Starting Genshin in 2026 means opening a six-year-old game with dozens of systems. Ignore most of them for the first month.
Days 1–7: finish Mondstadt
Clear the Archon quest line, unlock the statue teleports, and open every chest you pass. Do not chase perfect artefacts. Do not spend primogems on the standard banner.
Days 8–20: Liyue and the free characters
Liyue gives you the best early weapon materials and a huge chest density. Build one main damage dealer and one healer, nothing else. Character levels matter far more than artefact rolls at this stage.
Days 21–30: decide your team
By now you know which element you enjoy. Pick one five-star banner and commit. Spreading pulls across banners is the most common beginner mistake.
Things to skip entirely
- Artefact domains before Adventure Rank 45.
- Spiral Abyss beyond floor 8 — the rewards are not worth the frustration yet.
- Fishing. Unless you enjoy it, which is a valid reason.
Where the hidden primogems are
Statue offerings, domain first-clear bonuses, and the Adventurer Handbook chapter rewards. Together they are worth roughly 30 pulls.
