Walkthrough#

Genshin Impact is a continuously updated free-to-play open-world action RPG. Unlike traditional single-player games, there is no New Game+ and no true “ending” after the main story. The real progress bar is your Adventure Rank (AR) and World Level, while main quests and world quests keep growing every version — long-term, the goal is developing your characters (levels, talents, weapons, artifacts). This walkthrough therefore covers “how to travel through Teyvat along the main story and progression systems”, not “how to reach an ending”.

Every Adventure Rank level unlocks new systems. When your AR stalls, doing Daily Commissions, spending Original Resin and pushing world quests will steadily earn Adventure EXP. Below is the full growth route from AR 1 to 45, covering the main story, dailies, domains, collectibles and common progression walls in one place.

Progress Overview#

Whatever stage you reach, spending 15-30 minutes a day clearing Daily Commissions and Resin is enough; push the main story in your spare time and take exploration and story at your own pace.

1. New Player Route: The AR 1-45 Main Story Path#

The main story in Genshin Impact is called the Archon Quest, divided into chapters and acts. Every act has a fixed AR requirement and usually requires the previous act to be finished; some chapters also demand specific world quests or Story Quests first. Pushing the Archon Quest in order is the only way to unlock new nations, new regions and new systems.

Mondstadt (Prologue: The Outlander Who Caught the Wind)#

The Traveler and Paimon meet in Mondstadt, get dragged into the Stormterror Dvalin incident, and befriend the Knights of Favonius. After the prologue you can freely travel between Mondstadt and Liyue.

Liyue (Chapter I: Of the Land Amidst Monoliths)#

The Traveler heads to Liyue for the Rite of Descension, gets caught up in the fall of the Geo Archon, and teams up with Hu Tao of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and others to uncover the truth. This is the longest and most plot-twisting early chapter.

Act IV is a prologue-flavored quest from the Traveler’s perspective that involves Khaenri’ah clues; finish it before moving on to Inazuma.

Inazuma (Chapter II: Omnipresence Over Mortals)#

Prerequisites: AR 30 and Chapter I Act IV completed. The Traveler sails to Ritou, and under the thunderstorm lockdown and the Sakoku Decree investigates the Raiden Shogun’s “eternity”.

Sumeru (Chapter III: Through Mists of Smoke and Forests Dark)#

Prerequisites: AR 35 and Chapter II Act IV completed. The Traveler goes deep into rainforest and desert, helping the Dendro Archon Nahida against the Akademiya and the “Balladeer”.

Fontaine (Chapter IV: Masquerade of the Guilty)#

Prerequisites: AR 40 and Chapter III completed (including Act VI “Caribert”). The Traveler dives into the water nation of Fontaine to investigate the “prophecy” and the truth of the Oceanid, experiencing underwater exploration and diving for the first time.

Natlan (Chapter V: Incandescent Ode of Resurrection)#

The normal unlock requires finishing Chapter IV and reaching the corresponding Adventure Rank; if you have not pushed into late Fontaine yet, you can also use the Quick Start feature to jump into the Natlan arc early — check the in-game quest list for the exact entry conditions. Natlan revolves around the Pyro Archon Mavuika and the war against the Abyss, introducing Nightsoul’s Blessing, Phlogiston and Saurian companions.

Nation Unlock Requirements Summary#

Stage-by-Stage Advice for New Players#

2. Daily Commissions and the Battle Pass#

Daily Commissions#

After prologue Act II, Daily Commissions unlock at around AR 12 (follow the in-game unlock prompt). Four commissions spawn on the map every day; report back to Katheryne of the corresponding nation to claim rewards.

Daily Commissions are the most stable Primogem source in the game — clear them every single day.

Battle Pass#

The Battle Pass ( BP ) levels up through quest EXP, caps at level 50 with a weekly EXP cap of 10,000, and settles once per version cycle.

Battle Pass EXP comes from Daily Commissions, Resin spent, weekly bosses, Requests, bounties, forging, cooking, crafting and the current version’s events. Hitting the 10,000 weekly cap happens naturally — no need to grind for it.

Adventurer Handbook#

The Adventurer Handbook in the Paimon menu doubles as a tutorial and catch-up reward screen. It lists guidance quests by nation in chapters; completing each chapter grants Primogems and Fragile Resin. Since version 3.5, finishing each Archon Quest act also grants extra rewards such as Intertwined Fates and Hero’s Wit from the Handbook.

3. Ley Line Blossoms and Domains#

Ley Line Blossoms#

Ley Line Blossoms are glowing flowers that appear on the map from AR 8. Spend 20 Original Resin (or 40 Condensed Resin for double rewards) to claim the loot — the most stable source of EXP books and Mora.

During the periodic “Ley Line Overflow” event, Ley Line rewards double — prioritize your Resin there.

Artifact Domains#

Before AR 45 (World Level 6), artifact domains do not drop 5-star artifacts, so early Resin should go to talent and weapon materials first; only after 45 should most Resin flow into artifact domains.

For the location and unlock method of each nation’s artifact domains, refer to the world & exploration guide on this site — not repeated here.

