Genshin Impact is more than just a beautiful open-world RPG — it’s a massive adventure full of exploration, character-building, resource management, and combat strategy. Developed by HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo), the game has captivated millions with its anime-inspired visuals, rich storylines, and complex gameplay systems.

However, with so many features — artifacts, elemental reactions, character ascensions, and daily grinding — many new players often feel overwhelmed. This guide breaks everything down into clear, actionable sections. Whether you’re a new Traveler or a seasoned player, these tips will help you maximize your gameplay efficiency and enjoyment.

1. Getting Started in Genshin Impact

Understanding the Core Gameplay

At its heart, Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG where you explore the vast continent of Teyvat. You control a party of four characters, each representing one of the seven elements: Anemo (wind), Geo (earth), Electro (lightning), Dendro (nature), Hydro (water), Pyro (fire), and Cryo (ice).

Your primary goal is to explore, complete quests, unlock new regions, and strengthen your characters. The game offers both single-player exploration and limited co-op play.

First Week Beginner Tips

For your first few days, focus on the following tasks:

  • Complete the Archon Quests (main story) to unlock new regions and features.
  • Use Resin wisely — don’t waste it early on artifacts; use it for Ascension materials.
  • Collect Anemoculi and Geoculi to level up the Statues of the Seven for stamina.
  • Unlock Teleport Waypoints for faster travel.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

New players often:

  • Level up too many characters early (focus on 4–6 core units).
  • Use fragile materials like Fragile Resin too soon.
  • Ignore daily commissions (which are the best source of Primogems).

2. Mastering the Elements and Reactions

The Elemental System Explained

Each element interacts in unique ways. The key to powerful combat in Genshin Impact lies in elemental reactions — combining attacks from different elements to produce stronger effects.

Common Reaction Combos

Here are some of the most important reaction combos to remember:

  • Vaporize (Pyro + Hydro): High burst damage.
  • Melt (Pyro + Cryo): Extremely strong when triggered with Pyro last.
  • Electro-Charged (Electro + Hydro): Continuous AoE damage.
  • Bloom/Burgeon/Hyperbloom (Dendro Reactions): Dendro combined with Hydro, Pyro, or Electro for new-gen meta strategies.

Elemental Synergy in Teams

Your party should have complementary elements. For example:

  • A Hydro + Pyro combo (Xingqiu + Hu Tao) is devastating for single targets.
  • Cryo + Electro (Ganyu + Fischl) offers constant crowd control.
  • Anemo characters like Kazuha or Sucrose help swirl and amplify reactions.

3. Character Building and Ascension

Prioritize Your Core Team

Early in the game, focus on one main DPS, one sub-DPS, one healer, and one support. Don’t spread your resources too thin.

Leveling vs. Ascension

Characters level up to 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 — but every few stages, you’ll need Ascension Materials to unlock the next cap.

  • Farm these materials at boss fights or specific world domains.
  • Ascend your main DPS first, then support and healers.

Efficient Resource Farming

Plan your Resin use wisely:

  • Mondays & Thursdays: Farm Weapon Ascension Materials.
  • Tuesdays & Fridays: Talent Books.
  • Sundays: All domains are open — use this day strategically.

4. Weapon Enhancement and Refinement

Weapon Types and Rarity

Weapons come in five types — Sword, Claymore, Polearm, Bow, Catalyst — and five rarities from 1-star to 5-star.

The best strategy early on is to use strong 4-star weapons (like the Black Sword or Prototype Rancour) since 5-stars are rare and hard to refine.

Refining Weapons

Refinement improves weapon passive skills by using duplicates. Example: Refining The Stringless increases elemental skill/burst damage further.

Enhancement Tips

  • Always lock important weapons to avoid accidental sacrifice.
  • Use Enhancement Ores, not valuable weapons, for upgrading.
  • Stop upgrading weak 3-star weapons once you have 4-star options.

5. Artifact Farming and Optimization

Understanding Artifact Sets

Artifacts are like the “gear” of Genshin Impact. Each set gives unique bonuses — for example:

  • Gladiator’s Finale: Increases attack and normal attack damage.
  • Wanderer’s Troupe: Great for elemental mastery builds.
  • Emblem of Severed Fate: Boosts Energy Recharge and Burst damage.

Prioritize Stats, Not Just Sets

Always check sub-stats — they can make or break a build.

