As a longtime player, I've seen countless newcomers and even veterans scratch their heads over Genshin Impact's gacha mechanics. Let me tell you, understanding the pity system isn't just some optional trivia—it's the difference between getting that dream character and watching your Primogems vanish into thin air. With the game now in its sixth year of updates, the core pity mechanics have remained surprisingly consistent, though the stakes feel higher than ever with each new limited banner.

Character Banners: Your Safety Net for 5★ Heroes

Here's the deal with limited character banners: every 90 pulls guarantees you a 5-star character or weapon. But wait, there's a catch—only a 50% chance it'll be the banner's featured character. This counter? It carries over between banners, no disappearing acts!

Let me paint you a picture: if you did 45 pulls on last month's Zhongli banner without snagging a 5-star, you're guaranteed one within the next 45 pulls on whatever banner comes next. This means your efforts never truly go to waste, which is pretty darn generous compared to some other gacha games out there.

Now here's where it gets spicy: if you DO get a 5-star but it's NOT the featured character, your pity resets to zero. But here's the silver lining—next time you hit pity, that featured character is 100% yours. And yes, this guarantee carries over too! So if you lost your 50-50 on Zhongli's banner, your very next 5-star on any limited character banner will be the featured one.

Weapon Banners: A Different Beast Entirely

Weapon banners—officially called Epitome Invocation—play by their own rules. First off, pity kicks in at 80 pulls instead of 90. The probabilities dance differently too:

Pull Count	Featured Weapon Chance	Notes
First pity	75%	Higher than character banners!
Second pity	100%	Guaranteed one of the two featured weapons
After that	Back to 75%	The cycle continues

But here's the kicker: there are always TWO featured 5★ weapons, meaning even when you get a featured weapon, it's a coin flip which one you'll get. I've seen players pull the same weapon three times in a row... oof, talk about heartbreak!

Standard Banner: The Wild Card

Don't forget about the permanent standard banner! It has pity too (90 pulls for 5-star), but there's never a featured character or weapon. What you get is completely random from the standard pool. It's like gacha roulette—thrilling but unpredictable!

Pulling Strategy: Single vs. Multi

Alright, let's talk strategy. While miHoYo never officially confirmed it, the community consensus is that "soft pity" exists starting around 70 pulls. The probability of getting a 5-star supposedly increases dramatically from that point. Honestly? I've rarely seen anyone actually hit 90 pulls—most 5-stars come home between pulls 75-80.

So here's my two cents: once you hit around 60 pulls, switch to single pulls. Unlike some games, Genshin gives you zero bonus for doing 10-pulls. Doing singles lets you stop immediately when you get your 5-star, potentially saving precious wishes for the next banner.

Tracking Your Progress

You absolutely MUST keep track of your pulls! Here are your options:

• ✍️ Manually write them down (old school but reliable)

• 📱 Use community-made tracking apps

• 🎮 Check your in-game wish history (found in the Wish menu)

Your history only shows the last 6 months of pulls, so if you're planning long-term, external tracking is your best friend.

2026 Perspective: What's Changed?

Six years in, the pity system remains the backbone of Genshin's gacha. While new banner types have emerged and the character roster has exploded, these core mechanics have stayed remarkably player-friendly. The carryover between banners remains one of the most consumer-friendly features in modern gacha gaming.

Remember: patience and planning beat impulsive pulling every time. Save those Primogems, track your pity, and may your 50-50s always be in your favor! 🍀