Epitomized Path Guide: R1 Weapon Cost 2026

Understanding the Epitomized Path Mechanism

The Epitomized Path mitigates weapon banner volatility. Unlike the character banner's 50/50, the weapon banner features three rate-up weapons, diluting drop rates. This system is essential for targeting specific items.

To activate, click the button in the bottom-left of the Epitome Invocation screen and select your target. If you pull a non-target 5-star, you earn 1 Fate Point. The next 5-star after accumulating 1 Fate Point is guaranteed to be your target.

Warning: Fate Points reset upon pulling the target, at the end of the banner cycle, or if you switch selection.

What are Fate Points?

Fate Points are a persistence currency. Version 5.0+ requires only 1 Fate Point for a guarantee, a massive improvement over the pre-5.0 system requiring 2. This ensures you won't lose the 50/50 indefinitely.

The 75/25 Rule for Weapon Banners

The weapon banner uses a 75/25 split, not 50/50.

• 75% chance: Featured weapon.
• 25% chance: Standard weapon (Aquila Favonia, Amos' Bow, Skyward series).

Losing the 75/25 (getting a standard weapon) grants 1 Fate Point. Winning the 75/25 but getting the wrong featured weapon also grants 1 Fate Point.

Calculating the Hard Pity Cost for R1

To determine the R1 cost, calculate the Worst Case Scenario (Hard Pity). This assumes maximum bad luck: losing the 75/25 and hitting the pull cap twice.

The Math Behind the Guarantee (160 Pulls)

The Weapon Event Wish hard pity guarantees a 5-star weapon at 80 wishes. To calculate the maximum investment for a specific R1 weapon, we must account for two cycles of hard pity:

1. Cycle 1: Pull 80 times (Hard Pity). Receive a standard weapon (Loss 75/25). Gain 1 Fate Point.
2. Cycle 2: Pull another 80 times (Hard Pity). With 1 Fate Point, this weapon is guaranteed to be your target.

Total Maximum Wishes: 160.

Converting Pulls to Primogems and Real Money Value

Each wish costs 160 Primogems.

• Calculation: 160 wishes × 160 Primogems/wish = 25,600 Primogems.

This 25,600 figure is the absolute ceiling. If short, a reliable service for a Genshin Impact top up can bridge the gap. Platforms like buffget offer fast delivery and security.

Best Case vs. Worst Case Scenarios

While 25,600 Primogems is the max, costs vary. The 50th percentile is 99 pulls.

Scenario A: Winning the 50/50 Early

Lucky scenario: Hit a 5-star at wish 20.

• Target weapon: Cost 3,200 Primogems.
• Wrong featured weapon: Gain 1 Fate Point. If next 5-star is at wish 40, it is guaranteed target. Total cost: ~9,600 Primogems.

Scenario B: Hitting Hard Pity Twice

Statistical ceiling: Wish 80 (Standard), then Wish 160 (Target). Cost: 25,600 Primogems. The new 1 Fate Point system caps the guarantee at 160 pulls, removing the extreme tail-end risk of older systems.

Resource Management: Fates and Stardust

Efficient management is key for F2P. Focus on accumulating Masterless Stardust from 3-star weapons.

Efficient Stardust Farming Strategies

• Pulling on Banners: Every 10 pulls guarantees a 4-star, providing a stream of 3-star weapons for Stardust.
• Conversion Rate: 5 Masterless Stardust = 1 Stardust Glitter. 5 Stardust Glitter = 1 Intertwined Fate. You can also buy Fates directly with Stardust in the Paimon Menu.
• Daily Farming: Regular wishes on any banner generate Stardust for future pulls.

Why You Shouldn't Buy Fates with Primogems Directly

You must use Primogems to buy Fates. The strategy is to avoid spending Stardust on Fates if saving for Refinement materials (Stardust Glitter). Conversely, use Stardust for Fates if Primogem-poor. The most efficient F2P strategy involves hoarding Primogems from events, commissions, and exploration for the 25,600 threshold.

Soft Pity and Probability Curves

Base 5-star rate: 0.7% (Character banner is 0.6%).

When Does the Rate Increase?

Soft pity begins at pull 63. Probability increases linearly until 100% at pull 80 (Hard Pity). Most drops occur between wishes 65 and 75.

Misconceptions About Pity Counters

4-star drops do not reset the 5-star pity counter. Weapon pity carries over between banners, but Epitomized Path Fate Points do not. If you have 1 Fate Point when a banner ends, it is lost.

R1 vs. R5: Is the Investment Worth It?

Stopping at R1 is statistically sound. The R1 to R2 power spike is typically 10-15%, yet costs another ~25,600 Primogems.

R1 to R5 requires four more copies. Cost escalates exponentially due to the 75/25 split and Fate Point resets. Unless a weapon is a meta-defining game-changer (e.g., Staff of Homa, Engulfing Lightning), R2-R5 rarely justifies the cost for F2P or low-spend players. Focus on R1 for main DPS first.

Expert Tips for 2026 Weapon Banners

• Check the Standard Pool: If you own high-refinement standard weapons (Aquila Favonia, Skyward Blade), losing the 75/25 is less painful.
• Wait for Double Banners: Banners run for 3 weeks. Avoid pulling if only one of three weapons is useful to minimize the risk of wasting Fate Point progress.
• Track Your Pity: Know your pity count before a new banner. Entering at 70 pulls guarantees a 5-star almost immediately, making it an excellent time to activate the Epitomized Path.

Conclusion: Plan Your Pulls Wisely

The 2026 R1 cost maxes at 25,600 Primogems, a manageable target thanks to the Version 5.0 reduction to 1 Fate Point. Understand the 75/25 mechanics, 160-wish cap, and Fate Point reset rules to pull with confidence. Prioritize R1 for your core team before refinements. Use platforms like buffget for secure top-ups if savings fall short.

FAQ

How many pulls to guarantee a R1 weapon in Genshin? The maximum guarantee is 160 pulls. This accounts for hitting hard pity at 80 wishes twice: the first to earn a Fate Point and the second to trigger the guaranteed weapon.

How does Epitomized Path work in 2026? You select a target weapon. If you pull a 5-star that is not your target, you gain 1 Fate Point. Once you have 1 Fate Point, your next 5-star pull is guaranteed to be your selected weapon.

What is the hard pity for the weapon banner? The hard pity for the Weapon Event Wish is 80 pulls. This means you are guaranteed to receive a 5-star weapon by the 80th wish if you have not received one already.

How many Primogems do I need for a signature weapon? You should budget for a maximum of 25,600 Primogems. This covers the worst-case scenario of 160 wishes at 160 Primogems per wish.

Do fate points reset every banner? Yes, Epitomized Path Fate Points reset at the end of the Epitome Invocation banner period (typically 3 weeks). They also reset if you switch your target weapon selection.

Is the weapon banner 50/50? No, it is a 75/25 split. There is a 75% chance to get a featured weapon and a 25% chance to get a standard weapon (Aquila Favonia, Amos' Bow, Skyward series).