Starter Progression and Catch-Up Guide (2026)
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This is a guide for new and returning players on how to progress through Genshin Impact from start to endgame as of 2026. See how to catch up fast with the current version of the game, what to prioritize, and how long it takes to catch up through each region here!
List of Contents
Tips for Starting in 2026
Where To Start
Genshin Impact can feel like a daunting challenge to start considering the sheer scale of the game. Beginner players should focus on a few important things first before anything else.
What Do You Prioritize First?
- Complete Archon Quests and Major World Quests.
- Unlock the map and different regions.
- Get rewards by completing events.
Level Up Your Adventure Rank
Your adventure rank influences your world level, and your world level dictates the content you encounter in-game. Increasing your adventure rank will allow you to farm for better artifacts and increase the drops obtained from world bosses and overworld enemies.
How To Increase Your Adventure Rank
- Use Your Resin.
- Complete Quests and Daily Commissions.
- World Exploration.
Collect Primogems for Currency in Pulling Characters
Primogems are the currency you use to pull for characters and there are multiple ways to farm for primogems throughout the game.
Methods to Obtain Primogems
- Redeem Codes
- Do Limited Events
- Complete Open-world Puzzles
- Finish World Quests
- Read the Guide Book
Pull for High Value Characters
Odette, Alyosha, and the free Cryo Traveler are great, high-value additions to your team as they make use of the Stellar Glimmer mechanic, which is essential for the current state of the game.
Pulling for the first few characters involving a new elemental reaction is always a good investment to ease the transition into the new content of the game.
Snezhnaya Map Release Date and News
Save Up Your Fragile Resin
Early in the game, you will receive multiple Fragile Resins, a consumable used to replenish your resin or daily energy. Use this Fragile Resin sparingly since the bulk of your farming will come after Adventure Rank 45+.
How to Best Use Fragile Resin
- Prioritize Weapons Over Talents and Talents Over Artifacts.
- Focus on One Team First.
- Farm What You Need But Don’t Grind The Perfect Rolls.
Prioritize Having Fun
The most important part of playing Genshin Impact, or any game really, is to have fun. Play at your own pace and enjoy what the game has to offer. Make sure to take in the sights and absorb the beauty of the wonderful world of Teyvat.
How to Catch Up in 2026
List of Activities to Catch Up
- Stellar Reunion
- Redeem Codes
- Progress Quests
- Complete Dailies
- Complete Weeklies
- Do Limited-Time Events
- Build Your Characters
- Engame Modes
Stellar Reunion
For returnee players, Stellar Reunion is an event that rewards returning players with different rewards. During the event, returning players can earn rewards such as Primogems by logging in everyday. They can also receive double rewards from Ley Lines and Domains up to three times.
Players who have not checked in for at least 14 days are eligible for Stellar Reunion, which should activate automatically when they log in.
Where to Access the Stellar Reunion Event
To get into the Stellar Reunion event, click the blue icon in the upper left corner of the screen, near the Mini Map.
Check out the guide below for more detailed information about the event and its rewards!
Stellar Reunion Returnee Event
Redeem Codes
| Redeem Codes | Rewards |
|---|---|
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 10/23 |
 Primogem
x60 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 10/05 |
Primogem
x60 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 10/03 |
Primogem
x20 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 09/29 |
Primogem
x30 Mora
x20,000 Hero's Wit
x2 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 09/24 |
Primogem
x40 Mora
x20,000 Hero's Wit
x3 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 09/24 |
Primogem
x40 Mora
x20,000 Hero's Wit
x5 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 09/14 |
Primogem
x60 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link Date Added: 10/20 |
Mora
x10,000 |
Copied
▶︎ Redeem Code Link |
Primogem
x50 Hero's Wit
x3 |
Adventurer's Experience
Geode of Replication
Fine Enhancement Ore
Stir-Fried Fish Noodles
Jueyun Chili ChickenClaim the redeem codes listed above to receive foods, materials, and primogems that can be used to pull for new characters or weapons!
Progress Quests
Some regions, such as Inazuma, The Chasm, and Enkanomiya, are accessible only through quests. To freely explore these maps, players must complete the Archon Quest or World Quest. Clearing them will also reward you with materials and primogems!
| Quests | |
|---|---|
| Archon Quests | Story Quests |
| World Quests | Hangout Events |
| Tribal Chronicles | Meeting Points |
| Selenic Chronicles | Witch's Homework |
Complete Dailies
| Daily Tasks |
|---|
|
|
Dailies are tasks that are reset every day in the game. As a returning player, make an effort to accomplish this because it can help you rebuild your account!
Things to Do Every Day | Daily Task List
Daily Commissions
Commissions are missions that can only be accomplished four times each day.
