Genshin Impact: Getting Started Guide

Welcome to the ultimate "Genshin Impact: Getting Started Guide," your one-stop resource for diving into the magical world of Teyvat! Whether you're a complete beginner eager to embark on this breathtaking adventure or a returning player looking to sharpen your skills, our guide covers all the essentials you need to know. We'll walk you through Creating Your Account, mastering the Basic Controls, Navigating Teyvat's expansive landscapes, Starting Your First Quest, and providing invaluable Tips for New Players. Get ready to explore, battle, and uncover the mysteries of Genshin Impact with confidence and excitement!

Creating Your Account

Getting ready to dive into the breathtaking world of Teyvat in Genshin Impact? First things first, you’ll need to create your account. Whether you're playing on PC, mobile, or a console, the process is straightforward. Let's walk through it.

Choosing Your Platform

Genshin Impact is available on multiple platforms: PC, iOS/Android (mobile), PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. While the basic steps are similar, there are a few differences based on your platform. Let’s break it down:

PC: Download the game from the official Genshin Impact website or through the Epic Games Store.
Mobile: Find Genshin Impact on the App Store or Google Play Store.
PlayStation: Download the game from the PlayStation Store.

Starting the Game

Once you’ve got the game downloaded, open it up! You’ll be greeted with a stunning intro. After that, it’s time to set things up.

Launching the Game: Open Genshin Impact and let it load. There might be a few updates, so grab a snack if it takes a while.
Select Server: You’ll need to choose a server based on your region. Options include America, Europe, Asia, and TW, HK, MO (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau). Choose the one closest to you to minimize lag.

Creating Your miHoYo Account

Before you can start your adventure, you need a miHoYo account. This is your key to accessing the world of Genshin Impact. Here’s how to do it:

Account Registration:
- On PC and mobile, you’ll see an option to sign in. Choose “Register Now” if you don't already have an account.
- For PlayStation users, you’ll be prompted to link a miHoYo account after login.
Input Details: You’ll need to provide an email address and set a password. Make sure it’s an email you check often because you’ll need to verify it.
- Pro Tip: Use a strong password to keep your account secure. Think of a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Verification: Check your email for a verification link from miHoYo. Click that to verify your account. Once verified, you're all set!

Link Accounts

One of the coolest features is the ability to link your account across devices. This means you can play on your PC, switch to your phone, and even boot up your PlayStation without losing progress.

PC/Mobile Link: Simply log in using the same miHoYo account on different devices.
PlayStation Link: On your PlayStation, you’ll see an option to link your miHoYo account. Follow the prompts, and you’ll be good to go.

Start Your Adventure

Congratulations! Your account is ready. Now, it’s time to dive into the world of Teyvat, meet breathtaking characters, and embark on epic quests. As you progress, remember to occasionally check your email and keep your account secure with a strong password and 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) if available.

Now go forth, Traveler, and may the Anemo Archon guide your path!

Remember, each platform has its unique perks and controls, so take time to get comfortable with where you're playing. If you run into any issues, the Genshin Impact community is massive and very supportive. Happy adventuring!

Understanding Basic Controls

Getting the hang of the controls in Genshin Impact is crucial for enjoying the game to its fullest. Whether you're exploring Teyvat, battling fearsome enemies, or solving puzzles, knowing your way around the controls will significantly improve your experience. Here’s a breakdown of the basic controls for different platforms so you’re good to go!

PC Controls

Playing Genshin Impact on PC gives you precise control and quick access to abilities, inventory, and more. Here are the essential keys you need to know:

WASD Keys: Move your character around.
Left Mouse Button (LMB): Basic attack.
Right Mouse Button (RMB): Perform a charged attack or aim when using a bow.
E Key: Elemental skill.
Q Key: Elemental burst, often referred to as an ultimate ability.
F Key: Interact with objects and NPCs.
Shift Key: Sprint.
Space Bar: Jump.
Ctrl Key + 1-4: Switch between characters quickly.

You can also use the M Key for the map and B Key for your inventory. The mouse wheel lets you zoom in and out to get a better view of the environment.

