Does Guaranteed Pity Carry Over? A Comprehensive Guide to Gacha Mechanics
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, the concept of guaranteed pity, a safety net in gacha games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, generally carries over between banners of the same type. This means if you don’t pull a 5-star character or weapon within a certain number of attempts on a banner, your progress towards that guaranteed reward is usually preserved for future banners of that same type. However, this is where the “generally” comes in, because the specifics can get a little complicated.
Understanding Pity and Gacha Systems
Before diving deeper, let’s establish a common understanding of “pity” in gacha games. Pity is a system designed to ensure that players eventually receive a high-rarity item (usually a 5-star character or weapon) after a certain number of unsuccessful pulls. It’s essentially a safety net to prevent extremely bad luck streaks.
The pity system typically works in two tiers:
- Hard Pity: This is the absolute maximum number of pulls required to guarantee a 5-star item. For example, in Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, the hard pity for character banners is often around 90 pulls.
- Soft Pity: This is a hidden mechanic where the odds of pulling a 5-star item gradually increase as you approach the hard pity. The exact point at which soft pity begins and the rate at which the odds increase varies from game to game, and is often community-datamined through extensive player research.
Banner Types and Pity Carryover
The most crucial aspect of pity carryover is understanding the different types of banners within a gacha game. Generally, there are three main categories:
- Character Event Banners: These banners feature specific, limited-time characters. This is the banner type where pity almost always carries over.
- Weapon Event Banners: These banners feature specific, limited-time weapons. Pity typically carries over, but might have different mechanics (like a fate point system, which doesn’t carry over in some games).
- Standard Banners: These banners feature a rotating pool of characters and weapons, often with no specific focus. Pity almost always carries over.
The key takeaway is that pity usually only carries over between banners of the same type. So, if you’re rolling on a Character Event Banner and don’t get a 5-star, your pity count will transfer to the next Character Event Banner. However, it won’t transfer to a Weapon Event Banner or a Standard Banner.
The 50/50 Mechanic
Many gacha games, including Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, also incorporate a “50/50” system on their character event banners. This means that when you finally pull a 5-star character, there’s a 50% chance it will be the featured character on the banner. If you lose the 50/50 (meaning you get a standard character instead of the featured one), your next 5-star character is guaranteed to be the featured character. The good news is that the 50/50 guarantee also carries over between character banners.
Examples in Popular Games
- Genshin Impact: Pity carries over between character event banners, weapon event banners, and standard banners within their respective categories. The 50/50 guarantee also carries over. The “Epitomized Path” system on the weapon banner (which is a weapon specific guarantee) does not carry over.
- Honkai: Star Rail: Similar to Genshin Impact, pity carries over between banners of the same type, and the 50/50 guarantee carries over between character banners.
Why is Understanding Pity Important?
Knowing how pity works allows you to strategically plan your pulls. It’s generally more efficient to save your in-game currency and wishes until you can guarantee a character or weapon you really want, rather than spending them haphazardly on every banner. Understanding the system and tracking your pulls gives you the ability to optimize your resources and avoid unnecessary spending.
Tracking Your Pity
Most gacha games don’t explicitly display your pity count. However, you can usually track it manually by reviewing your pull history within the game. Note the last time you pulled a 5-star character or weapon on a particular banner type, and then count the number of pulls since then.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about pity carryover in gacha games:
1. Does pity carry over between different types of banners?
No, generally, pity does not carry over between different types of banners. It only carries over between banners of the same type (e.g., Character Event Banner to another Character Event Banner).
2. Does guaranteed pity last forever?
Yes, pity does not reset over time. It remains in place until you pull a 5-star character or weapon on that specific banner type.
3. Does getting a 5-star reset pity on all banners?
No, getting a 5-star only resets the pity counter on the specific banner type where you pulled the 5-star. Other banners’ pity counters remain unaffected.
4. What happens if I lose the 50/50?
If you lose the 50/50 on a character event banner, your next 5-star character is guaranteed to be the featured character on that banner (or the next character banner you pull on).
5. How many pulls do I need to guarantee a 5-star character?
Typically, you need around 90 pulls to guarantee a 5-star character on a character event banner (hard pity), though soft pity mechanics may increase your odds before then.
6. Is it better to save wishes or pull on every banner?
It’s generally more efficient to save your wishes until you can guarantee a character or weapon you really want, thanks to the pity system.
7. Can I track my pity in the game?
Most gacha games don’t explicitly display your pity count, but you can track it manually by reviewing your pull history.
8. Does the weapon banner have a different pity system?
Yes, the weapon banner may have a slightly different pity system, sometimes involving a “fate point” mechanic. Make sure to read the specific banner details in the game for complete transparency.
9. Does soft pity affect my chances of getting an early 5-star?
Yes, soft pity increases your chances of getting a 5-star character or weapon before reaching the hard pity. This means that the odds of obtaining a 5-star item will gradually increase as you approach the hard pity mark.
10. What is the 50/50 system, and how does it work?
The 50/50 system means that when you pull a 5-star character on a character event banner, there’s a 50% chance it will be the featured character. If you fail the 50/50 and get a standard character, your next 5-star character is guaranteed to be the featured character.
11. Does the 50/50 guarantee carry over to the next banner?
Yes, the 50/50 guarantee does indeed carry over to the next character event banner. If you lose the 50/50 on one banner, the next 5-star character you pull will be the featured one on that banner, or the next character banner you roll on.
12. If I get a 5-star early, does it affect my pity on other banners?
No, if you happen to obtain a 5-star character or weapon early (before reaching the hard pity), it will not affect the pity counter on any other banners. Each banner type has its own separate pity counter.
13. Are there any exceptions to the pity carryover rule?
While rare, there might be occasional special banners or events with unique rules regarding pity. Always carefully read the banner details in the game to confirm the specific pity mechanics.
14. How does pity affect my decision to pull on a banner?
Pity is a core part of your planning process, and understanding how it works allows you to strategically plan your pulls. This includes saving currency, maximizing your resources, and optimizing your wish usage.
15. Where can I learn more about game design principles in gacha games?
You can expand your knowledge of game design and the psychology behind mechanics like pity systems by exploring resources like the Games Learning Society. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) offers valuable insights into the educational aspects of gaming and the principles behind game design.
Understanding the guaranteed pity system in gacha games empowers you to make informed decisions and maximize your chances of acquiring the characters and weapons you desire. Happy gaming!