Why Do I Never Get 5 Stars in Genshin Impact? A Comprehensive Guide to Pity, Odds, and Misconceptions
You’re pulling, pulling, pulling… and still no shiny new 5-star character graces your Genshin Impact account. Frustration is understandable! The most common reasons for this are: misunderstanding the pity system, spreading wishes across multiple banners, or simply experiencing the inherent low base probability. Let’s break it down: the odds are statistically against you for each individual pull. The game utilizes a pity system that guarantees a 5-star after a certain number of pulls. Failing to understand this system or not committing enough pulls to a single banner is often why players feel like they’re in a 5-star drought. Beyond the basic mechanics, other factors impact the likelihood of securing your desired characters and weapons, and we’ll explore those, too.
Understanding the Core Mechanics
The Base Probability: A Harsh Reality
Genshin Impact’s wish system is built around a base probability of 0.6% for a 5-star character or weapon on any given pull. This percentage doesn’t increase with consecutive pulls. Each individual wish has that same 0.6% chance, making it statistically unlikely to get a 5-star early on. Many players are unaware that it is this low to start with, and this alone is a major cause of frustration.
The Pity System: Your Guaranteed Safety Net
The pity system is your saving grace. It guarantees a 5-star character or weapon after a certain number of pulls, even if you have terrible luck along the way. There are a few key aspects to understand:
- Character Event Wish/Weapon Event Wish Pity: On these banners, you are guaranteed a 5-star character or weapon within 90 pulls. This pity counter carries over to subsequent banners of the same type.
- Standard Wish Pity: The Standard Wish banner (Wanderlust Invocation) also has a pity system, guaranteeing a 5-star character or weapon within 90 pulls. This pity counter is separate from the event banners and only applies to the Standard Wish.
- Soft Pity: Around 75 pulls, the probability of getting a 5-star increases significantly (though the exact percentage increase is unconfirmed by miHoYo). Many players refer to this as “soft pity” and will start wishing from that pull onwards.
50/50 System: Character Event Wish Nuances
When you do get a 5-star character on the Character Event Wish banner, there’s a 50% chance it will be the featured character for that banner. If you don’t get the featured character (“losing the 50/50”), your next 5-star character on that banner is guaranteed to be the featured character. This “guaranteed” status carries over to future Character Event Wish banners.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Spreading Wishes Across Banners
One of the biggest mistakes players make is spreading their wishes across multiple banners. Remember, the pity counter is separate for each banner type. Putting 30 wishes on one Character Event Wish, 30 on another, and 30 on the Standard Wish will likely result in no 5-stars. You need to concentrate your wishes on a single banner until you hit pity.
Ignoring Pity Count
It’s crucial to track your pity count. You can do this by going to the Wish screen and clicking the “History” button. Count the number of wishes since your last 5-star. Knowing your pity count helps you decide whether to continue pulling on a banner or save for a future one.
Misunderstanding the 50/50 System
The 50/50 system can be confusing. Losing the 50/50 doesn’t reset your overall pity count. It only guarantees that your next 5-star on the Character Event Wish banner will be the featured character.
Ignoring the Weapon Banner’s Epitomized Path
The Weapon Event Wish banner has its own system called the Epitomized Path. If you’re targeting a specific weapon, you can chart a course for it. If you receive a 5-star weapon that isn’t the one you chose, you gain one Fate Point. Accumulating two Fate Points guarantees that your next 5-star weapon will be the one you selected. However, Fate Points reset when the banner changes, so be careful!
Optimizing Your Wishing Strategy
Save Primogems Diligently
The best way to increase your chances of getting 5-stars is to save up Primogems. Complete daily commissions, participate in events, explore the world, and complete quests. Every Primogem counts! As the provided article notes, it can take nearly six months to save up enough Primogems for the 90 wishes needed to guarantee a 5-star.
Wish on Banners Strategically
Carefully consider which banners you want to wish on. Are you targeting a specific character? Do you need a particular weapon? Focus your wishes on the banners that offer the greatest value to your account.
Don’t Fall for False “Wishing Rituals”
There are many online theories about “lucky” wishing times or locations. These are completely unfounded and based on coincidence. The gacha system is random, so stick to the strategy of understanding pity and using the odds to your advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the “pity” system in Genshin Impact?
The pity system guarantees you a 5-star character or weapon after a certain number of wishes, even if your luck is bad. On Character and Weapon Event Wishes and the Standard Wish, the pity is at 90 wishes.
2. Does pity carry over between banners?
Yes, pity carries over between banners of the same type. If you pull 70 times on one Character Event Wish and then the banner changes, your pity will still be at 70 for the next Character Event Wish.
3. How do I check my pity count?
Go to the Wish screen and click the “History” button. Count the number of pulls since your last 5-star.
4. What is the “50/50” system?
When you pull a 5-star character on a Character Event Wish banner, there’s a 50% chance it will be the featured character. If it isn’t, your next 5-star character on that banner is guaranteed to be the featured one.
5. Does losing the 50/50 reset my pity?
No, losing the 50/50 doesn’t reset your pity count. It only guarantees that your next 5-star on that banner will be the featured character.
6. Is there a “soft pity” in Genshin Impact?
Yes, many players believe that around 75 pulls, the probability of getting a 5-star increases significantly. This is often referred to as “soft pity.”
7. Should I wish on the Standard Wish banner?
The Standard Wish banner is generally not recommended for new players. It has a lower chance of getting a specific character compared to the Character Event Wish banners. Focus on the event banners unless you’re specifically looking for a Standard Wish character.
8. What is the “Epitomized Path” on the Weapon Event Wish banner?
The Epitomized Path allows you to choose a specific weapon you want. If you get a 5-star weapon that isn’t your choice, you get a Fate Point. Two Fate Points guarantee your next 5-star weapon will be the one you chose.
9. Do Fate Points carry over on the Weapon Event Wish banner?
No, Fate Points reset when the Weapon Event Wish banner changes.
10. How many Primogems do I need for 90 wishes?
You need 14,400 Primogems for 90 wishes (160 Primogems per wish).
11. What are the odds of getting a specific 5-star character?
It’s difficult to calculate the exact odds, but you can estimate them based on the pity system and 50/50. Factoring in the “soft pity” is difficult, as the increase of chance is only speculation and not provided directly from miHoYo.
12. Why is Diluc considered rare?
Diluc isn’t featured on event banners, so he is only available on the Standard Banner. But that has a small chance of getting him because that banner has multiple 5-star characters and weapons to obtain.
13. What are some tips for saving Primogems?
Complete daily commissions, participate in events, explore the world, complete quests, and claim rewards from the Spiral Abyss.
14. Are there any “lucky” times or locations to wish?
No, these are unfounded theories. The gacha system is random.
15. Is it worth it to pull for Constellations?
Pulling for Constellations is a personal choice. For 4-star characters, constellations are relatively easy to obtain. However, for 5-star characters, it can be very expensive. Only pull for Constellations if you really love a character and are willing to spend the Primogems. Keep in mind, you can learn more about game mechanics, design, and learning at the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Hopefully, this detailed guide has shed some light on the Genshin Impact wish system and helped you understand why you might not be getting 5-stars as often as you’d like. Remember to understand and track your pity, wish strategically, and save those Primogems! Good luck, Traveler!