Console (PS4/PS5) Controls

For those enjoying Genshin Impact on PlayStation, the controls are designed to feel natural with the DualShock or DualSense controllers:

Left Analog Stick: Move your character.
Right Analog Stick: Adjust the camera view.
Square Button: Basic attack.
Circle Button: Perform a charged attack or interact with objects/NPCs.
Triangle Button: Elemental burst (ultimate ability).
X Button: Jump.
L1 Button: Pull up the shortcut wheel for quick access to your menu.
R1 Button: Sprint.
L2 Button: Aim (useful for bow characters).
R2 Button: Elemental skill.

To quickly switch characters, you can use the directional buttons on the left side of your controller (D-Pad).

Mobile Controls

If you’re playing on your smartphone or tablet, Genshin Impact has touch controls tailored for ease of use:

Touch the Virtual Joystick: Move your character.
Tap the Attack Button: Basic attack.
Hold the Attack Button: Perform a charged attack.
Tap the Skill Button: Use your character's elemental skill.
Tap the Burst Button: Activate the character's elemental burst.
Tap the Jump Button: Jump.
Swipe the Screen: Adjust the camera view.
Double Tap the Sprint Button: Sprint.

To switch characters on mobile, simply tap the portraits of your party members.

Tips for Mastering Controls

Start Slow: Take some time to familiarize yourself with each control. Try moving around and battling weaker enemies so you can practice.
Customize: On PC, you can customize keybindings to fit your playstyle. If certain keys feel awkward, change them up!
Practice Switching Characters: Quick switching is key in battles. Learn to smoothly transition between party members to maximize damage and utilize elemental reactions.
Dodge, Don't Just Attack: Getting good at dodging attacks will save you a ton of health. Remember to use sprint to quickly evade enemy strikes.

Understanding and mastering these basic controls will make your journey through Teyvat smoother and more enjoyable. Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, go out there and start adventuring!

Navigating Teyvat

Navigating the expansive and beautiful world of Teyvat in Genshin Impact can feel like both an adventure and a challenge. With its sprawling landscapes, hidden treasures, and diverse biomes, knowing how to efficiently explore is key to your progression. Let's break down how to traverse Teyvat with ease, find important waypoints, and make the most of your journey.

Unlocking the Map

When you start the game, your map is fogged out. To clear the fog and reveal the map, you need to activate Statues of The Seven. These statues are spread across each region (Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma) and not only uncover the map but also allow you to heal and switch out party members.

Find Statues of The Seven: Look for these large glowing statues on your mini-map. They’re typically located on high vantage points for best visibility.

Waypoints and Fast Travel

Teyvat is vast, and running everywhere isn’t practical. Teleport Waypoints are your best friends. Here’s how to make the most out of them:

Activate Waypoints: As you explore, make sure to activate Waypoints whenever you see them. They appear as small blue, floating structures on the mini-map.
Fast Travel: Once a Waypoint is activated, you can fast travel to it anytime from the map screen. Just select the Waypoint and click “Teleport.”
Strategic Placements: Plan your routes to hit Waypoints early on, especially near domain entrances and material farming locations to save time later.

Gliding and Climbing

Movement in Teyvat isn’t just about walking or running. Gliding and climbing add a whole new dimension to exploration.

Gliding: Use your Wind Glider to travel across gaps or descend from high places safely. Make sure to leap from high vantage points or cliffs to make the best use of your stamina.
Climbing: Almost any vertical surface is climbable. Keep an eye on your stamina bar, as running out mid-climb can lead to a costly fall. Plan your climbs by stopping at ledges to recover your stamina.

Environmental Hazards

Each region of Teyvat features its own unique environmental challenges.

Mondstadt: Known for its winds, making gliding a central mode of transportation.
Liyue: Features steep mountains and waterways. Swimming and climbing skills will definitely come in handy.
Inazuma: Includes stormy weather and electrically charged terrains. Be cautious and prepare accordingly.

