In Genshin Impact, the maximum number of wishes needed to reach pity is 90 for the standard and event character banners, and 80 for the weapon banner. This means that if you haven’t pulled a 5-star item by that count, the game guarantees one on your next wish.
Understanding Pity in Genshin Impact
Pity is a fundamental mechanic in Genshin Impact’s gacha system designed to ensure players eventually receive high-rarity characters or weapons. It serves as a safety net to prevent players from endlessly pulling without landing a 5-star item. Specifically, pity activates when you reach a certain threshold of wishes without obtaining a 5-star, guaranteeing one on the next pull.
There are two main types of pity counters in the game:
- Soft pity: The chance to get a 5-star increases gradually after a certain number of wishes.
- Hard pity: The maximum limit after which a 5-star is guaranteed.
Both mechanics work together to balance randomness and fairness.
How the Pity System Works
Genshin Impact features multiple banners, each with its own pity rules:
- Character Event Banner (Epitome Invocation): Hard pity at 90 wishes.
- Weapon Event Banner (Epitome Invocation): Hard pity at 80 wishes.
- Standard Banner (Wanderlust Invocation): Hard pity at 90 wishes.
Soft pity generally begins around 75 wishes on character banners and 65 on weapon banners, where the probability of pulling a 5-star item increases incrementally with each wish.
For example, on the character event banner, the base chance for a 5-star is 0.6% per wish. After around 75 wishes, this chance starts climbing until it hits 100% at 90 wishes.
Pity Counter Reset and Guarantee Mechanics
When you obtain a 5-star item, the pity counter resets to zero, but there are some nuances:
- If you pull a featured 5-star character on an event banner, the pity resets and your next 5-star will again be guaranteed within 90 wishes.
- If the 5-star is a non-featured (off-banner) character, the game guarantees that the next 5-star you get is the featured character, effectively a “50/50” mechanic.
This system encourages players to keep pulling to get the desired 5-star character or weapon while ensuring they won’t be stuck with bad luck indefinitely.
How to Choose Which Banner to Pull On
Understanding pity is crucial to strategizing your pulls, but deciding which banner to use your Primogems on depends on several factors:
- Desired Characters/Weapons: Event banners feature limited-time characters and weapons, so if you want a specific unit, focus there.
- Pity Progress: Check your current pity count; if you are close to pity on a banner, it might be more efficient to pull there.
- Resource Availability: Consider how many Primogems or Fates you have and plan pulls accordingly to maximize chances.
For example, if you have 75 wishes on the character banner and 10 on the weapon banner, it may be better to pull on the character banner to capitalize on soft pity.
Common Problems and Misconceptions About Pity
Many players have questions or misunderstandings about pity. Here are some common points clarified:
- Pity Does Not Carry Across Banners: Each banner has its own pity counter, so pulling on one banner does not affect pity on another.
- Soft Pity Is Not a Guarantee: Before hard pity, the chance of a 5-star increases but is still probabilistic.
- 50/50 System Can Lead to Bad Luck: Even after hitting pity, you might get an off-banner 5-star, forcing you to pull again for your desired character.
Understanding these points can help manage expectations and plan pulls more effectively.
Comparing Pity Systems Across Gacha Games
Genshin Impact’s pity system is considered generous compared to many other gacha games. For instance:
- Fate/Grand Order: No hard pity; 5-star servants are purely random with very low rates.
- Arknights: Soft pity exists, but the hard pity is much higher, often over 100 pulls.
- Honkai Impact 3rd: Similar pity mechanics but with different thresholds and rates.
Genshin’s pity system strikes a balance that rewards persistence but still maintains the excitement of chance.
Costs and Efficiency of Reaching Pity
Reaching hard pity requires a substantial investment of resources. Each wish costs either 160 Primogems or one Intertwined Fate (character banners) or Acquaint Fate (standard banner). To reach hard pity:
- Character/Event Banner: 90 wishes × 160 Primogems = 14,400 Primogems
- Weapon Banner: 80 wishes × 160 Primogems = 12,800 Primogems
Players can earn Primogems through gameplay, events, and quests, but many choose to purchase them with real money to accelerate progress.
Planning your pulls around pity can save resources by avoiding unnecessary wishes when far from pity.
Safety and Responsible Spending in Gacha Systems
While pity guarantees a 5-star after a certain number of pulls, it does not guarantee which 5-star you will get first due to the 50/50 mechanic. This can lead to frustration and overspending. Players should:
- Set budgets for spending real money.
- Track their pity counters to plan pulls efficiently.
- Focus on characters or weapons they truly want to avoid impulsive spending.
- Take advantage of free Primogems from events and quests.
Being informed about pity and gacha mechanics helps maintain a healthy and enjoyable gaming experience.
Alternatives to Relying on Pity: Farming and Free Characters
Not all powerful characters or weapons require pulling at pity. Genshin Impact offers various ways to progress without spending heavily on wishes:
- Free Characters: Story quests and events grant characters like the Traveler, Noelle, and others who can be viable in many team compositions.
- Weapon Farming: Bosses and domains drop high-quality weapons over time.
- Event Rewards: Limited-time events often provide valuable items and occasionally free 4-star or even 5-star characters.
These alternatives allow players to enjoy the game without focusing solely on the gacha system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t get a 5-star by pity?
In Genshin Impact, reaching the hard pity count guarantees a 5-star item on your next wish, so it is impossible to go beyond that number of pulls without a 5-star.
Does pity reset after every 5-star I pull?
Yes, the pity counter resets to zero after you obtain a 5-star item. However, if the 5-star is off-banner, the next 5-star is guaranteed to be the featured character, maintaining the 50/50 system.
Can I see my current pity count in the game?
Officially, Genshin Impact does not display your pity count, but you can track it manually by counting your wishes since the last 5-star pull.
Is the pity system the same for characters and weapons?
No, character banners have a hard pity at 90 wishes, while weapon banners have a hard pity at 80 wishes, reflecting different mechanics and probabilities.
Does spending money affect pity?
Spending money does not change the pity system or probabilities; it only allows you to buy more Primogems to perform more wishes faster.
What is soft pity, and how does it affect my chances?
Soft pity is a gradual increase in the chance of pulling a 5-star starting at around 75 wishes on character banners. It means your odds improve the longer you go without getting a 5-star, making pulls more likely before hard pity.
Related
- How Long Does Pity Reset Take in Honkai Star Rail?
- How Many Pulls for Pity in Gacha Games Explained
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