Understanding the Pity System in Genshin Impact: Characters and Weapons Explained
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The pity system in Genshin Impact is a mechanic designed to guarantee players receive a high-rarity item (a 5-star character or weapon) after a certain number of wishes on a banner. This system mitigates the pure randomness inherent in gacha games, providing a safety net for players who might otherwise experience extended periods of unfavorable luck. For character banners, “pity” refers to the mechanic that ensures you get a 5-star character after a maximum of 90 wishes, and a 4-star character or weapon after every 10 wishes. For weapon banners, the “pity” works somewhat differently, with the Epitomized Path system allowing players to choose a desired weapon and guaranteeing its acquisition after a maximum of three 5-star pulls, assuming they lose the initial 50/50 twice.
Diving Deeper: Character Banners and Pity
The Limited Character Banner: Your Path to Powerful Characters
The most popular banner in Genshin Impact is the Limited Character Banner. This banner features a specific rate-up 5-star character, meaning you have an increased chance of obtaining them. However, the gacha gods aren’t always on your side, and that’s where the pity system comes in to play.
- 4-Star Pity: Every 10 wishes on the Limited Character Banner will guarantee you a 4-star character or weapon. This is a hard pity, meaning it’s a certainty.
- 5-Star Pity: You are guaranteed a 5-star character after a maximum of 90 wishes. This is also a hard pity.
- 50/50 System: When you pull a 5-star character, there’s a 50% chance it will be the rate-up character. If you fail the 50/50 and get a different 5-star character, your next 5-star character pull is guaranteed to be the rate-up character. This guarantee carries over between banners of the same type.
Soft Pity and Maximizing Your Wishes
While the hard pity guarantees a 5-star at 90 wishes, many players experience what’s known as soft pity. This is where the probability of pulling a 5-star character significantly increases around wish number 75. While not a guaranteed pull, the odds are heavily in your favor, making wishes during this range more statistically advantageous.
Weapon Banners and the Epitomized Path
Understanding the Epitomized Path
The Weapon Banner in Genshin Impact operates differently than the character banners. It features two rate-up 5-star weapons. Instead of a simple 50/50, it uses the Epitomized Path system.
- 4-Star Pity: Similar to the Character Banner, you are guaranteed a 4-star weapon or character every 10 wishes.
- 5-Star Pity: You are guaranteed a 5-star weapon within 80 wishes. This is a hard pity, meaning it’s a certainty.
- Epitomized Path Mechanics: Before wishing on the weapon banner, you can choose one of the two rate-up 5-star weapons as your Epitomized Path. If you pull a 5-star weapon that isn’t your chosen weapon, you gain one Fate Point. After accumulating two Fate Points, your next 5-star weapon pull is guaranteed to be the weapon you selected on the Epitomized Path. This system essentially guarantees your desired weapon after a maximum of three 5-star pulls.
- Important Note: The Epitomized Path, and the Fate Points you’ve earned, do not carry over to subsequent weapon banners.
The Risk and Reward of the Weapon Banner
While the Epitomized Path offers a guarantee, it’s crucial to understand the potential primogem investment. Unlike character banners where you can guarantee a character after failing one 50/50, you need to potentially pull three 5-star weapons to guarantee your desired weapon on the weapon banner. This can be very expensive, making it essential to plan your primogem usage carefully.
Pity System and Primogem Management
The Value of Primogems
Primogems are the premium currency in Genshin Impact used to purchase wishes (Fates). Understanding the pity system directly influences how you manage your primogems.
- Wish Cost: Each wish costs 160 Primogems.
- 10-Pull Advantage: While a single wish is possible, it’s generally recommended to save up for 10-pulls, as they guarantee at least one 4-star item.
- Primogem Farming: Efficiently farming primogems through daily commissions, events, and exploration is crucial to accumulating enough wishes to hit pity.
Strategic Wish Planning
Consider these points when deciding when and where to spend your primogems:
- Desired Characters/Weapons: Prioritize banners that feature characters or weapons that will significantly benefit your team compositions.
