Choosing between free Archer or Gilgamesh is one of the biggest decisions in the Fate collaboration. Both are limited 5-star characters, both can be claimed without spending pulls, and both can become strong damage dealers when placed in the right team. However, the better choice depends heavily on your account, your current characters, and whether you already claimed Archer before.
This guide explains whether you should choose Archer or Gilgamesh, how Archer E1 changes his value, why Gilgamesh is probably the better pick for most accounts, and which teams make each character shine.
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Quick Answer: Who Should You Choose?
If you do not own either character, choose Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh gives your account a brand-new limited 5-star unit, opens up a strong Saber team core, and has more long-term value for players who want access to the newest Fate character. Since Archer was already given for free before, many older players may already have him. For those players, choosing Archer now usually means getting an Eidolon instead of a new character.
Choose Gilgamesh if:
You want a new limited 5-star character.
You already have Saber or plan to use Saber.
You want access to the Saber + Gilgamesh special synergy.
You care about building newer Fate collaboration teams.
You do not already own Gilgamesh.
Choose Archer if:
You missed the previous free Archer.
You need a strong Quantum single-target DPS.
You already have Rin or plan to build Rin.
You already own Archer and specifically want his E1.
You prefer Archer’s Skill Point-heavy playstyle.
For most players, Gilgamesh is the safer and more valuable pick. Archer is still excellent, but a new limited unit usually brings more account value than an old one.
Why Gilgamesh Is the Best Choice for Most Players
Gilgamesh is likely the better free pick because he gives you a completely new team option. His biggest advantage is his special synergy with Saber, which makes the two characters feel designed to work together.
When Saber and Gilgamesh are used in the same team, they can trigger a special joint follow-up attack. This gives the team extra damage and makes the pair much more valuable together than they are separately. If you already pulled Saber, Gilgamesh becomes an extremely natural pick because he completes that Fate damage core.
This is the main reason Gilgamesh is so appealing. He is not just “another DPS.” He is part of a new collaboration team structure where Saber gains a stronger partner and Gilgamesh gains a premium teammate.
Best Gilgamesh Team
One of the best Gilgamesh teams focuses on pairing him directly with Saber:
Gilgamesh + Saber + Support + Sustain
A strong version of this team could look like:
| Dps | Dps | Support | Sustain |
This setup gives Gilgamesh and Saber the space to deal damage while the support slot improves the team’s overall flow. Huohuo is especially valuable because Energy and sustain are both useful for damage-focused teams.
Other possible support or sustain options can work depending on your account. If you do not have Huohuo, you can use another strong healer or shielder. If you need more buffs, you can use a support that helps both damage dealers.
The important part is the core: Gilgamesh + Saber. That is the team identity you are choosing when you pick Gilgamesh.
Why Archer Is Still a Strong Choice
Archer remains a very good character, especially for players who need Quantum single-target damage. His kit focuses on using his Skill repeatedly, entering a stronger damage state, and triggering follow-up attacks through his Charges.
He is especially good in teams that can support heavy Skill Point usage. This is why Archer works so well with characters that generate or manipulate Skill Points. With the newer Fate team options, Archer’s best partner is Rin, because she gives him a special joint follow-up attack and helps solve some of his Skill Point needs.
If you missed Archer the first time he was available, choosing him is still a good decision. He is a limited collaboration character and may not always be easy to obtain. However, if you already own him, you need to think carefully before choosing Archer again only for an Eidolon.
Archer E1 Explained: Good, But Not Always Worth Choosing
Archer’s E1 is worth highlighting because many players already received Archer for free during the earlier part of the collaboration. For those players, choosing Archer again may unlock Archer E1.
Archer E1 improves his Skill Point economy. After Archer uses his Skill multiple times in one turn, the team can recover Skill Points, making his rotation smoother and easier to maintain. This is useful because Archer’s playstyle can consume a lot of Skill Points when he is played aggressively.
However, there is one important warning: do not choose Archer Eidolons just because they are available.
Archer E1 is nice, but it is not usually more valuable than getting Gilgamesh as a completely new character. His later Eidolons are also not necessary for most players. Unless Archer is one of your favorite characters or you are fully committed to building him, you are usually better off choosing Gilgamesh.
In simple terms:
Archer E1 is good. Archer Eidolons are not mandatory. Gilgamesh is usually better account value.
Best Archer Team
Archer’s best modern team focuses on his synergy with Rin:
Archer + Rin + Sparkle + Sustain
A strong version of this team could look like:
| Dps | Dps | Support | Sustain |
This team works because Archer wants Skill Points, Rin interacts directly with Archer, and Sparkle helps keep the team’s Skill Point flow stable. Rin and Archer can trigger a joint follow-up attack that deals AoE damage and restores Skill Points, which helps Archer continue his rotation more comfortably.
If you do not have Sparkle, you can use another strong support, but Sparkle remains one of the most natural partners because Archer benefits so much from Skill Point support.
This team is best for players who want Archer to remain their main DPS and already have the right pieces to support him.
Archer vs Gilgamesh: Account Value Comparison
When comparing both choices, the most important question is not only “who is stronger?” but “who gives your account more?”
Gilgamesh gives more value if you do not have him because he is a new limited 5-star character. He also works especially well if you already have Saber. This makes him the best choice for most players.
Archer gives more value if you missed him before or already have the perfect Rin team ready. He can still be an amazing DPS, but if you already own Archer, choosing him again only for E1 is more of a luxury upgrade than a must-have.
Here is the simplest way to decide:
| Situation | Best Choice |
| You do not own Archer or Gilgamesh | Gilgamesh |
| You own Saber | Gilgamesh |
| You own Rin and missed Archer | Archer |
| You already own Archer but not Gilgamesh | Gilgamesh |
| You main Archer and want smoother rotation | Archer E1 |
| You only care about maximum account value | Gilgamesh |
Final Verdict
For most players, Gilgamesh is the best free choice. He gives you a new limited 5-star character, unlocks the powerful Saber + Gilgamesh synergy, and has better overall account value than picking an Archer Eidolon.
Archer is still a great character, and Archer E1 is definitely useful because it improves his Skill Point flow. However, Archer’s Eidolons are not so important that every player should prioritize them. If you already have Archer, choosing Gilgamesh is usually the smarter move.
Pick Gilgamesh if you want the best overall value. Pick Archer if you missed him before or if you are fully committed to his Rin team.
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