Genshin Impact players often chase a steady stream of wishes, and understanding how to count pity is the first step toward planning your pulls. This guide breaks down the exact mechanics so you can track soft and hard pity, manage your in-game resources, and make smarter decisions on when to spend.
By learning how the system logs each pull and where thresholds kick in, you can reduce wasted primogems and time while building a stronger roster. The following sections walk through practical tracking methods, simulations, and common scenarios you will face in Teyvat.
| Pity Type | Threshold | Guaranteed Outcome | Soft Reset Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Pity (Standard) | 73 pulls | Higher chance for 4-star item | Progress carries over |
| Hard Pity | 80–90 pulls | 5-star character guaranteed | Resets at 90 |
| Event Banner Pity | 80 pulls | Guaranteed 5-star featured character | Separate from standard |
| Constellation Materials | Not applicable | N/A | Always on character page |
Understanding Soft and Hard Pity Mechanics
How the Counter Increases
Every time you pull on a banner, the game logs one attempt and increases a hidden counter. Standard banners start at zero after you obtain a 5-star, and each non-featured pull moves the counter up by one. When you hit Soft Pity at around 73 pulls, the odds to win a 4-star item rise significantly, but the counter continues climbing.
Hard Pity and Guaranteed 5-Star
Hard Pity usually activates between 80 and 90 pulls, and at 90 pulls the game guarantees a 5-star item. This means that if you have not yet received a 5-star, the system forces one at the 90th pull. Event banners featuring a specific character apply the same logic but reset separately from the standard banner counter.
Interaction with the Item Pool
The pity counter tracks attempts, but the actual result still depends on the item pool rates. When Soft Pity triggers, the game first decides whether to award a 4-star or 5-star, then selects an item from the corresponding pool. If you are chasing a specific character, remember that the feature pool only appears during its banner window.
Tracking Your Own Pity Count
Manual Count in the Wish History
Open the in-game record under the Pity section and review your recent wishes. Every entry shows whether you pulled a 4-star or 5-star, and you can count consecutive pulls on a single banner to estimate where you stand. Just be sure you are looking only at the relevant banner, since global wishes do not reset the standard banner counter.
Third-Party Tools and Spreadsheets
Many community tools ingest your in-game codes to simulate pity progress and estimate remaining pulls. You can also maintain a simple spreadsheet where each row records a wish, the result, and whether it was a 5-star. Over time, this log helps you spot patterns and verify that the in-game numbers match your expectations.
Using Simulation to Plan Spending
Simulators let you input current pity and run thousands of virtual pulls to estimate average pulls needed for a target. Although real outcomes vary, these tools are useful for budgeting primogems and deciding whether to soft reset for a fresh banner or continue pulling on your current one.
Banner-Specific Pity Rules
Standard Banner vs. Character Event Banner
Standard banners cover multiple characters or weapons on a rotating schedule, while character banners focus on a single featured hero. Each has its own independent pity counter, so reaching Hard Pity on one does not affect the other. Plan your resources based on which banner you intend to chase.
Constellation and Account Bonuses
Constellation does not change pity thresholds, but it ensures you always receive the character even if the drop from the 5-star pool goes to someone else. Account-level bonuses like the beginner wishes or login events can change initial pull costs, but they do not alter the underlying pity progression.
Key Takeaways for Managing Pity and Resources
- Track your pull count manually or with a spreadsheet to stay aware of Soft and Hard Pity thresholds.
- Remember that Event banners and Standard banners maintain separate pity counters.
- Use simulations to estimate average pulls, but prepare for variance in actual outcomes.
- Soft resetting can optimize a single targeted pull at the cost of potentially higher overall primogem usage.
- Plan your primogen budget around your target banners and avoid emotional, unplanned pulls.
FAQ
Reader questions
Does soft reset actually lower the average number of pulls needed?
Soft resetting can lower the average for a single targeted pull if you are willing to discard previous progress, because you restart at zero and guarantee a 5-star earlier on average. However, repeating resets often increases total primogems spent and risks wasting pulls if the next run still yields bad luck.
Will my pity break if I switch banners halfway through?
Yes, switching banners resets the pity counter for the previous banner and starts a new count on the new one. If you are close to Hard Pity on one banner, abandoning it means losing that progress and facing a longer grind on the next banner unless you track counts carefully.
Can I reach pity on redeem codes or starter wishes?
No, pity only applies to in-game wishes using Intertwined or Acquaint Fate. Free 10-pull from the starter menu and redeem codes grant items directly and do not feed into the Soft or Hard Pity counter, so they do not help or hinder future guaranteed drops.
Do duplicate 5-stars guarantee a new character on the next pull?
Yes, if you obtain a duplicate 5-star from a banner that shares the same wish type, the game converts it into pity currency called Fragments. Collect enough Fragments to trigger a guaranteed reroll that offers a featured character, which helps you efficiently chase specific heroes without additional pulls.</p