How Many Primogems Does It Take to Get a 5-Star Weapon in Genshin Impact?
The pursuit of powerful 5-star weapons in Genshin Impact can be a thrilling, albeit sometimes frustrating, endeavor. Understanding the mechanics behind the game’s gacha system is crucial for players looking to optimize their spending and strategize their pulls. Directly addressing the burning question: it can take up to 240 wishes (38,400 Primogems) to guarantee a specific desired 5-star weapon on the Epitome Invocation (weapon) banner. This is the worst-case scenario, and luck may often allow players to obtain the desired weapon sooner.
Understanding Genshin Impact’s Weapon Banner Mechanics
Genshin Impact’s weapon banner, known as Epitome Invocation, operates differently from the character banners. The primary difference lies in the pity system and the fate point system. Let’s break it down:
The Pity System for Weapons
- Hard Pity: A guaranteed 5-star weapon is obtained by the 80th pull. This is known as the hard pity. Unlike character banners which have a hard pity at 90 wishes, weapon banners have a slightly lower hard pity.
- Soft Pity: Although not explicitly shown, most players agree that a “soft pity” begins to increase the odds of obtaining a 5-star weapon around 60-70 pulls. This does not guarantee a 5-star but increases the odds of pulling one.
- Pity Carryover: Pity carries over from one weapon banner to the next. So, if you perform 70 pulls on one weapon banner without getting a 5-star, your next 10 pulls on the subsequent banner will guarantee a 5-star weapon.
The Fate Point System
The Fate Point system is the primary factor that determines how many wishes it will take to get a specific weapon. Here’s how it functions:
- 75% Chance: When you pull a 5-star weapon, there is a 75% chance it will be one of the two featured weapons. This is a significant difference from the character banner’s 50/50 mechanic.
- Fate Points: If you pull a 5-star weapon that is not one of the two featured weapons, you’ll gain one Fate Point. Your next 5-star weapon is guaranteed to be one of the two featured weapons.
- Second Fate Point: If you unfortunately pull the wrong featured weapon, the player will receive another fate point. A third 5-star pull is guaranteed to be your desired weapon. This is why it can take up to a maximum of 240 wishes to get your desired weapon. This worst case scenario would occur if the player loses the 75/25 split twice in a row and hits the hard pity for each weapon.
- Fate Point Reset: Importantly, fate points do not carry over to the next weapon banner. The Fate Point counter resets when each banner changes.
Calculating the Primogem Cost
Given that each wish costs 160 Primogems, and it can take up to 240 wishes to guarantee your desired 5-star weapon, here’s a breakdown of the worst-case Primogem cost:
- Maximum Wishes: 240 wishes
- Cost per Wish: 160 Primogems
- Total Primogems: 240 wishes * 160 Primogems/wish = 38,400 Primogems
While 38,400 Primogems is the maximum cost, it is crucial to note that many players will acquire their desired weapon in far fewer pulls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify various aspects of the weapon banner and Primogems:
1. How many Primogems does one wish cost?
One wish costs 160 Primogems, regardless of the banner type.
2. How many pulls are needed to get a 5 star weapon on average?
While hard pity is at 80 pulls, the average player might obtain a 5-star weapon somewhere between 60 to 70 pulls due to the soft pity mechanic, not including the fate system.
3. Does the weapon banner pity system carry over to the next banner?
Yes, pity for 5-star weapons does carry over to the next weapon banner, but fate points do not.
4. What is the 75/25 system in the weapon banner?
When you obtain a 5-star weapon, there is a 75% chance it will be one of the two featured weapons. The remaining 25% is any 5-star weapon from the standard banner pool.
5. Can you lose the 75/25?
Yes, it is possible to lose the 75/25 system, meaning that the player will receive a non-rate up weapon. This will grant one Fate Point. If this is done twice the player will have 2 fate points and the next 5 star is guaranteed to be the desired weapon.
6. Do Fate Points carry over banners?
No, Fate Points do not carry over to the next weapon banner. They reset with each new banner.
7. What is the difference between the weapon and character banners?
Character banners have a hard pity at 90 pulls, a 50/50 system, and the pity carries over. Weapon banners have a hard pity at 80 pulls, a 75/25 system and the pity carries over, but the fate points do not.
8. How many Primogems can you earn daily?
Through daily commissions, you can earn a minimum of 60 Primogems each day. This can be increased with other means such as events.
9. How much does a Welkin Moon cost and how many Primogems does it give?
The Welkin Moon costs $5 and grants 300 Genesis Crystals immediately, along with 90 Primogems per day for 30 days. This totals to 3000 Primogems over a month.
10. How many Primogems do you get per dollar?
Purchasing Genesis Crystals directly gives varied amounts. The largest pack, at $100 USD, gives you 6,480 Genesis Crystals. As a first-time purchase bonus you get an additional 6,480 for 12,960 crystals in total. This equals to roughly 81 wishes.
11. What is the best way to farm Primogems in Genshin?
The Spiral Abyss, events and exploring the world provide a substantial amount of Primogems. Additionally, completing quests, achievements, and using redeem codes can also contribute to your Primogem income.
12. Does the type of banner you are pulling on affect your chance to get a 5 star?
Yes, character banners and weapon banners both have their respective chances at obtaining 5 star items. The Standard banner pulls from its own pool of characters and weapons, and has no featured items.
13. How many Primogems is 10 pulls?
10 pulls are equal to 1600 Primogems.
14. Does doing 10 pulls or single pulls change my chances of getting a 5 star?
There is no difference between doing a single pull or a 10 pull. The system simply saves you clicks by pulling 10 at a time.
15. What are the odds of getting a 5 star in Genshin?
The base pull rate for a 5-star character is around 0.6% and around 0.7% for a 5 star weapon. However, this increases with the soft pity.
Conclusion
While obtaining a specific 5-star weapon in Genshin Impact may seem daunting, understanding the pity system and the fate point mechanic can help you strategize your pulls. While you may need up to 38,400 Primogems for a guaranteed weapon, this represents the worst-case scenario. Many players get lucky and obtain their weapons much sooner. By saving up Primogems and carefully planning your pulls, you can increase your chances of obtaining your desired equipment and enhancing your Genshin Impact gameplay.