Can You Pull a 5-Star Weapon on a Character Banner in Genshin Impact?
The short answer is no, you cannot directly pull a 5-star weapon on a character banner in Genshin Impact. Character banners, officially known as Character Event Wish banners, exclusively feature characters. To obtain 5-star weapons, you’ll need to use the Weapon Event Wish banner. This banner operates under a different pity system and has a different pool of available items. Understanding the nuances of each banner type is crucial for efficient resource management and achieving your desired characters and weapons.
Understanding Genshin Impact Banners
Genshin Impact utilizes a gacha system, which means that you spend in-game currency (Primogems) to make wishes on different banners to obtain characters and weapons. There are three main types of banners:
- Character Event Wish Banner: This banner features a specific limited-time 5-star character and increased rates for certain 4-star characters.
- Weapon Event Wish Banner: This banner features two specific limited-time 5-star weapons and increased rates for certain 4-star weapons.
- Standard Wish Banner (Wanderlust Invocation): This banner includes a pool of characters and weapons that are always available. It does not have limited-time items.
Each banner has its own pity system, which guarantees that you will receive a 5-star item after a certain number of wishes. This is designed to prevent players from spending vast amounts of resources without any guarantee of obtaining a desired item.
The Character Event Wish Banner: Focus on Characters
The primary purpose of the Character Event Wish banner is to allow players to obtain limited-time 5-star characters and specific 4-star characters. When you wish on this banner, you will only receive characters. The pity system for the Character Event Wish banner is as follows:
- A guaranteed 4-star character or weapon every 10 wishes.
- A guaranteed 5-star character within 90 wishes.
However, there’s a crucial aspect called the 50/50 system. When you pull a 5-star on the Character Event Wish banner, there’s a 50% chance it will be the featured character. If you don’t get the featured character, your next 5-star pull on that banner is guaranteed to be the featured character. This mechanic, while potentially frustrating, ensures that players can eventually obtain the character they want if they are persistent and have enough Primogems. This level of system design has implications for Games Learning Society, and how the elements of randomness and strategy can be used in educational settings.
The Weapon Event Wish Banner: Home to 5-Star Weapons
If you’re aiming for powerful 5-star weapons, the Weapon Event Wish banner is where you need to spend your Primogems. This banner features two specific 5-star weapons and a selection of 4-star weapons. The pity system for the Weapon Event Wish banner is slightly different from the Character Event Wish banner:
- A guaranteed 4-star weapon or character every 10 wishes.
- A guaranteed 5-star weapon within 80 wishes.
This system ensures that you receive a 5-star weapon within 80 wishes, making it generally faster to obtain a 5-star weapon compared to a 5-star character.
The Standard Wish Banner: A Mix of Both
The Standard Wish banner contains a permanent pool of both characters and weapons. It doesn’t have the rate-ups that the Character Event Wish and Weapon Event Wish banners do, meaning you are not guaranteed to obtain any specific item. The pity system for the Standard Wish banner is the same as the Character Event Wish banner:
- A guaranteed 4-star character or weapon every 10 wishes.
- A guaranteed 5-star character or weapon within 90 wishes.
However, due to the large pool of items in the Standard Wish banner, it is generally less efficient to wish on this banner if you are targeting specific items. The Standard Wish banner is typically used with Acquaint Fate, which are obtained through various in-game activities and level-up rewards.
Planning Your Wishes: Prioritizing Your Goals
Understanding the distinctions between the banners is key to efficiently managing your Primogems and achieving your desired characters and weapons. If you are primarily interested in obtaining specific characters, focus your wishes on the Character Event Wish banner. If you are looking to enhance your team’s damage output with powerful weapons, the Weapon Event Wish banner is the better choice. The Standard Wish banner can be used as a supplementary source of characters and weapons, but it is not recommended for targeting specific items.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Genshin Impact Banners
Can I get the same 5-star character on both the Character Event Wish and Standard Wish banners?
Yes, some 5-star characters, like Diluc, Jean, Qiqi, Mona, and Keqing, are available on both the Character Event Wish banner (when they are featured) and the Standard Wish banner. However, characters that are only available on the Character Event Wish banner will not be available on the Standard Wish banner.
Does the pity system carry over between different banner types?
No, the pity system does not carry over between different banner types. The Character Event Wish, Weapon Event Wish, and Standard Wish banners each have their own separate pity counters. However, pity does carry over between Character Event Wish banners or Weapon Event Wish banners.
What is “soft pity,” and when does it start?
“Soft pity” refers to the increased likelihood of pulling a 5-star item as you approach the hard pity threshold. While the exact mechanics are not officially disclosed, many players report experiencing soft pity starting around 70-75 wishes.
How do I know how close I am to pity?
Unfortunately, Genshin Impact does not provide a direct way to see your pity count in-game. However, you can track your wish history manually or use third-party tools to monitor your progress.
If I get a 5-star character before reaching 90 wishes, does it reset my pity?
Yes, obtaining a 5-star character before reaching 90 wishes will reset your pity counter. Your pity count will start over from zero for the next 5-star item.
What happens if I don’t get the featured character on the Character Event Wish banner?
If you don’t get the featured character on the Character Event Wish banner, the next 5-star character you obtain on that banner is guaranteed to be the featured character. This is known as having “guaranteed” pity.
Can I use Acquaint Fate on the Character Event Wish banner?
No, Acquaint Fate can only be used on the Standard Wish banner. Character Event Wish and Weapon Event Wish banners require Intertwined Fate.
Is it better to pull on the Character Event Wish banner or the Weapon Event Wish banner?
The best banner to pull on depends on your goals. If you prioritize obtaining specific characters, the Character Event Wish banner is the better choice. If you prioritize obtaining powerful weapons, the Weapon Event Wish banner is the better choice.
How many Primogems do I need to guarantee a 5-star character?
To guarantee a 5-star character, you will need a maximum of 14,400 Primogems (90 wishes * 160 Primogems per wish). However, it is possible to obtain a 5-star character before reaching the hard pity threshold.
What are some ways to earn Primogems in Genshin Impact?
There are many ways to earn Primogems in Genshin Impact, including:
- Daily Commissions
- Completing quests and storylines
- Participating in events
- Exploring the world and finding chests
- Clearing floors in the Spiral Abyss
- Redeeming promo codes
- The Blessing of the Welkin Moon and the Battle Pass
Does wishing on the Standard Wish banner affect my 50/50 on the Character Event Wish banner?
No, wishing on the Standard Wish banner does not affect your 50/50 on the Character Event Wish banner. The 50/50 system is specific to the Character Event Wish banner.
What is the guaranteed pity for 4-star items?
The guaranteed pity for 4-star items is every 10 wishes on all banners. This means that you are guaranteed to receive at least one 4-star character or weapon every 10 wishes.
Can I get a constellation for a character I already have?
Yes, you can get constellations for characters you already have by pulling duplicate copies of those characters on the Character Event Wish or Standard Wish banners.
How does the Epitomized Path work on the Weapon Event Wish banner?
The Epitomized Path allows you to choose one of the featured 5-star weapons on the Weapon Event Wish banner. If you don’t get the weapon you selected within two 5-star weapon pulls, your next 5-star weapon pull is guaranteed to be the weapon you chose.
Why didn’t I get a 5 star at 90 wishes?
Make sure all 90 wishes were done on the same banner. Pity counts are per banner.
Understanding these intricacies of the wish system and the gatcha mechanics can be viewed through the lens of gamification and reward structures, as explored by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, showcasing how games can motivate players and encourage strategic thinking.