Mastering the Genius Invokation TCG in Genshin Impact

Mastering the Genius Invokation TCG in Genshin Impact
Last updated:
April 29, 2024

Whether you're a novice trying to navigate past the initial levels of Genius Invokation TCG or an experienced player looking to refine your strategies, this guide is designed to help you through various stages of the game.

Let's dive in!

Complete Genius Invokation TCG Guide

Unlocking the Genius Invokation TCG

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Before you can declare "Duel!" and draw your first hand, you need to unlock the TCG mode by meeting certain conditions in the game.

Adventure Rank 32 (AR32)

Your journey to unlocking TCG starts with reaching AR32.

This is accomplished by engaging in various activities within Genshin Impact, such as completing quests, defeating enemies, discovering waypoints, and opening chests throughout Teyvat.

Players who play regularly can reach this milestone without much delay.

It’s an opportunity to explore the game’s rich world and hone your skills before diving into the strategic card game.

Prologue Archon Quests Completion

Complete the initial storyline, focusing on the Mondstadt arc.

This progression is not just about unlocking the TCG but also enjoying the game's narrative and understanding the lore behind the characters that you'll later encounter as cards.

The Archon quests lay the groundwork for the TCG, introducing you to key characters and gameplay mechanics.

Genius Invocation Tutorial Quest

After meeting the previous conditions, head over to Mondstadt.

Near the crafting table, the tutorial quest will automatically initiate.

Upon successful completion, you’re rewarded with your first card case, marking your entry into the world of TCG within Genshin Impact.

Ascending the Ranks

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Once you’ve unlocked the TCG mode, it's time to start climbing the ranks and establishing yourself as a formidable duelist.

Battles with Overworld NPCs

  • Seeking Opponents: Use the card case to scout for NPC players throughout Teyvat. Your Teyvat map will highlight potential challengers.
  • Experience and Rewards: Each victory against these NPCs provides experience points (EXP) and rewards. Initially, only Mondstadt NPCs are available, but as you progress, NPCs from other regions like Inazuma and Liyue will challenge you.
  • Non-Repeatable Rewards: Keep in mind that the rewards from each NPC are a one-time affair. You can continue playing against them for practice, but the tangible rewards are limited to your first victory.

Cat’s Tail NPC Duels

For ongoing progress, the Cat's Tail is your hub.

Here, NPCs refresh on a weekly basis, allowing you to duel for EXP consistently.

Engaging with Cat’s Tail NPCs requires not just skill but also strategy, as you’ll need to adapt to different playstyles and decks.

Ranking Up

Leveling up might be gradual, but steady play will keep your duelist profile growing.

Maximize your gains by planning which NPCs to challenge first, based on the rewards they offer and the difficulty of the duel.

Gameplay

The game is designed to pace your progression, providing a balance between playing against NPCs and managing your card inventory.

Deck Composition Essentials

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Understanding the Deck Structure

  • Character Cards: You'll select three character cards to serve as the champions of your deck. These characters do not require drawing from the deck as they are placed on the field right from the start.
  • Action Cards: These 30 cards are your arsenal, consisting of various spells, abilities, and buffs that support your character cards and help you gain the upper hand against your opponents.

Synergy and Balance

It's critical to select action cards that complement the abilities and elements of your character cards.

This can maximize the potential for powerful combos and elemental reactions, mirroring the synergy mechanics in the core gameplay of Genshin Impact.

Aim for a balance in your deck that accommodates offense, defense, and utility.

Having too many of one type can leave you vulnerable or unable to capitalize on key moments in a duel.

Action Card Types

Delving into the specifics of each action card type will reveal their importance and utility:

Equipment Cards

  • Weapons: These cards typically enhance your characters' attack power, allowing for more potent strikes against opponents.
  • Artifacts: They offer passive buffs and can enhance various aspects of your characters, such as reducing the cost of using abilities or increasing the effectiveness of certain types of damage.

Event Cards

Event cards are played for their immediate effects.

These could range from card draw, energy gain, to direct damage or healing.

The timing of playing event cards can turn the tide of a battle. Knowing when to hold them for maximum effect is as important as the abilities they carry.

Support Cards

Unlike event cards that have an instant effect, support cards provide ongoing benefits that last over multiple turns.

