Genshin Impact beginner's guide: the first 10 hours
Genshin throws a lot at you and explains very little of it well. This guide is the short version of what matters early, so you don't burn resources you'll wish you had later. The single most important idea: early on, your account level matters more than any one character.
Do the Archon Quests — they unlock everything
The main story (the purple “Archon Quest” markers) isn't optional flavour. It unlocks new regions, the Adventure Rank gates, Statues of the Seven, teleport points and key features. When you're not sure what to do, push the Archon Quest. Raising your Adventure Rank (AR) this way unlocks better artifacts, harder bosses and, importantly, your wishes.
Don't spread yourself thin: build one team of four
New players make the same mistake — they level ten characters a little bit each. Don't. Pick four characters and invest in them:
- A main DPS — your damage dealer who stays on the field.
- A sub-DPS — deals damage from off-field or quickly.
- A support — buffs, shields or crowd control.
- A healer — keeps the team alive.
The free characters you're given are genuinely good. You do not need to pull to clear the story.
Elemental reactions are the real combat system
Damage in Genshin mostly comes from reactions, not raw hits. Apply one element, then another:
- Vaporize (Hydro + Pyro) and Melt (Cryo + Pyro) multiply damage — the big hitters.
- Electro-Charged, Overload, Superconduct add extra damage or utility.
- Freeze (Hydro + Cryo) locks enemies in place.
Build teams whose elements combo well together, and combat gets far easier.
Resin is your real currency — don't waste it
“Original Resin” caps at 160 and refills slowly over time (1 every 8 minutes). You spend it on the end-game rewards that actually level your characters — artifacts, talent and weapon materials. Two rules:
- Don't let it overflow. Spend it before it caps so you're not wasting refills.
- Don't spend Primogems to refill it early. Save Primogems for wishes.
Save your Primogems
Primogems are your wish currency. Early on you'll be tempted to pull on everything — resist. Read how the pity system works first, then save up around 90 wishes before committing to a banner. Single pulls “to try your luck” are the fastest way to waste resources.
Easy wins you'll forget to do
- Open the map and grab teleport waypoints as you pass them — fast travel saves hours.
- Do your daily Commissions (four small tasks) — they give Primogems and AR every day.
- Crack open chests and puzzles — they're the main source of early Primogems.
- Set a Serenitea Pot teapot housing later for passive currency, once you unlock it.
Mistakes to avoid
| Don't | Why |
|---|---|
| Level 10 characters at once | You'll run out of EXP and Mora and have no strong team |
| Pull single wishes randomly | You waste pity progress and Primogems |
| Refill Resin with Primogems | Those gems are worth far more as wishes |
| Ignore the Archon Quest | It gates regions, features and rewards |
Get the account moving, keep one solid team, and save your gems. That's 90% of a good start.