Completing it also provides a large amount of adventure points and Mora, which can help you level up your account, thus we strongly advise you to prioritize these on a daily basis.
Original Resin
Resin is Genshin Impact's stamina system. You can obtain a maximum of 200 Original Resin.
Use the Resin to obtain artifacts and materials for leveling up your characters and weapons by completing Boss Challenges and Domains!
Always use Original Resin and don't let time pass while it's full!
Resin Recharge Rate and Resin Cap Guide
Dispatch Character
Dispatch quests allows you to send your characters out to complete tasks. It is strongly advised that you choose ores and exclusive region materials because they can be used to make craftable weapons!
These tasks last between 4 and 20 hours, but they continue even if you are not playing the game. It is highly recommended to do dispatch quests before taking a break from the game.
BP Daily Missions
If you perform the things listed above, you should naturally complete the Battle Pass daily missions. Make sure to do this every day, as leveling up your battle pass can also earn you free items!
Comple Weeklies
| Weekly Tasks |
|---|
|
|
Weeklies are activities that can be completed every week. Some weeklies may take several days to finish, so complete them as soon as you can before the end of the week because they can provide you with valuable rewards!
Defeat Weekly Bosses
You can only claim weekly boss drops once every week, so make sure you complete them because you will need them to max out your character's talent level.
List of Weekly Bosses and Drops
Complete Reputation Quest
Some regions have reputation boards with reputation quests that are reset every week. Don't forget to do this since leveling up your reputation will get you useful gadgets and other rewards such as wing gliders!
To Temper Thyself and Journey Far
To Temper Thyself and Journey Far is a weekly event that offers free constellation. You can complete it by doing your daily missions and using up the original resin each day.
Aside with the free constellation, you can obtain essential items, so take advantage of it if you want to catch up. It's worth noting that you can only receive the constellation if you have the character from the list.
To Temper Thyself and Journey Far Guide
BP Weekly Missions
In addition to daily missions, the Battle Pass offers weekly missions. Completing the weekly missions will give you more BP exp, allowing you to level up faster and earn more rewards!
Do Limited-Time Events
The game always features events that reward materials and primogems. Consider doing this event because it normally won't take long as most events are easy to complete, and you'll be able to quickly get extra primogems and resources to help build your account!
Current Events
| Event Guide | Date and Rewards |
|---|---|
 Overflowing Abundance 7.0 Rerun
|
09/14/2026 - 09/21/2026
Weapon and Talent Up Materials
|
Build Your Characters
One of the steps in building your account is to build your characters. When building a character, determine which character from your list you want to prioritize first, as this will help you decide where to invest your resin.
Endgame Modes
| List of Endgame Modes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spiral Abyss | Imaginarium Theater | Stygian Onslaught |
Once you've built your characters enough, you can begin challenging the main endgame modes in Genshin Impact. We recommend that you clear the early levels first because they are notably easier, and some of them, such as the Spiral Abyss, are permanent and will maintain your progress.
How Long To Catch Up in Genshin Impact
Archon Quest Full Progress is Around 103 Hours
| Archon Quest Chapter | Hours to Progress |
|---|---|
| Prologue Chapter | 3 ~ 5 Hours |
| Chapter 1 | 7 ~ 8 Hours |
| Chapter 2 | 8 ~ 9 Hours |
| Chapter 3 | 13 ~ 15 Hours |
| Chapter 4 | 15 ~ 18 Hours |
| Chapter 5 | 17 ~ 19 Hours |
| Interlude Chapter | 10 ~ 12 Hours |
| Welkin Moon Chapter | 30 ~ 32 Hours |
| Total | 103+ Hours |
These estimates do not include world exploration outside of the Archon Quest's objective.
Prior to Snezhnaya, the Archon Quests totaled roughly 103 hours. This estimate excludes world quests, story quests, events, and other quests.
As the earlier Archon Quest required you to reach a certain Adventure Rank before you could progress, a newer player will most likely spend about or more than 130 hours in total.
Upcoming Contents
Upcoming Events
| Event Guide | Date and Rewards |
|---|---|
 Silverwing in Pursuit of the Moon
|
09/24/2026 - 10/12/2026
+ Weapon Up Materials + Talent Up Materials + Free 4star sword Silver Light |
 Predictive Victory Dynamics
|
10/12/2026 - 10/20/2026
+ Talent Up Materials |
 Carefree Snowball Fight
|
10/21/2026 - 11/02/2026
+ Talent Up Materials |
 Resplendent Starlight
|
TBD
+ Anniversary-Exclusive Gadget |
 Overflowing Favor 7.1 Rerun
|
10/26/2026 - 11/02/2026
Double Artifact Domain Drops
|
 Starlit Gala
|
10/01/2026 - 11/03/2026
|
Upcoming Characters
| All Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Dainsleif
|
 Pulcinella
|
 Pantalone
|
 Pierro
|
 Dottore
|
 Capitano
|
 Rerir
|
 Noy
|
 Vesna
|
 Tsaritsa
|
 Valeriy
|
 Danica
|
 Mitya
|
 Vodyanitsa
|
 Alice
|
|
List of New & Upcoming Characters
Is Genshin Impact Worth Starting in 2026?
