Getting Started

First Hour Walkthrough

Your Opening Moments

After the short opening cutscene (where you choose your twin – no permanent difference), you will wake up on the shore of Liyue. Your first task is to follow the floating Seelie (a light blue fairy-like creature) and reach the Statue of The Seven (anemo). Interact with it to unlock a waypoint and receive your first Anemoculus. This is crucial for upgrading your stamina.

Learn the Basics

• Move: WASD (PC), left stick (console/controller), virtual joystick (mobile).


• Attack: Left mouse / R2 / tap the attack button.


• Elemental Skill: E / R1 / hold/tap skill button.


• Elemental Burst: Q / R2 + L2 / hold burst button.


• Sprint: Shift / L3 / sprint button.


• Jump: Spacebar / X / jump button.


• Interact: F / Square / interaction icon.

You will fight a few basic slimes and hillichurls. Use the Anemo Traveler (your starting character) or Amber (given after reaching Mondstadt). Collect drops like Hillichurl Masks and Slime Condensate – keep everything.

Arrive at Mondstadt

After a short path, you reach Mondstadt city. Speak to Kaeya and Amber, who join your party. Then follow the main questline: "The Outlander Who Caught the Wind". This teaches you about domains, teleport waypoints, and the Adventurer's Guild.

Character Creation (No True Customization)

Genshin Impact does not allow you to create your own character. You start with the Traveler who can switch between Anemo and Geo elements later. Your only choice is at the very beginning: Aether (male) or Lumine (female). This choice has no gameplay impact – pick whichever you prefer aesthetically. The twin you see in the cutscenes is the one who leaves with a god; the one you control searches for them.

Controls on All Platforms

Tip for Mobile: You can customize the button layout in Settings > Controls. Enable "lock on" for easier aiming.

UI Overview

• Top-left: Party health bars (up to 4 characters). Above you see your world level, Primogems, Mora, and Resin count.


• Top-center: Quest tracker (current objective) and compass.


• Top-right: Mini-map showing directions, teleport waypoints, and nearby points of interest.


• Bottom center: Action buttons for the active character (attack, skill, burst, sprint, jump).


• Bottom-left: Character switching buttons (tap to swap).


• Bottom-right: Quick access to gadget, inventory, and friends list.


• Paimon Menu (press Esc / Options): Contains settings, co-op, inventory, character screen, and more.


Key UI elements to understand early:

• Elemental Sight (press and hold middle mouse / L2 + R2 / hold eye icon on mobile): Highlights interactable objects, puzzles, and collectibles.


• Resin (moon-shaped symbol top-right): Used to claim rewards from domains and bosses. Max is 160; it regenerates over time. Early on, spend only on Ley Line Outcrops (Blossom of Revelation/Wealth).




Essential Early Objectives





1. Unlock Teleport Waypoints


Every waypoint you touch becomes fast-travel. Prioritize unlocking all waypoints in Mondstadt and Liyue for easy travel.



2. Collect Oculi


Anemoculi (wind) and Geoculi (geo) are floating collectibles. Glide or climb to reach them. Offer them to Statues of The Seven to increase stamina. Don't skip these – stamina is precious.



3. Complete the Archon Quests


Main story quests (Archon Quests) unlock new areas, characters, features, and increase your Adventure Rank (AR). Focus on "Prologue: Act I - The Outlander Who Caught the Wind".



4. Level Up Your Adventure Rank


AR is your progression gate. It unlocks domain difficulties, world level, and main story continuations. You gain AR XP from:
- Daily Commissions (unlocked at AR 12)
- Quest completions
- Opening chests
- Finding Anemoculi/Geoculi (first time offering gives AR XP)



5. Do the Beginners' Wish Banner


The Beginners' Wish banner costs 8 Acquaint Fates (not Primogems) per 10-pull. It guarantees Noelle (claymore geo character) after one 10-pull. This is a great early investment. Use the free Acquaint Fates from ascending characters to roll on this banner.



What to Do First vs. What to Avoid





Prioritize:



• Follow the main story until you reach AR 20 (approx 2-3 hours).


• Collect every chest you see; they give AR XP and resources.


• Pick up every plant, ore, and item – you'll need them for ascension and crafting.


• Do the tutorial domains – they teach elemental reactions and mechanics.


• Talk to every NPC with a quest marker – many side quests grant AR XP.


• Cook dishes – healing food (e.g., "Stir-Fried Fish Noodles") can save you in battle.


