Learning how to Genshin Impact starts with understanding its core systems. This free-to-play action RPG from miHoYo (now HoYoverse) has attracted over 60 million players worldwide since its 2020 launch. Players explore a vast open world, collect characters, and master elemental combat. The game runs on PC, PlayStation, iOS, and Android devices. This guide covers everything new players need to know, from downloading the game to building effective teams and progressing through the story.
Key Takeaways
- Learning how to Genshin Impact begins with downloading the game, creating a HoYoverse account, and completing the beginner tutorial in about 15 minutes.
- Mastering elemental reactions—like combining Hydro and Cryo to Freeze enemies—is essential for effective combat at all difficulty levels.
- Build a balanced team with one main DPS, one sub-DPS, and two supports using free characters like Kaeya, Lisa, Barbara, and the Traveler.
- Explore Teyvat thoroughly to earn Primogems, unlock fast travel waypoints, and increase your stamina by offering Oculi to Statues of The Seven.
- Spend Resin wisely on character ascension materials, talent books, and weapon materials—save heavy artifact farming until Adventure Rank 45.
- Complete Daily Commissions every day for 60 Primogems and steady Adventure Rank progression.
Getting Started with Genshin Impact
Getting started with Genshin Impact takes about 15 minutes. Players download the game from the official website, PlayStation Store, App Store, or Google Play. The initial download is around 20GB on PC and console, with mobile versions slightly smaller.
After installation, players create a HoYoverse account. This account syncs progress across devices, so someone can play on PC at home and continue on mobile during a commute. Cross-save works between PC, mobile, and PlayStation (with some restrictions).
The game begins with a short tutorial. Players choose between two twins, Aether (male) or Lumine (female), as their main character, called the Traveler. The unchosen twin becomes important to the story later. Players also select a server region. North America, Europe, Asia, and TW/HK/MO servers are available. Choosing a region close to one’s location reduces lag.
During the first hour, players learn movement controls, basic combat, and menu navigation. The game introduces Paimon, a floating companion who provides guidance and comic relief. Early quests teach players how to Genshin Impact effectively by walking them through each system step by step.
Understanding the Basic Gameplay Mechanics
Combat in Genshin Impact centers on the elemental system. Seven elements exist: Pyro (fire), Hydro (water), Electro (electricity), Cryo (ice), Anemo (wind), Geo (earth), and Dendro (nature). Each character uses one element.
Elemental Reactions occur when two elements combine. For example, applying Hydro to an enemy and then hitting them with Cryo creates Frozen, which immobilizes them. Pyro plus Electro triggers Overloaded, causing an explosion. Learning these reactions is essential for understanding how to Genshin Impact at higher difficulty levels.
Combat Controls
Players control one character at a time but can switch between four party members instantly. Each character has:
- Normal Attack: Basic combo strikes
- Charged Attack: Stronger attack that consumes stamina
- Elemental Skill: A special ability with a cooldown
- Elemental Burst: A powerful ultimate that requires energy
Stamina management matters. Running, climbing, swimming, and charged attacks all consume stamina. The stamina bar expands as players collect Anemoculi and Geoculi scattered across the map.
Weapons and Artifacts
Characters equip one weapon matching their type: Sword, Claymore, Polearm, Bow, or Catalyst. Artifacts are equipment pieces that boost stats. Each character can equip five artifacts, one in each slot. Artifact sets provide bonus effects when players equip multiple pieces from the same set.
Building Your First Team of Characters
New players receive several free characters. The Traveler comes first, followed by Amber, Kaeya, Lisa, and Barbara through early quests. These characters cover multiple elements and weapon types.
Team building follows a general formula: one main DPS (damage dealer), one sub-DPS, and two support characters. The main DPS stays on field longest, dealing most damage. Sub-DPS characters swap in briefly to use skills. Supports heal, shield, or buff the team.
For beginners learning how to Genshin Impact, a solid starter team might include:
- Kaeya as main DPS (strong Cryo application)
- Lisa as sub-DPS (Electro reactions with Kaeya)
- Barbara as healer (free Hydro healer from early quests)
- Traveler as flex spot (adapts to various elements)
Players obtain new characters through the gacha system called “Wishes.” Wishes use Primogems, the game’s premium currency. The game gives Primogems through exploration, quests, and events. Five-star characters have a 0.6% drop rate, but a pity system guarantees one within 90 wishes.
Focusing resources on a core team of four to six characters helps new players progress faster. Spreading resources too thin across many characters slows advancement.
Exploring the World of Teyvat
Teyvat spans seven nations, each tied to an element. At launch, players access Mondstadt (Anemo) and Liyue (Geo). Updates added Inazuma (Electro), Sumeru (Dendro), Fontaine (Hydro), and Natlan (Pyro). Snezhnaya (Cryo) remains unreleased.
Exploration rewards players generously. Treasure chests contain Primogems, weapons, and artifacts. Waypoints unlock fast travel locations. Statues of The Seven restore health and increase stamina when players offer Oculi.
The map reveals itself as players explore. Climbing high points shows nearby landmarks. Gliding from elevated positions covers ground quickly. Some areas require story progression or specific abilities to access.
Key Exploration Activities
- Domains: Instanced dungeons that drop artifacts, weapon materials, and talent books
- World Bosses: Powerful enemies that drop character ascension materials
- Ley Line Outcrops: Repeatable challenges for experience books or Mora (currency)
- Daily Commissions: Four quick tasks that reset each day, rewarding Primogems
World Level increases as players gain Adventure Rank. Higher World Levels make enemies stronger but improve loot quality. Players who find combat too difficult can lower their World Level through the menu after reaching certain thresholds.
Understanding how to Genshin Impact exploration works saves time. Marking the map with pins helps track collectibles. Using characters like Kazuha or Venti (Anemo users) makes traversal faster.
Tips for Progressing Efficiently
Resin is the energy system limiting daily activities. Players start with 160 Resin, which regenerates at one point every eight minutes. Spending Resin wisely matters more than playing for hours without it.
Prioritize Resin spending on:
- Character Ascension Materials (from World Bosses)
- Talent Level-Up Materials (from Domains)
- Weapon Ascension Materials (from Domains)
- Artifacts (save heavy artifact farming for Adventure Rank 45+)
Daily Commissions take about 10 minutes and provide 60 Primogems plus Adventure Rank experience. Missing daily commissions means losing these rewards permanently.
The Adventurer Handbook guides early progression with specific tasks. Completing handbook chapters grants rewards and teaches game mechanics. Following this handbook provides structure for new players still learning how to Genshin Impact.
Resource Management Tips
- Save Fragile Resin (bonus Resin items) until Adventure Rank 45 for artifact farming
- Don’t spend Primogems on Standard Banner: save for limited character banners
- Level weapons before artifacts for consistent damage increases
- Join a friend’s world for additional material farming if needed
Patience helps. Genshin Impact is a marathon, not a sprint. Building characters takes weeks, and that’s intentional. The game rewards consistent daily play over intensive grinding sessions.