Genshin Impact Is Still Worth Playing
For both returning and new players looking to start their adventure in Teyvat, Genshin Impact offers no shortage of content, boasting an ever-growing cast of unique characters and seven regions worth of exploration and story.
Granted, the gameplay meta has entered a much more restricted and unforgiving phase. Still, the game remains well worth the playthrough, providing a captivating experience as the near-iconic tale of the siblings slowly draws to a close.
Genshin Impact Related Guides
All Tips and Tricks Guides
Before Starting The Game
Element Guides
- Pyro Element
- Cryo Element
- Electro Element
- Hydro Element
- Anemo Element
- Geo Element
- Dendro Element
- Crystallize Reaction
- Swirl Reaction
- Melt Reaction
- Frozen Reaction
- Shatter Reaction
- Superconduct Reaction
- Electro-Charged Reaction
- Hyperbloom Reaction
- Burgeon Reaction
- Bloom Reaction
- Quicken Reaction
- Aggravate Reaction
- Spread Reaction
- Overloaded Reaction
- List of Elemental Reactions
- Best Elemental Resonance
Leveling and Grinding Guides
- How to Level Up
- Character Ascension Guide
- Adventurer Handbook
- How to Level Up Statue of the Seven
- How to Increase Stamina and Effects
- How to Raise Your Adventure Rank
- How to Raise Your World Level
- How to Raise Elemental Mastery
- How to Unlock Constellations
- How to Level Up Talents
- How to Get the Best Artifact Stats
- How to Refine and Enhance Weapons
- Ore Chunks and Crystals Farming Guide
- Artifact Farming Routes
- How to Farm Artifacts
- Treasure Chest List
- List of Trophies
Tips to Remember
- How to Farm and Spend Mora
- How to Use Primogems
- How to Farm Primogems
- How to Get Free Fates
- What to Trade Primogems For
- Stardust and What to Trade it for
- Starglitter and What to Trade it for
- How to Use and Restore Original Resin
- How Do Artifacts Work
- How to Cook Food
- How to Process Ingredients
- How to Use Gadget Quick Swap
- How to Use Oculus Resonance Stone
- How to Use Treasure Compass
- How to Convert Character Materials
- How to Go On Expeditions
- Ley Line Outcrop Guide
- Daily Commissions
- Teleport Waypoints
- How to do a Charged Attack
- Moonsign Guide
Miscellaneous Guides
- How to Unlock Shrine of Depths
- How to Add and Play With Friends
- Character Customization
- What Happens on Your Birthday?
- How to Solve the Luhua Pool Fire Puzzle
- Where to Find the Nameless Treasures
- Elemental Burst Guide
- Dandy's Time Trial Challenge
- How to Increase Friendship Level
- How to Do Plunging Attacks
- Secrets, and Tricks to Make Your Life Easier
- CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG Guide
- Bond of Life Guide
- Weekly Bounty Guide
- Electric Lamp Puzzle Guide
- How to Avoid Balethunder Damage
- How to Increase Clearance
- How to Fix Error 31-4302
- How to Fix Error 4201
- How to Uninstall Genshin Impact
- How to Activate Global Illumination
- Quest Profile Icons and How to Unlock
- Search in the Sea of Algae Brainstorm Answers
- How to Decode the Levels' Puzzles
- How to Undergo the Garland Trials
- How to Connect the Oracle Pillars
- What are Astral Marks?
- How to Get to Honeydew Craftbrew Cavern
- Hexerei: Secret Rite Buffs Explained
- How to Get the Proof of Cognoscenti
- Witch's Revelation Buffs Explained
FAQs
- What is the Battle Pass?
- What is Energy Recharge?
- How to Leave Co-Op
- Can You Erase Save Data?
- How to Unlock Online Multiplayer
- How to Change the Main Character's Name
- How to Revive Characters
- How to Get Characters
- Which Main Character Should You Choose?
- How to Switch Characters
- Character Creation Guide
- What Are Elite Bosses?
- When Do Treasure Chests Reappear?
- What to Spend Genesis Crystals On?
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