• Join the Adventurer's Guild (Katheryne in Mondstadt) to unlock daily commissions.




Avoid:



• Spending Primogems on the standard banner (Wanderlust Invocation) – save for limited banners.


• Upgrading every character to level 20 – focus on 4 main characters.


• Using fragile resin before AR45 – save for max-level artifact domains.


• Ignoring elemental reactions – they multiply damage heavily.


• Rushing to open high-level domains – you'll get destroyed. Check domain level recommendations.


• Wasting enhancement ore on 3-star weapons – keep them for 4-star and above.


• Climbing in rain – wet surfaces increase stamina drain; use platforms or glide.




Early Resource Priorities





1. Primogems


Use only for Intertwined Fates (pink) for limited event banners. Never convert to Acquaint Fates unless you have excess.



2. Mora (Gold)


You will run out fast. Use it wisely: prioritize character ascension, talent upgrades, weapon enhancements. Avoid buying unnecessary items from shops.



3. Enhancement Ores


Use only on weapons you will keep long-term (e.g., 4-star or craftable weapons). Do not enhance 1-2 star weapons beyond level 20.



4. Character Ascension Materials


Check which materials your main characters need (e.g., Vayuda Turquoise for Anemo characters). Gather world resources accordingly.



5. Talent Books


Available from domains (check which days they drop). Focus on your main DPS character's talents first.



6. Resin



• Before AR45: Use resin on Ley Line Outcrops (Mora/EXP books) and weekly bosses (Stormterror, Andrius, Childe once unlocked).


• After AR45: Focus on artifact domains for 5-star gear.


• Never let resin cap at 160 – use it or condense it (unlocked at AR40?).




Common Beginner Mistakes



1. Wasting Primogems on standard banner – you get free Acquaint Fates from other sources; don't convert.
2. Leveling too many characters – resources are scarce; pick a main team (1 DPS, 2 supports, 1 healer/shielder).
3. Ignoring the Statue of The Seven – not offering oculi limits stamina, making exploration and combat harder.
4. Not cooking food – healing and stamina dishes are cheap to make and very useful early.
5. Sprinting everywhere – stamina drains quickly; use walking or gliding strategically.
6. Forgetting to equip artifacts – you get free 3-star artifacts from chests; equip them and level them to +4 at least.
7. Skipping daily commissions – they are the main source of Primogems (60 per day).
8. Fighting without understanding elemental reactions – e.g., applying Hydro + Electro causes Electro-Charged; using Pyro + Cryo triggers Melt. Learn the basics.
9. Ignoring the red climate warnings – in Dragonspine (Snezhnaya-like area) you'll freeze if not near a heat source. Avoid until later.
10. Opening high-level world bosses too early – e.g., Oceanid can be very hard without a ranged bow character.



Day-One Checklist




• [ ] Complete the prologue archon quest up to "Farewell, Archaic Lord" (ends at AR 18) – this unlocks events and battle pass.


• [ ] Unlock all Mondstadt teleport waypoints (at least the ones on the main roads).


• [ ] Offer 5+ Anemoculi to the Anemo Statue (unlock stamina bonus).


• [ ] Claim the free Beginners' Wish banner 10-pull – get Noelle.


• [ ] Level your main character (Traveler) to level 20 (use EXP books from chests).


• [ ] Equip artifacts (use the free set from the tutorial; level flower to +4 for HP).


• [ ] Cook at least 10 healing dishes (e.g., Sweet Madame or Stir-Fried Fish Noodles).


• [ ] Complete the Adventurer's Guild tutorial – unlock daily commissions (unlocked at AR 12).


• [ ] Spend your original resin on Ley Line Outcrops (blossom of revelation or wealth). Do not let it sit at 160.


• [ ] Do the "Adventure Rank 10" reward from Katheryne – you get 10 Acquaint Fates.


• [ ] Check your mail for freebies (often includes primogems, fates, and materials).


• [ ] Set up a good early team: Traveler (Anemo), Amber (Pyro), Kaeya (Cryo), and Noelle (Geo) – covers healing, shield, and exploration.


• [ ] Avoid going to Dragonspine until AR 20+ – the sheer cold mechanic is punishing.

By the end of day one, you should be Adventure Rank 10-12, with a party of four characters, a full set of 3-star artifacts, and a clear path forward. Focus on enjoyment and exploration – Genshin Impact is a marathon, not a sprint.