Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based JRPG that employs gacha mechanics for players to Warp (pull) for desired characters and Light Cones (weapons). As with any gacha game, it’s important to understand how its banners work so you can save up enough resources to get a guaranteed five-star.
Here’s everything you need to know about Star Rail’s gacha system—but keep in mind thatthe information below is based on the finalclosed betaand may change at launch.
Honkai: Star Rail Stellar Warp (standard banner) pity & mechanics
The standard banner is called the Stellar Warp and is expected to run indefinitely, with only occasional changes to the character and Light Cone pool. Each Warp costs x1 Star Rail Pass or x160 Stellar Jade. Standard banners are not ideal for free-to-players, as there isno way to target which five-star you get at pity.
Additionally, there is no way to ensure that your guaranteed five-star is a character or Light Cone—it’s completely random with equal rates for either. Pity resets as soon as you get a five-star entity.
Soft pity refers to a number that triggers a dramatic increase in the chances of obtaining a five-star entity. Every Warp you make after the soft pity will continuously increase your chances of getting a five-star, with a 100 percent guarantee at 90 Warps.
Five-star selection ticket (one-time reward)
If youWarp 300 timesin the standard banner, you’ll be eligible topick a five-star of your choicefrom a limited character pool: Himeko, Welt, Bronya, Gepard, Clara, Yanqing, and Bailu. This is a one-time reward with no deadline.
Related:When is Honkai Star Rail coming out?
Honkai: Star Rail Character Event Warp (limited banner) pity & mechanics
The limited banner runs for approximately two weeks and features one five-star and three four-star characters on rate-up. Each Warp costs x1 Star Rail Special Pass or x160 Stellar Jade. This banner is perfect for players looking to target specific characters, as you’reguaranteed to get the featured characters after a number of pulls.
All five-stars are also guaranteed to be characters, so no Light Cones will spook your hard-earned pity. Pity resets as soon as you get a five-star entity.
Guaranteed featured character mechanics
Honkai: Star Rail offers a 50-50 guarantee to get the featured four and five-star characters in the limited banner.
Does pity carry over to other limited banners?
Yes,pity carries over across all limited banners. If you manage to Warp 20 times on the first limited banner, then you only need to Warp 70 times on the next banner for a guaranteed five-star character.
The50-50 pattern also carries overto all limited banners. So if you managed to get the featured character on Seele’s banner, there’s a 50 percent chance for your next five-star to not be the featured character, even if your next Warp is in another limited banner.
Related:Honkai: Star Rail beta first impressions—combat, characters, story, and more
Honkai: Star Rail Light Cone Event Warp (“weapon” banner) pity & mechanics
The limited “weapon” banner runs in conjunction with the limited character banner. It features a five-star Light Cone that compliments the event character, as well as three four-star Light Cones on rate-up. Each Warp costs x1 Star Rail Special Pass or x160 Stellar Jade. This banner is perfect for players looking to target specific Light Cones, as you’reguaranteed to get the featured Light Cone after a number of pulls.
All five-stars are guaranteed to be Light Cones. Pity resets as soon as you get a five-star entity.
Guaranteed featured Light Cone mechanics
Honkai: Star Rail offers a 75-25 guarantee to get the featured four and five-star Light Cones in the limited banner.
Does pity carry over to other Light Cone banners?
Yes,pity carries over across all Light Cone banners. If you manage to Warp 20 times on the first Light Cone banner, then you only need to Warp 60 times on the next banner for a guaranteed five-star Light Cone.
The75-25 pattern also carries overto all Light Cone banners. So if you managed to get the featured Light Cone on the current banner, there’s a 25 percent chance for your next five-star to not be the featured Light Cone, even if your next Warp is in another Light Cone banner.
Duplicate pulls, Undying Starlight, & Exchange Shop mechanics
For every Warp you make in any banner, you’re entitled to receive a number of Undying Starlights and Embers, which can be used to purchase goods in the Starlight Exchange.
For more information on Honkai: Star Rail’s banner system, check outHonkai Star Rail: Current banner & who will be next?here on Pro Game Guides.
