Understanding the Pity System in Genshin Impact: A Comprehensive Guide

Genshin Impact, developed by miHoYo, is a globally popular action role-playing game that features a gacha system for obtaining characters and weapons. Central to this gacha system is the "pity system," a mechanic designed to ensure players receive rare items after a certain number of attempts. This article delves into the intricacies of the pity system, exploring its mechanics, its impact on gameplay, and strategies for optimizing its benefits.

What is the Pity System?

The pity system in Genshin Impact is a fail-safe mechanism that guarantees players a high-tier character or weapon after a predetermined number of pulls if they haven’t received one through normal luck. This system is designed to mitigate the randomness of the gacha pulls and provide a more predictable outcome for players, ensuring that prolonged bad luck doesn't entirely sour the gaming experience.

Types of Pity Systems in Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact features several banners, each with its own pity system rules. The primary banners are:

• Character Event Wish: This banner focuses on new or featured characters.
• Weapon Event Wish: This banner highlights specific weapons.
• Standard Wish: A permanent banner that includes a mix of characters and weapons.

Character Event Wish Banner

In the Character Event Wish banner, players have the following pity guarantees:

• 5-Star Pity: Players are guaranteed a 5-star character every 90 pulls. If a player doesn't get the featured 5-star character on their first 5-star pull, the next 5-star character is guaranteed to be the featured one.
• 4-Star Pity: Players are guaranteed a 4-star character or weapon every 10 pulls. If the first 4-star item is not one of the featured items, the next one is guaranteed to be.

Weapon Event Wish Banner

The Weapon Event Wish banner has a slightly different structure:

• 5-Star Pity: Players are guaranteed a 5-star weapon every 80 pulls. Similar to the character banner, if a player doesn’t get a featured weapon on their first 5-star pull, the next 5-star weapon will be one of the featured weapons.
• 4-Star Pity: A 4-star weapon is guaranteed every 10 pulls, with the same rule that ensures a featured 4-star weapon if the first isn't one.

Standard Wish Banner

The Standard Wish banner also includes a pity system:

• 5-Star Pity: A 5-star character or weapon is guaranteed every 90 pulls.
• 4-Star Pity: A 4-star character or weapon is guaranteed every 10 pulls.

Soft Pity: A Hidden Mechanic

In addition to the hard pity counts, Genshin Impact also includes a "soft pity" mechanic. Soft pity increases the chances of pulling a 5-star character or weapon as players approach the hard pity count. For instance, the likelihood of obtaining a 5-star character increases significantly after around 75 pulls on the Character Event Wish banner, making it more likely to get a 5-star before reaching the hard pity at 90 pulls.

Tracking Pity

Keeping track of your pulls is crucial for understanding where you stand in the pity system. There are several methods players use:

• Manual Counting: Players can keep a tally of their pulls on paper or in a digital note.
• Third-Party Tools: Websites and apps can help players track their pull history and predict when they’ll hit their next pity milestone.
• In-Game History: Genshin Impact provides an in-game history of pulls, although this only displays the most recent entries.

Impact on Gameplay

The pity system has several impacts on gameplay and player behavior:

• Reduced Anxiety: Knowing that there’s a guaranteed reward reduces the anxiety associated with gacha pulls.
• Strategic Pulling: Players can plan their pulls more strategically, saving resources for banners they’re interested in.
• Resource Management: Efficient management of in-game currencies like Primogems and Intertwined Fates becomes crucial for maximizing the benefits of the pity system.

Optimizing Pity System Usage

To make the most out of the pity system, players can adopt several strategies:

• Plan Pulls Around Events: Save resources for banners featuring desired characters or weapons.
• Count and Track: Meticulously track your pulls to know exactly when you’re approaching pity.
• Understand Banner Schedules: Familiarize yourself with miHoYo’s update schedule and banner rotations to plan ahead.
• Utilize Soft Pity: Aim to capitalize on the increased rates provided by the soft pity mechanic.

Common Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about the pity system that players should be aware of:

• Pity Carryover: Pity counts do carry over between banners of the same type. For example, if you do not get a 5-star character in one Character Event Wish banner, your count continues into the next Character Event Wish banner.
• Stacking Pity: Pity counts do not stack between different banner types. Each banner type has its own separate pity count.
• Guaranteed Characters: The pity system does not guarantee specific characters from the Standard Wish banner, only that you will receive a 5-star character or weapon.

Conclusion

The pity system in Genshin Impact plays a critical role in balancing the randomness of the gacha system. By understanding how the pity system works, players can make more informed decisions, optimize their resources, and enhance their overall gaming experience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the world of Teyvat, mastering the pity system is key to unlocking the full potential of your adventures in Genshin Impact.