Can You Lose the 50/50 on the Weapon Banner in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely you can lose the 50/50 on the Weapon Banner in Genshin Impact. However, it’s a bit more nuanced than the Character Event Banner. While the Character Event Banner features a straightforward 50% chance to obtain the featured character upon hitting a 5-star, the Weapon Banner used to operate differently. While now it’s more consistent, there is some confusion around it. This guide will clarify how the Weapon Banner pity system works and answer all your burning questions.
Understanding the Weapon Banner: A Different Kind of Gamble
The Weapon Banner, officially known as the Epitome Invocation, is the gacha banner that features two rate-up 5-star weapons. Understanding its mechanics is crucial to making informed decisions about spending your precious Primogems.
The Pity System: A Safety Net
Like the Character Event Banner, the Weapon Banner operates on a pity system. This system is designed to guarantee that you will eventually receive a 5-star item after a certain number of pulls.
- Hard Pity: The hard pity on the Weapon Banner is 80 wishes. This means that if you haven’t obtained a 5-star weapon within 79 wishes, your 80th wish is guaranteed to be a 5-star weapon.
- Soft Pity: The soft pity begins around wish 65. From this point onwards, the probability of pulling a 5-star weapon increases dramatically with each subsequent wish. While not a guaranteed drop, your odds significantly improve.
The 50/50 (Now a Guaranteed System!)
The Weapon Banner has a system in place that guarantees the weapons. It includes:
- The Epitomized Path. This allows you to select one of the rate-up weapons. Then, if you don’t get the weapon you want, you’ll gain Fate Points. This is where pity carries over between banners. Once you hit 2 Fate Points, the next weapon you get from the banner will be the one you picked in the beginning.
FAQs: Demystifying the Weapon Banner
To further clarify how the Weapon Banner functions, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Does Pity Carry Over Between Weapon Banners?
Yes! Pity carries over from one Weapon Banner to the next. So, if you make 70 wishes on one banner and don’t get a 5-star, those 70 wishes will count towards your pity on the next Weapon Banner. The same is true of Fate Points, those points will carry over between each weapon banner.
2. How Does the Epitomized Path System Work?
The Epitomized Path allows you to choose one of the two featured 5-star weapons. If you don’t get the weapon you want, you’ll gain Fate Points. Once you hit 2 Fate Points, the next weapon you get from the banner will be the one you picked in the beginning.
3. What Happens if I Get a 5-Star Weapon Before Reaching Pity?
If you get a 5-star weapon before reaching 80 wishes, your pity counter resets to 0. The pity system only guarantees a 5-star within a certain number of pulls, but it doesn’t prevent you from getting lucky earlier!
4. Does Getting a 4-Star Weapon Reset My Pity?
No, pulling a 4-star weapon does not reset your pity counter. The pity system only applies to 5-star items. You can pull as many 4-star weapons as you like without affecting your progress towards a guaranteed 5-star.
5. What’s the Difference Between Hard Pity and Soft Pity?
Hard pity is the absolute maximum number of wishes you need to make before you’re guaranteed a 5-star weapon (80 wishes on the Weapon Banner). Soft pity is the point where the probability of pulling a 5-star weapon significantly increases (around wish 65).
6. Is the Weapon Banner a Scam?
The perception of the Weapon Banner being a “scam” often stems from the lower likelihood of obtaining your desired weapon compared to the Character Event Banner. It’s true that the Weapon Banner requires more strategic planning and risk assessment. The Games Learning Society promotes understanding game mechanics to make informed decisions, and understanding the Weapon Banner is a key part of that for Genshin Impact. Ultimately, whether it’s “worth it” depends on your personal goals and financial resources.
7. How Many Primogems Do I Need for a Guaranteed 5-Star on the Weapon Banner?
To guarantee a 5-star weapon on the Weapon Banner, you need a maximum of 12,800 Primogems (80 wishes x 160 Primogems per wish). Keep in mind that you might get lucky and pull a 5-star weapon before reaching hard pity! And while you might need 24,000 to get a specific weapon, you could also get it in the first 1,600.
8. Can I Get Characters on the Weapon Banner?
No, the Weapon Banner only contains weapons. You cannot obtain characters from this banner. If you’re looking to acquire new characters, you need to wish on the Character Event Banner or the Standard Banner.
9. How Does the Weapon Banner Affect My F2P Status?
As a free-to-play (F2P) player, you’ll need to carefully manage your Primogems. Prioritize banners that offer the most value to your account. The Weapon Banner can be a good option if you have a specific weapon in mind that will significantly improve your character’s performance, but be aware of the risks and potential cost.
10. Does Pity Reset if I Get a 5-Star Weapon Early?
Yes, the pity counter resets whenever you pull a 5-star weapon, regardless of how many wishes it took. This means that your next pity count starts from 0.
11. How Do I Check My Pity Count?
You can check your pity count by going to the Wish screen, selecting the banner you’re interested in, and clicking on the “History” button. You can then count how many wishes you’ve made since your last 5-star pull. Note that this only displays the last 6 months of history.
12. Should I Pull on the Weapon Banner if I’m New to the Game?
As a new player, it’s generally recommended to focus on pulling characters on the Character Event Banner first. Building a strong roster of characters will have a greater impact on your overall progress than acquiring specific weapons early on. You can always revisit the Weapon Banner later when you have a better understanding of your needs and priorities.
13. Is It Possible to Get the Same 5-Star Weapon Twice in a Row?
Yes, it is possible, although statistically unlikely. Each wish is an independent event, so there’s a chance you could pull the same 5-star weapon multiple times in a row. This also means you might not get the weapon you want at all. The probability of getting any specific weapon is very low.
14. What are the Best Weapons to Aim For on the Weapon Banner?
The “best” weapons to aim for depend on the characters you use and your playstyle. However, some consistently sought-after weapons include those that provide significant Critical Rate, Critical Damage, or Attack boosts. Research the specific weapons featured on each banner and consider how they would benefit your team.
15. Does Losing the 50/50 on the Character Banner Affect My Weapon Banner Pity?
No, the pity systems for the Character Event Banner and the Weapon Banner are completely separate. Losing the 50/50 on the Character Banner has no impact on your pity count or odds of pulling a 5-star weapon on the Weapon Banner, or on the Fate Points.
Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions
Understanding the mechanics of the Weapon Banner is essential for making informed decisions about your Primogem spending. While it can be tempting to chase powerful weapons, it’s crucial to weigh the risks and rewards carefully. By considering your goals, resources, and the pity system, you can increase your chances of obtaining the weapons you desire without breaking the bank. Remember, the GamesLearningSociety.org advocates for using game knowledge to improve your playing experience!