Talent Book Domains#

Talent material domains are split by nation and open different book series on different days from Monday to Sunday; Sunday opens everything.

Weapon Ascension Material Domains#

The weapon material rotation table is long — use the “Go to recommended domain” function in the crafting bench to check which series is open today.

Trounce Domains (Weekly Bosses)#

Trounce domains are weekly boss dungeons, the source of rare talent-ascension materials and a must-do every week. The first three claims each week cost half Resin (30 Resin each) — always use up all three discounted claims.

Domain Unlocks and Co-op#

• Most domains require a small puzzle before entry (activating elemental monuments with the matching element, defeating guard monsters, etc.); the waypoint opens automatically afterwards.
• Domains support matchmaking co-op with up to four players; under-built players can let a stronger friend carry.
• Weekly bosses, domains and Ley Lines all support Condensed Resin double rewards — craft two Condensed Resins daily at the crafting bench (40 Resin) to keep in reserve.

4. World Quests and Long Questlines#

World quests are side quests triggered in the overworld — there are hundreds of them. A batch of long questline series spans multiple chapters, sometimes requiring real-time waits or main-story progress to unlock. Their rewards are exceptionally generous, and they are the key to hidden areas.

Recommended order: when you arrive in a new nation, prioritize “map-opening” world quests (the ones that unlock regions and waypoints) before other side quests; save long questlines for weekends or free time, because some chapters are separated by real-time locks.

5. Reputation System#

Reputation is tracked per nation. Once unlocked, visit each nation’s Reputation NPC to take weekly bounties and Requests.

Each nation allows several bounties and Requests per week, rewarding reputation EXP. Natlan’s reputation is tracked separately per tribe — Children of Echoes, People of the Springs, Scions of the Canopy, Flower-Feather Clan and Masters of the Night-Wind — check the in-game reputation panel for details.

The Reputation system is essentially “free EXP on your weekly route” — no need to grind; just finish bounties and Requests alongside your Daily Commissions.

6. Quest Archive and Imaginarium Theater#

Quest Archive#

The in-game Archive panel tracks triggered main quests, world quest progress and related storylines; the Adventurer Handbook provides goal guidance for the current nation. Build the habit of opening the Archive while pushing the main story to check for missed quest series — especially chaptered long questlines — so you don’t lose the thread midway.

Imaginarium Theater#

Imaginarium Theater, introduced in version 4.7 and finalized in 5.0, is a permanent high-difficulty mode — the community just calls it “the Theater”. It runs monthly challenge performances restricted by character elements and a vitality mechanic, and it is the most important monthly Primogem source after the Spiral Abyss.

Each Theater cycle demands different characters and elements. Widen your character roster (instead of building only one team) and use opening trial characters plus a friend’s support character to fill the roster.

7. Levels and Adventure EXP#

Adventure Rank and Adventure EXP#

Adventure Rank is determined by Adventure EXP — the core metric for unlocking systems, quests and World Levels. Main sources of Adventure EXP:

World Level and Ascension Quests#

World Level rises automatically with Adventure Rank and directly affects enemy strength and drop quality. At AR 25, 35, 45, 50 and similar breakpoints you must complete an Ascension Quest (defeat a designated boss) to keep raising World Level; if your EXP is full but you haven’t ascended, Adventure EXP overflows while the rank stays locked.

If you can’t beat monsters at your current World Level, you can lower World Level by one in settings and raise it back later; but monster strength always tracks your AR — the real fix is leveling characters, talents and artifacts in step.

The Resin System#

Resin planning boils down to “farm what you lack”: boss materials for character ascension, talent books for talents, weapon materials for weapons, and artifact domains after 45.

8. Collectibles Flow#

Oculi#

Oculi are hidden collectibles in each nation’s overworld. Offering them to the Statues of the Seven raises Statue levels, granting max stamina, Primogems and Adventure EXP — the highest-value collectible in the game. When you reach a new nation, collect all Oculi first using Resonance Stones or an interactive map.

Collection tip: unlock all waypoints first, then sweep region by region; once Statue levels rise, use Resonance Stones from the crafting bench to mark the remaining Oculi.

Chests#

Chests come in Common, Exquisite, Precious and Luxurious tiers, mostly from puzzles, mechanisms, time trials and guarded chests — a major source of Primogems and exploration progress. The Reputation reward Treasure Compass detects nearby chests; just open them in passing during daily exploration.

Mechanisms and Exploration Systems#

When a puzzle stalls you, first check whether your team carries the matching element (Pyro to light torches, Geo to trigger rock mechanisms, etc.) before assuming you missed a quest hint.

9. Common Progression Walls and Fixes#

Two extra reminders:

• Broken quest tracking: some quests only update after you “talk” or “inspect” a specific object. Re-click the objective in the quest description or relog to restore guidance.
• Co-op limits: in other players’ worlds you cannot turn in quests, open chests or pick up Oculi, but you can fight weekly bosses and run domains together — bring a friend when you’re short on materials for great efficiency.

Daily and Weekly Routine Template#

Stick to this template and your Adventure Rank and resources will grow steadily — clear the main story, Story Quests and version events at your own pace.

This page was last updated on 2026-07-25; content reflects the current game version.