The Identity V COA IX Essence pity system guarantees an S-Tier skin after 250 pulls costing exactly 79,500 Echoes at 318 Echoes per pull. Only three stopping points maximize value: 60 pulls (19,080 Echoes), 130 pulls (41,340 Echoes), or the full 250-pull guarantee. Every pull between these thresholds wastes resources without meaningful probability increases.
Understanding COA IX Pity System Fundamentals
The pity system tracks every pull without an S-Tier reward. This counter increments with each non-S-Tier result and resets immediately upon obtaining an S-Tier skin. Pity carries over between essences within Season 41 but resets completely when Season 42 begins.
COA IX runs January 8-28, 2026—three weeks to accumulate resources and execute your strategy. For secure Echo purchases, Identity V echoes top up for COA IX essence through BitTopup provides fast delivery and competitive pricing.
What Is the Pity System?
Pity guarantees high-rarity rewards after specific pull thresholds. Each essence pull costs 318 Echoes individually or 3,180 for 10-pull bundles. Base S-Tier drop rate: 1-2% per pull before pity activation.
How Pull Counters Work
Your counter operates invisibly, tracking every essence opening. At 60 pulls, soft pity activates, gradually increasing S-Tier drop rates with each subsequent pull. The counter persists across play sessions and carries between COA IX and other Season 41 essences.
The 250-Pull Absolute Guarantee
Pull 250 delivers an S-Tier skin if you haven't obtained one earlier. This hard cap requires exactly 79,500 Echoes (250 × 318). No discount for bulk purchases—singles and 10-pulls cost the same per pull.
The Complete 79,500 Echoes Math
Single Pull Cost: 318 Echoes
Every individual essence pull costs exactly 318 Echoes. This price remains fixed throughout the January 8-28, 2026 event period.
10-Pull Bundle: No Discount
10-pull bundles cost 3,180 Echoes—exactly 10 individual pulls at 318 each. Identity V offers no bulk discount. Choose based on convenience, not cost optimization.
Total Cost Breakdown
50 pulls: 15,900 Echoes
60 pulls: 19,080 Echoes
100 pulls: 31,800 Echoes
130 pulls: 41,340 Echoes
150 pulls: 47,700 Echoes
200 pulls: 63,600 Echoes
250 pulls: 79,500 Echoes
Stop Point #1: The 60-Pull Threshold
Why 60 Pulls Is Minimum Viable Investment
Soft pity begins at pull 60, fundamentally altering probability. Before this, each pull maintains base 1-2% S-Tier rate. After pull 60, the system incrementally increases drop rates with each subsequent pull.
Statistical analysis shows ~40% of players obtain an S-Tier within first 50 pulls. The remaining 60% who reach pull 60 enter dramatically improved probability.
Cost: 19,080 Echoes
60 pulls × 318 Echoes = 19,080 Echoes. This represents ~24% of full 250-pull cost while providing substantial S-Tier probability.
At 60 pulls, cumulative probability indicates ~40% chance of having obtained an S-Tier skin.
Expected Value at 60 Pulls
At 60 pulls, you've likely accumulated multiple A-Tier skins, B-Tier accessories, and graffiti, with 40% chance of the featured S-Tier.
Continuing to 130 pulls requires additional 22,260 Echoes (70 pulls × 318). This increases S-Tier probability from 40% to ~63%—a 23-point improvement for 117% more Echoes.
Who Should Stop at 60
Casual players prioritizing diverse skin collections over specific S-Tier acquisitions. The 19,080 Echo investment allows budget allocation across multiple events rather than concentrating on a single essence.
Stop Point #2: The 130-Pull Strategic Middle Ground
Second Guarantee Mechanics
While not explicitly labeled a second guarantee, probability mathematics create a natural inflection point at 130 pulls. Cumulative probability reaches ~63%—nearly two-thirds of players obtain their S-Tier by this threshold.
Cost: 41,340 Echoes
130 pulls × 318 Echoes = 41,340 Echoes, representing 52% of full 250-pull cost. This provides substantially improved S-Tier probability compared to 60-pull threshold while avoiding the final 120-pull stretch.
Probability Analysis
Cumulative probability at key thresholds:
50 pulls: 40% S-Tier chance
100 pulls: 63% S-Tier chance
150 pulls: 78% S-Tier chance
200 pulls: 87% S-Tier chance
250 pulls: 100% guaranteed
The 130-pull threshold positions near the steepest portion of the probability curve where soft pity effects maximize value per Echo spent.
Optimal for Moderate Spenders
Moderate spenders who allocate monthly budgets to Identity V should target the 130-pull threshold. This investment provides strong S-Tier probability while preserving resources for other seasonal events and future COA events.
Stop Point #3: The 250-Pull Complete Pity
Full 79,500 Echoes Commitment
Committing 79,500 Echoes makes sense for Joseph mains who consider Eternal Light essential, or completionist collectors pursuing every S-Tier skin. The guaranteed outcome eliminates gambling uncertainty.
Guaranteed S-Tier Acquisition
At pull 250, the system automatically delivers an S-Tier skin if you haven't obtained one earlier. This prevents worst-case scenarios where players could spend indefinitely without reward.
Total Rewards at 250 Pulls
Reaching 250 pulls accumulates 4-6 A-Tier skins, 10-15 B-Tier accessories, and numerous graffiti and portrait frames.
During first week (January 8-14, 2026), A-Tier skins discount from 1,388 to 1,178 Echoes. The four featured A-Tiers—Painter's Deep Blue Knight, Fire Investigator's Untamed, Faro Lady's Pale Crown, and Knight's A-Tier—cost 4,712 Echoes total during discount period.