Use the Interactive Map

One of the most useful tools outside the game is the Genshin Impact Interactive Map available online. This community resource is updated with locations for chests, monster camps, mining spots, and more.

Mark Points of Interest: Use the interactive map to set personal markers for areas you need to revisit, like mining spots for resources or spawn points for rare enemies.
Route Planning: Plan out your resource and material farming routes to minimize backtracking and maximize efficiency.

Companions and Special Abilities

Different characters in your party can help you explore more effectively.

Geo Characters: They can create constructs to reach high places.
Anemo Characters: They can use wind currents to boost gliding distance.

Make sure to experiment with your party setup to find the most convenient methods for your adventure style.

Daily Commissions and Domains

Exploration isn't just about wandering: it ties directly into your daily activities.

Daily Commissions: Always complete these as they're simple and often take you to different parts of the map, helping you earn rewards and experience.
Domains: These are like dungeons. Make sure to unlock them as they provide valuable resources for character advancement.

Tips for Efficient Exploration

Finally, here are a few tips to make your exploration smooth and rewarding:

Use Elemental Sight: This ability helps you see hidden objects and paths that might not be obvious.
Keep an Eye on Resources: Collect anything you come across. Resources like ore, plants, and animal products are widely used for crafting and cooking.
Talk to NPCs: Many Non-Playable Characters offer quests and information that can open up new map areas or reveal hidden treasures.

Remember, Teyvat is a world meant for exploration. Take your time, enjoy the diverse landscapes, and uncover every secret the world has to offer. Happy adventuring, Traveler!

Starting Your First Quest in Genshin Impact

Jumping into Genshin Impact for the first time can be exciting and maybe a bit overwhelming. This game world is massive, with loads of characters, quests, and features. But don’t worry, starting your first quest is straightforward, and we’re here to break it all down for you!

Opening the Game and Your First Cutscene

When you first launch Genshin Impact, you’ll get treated to a stunning cutscene. You'll meet the mysterious twins (aka yourself and your sibling) and encounter a powerful, otherworldly being. After a brief, yet dramatic, confrontation, you’ll choose which sibling you want to play as. Choose wisely, but don’t stress-this choice doesn’t affect gameplay too much.

Taking Your First Steps in Teyvat

Once you’ve picked your character, you’ll find yourself on the beach of a beautiful yet mysterious land called Teyvat. Your first companion, Paimon, will guide you through the basics. Follow her on a short walk to a small shrine. This serves as your quick tutorial, teaching you the essential controls, like moving around and interacting with the environment.

First Quest: The Outlander Who Caught the Wind

Your first quest, “The Outlander Who Caught the Wind,” begins pretty much immediately. Here’s what you need to do:

Follow Paimon: She'll move ahead of you, showing the path. Just keep close to her-she’s tiny, but you won’t lose her.
Collect Orbs of Adventure: Along the way, you’ll encounter glowing orbs and chests. Make sure to pick these up; they hold valuable items like Primogems and Adventurer’s Experience.
Fight Some Slimes: Yes, you’re new, but Genshin Impact wants to throw you into the action early. Slimes are the game’s basic enemies, so attack them with your sword to get a feel for combat.

Reaching Mondstadt

After dealing with a few minor enemies, you’ll head towards the towering city of Mondstadt. Paimon will prompt you to activate a Teleport Waypoint. This waypoint makes it easier to travel back here later on, so be sure to activate it.

Engage with the World

As you explore the area, pay attention to the sparkling interactable objects. While on your way to Mondstadt, gather berries, apples, and even mushrooms; these can be used later for cooking (yes, cooking is a big deal in Genshin Impact).

Meeting Amber

Before reaching Mondstadt, you’ll bump into Amber, an energetic knight from the Knights of Favonius. Amber will guide you through some more of the game’s mechanics and become your first companion. She wields a bow, which diversifies your combat strategy right from the get-go.

Completing the Quest

Once you meet Amber, she has you clear out a Hilichurl camp. These enemies are still fairly simple, but Amber’s bow allows you to attack from a distance. Use her abilities to take out the foes and clear the camp. When the camp is clear, you officially complete “The Outlander Who Caught the Wind.”

