How Many Pulls for Pity in Gacha? Explained in Detail

The number of pulls required to reach “pity” in gacha games varies by title, but typically ranges from 50 to 100 pulls depending on the game’s pity system design. Pity is a guaranteed mechanic that ensures players receive a high-rarity or featured item after a set number of unsuccessful attempts.

What Is Pity in Gacha Games?

In gacha games, “pity” refers to a system designed to prevent players from endlessly pulling without receiving valuable or rare items. Since gacha draws are based on chance—often with low probabilities for top-tier rewards—pity counters track unsuccessful pulls and guarantee a high-rarity reward after a certain threshold is met. This mechanic is intended to reduce frustration and provide a safety net for players.

How Does the Pity System Work?

While the exact implementation varies, most pity systems function by incrementing a counter every time a player pulls without obtaining a high-rarity item. Once the counter reaches a predefined number of pulls, the next pull is guaranteed to yield that rare item or character. Some systems reset the pity counter after the guaranteed pull, while others may have soft pity, where the chance of getting a rare item gradually increases before the hard pity threshold.

• Hard Pity: A fixed number of pulls after which a rare item is guaranteed.
• Soft Pity: A gradual increase in drop rates as pulls accumulate.
• Reset Mechanism: Whether the pity counter resets after a rare item is obtained or continues accumulating.

Examples of Pity Pull Counts in Popular Gacha Games

Different games have different pity thresholds, often influenced by their rarity tiers and monetization strategies. Here are some well-known examples:

• Genshin Impact: Hard pity at 90 pulls for 5-star characters or weapons on the character banner; 80 pulls for weapon banner. Soft pity starts around 75 pulls.
• Fate/Grand Order (FGO): No official pity system, but some players use unofficial counters. Some limited banners have unofficially tracked soft pity around 90-100 pulls.
• Arknights: Hard pity at 180 pulls for 6-star operators, with soft pity starting around 150 pulls.
• Azur Lane: 90 pulls for a guaranteed 5-star ship on most event banners.
• Honkai Impact 3rd: Hard pity at 90 pulls for 5-star characters, with soft pity increasing chances after 75 pulls.

Why Do Pity Systems Exist?

Pity systems are a response to player feedback and regulatory scrutiny regarding fairness in gacha games. Without pity, players might spend large sums without ever receiving the featured items, leading to frustration and accusations of predatory monetization. Pity provides a transparent and predictable way for players to know their chances improve with persistence, balancing the random nature of gacha draws.

How to Choose When to Use Pity Pulls?

Understanding the pity system helps players strategize their resource usage. Here are some tips for deciding when to pull:

1. Track Your Pulls: Keep count of how many pulls you’ve made since your last high-rarity item.
2. Plan Around Events: Use pity pulls on limited-time banners to maximize value.
3. Consider Soft Pity: If the game has a soft pity mechanic, waiting until the increased chance phase can improve odds.
4. Budget Wisely: Don’t overspend chasing pity; set limits to avoid frustration.

Common Problems and Misconceptions About Pity

Despite the benefits, pity systems can cause confusion or frustration:

• Misunderstanding Soft vs. Hard Pity: Players sometimes expect a guaranteed drop earlier than the hard pity, not realizing soft pity only increases odds.
• Reset Confusion: Some games reset pity after any rare pull, others only after specific featured items, leading to unexpected results.
• False Expectations: Players may believe pity guarantees the exact character or item they want, but some systems only guarantee rarity, not specific rewards.
• Tracking Issues: Games often don’t provide exact pity counters, so players rely on community tools or manual tracking, which can lead to errors.

Comparing Pity Systems Across Games

Not all pity systems are created equal. Some games have generous, transparent pity systems, while others offer none or minimal guarantees. For example:

• Genshin Impact: Clear hard pity with visible counters and soft pity increases, widely regarded as fair.
• Fate/Grand Order: No official pity system, leading to more frustration among players.
• Arknights: Very high pity threshold but generous soft pity that makes pulls more predictable over time.

Understanding these differences can help players choose games that align with their patience and spending preferences.

Costs and Resource Management Related to Pity

Reaching pity can require a significant number of pulls, each costing in-game currency or real money. Managing resources efficiently is crucial:

• In-Game Currency: Most gacha games use premium currency (e.g., crystals, gems) to pull.
• Free vs. Paid Pulls: Players often accumulate free currency through gameplay, but pity thresholds may require paid currency.
• Event Bonuses: Some events grant bonus pulls or increased drop rates, affecting the cost to reach pity.
• Saving Strategies: Waiting to accumulate enough currency for a guaranteed pity pull can be more cost-effective.

Safety and Ethical Considerations of Pity Systems

While pity systems increase fairness, gacha games still involve risks related to gambling-like mechanics. Players should be aware of the following:

• Spending Limits: Set personal budgets to avoid overspending chasing pity.
• Psychological Effects: Pity systems can encourage continued spending by promising eventual rewards.
• Regulatory Environment: Some regions require clear disclosure of pity mechanics to protect consumers.
• Transparency: Games with transparent pity systems are generally considered more ethical.

Alternatives to Traditional Pity Systems

Some games offer alternatives or supplements to pity systems to improve player satisfaction:

• Guaranteed Featured Character on First Pull: Some games guarantee a featured character on the first pull, removing the need to chase pity.
• Trade or Exchange Systems: Players can trade duplicates or tokens for desired characters.
• Battle Passes and Events: Providing characters or items through gameplay rewards instead of gacha pulls.
• Increased Drop Rates: Temporary rate-ups to reduce the number of pulls needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pulls does it usually take to hit pity in gacha games?

It varies by game, but generally between 50 and 180 pulls. Most popular games set hard pity around 90 pulls for 5-star characters or items.

Does pity guarantee the exact character or just the rarity?

Usually, pity guarantees the rarity tier, not a specific character. Some games have separate mechanics to ensure featured characters.

Can pity reset if I get a lower rarity rare item?

In many games, only obtaining the highest rarity resets pity. Pulling mid-tier rare items often does not reset the pity counter.

Is it better to wait for soft pity before pulling?

Waiting for soft pity can improve chances since drop rates increase, but it depends on your available resources and patience.

Are pity systems fair to free-to-play players?

Pity systems help free-to-play players by guaranteeing rare items after many pulls, but since pulls require currency, accumulating enough can still be challenging.

Do all gacha games have pity systems?

No, some games like Fate/Grand Order have no official pity, making draws more unpredictable and sometimes more frustrating.

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