Support cards stay in a dedicated zone and can affect the state of the field, providing advantages like additional card draws, buffing characters, or even hindering your opponent.

Building a Cohesive Deck

Choose character cards that work well together, considering their elemental attributes for potential reactions.

Some players may build around specific themes or strategies, such as focusing on quick, aggressive plays or building a deck capable of enduring and outlasting opponents.

Ensure your deck can adapt to various situations. Include cards that can handle a range of scenarios, from facing aggressive opponents to breaking through defensive stances.

Advanced Deck Building Concepts

Your deck should have a good balance of low, mid, and high-cost cards to ensure you can play effectively at all stages of the game.

Tech Cards are cards included to counter specific strategies or cards you expect to encounter frequently.

Keep in mind the current “meta,” or popular strategies, as you build your deck.

Being aware of what you're likely to face can help you prepare counters and strategies.

Personal Favorites and Deck Building Strategies

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When it comes to personal favorites, these are cards that players often find themselves gravitating towards due to their effectiveness or the affinity they feel for the characters or abilities they represent.

  • Catherine Support Card: This card is notable for its utility in providing assistance throughout the game. It's a testament to the importance of having support cards that complement your playstyle and strategy.
  • Paimon Event Cards: Paimon cards typically provide immediate benefits upon being played. Their value comes from their versatility and the ability to swiftly change the state of play, offering card draw, energy, or other resources.
  • Elemental Resonance Cards: These cards can significantly impact the flow of the game, especially if they align with the elemental focus of your character cards. For instance, an Electro resonance card would synergize well with a deck that emphasizes Electro characters and reactions.
  • Utility Cards: Cards that grant extra dice or healing can be critical. Extra dice rolls increase your chances of activating your characters’ abilities, while healing cards can prolong your characters' ability to stay in the game.

Beyond personal favorites, when building your deck, it's crucial to think about the synergy between cards and your overarching strategy.

Each card should have a purpose, whether it's to set up combos, provide defense, or offer a means to counter your opponent's moves.

Deck Building Strategies

Build a deck that can adapt to a wide range of situations.

Even if you have preferred cards, it’s important to include some that can deal with unexpected challenges.

Decide whether your deck will aim for consistent performance or if it will rely on powerful, game-changing plays.

This will guide which cards you prioritize.

As you play, note which cards often sit unused in your hand and which ones you're always hoping to draw.

This feedback loop is essential to refine your deck.

Acquiring New Cards

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Action Cards

You'll spend the currency you earn from duels in the Cat's Tail card shop.

Because this currency is limited and refreshed on a weekly basis, make each purchase count.

Aim to buy a variety of cards that can fulfill different roles in your deck.

Reading card descriptions carefully will help you make informed choices that align with your deck-building goals.

Character Cards

Use Match Invitation Letters to invite characters for a duel.

These can be bought in the card shop or obtained through leveling up.

Before engaging in a duel, review the character's abilities or “kits”.

If they appeal to you or fit well into your deck strategy, it's worth the challenge.

Tavern Card Challenges

Completing these challenges is an additional way to obtain character cards.

They become available as you reach certain player levels and offer a more direct path to expanding your character card roster.

Consider which challenges to tackle based on the potential reward cards and how they might enhance your deck.

Challenges and Team Building

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Tavern Card Challenges

These are special in-game events that offer a unique opportunity to secure character cards.

  • Unlocking Challenges: As you increase your player level, challenges from level three to eight become available. They are designed to test your deck-building skills and strategic thinking.
  • Rewards for Victory: Completing these challenges not only rewards you with the boss's character card but also gives you valuable experience in handling different game scenarios.
  • Difficulty Scaling: The challenges will increase in difficulty, requiring you to refine your deck and adapt your strategy to overcome them.

Team Building in TCG

In TCG, just as in the main game, synergy between characters can greatly influence the outcome of a match.

  • Elemental Reactions: Building a team that takes advantage of elemental reactions can be critical. Understanding how different elements interact and complement each other will aid in creating powerful combinations.
  • Balanced Teams: Consider building a balanced team with a mix of support, DPS, and utility characters. This allows for flexibility in responding to various opponents and situations.
  • Character Roles: Assign roles to your characters based on their strengths. For example, one character might be your primary damage dealer, while another provides critical support or control effects.