- Pity Status: Keep track of your pity count on each banner to make informed decisions about when to wish. Many online resources and trackers can assist with this.
- Risk Tolerance: Evaluate your tolerance for risk. Are you comfortable potentially “whaling” (spending real money) to guarantee a specific character or weapon?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does pity carry over between different banners?
No, pity does not carry over between different types of banners (e.g., Standard Banner to Limited Character Banner). However, pity does carry over between Limited Character Banners and between Weapon Banners of the same type (Epitome Invocation). The Fate Points from Epitomized Path on the weapon banner DO NOT carry over.
2. What happens if I get a 5-star before reaching hard pity?
If you obtain a 5-star character or weapon before reaching hard pity, your pity count resets to zero for that banner. The pity counter always resets back to zero upon getting a 5-star.
3. How do I track my pity count?
You can manually track your pity count by reviewing your wish history in the game’s wish interface. There are also many online tools and trackers that can automatically track your pity based on your wish history data.
4. What is the difference between hard pity and soft pity?
Hard pity is the guaranteed 5-star at 90 wishes on character banners (80 on weapon banners). Soft pity is the point where the probability of pulling a 5-star character significantly increases (around 75 wishes on character banners).
5. Can I lose the 50/50 on the weapon banner?
On the weapon banner, you don’t “lose” a traditional 50/50. Instead, if you don’t get the weapon you’ve chosen on the Epitomized Path on your first 5-star pull, you receive one Fate Point. You need two Fate Points to guarantee your chosen weapon.
6. Is the weapon banner worth it for F2P players?
The weapon banner is generally not recommended for free-to-play (F2P) players due to the high primogem investment required and the lower overall value compared to character banners. However, it may be worthwhile if you have a specific weapon that would greatly improve your favorite characters.
7. How many primogems do I need to guarantee a 5-star character?
To guarantee a 5-star character, you need a maximum of 14,400 primogems (90 wishes x 160 primogems).
8. What is the Standard Banner pity?
The Standard Banner also has a pity system, with a guaranteed 5-star weapon or character after 90 wishes. The Standard Banner pity works the same as the Limited Character Banner.
9. Does the Beginner’s Wish banner have a pity system?
Yes, the Beginner’s Wish banner has a similar pity system, but it only lasts for 20 wishes. After that, the banner disappears. This is generally a good place to start!
10. If I switch Epitomized Path weapons, will my Fate Points reset?
Yes, if you switch the weapon you’ve chosen on the Epitomized Path, your accumulated Fate Points will be reset to zero.
11. Is it better to do single pulls or ten pulls?
Statistically, there is no difference between single pulls and ten pulls in terms of your chances of obtaining a 5-star character or weapon. However, doing ten pulls guarantees at least one 4-star item, making it a more efficient use of primogems in the long run.
12. Can I get the same 5-star character twice in a row?
Yes, it is possible to get the same 5-star character twice in a row, even if you have failed the 50/50 previously. Every wish is independent of the previous one.
13. What are the best ways to earn Primogems quickly?
The best ways to earn Primogems quickly include completing Daily Commissions, participating in events, completing Spiral Abyss challenges, and opening chests during exploration. Checking in on HoyoLab is also an easy way to earn primogems.
14. Does weapon banner pity reset after 6 months?
No, your pity will stay the same regardless of how long it’s been. Only getting a 5* will reset it.
15. What if I don’t understand how the Pity System works?
Genshin Impact’s community is filled with resources! You can find helpful guides, discussions, and experienced players ready to assist you on platforms like Reddit, YouTube, and the official Genshin Impact forums. You can also research the educational aspects of gaming and game design at the Games Learning Society, a valuable resource for understanding the broader impact of games on society. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Understanding the pity system is crucial for efficient primogem management and strategic wishing in Genshin Impact. By grasping these mechanics, players can make informed decisions about when and where to spend their primogems, maximizing their chances of obtaining their desired characters and weapons. Good luck, Traveler!