Ideal sub-stats include:

  • Crit Rate / Crit Damage
  • ATK%
  • Energy Recharge
  • Elemental Mastery (for reaction builds)

When to Farm Artifacts

Avoid farming artifacts until Adventure Rank 45+, where you’re guaranteed 5-star drops. Before that, focus on leveling characters and weapons instead.

6. Exploration and World Secrets

The Power of Exploration

Genshin Impact rewards curiosity. From hidden treasure chests to secret puzzles and domains, exploration is key to earning Adventure EXP, Primogems, and upgrade materials.

Key Exploration Tips

  • Unlock Statues of the Seven and Teleport Waypoints early.
  • Mark Ore Farming Routes (like Crystal Chunks and White Iron).
  • Complete World Quests for valuable rewards like new blueprints and gadgets.

Exploration Gadgets to Use

  • Treasure Compass: Locates hidden chests.
  • Resonance Stones: Help find Oculi.
  • Portable Waypoint: Set custom teleport points for farming routes.

7. Daily Routine and Resin Management

Optimize Your Daily Routine

Your daily activities should include:

  1. 4 Daily Commissions – Primary source of Primogems.
  2. Resin Use – Spend Original Resin (160 daily max) wisely.
  3. Expedition Dispatches – Send characters for ore and materials.
  4. Domains & Bosses – For artifacts and ascension items.

Using Resin Efficiently

Resin regenerates over time, and managing it is vital for progress.

Best Resin spending options:

  • Talent Materials
  • Character Ascension Bosses
  • Artifact Domains (only AR45+)

Fragile Resin Strategy

Use Fragile Resin sparingly — only during double-drop events or when farming endgame gear.

8. Team Composition and Battle Strategy

Understanding Team Roles

A well-balanced team includes:

  • Main DPS: Primary damage dealer (e.g., Hu Tao, Diluc).
  • Sub-DPS: Elemental burst user (e.g., Xingqiu, Fischl).
  • Support/Buffer: Boosts team output (e.g., Bennett, Kazuha).
  • Healer/Shielder: Maintains survivability (e.g., Barbara, Zhongli).

Example Meta Teams

  • National Team: Xiangling + Xingqiu + Bennett + Chongyun.
  • Freeze Team: Ganyu + Mona + Diona + Venti.
  • Hyperbloom Team: Nahida + Raiden Shogun + Xingqiu + Kuki Shinobu.

Combat Tricks

  • Always use elemental reactions for bonus damage.
  • Swap characters mid-combo to trigger reactions.
  • Use shielders to prevent interruption and improve burst uptime.

9. Events, Wishes, and F2P Strategy

Understanding the Gacha System

Genshin Impact’s gacha system uses Primogems for “Wishes” on character and weapon banners. The pity system guarantees a 5-star after a set number of pulls, so saving and spending strategically is vital.

F2P and Low-Spender Tips

  • Always complete Spiral Abyss floors for Primogems.
  • Log in daily to collect free rewards.
  • Participate in limited-time events for free characters or weapons.
  • Use Starglitter from duplicates to buy Intertwined Fates.

Event Participation

Events often introduce new mini-games and side stories. Prioritize these, as they usually offer valuable rewards like Primogems, Crowns, and level-up materials.

10. Advanced Gameplay & Endgame Tips

Spiral Abyss Strategy

The Spiral Abyss is Genshin’s true endgame challenge.

Tips for success:

  • Build two full teams (8 characters minimum).
  • Focus on elemental synergy for each side.
  • Adjust your lineup based on the enemies’ elemental shields.

Weekly Boss & Domain Rotation

Complete weekly bosses (like Azhdaha or Signora) for talent materials and Dream Solvents. Keep track of rotation schedules for the most efficient farming.

Setting Long-Term Goals

After you’ve built multiple teams:

  • Focus on crown-worthy characters to maximize potential.
  • Explore Teapot Realm customization for resources.
  • Prepare for new regions and expansions (like Fontaine or Natlan).

Conclusion

Genshin Impact is a game of patience, exploration, and optimization. It rewards players who plan ahead, experiment with elemental reactions, and manage their resources wisely. With new regions and characters constantly being added, the adventure never truly ends — there’s always a new build to test, a new domain to conquer, or a new story to uncover.

By mastering these tips and guides, you can progress through Teyvat efficiently without wasting valuable time or resources. Whether you’re a free-to-play player or a long-term veteran, remember that Genshin Impact is about enjoying the journey — not just racing to the end.

So grab your glider, choose your favorite team, and set out into the world of Teyvat. Adventure awaits, Traveler!