Decoding the Weapon Banner: What Happens When You Lose the 50/50 in Genshin Impact?
So, you’ve set your sights on that gleaming new 5-star weapon in Genshin Impact, eager to boost your favorite character’s damage to astronomical levels. You’ve saved your Primogems, held your breath, and plunged into the Weapon Event Wish banner. But then, the worst happens: you pull a 5-star, but it’s not the one you wanted. You’ve lost the 50/50. What now?
Losing the 50/50 on the Weapon Banner means that the first 5-star weapon you pulled was not one of the two rate-up weapons featured on the banner. Instead, you received a standard 5-star weapon. The good news is, unlike the character banner, the weapon banner has a pathing system, and you are now guaranteed to get one of the rate-up weapons with your next 5-star pull on that banner. You also get a Fate Point. If you have two Fate Points and lose the 50/50 again, the third 5-star you pull will be the weapon you chose with Epitomized Path.
This mechanic is crucial for understanding how to strategically invest your Primogems and potentially acquire the weapon you desire. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of the Weapon Banner and explore everything you need to know about the 50/50 and its implications.
Understanding the Weapon Banner’s Pity System
Before we dive into the consequences of losing the 50/50, it’s essential to grasp the basics of the Weapon Banner’s pity system. Unlike the Character Event Wish banner, the Weapon Banner has slightly different mechanics:
- Hard Pity: A guaranteed 5-star weapon within 80 wishes. This means that if you haven’t received a 5-star after 79 pulls, your 80th pull is guaranteed to be a 5-star weapon.
- Soft Pity: The probability of pulling a 5-star weapon starts to increase significantly around 65 wishes. While not guaranteed, your chances of obtaining a 5-star are considerably higher after this point.
- Epitomized Path: This is the weapon banner’s unique mechanic. It allows you to choose one of the two featured weapons. If you pull one of the other 5-star weapons that isn’t the one you chose, you get one Fate Point. If you get two Fate Points, the next 5-star weapon you pull will be the weapon you chose with Epitomized Path. Fate Points do not carry over when the banner changes, so make sure you get your weapon before the banner is over.
Knowing these factors is key to planning your wishing strategy effectively. Understanding the Epitomized Path in particular is crucial when deciding if you’ll spend Primogems on the weapon banner.
The Impact of Losing the 50/50
Losing the 50/50 on the Weapon Banner can be disheartening, especially if you’ve invested a significant number of Primogems. However, it’s not the end of the world. Here’s what happens:
- Reset Pity Counter: The pity counter resets to zero after you pull any 5-star weapon, whether it’s a featured weapon or not.
- Fate Point: You get a Fate Point if you didn’t get the weapon you selected with Epitomized Path.
- Guaranteed Rate-Up: If you have two Fate Points, the next 5-star weapon you pull is guaranteed to be the weapon you picked using Epitomized Path.
- Epitomized Path reset: The path goes away when the banner changes. It’s important to get the weapon you want before the banner ends because Fate Points do not carry over.
It’s important to assess your Primogem reserves and determine if you can afford to continue wishing on the banner to take advantage of the guaranteed rate-up weapon.
FAQs: Decoding the Weapon Banner Further
To further clarify any lingering questions, here are some frequently asked questions about the Weapon Banner and its mechanics:
1. Does pity carry over on the weapon banner?
Yes, the pity counter (the number of wishes since your last 5-star) carries over from one Weapon Event Wish banner to the next. So, if you made 70 wishes on one banner and didn’t get a 5-star, those 70 wishes will count towards your pity on the next Weapon Event Wish banner.
2. Do Fate Points carry over?
No, Fate Points do not carry over when the banner changes.
3. What happens if I get a duplicate 5-star weapon?
Duplicate 5-star weapons can be used as refinement materials. Refinement increases the weapon’s passive ability, making it more powerful.
4. Is the weapon banner worth it for F2P (Free-to-Play) players?
The decision to pull on the Weapon Banner as a F2P player depends on your priorities. Generally, focusing on obtaining new characters is a more impactful investment. However, if you have a strong roster of characters and want to maximize their potential, a 5-star weapon can be a significant upgrade. Be sure to manage your Primogems carefully.
5. Can I get characters on the weapon banner?
No, the Weapon Banner only features weapons. You will only obtain weapons, not characters, from this banner.
6. What are the chances of getting a specific 5-star weapon?
The base chance of getting a 5-star weapon is relatively low (around 0.6%). With the pity system in place, you’re guaranteed a 5-star within 80 wishes. However, hitting that 5-star and getting the weapon you want requires understanding and utilizing the Epitomized Path.
7. How does the Epitomized Path work?
Before wishing on the Weapon Banner, you can select one of the two featured 5-star weapons. If you then get a 5-star weapon that isn’t the one you selected, you earn one Fate Point. With two Fate Points, your next 5-star weapon will be the weapon you chose using the Epitomized Path.
8. What is soft pity on the weapon banner?
Soft pity refers to the increased chance of getting a 5-star weapon after a certain number of wishes (usually around 65 wishes) without obtaining one. This significantly increases your odds of pulling a 5-star weapon before hitting the hard pity at 80 wishes.
9. How many Primogems do I need for a guaranteed 5-star weapon?
You need approximately 12,800 Primogems (160 Primogems per wish x 80 wishes) to guarantee a 5-star weapon through the hard pity system. However, it’s possible to get a 5-star much earlier than that.
10. Is it better to pull on the character banner or the weapon banner?
This depends on your priorities and team composition. New characters often bring new gameplay mechanics and team-building possibilities. Weapons provide direct stat boosts, but may not be as impactful as a new character, it is also more difficult to pull the weapon you want.
11. Does the 50/50 guarantee carry over to the next weapon banner?
Yes and No. The pity of the 50/50 does carry over, but the Fate Points do not.
12. Can I lose the 50/50 multiple times in a row?
Yes, it is statistically possible to lose the 50/50 on the Weapon Banner multiple times in a row. If you lose the 50/50 and don’t get the weapon you picked for Epitomized Path, you will get one Fate Point. With two Fate Points, you will get the weapon you wanted.
13. What are standard 5-star weapons?
Standard 5-star weapons are those that are always available on the Standard Wish banner and can appear as off-banner pulls on the Weapon Banner. These include weapons like the Aquila Favonia, Skyward Blade, and Skyward Harp.
14. How does the weapon banner affect team building?
While a 5-star weapon can significantly enhance a character’s performance, it doesn’t fundamentally change team compositions as much as new characters do. However, the increased damage output can allow you to clear content more easily and experiment with different team synergies.
15. Are there resources to learn more about Genshin Impact strategies?
Absolutely! There are numerous online communities, guides, and resources available to help you improve your Genshin Impact gameplay. One excellent resource for understanding the broader impact of games on learning and society is the Games Learning Society. You can find valuable information and insights at GamesLearningSociety.org. Exploring resources like Games Learning Society and other Genshin Impact guides will help you make informed decisions and optimize your gaming experience.
Maximizing Your Weapon Banner Wishes
Ultimately, deciding whether to pull on the Weapon Banner and how to manage losing the 50/50 depends on your individual goals, resources, and risk tolerance. By understanding the mechanics, planning your wishes, and carefully considering your options, you can make the most of your Primogems and increase your chances of obtaining the powerful weapons you desire. Remember to consult reliable resources, such as the Games Learning Society, to stay informed and make strategic decisions about your gaming experience.