Gilgamesh easier to fit into an existing roster.
Best Gilgamesh team
The strongest build pairs him directly with Saber, then fills the last two slots with a support and a sustain. A common version runs Gilgamesh and Saber as the damage core, a buffer such as Bladie, and Huohuo for energy and healing. If you don’t have Huohuo, swap in another strong healer or shielder. The non-negotiable part is the Gilgamesh plus Saber pairing.
When Archer is the right call
Archer stays a top-tier Quantum single-target DPS and has cleared end-game content as a free-to-play staple for a full year. His kit revolves around repeated Skill use, entering a stronger damage state, and firing follow-up attacks through his Charges. He shines in teams that can feed heavy Skill Point usage, which is why Sparkle is his most natural partner.
His dedicated Fate teammate is Rin Tohsaka. She supplies steady Skill Points, raises the Skill Point cap by 2, and triggers a joint follow-up with Archer that deals AoE Quantum damage and refunds Skill Points. If you plan to pull Rin, claiming Archer completes that duo and keeps her from sitting idle.
The catch is his reliance on supports. A free E0 Archer with no Sparkle and no Rin will not perform to his ceiling, which is why a bare account is usually better served by the newer, more self-sufficient Gilgamesh.
Archer E1: good, not mandatory
If you already have Archer, choosing him again unlocks his first Eidolon. E1, “The Unreached Dream,” recovers 2 Skill Points for allies after he uses his Skill 3 times within a single turn, smoothing out his Skill Point economy and making aggressive rotations easier to sustain. It’s a genuine power spike for anyone who actively mains him.
Even so, don’t grab the Eidolon just because it’s on the table. E1 is a quality-of-life and DPS upgrade, but it rarely beats gaining an entirely new character. Pick Archer’s Eidolon only if he is one of your favorites and you’re committed to playing him.
Best Archer team
His strongest modern lineup is Archer, Rin Tohsaka, Sparkle, and a sustain such as Dan Heng Permansor Terrae. Archer wants Skill Points, Rin interacts directly with him, and Sparkle keeps the Skill Point flow stable. This core holds up across nearly every mode, including Pure Fiction. Without Sparkle you can substitute another strong support, but she remains the cleanest fit.
How to confirm your claim worked
You’ll know the selector registered when the chosen character shows up in your roster already sitting at level 60 with upgraded Traces, rather than at level 1. If the unit appears un-leveled or doesn’t appear at all, the claim didn’t process, and you should reopen the Fate Contract: Renewal event page. The choice is final, so double-check which unit you’re selecting before confirming.
For most accounts, Gilgamesh is the higher-value, lower-regret pick because he adds a new limited unit and opens the Saber synergy. Archer earns the slot when you skipped him in 3.4, need Quantum single-target damage, or are fully invested in a Rin build. Whichever way you lean, the free copy costs nothing and stays claimable through Version 4.6, so there’s time to line up the right teammates before you lock it in.