Collector vs Practical Spending
Collectors view 79,500 Echoes as standard pricing for S-Tier acquisition. Practical spenders evaluate this against alternative uses: multiple discounted A-Tier skins across several events, Logic Path progression, or future COA events.
Why Every Other Stop Point Wastes Money
The 'Just 10 More Pulls' Trap
Stopping at 55 pulls then deciding just 10 more to reach 65 costs 3,180 Echoes but provides minimal value. You've passed 60-pull soft pity activation without benefiting from improved rates that accumulate through pulls 61-130.
Dead Zones: 61-129 and 131-249
The 61-129 range is the first dead zone. Stopping at 75, 90, or 110 pulls gives incrementally better probability than 60 pulls but fails to reach the 130-pull inflection point.
The 131-249 range creates an even worse dead zone. Stopping at 180 pulls means spending 57,240 Echoes for 87% probability—accepting 13% failure risk after substantial investment makes no strategic sense.
Sunken Cost Fallacy
Players at 180 pulls feel compelled to continue, reasoning their 57,240 Echo investment would be wasted if they stop. This reverses proper economic thinking: previous spending is irrelevant to future decisions.
The correct analysis: Should I spend an additional 22,260 Echoes (70 pulls) to guarantee the S-Tier? not I've already spent 57,240, so I must continue.
Common Regret Patterns
Players frequently report stopping at 140-160 pulls, having exceeded the 130-pull strategic threshold without committing to 250-pull guarantee. These players spent 44,520-50,880 Echoes for ~70-75% S-Tier probability.
Worst scenario: stopping at 220-240 pulls after failing to obtain S-Tier. These players spent 69,960-76,320 Echoes—88-96% of full guarantee cost—while accepting 5-10% failure probability.
COA IX Drop Rates and Probability
Official S-Tier Drop Rate
Base S-Tier drop rate: 1-2% per individual pull before soft pity activation at pull 60. This rate applies uniformly across pulls 1-59.
A-Tier Probability
Community data suggests ~8-12% probability per pull. The four featured A-Tier skins compete with other A-Tier rewards in the essence pool, making direct purchase during discount period (January 8-14, 2026) more cost-effective than essence gambling.
Duplicate Protection
Obtaining an A-Tier or S-Tier skin you already own converts the duplicate into fragments usable for other purchases. This prevents complete value loss from duplicates.
How to Acquire 79,500 Echoes Efficiently
In-Game Echo Earning
Free-to-play players can accumulate 1,125-2,500 Echoes during COA IX (January 8-28, 2026) through:
Daily quests: 15-30 Echoes/day = 315-630 Echoes total
Weekly missions: 400-800 Echoes
Logic Path: 200-500 Echoes
COA IX events: 200-400 Echoes
Redemption Codes
Active codes during COA IX:
queenbee1127: 75-150 Echoes
27026: 75-150 Echoes
2A543: 75-100 Echoes
Total: 225-400 additional Echoes
Echo Top-Up Through BitTopup
Players requiring substantial Echoes for 60-pull (19,080), 130-pull (41,340), or 250-pull (79,500) thresholds must supplement free earnings with purchases. Buy Identity V echoes recharge online through BitTopup for secure transactions, fast delivery, and excellent customer support.
Advanced Pull Strategy
Track Your Pity Counter
Identity V doesn't display your pity counter in-game. Record every essence pull in a spreadsheet, incrementing for each non-S-Tier result and resetting to zero upon S-Tier acquisition.
Critical when pulling across multiple Season 41 essences—pity carries between COA IX and Season 41 Essence 1.
Set Your Spending Limit
Before opening any essences, establish a firm spending limit:
Conservative: 19,080 Echoes (60 pulls)
Moderate: 41,340 Echoes (130 pulls)
Committed: 79,500 Echoes (250 pulls)
Select one threshold and commit to stopping regardless of results.
When to Abandon
Players who reach their predetermined limit without obtaining S-Tier should stop immediately. The pity counter carries forward to other Season 41 essences—your investment applies toward future S-Tier acquisition.
F2P Alternative Strategies
Free-to-play players accumulating 1,350-2,900 Echoes (including codes) cannot reach 60-pull threshold. Consider:
Purchase discounted A-Tier skins during first week at 1,178 Echoes each
Save Echoes for future events featuring preferred characters
Make 4-9 individual essence pulls for chance at early S-Tier drop
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 250 pulls cost in COA IX?
Exactly 79,500 Echoes. Each pull costs 318 Echoes, and 250 × 318 = 79,500 total. No bulk discount exists.
What are the guaranteed drop points?
Only absolute guarantee: 250 pulls (100% S-Tier). Soft pity begins at pull 60. Three optimal stopping points: 60 pulls (19,080 Echoes), 130 pulls (41,340 Echoes), 250 pulls (79,500 Echoes).
Does pity counter reset after getting S-tier?
Yes, immediately. Counter resets to zero the moment you obtain an S-Tier. However, counter carries between different essences within Season 41.
Should I stop at 60 or continue to 250?
Stop at 60 if you're casual with limited budget seeking reasonable S-Tier probability (40%) at minimal cost. Continue to 250 only if you're a collector or Joseph main requiring guaranteed acquisition. The 130-pull threshold (63% probability) offers best middle ground.
How many Echoes can F2P earn during COA IX?
1,350-2,900 Echoes total through daily quests, weekly missions, Logic Path, events, and redemption codes. Enough for 4-9 essence pulls but insufficient for 60-pull threshold.
What happens if I don't get S-Tier by January 28?
Your pity counter carries forward to other Season 41 essences. Counter persists until you obtain an S-Tier from any Season 41 essence or until Season 42 begins.
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