Preparing for More Adventures

Finishing your first quest sets the stage for countless more in the vast world of Teyvat. You'll have lots to explore, collect, and battle. From here, you can follow the main story or start taking on side quests to gather experience and find treasures. The choice is yours!

Tips for New Travelers

Keep Your Eyes Open: Many items and resources are scattered around the world. Exploration pays off!
Switch Characters Often: You’ll get new characters quickly. Switch between them to see whose abilities suit your playstyle.
Use Waypoints: These are crucial for navigating quickly.
Level Up: Don't forget to use the items you gather to level up your characters. It makes a big difference in combat.

Welcome to Genshin Impact! Dive into your adventure and, most importantly, have fun exploring every nook and cranny of this beautifully crafted world. Happy questing!

Tips for New Players

1. Understand Elemental Reactions

Genshin Impact's combat system revolves around elemental interactions. Each character has an element associated with their abilities - for example, Amber uses Pyro (fire) and Lisa uses Electro (electricity). When these elements interact, they create powerful reactions like Overloaded (Pyro + Electro) or Superconduct (Electro + Cryo). Experiment with different combinations to find out what works best for your team.

2. Focus on Story and Adventure Rank

At the beginning of the game, your primary goal should be progressing through the story and increasing your Adventure Rank (AR). Completing main story quests and side missions will give you a good chunk of AR experience. As your AR increases, more game features and areas become available, making it easier to level up your characters and gear.

3. Spend Your Resources Wisely

It's tempting to upgrade every character and weapon you get, but resources in Genshin Impact can be quite limited, especially in the early game. Focus on a core team of 4-5 characters and invest in them. Prioritize leveling up your main DPS (damage dealer) character and support characters that help trigger elemental reactions efficiently.

4. Use Your Resin Efficiently

Original Resin is a valuable resource used to claim rewards from bosses, domains, and ley line outcrops. Once you reach AR 20, spend your resin on activities that give you the materials necessary to level up your characters and weapons. Remember, resin regenerates slowly over time, so use it strategically.

5. Unlock Waypoints and Statues of The Seven

The world of Teyvat is huge, and traveling by foot can be time-consuming. Unlocking waypoints and Statues of The Seven in each region will make travel much more convenient. Plus, Statues of The Seven can heal your characters and provide Anemoculus and Geoculus upgrades, which enhance your stamina.

6. Open Those Chests!

Scattered throughout Teyvat are various chests containing valuable loot like Primogems, Adventure Rank experience, and upgrade materials. Whenever you see a chest, go for it! Some chests are hidden behind puzzles, so keep an eye out for anything suspicious-looking in your surroundings.

7. Daily Commissions and Battle Pass

Once you hit AR 12, you'll unlock daily commissions. These are quick missions that reward you with Adventure Rank experience, Primogems, and other goodies. Completing daily commissions regularly will speed up your progress. The Battle Pass, which unlocks at AR 20, offers additional rewards for completing tasks.

8. Stay Updated on In-Game Events

Genshin Impact frequently holds in-game events that offer unique rewards, including exclusive characters, weapons, and lots of Primogems. Keep an eye on the in-game Notices and Event tab to make sure you’re not missing out on any temporary but valuable opportunities.

9. Join a Co-Op Session

You can join other players in co-op mode after reaching AR 16. In co-op, you can farm bosses and domains more efficiently and even get some tips from more experienced players. It’s also a great way to make friends and enjoy the game together.

10. Check Out the Claim Codes

Occasionally, Mihoyo releases promo codes that players can redeem for free Primogems and other useful items. Follow Genshin Impact’s social media accounts or check fan sites and communities to stay updated on the latest codes.

By keeping these tips in mind, you'll have a much smoother start in Genshin Impact. Take your time to explore the beautiful world of Teyvat, experiment with different team compositions, and, most importantly, have fun!

Remember, this journey is just beginning. Making the most of your early game will set you up for an epic adventure filled with challenging battles and breathtaking sights. Happy traveling, Traveler!