Unlocking the Secrets of Fontaine: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Started in Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact's highly anticipated 4.0 update has finally arrived, bringing along the much-awaited Fontaine region. As the fifth region to be introduced in the game, Fontaine showcases the Hydro element. True to form, Fontaine offers a plethora of exciting additions including fresh content, characters, quests, achievements, weapons, and materials for character and weapon progression.

When a new region is unveiled in Genshin Impact, it can be overwhelming and challenging to determine which aspects to focus on and explore. To assist players in navigating the latest update, here is a list of options and advice to make the most of the new content in Genshin Impact.

7 Finish "The Recollections of a Fontainian" Sumeru Quest Line

Patch 3.8 marked the concluding patch of the Sumeru arc and introduced an exciting World Quest titled "Recollections of a Fontainian." Located at the pier in Sumeru, players can embark on this quest to assist an uneasy individual named Augustus Lovelace from Fontaine.

Although this quest is not mandatory for accessing Fontaine, it provides players with a glimpse into Fontaine's lore and enriches their understanding of the Teyvat world. Players with a keen interest in lore should make it a point to explore this quest, either before or after attending to more urgent matters in Fontaine.

6 Fish in Fontaine

Fishing in Fontaine, just like in Inazuma and Sumeru, offers a lucrative reward for players - a brand new 4* weapon called the Fleuve Cendre Ferryman sword! This sword boasts an Energy Recharge secondary stat and a highly potent passive ability at R5. Not only does it enhance players' elemental skill Crit Rate, but it also further increases Energy Recharge.

By putting in sufficient effort into fishing in Fontaine, players can easily refine the sword to its maximum potential by exchanging specific fish at the Fontaine Fishing Association. This sword pairs perfectly with the free character, Lynette, creating an amazing weapon and character combination for players without requiring any monetary expenditure.

5 Complete the Fontaine Archon Quest (Chapter IV)

In the highly anticipated Genshin Impact 4.0 update, one of the standout features is the introduction of a thrilling new Archon Quest. Regarded as the pivotal storyline content in the game, Archon Quests serve as essential prerequisites for future developments.

These quests revolve around the Traveler and the engaging new characters brought forth by Fontaine. Players are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the rich and captivating world and story of Genshin Impact, as Fontaine guarantees an extraordinary experience that should not be missed.

Attached to the Archon quests are also the character quests, which include the introduction of the character quest for the new 5* Pyro unit, Lyney! Completing the character quests is generally a requirement for progressing to future content, so players should prioritize enjoying and completing these quests.

4 Unlock the Fontaine Reputation System and Daily Commissions

In Genshin Impact, each region introduces a reputation system and new daily commissions at the Adventurer's Guild. The reputation system is a crucial mechanic that grants various rewards, such as teapot furniture, recipes, exploration assisting tools (like chest compasses), and region-themed cosmetics. To progress in this system, players can complete quests, exploration objectives, and weekly bounties and requests. It's essential to unlock this feature early on, as certain parts of the system have a limited number of completions per week. By doing so, players can maximize their chances of obtaining the rewards it offers.

There are a couple of requirements to unlock Fontaine reputation:

Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act II "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason"

Complete the quest "Steambird Interview"

And to unlock Fontaine daily commissions, the requirements are as follows:

Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act II "As Light Rain Falls Without Reason"

Complete World Quest "Another Horizon of Adventure"

3 Unlock The Statues of the Seven in Fontaine

Unlocking a Statue of the Seven in Fontaine not only grants the player access to the Hydro version of their chosen Traveler (Aether or Lumine), but also unlocks additional progress for the region through the Hydroculus collectible system. This, in turn, reveals portions of the Fontaine map, making exploration and quest completion significantly easier.

It is generally advised to always locate the nearest Statue of the Seven when entering a new area in Genshin Impact. Fortunately, the game guides players towards the first one in Fontaine through the Archon Quest.

2 Recognize Items Worth Collecting

Fontaine, like the previous regions in Genshin Impact, introduces a variety of local specialties for players to collect as they explore the area. It is crucial for players to determine the most important collectible materials, as they will be essential for ascending new characters and weapons introduced in Fontaine.

This principle also applies to the drops obtained from defeating enemies in Fontaine and how players choose to utilize their resin. Players aiming to ascend Lyney or Lynette should prioritize obtaining Rainbow Roses or Lumidouce Bells, respectively. Additionally, it is recommended to keep an eye out for Romaritime Flowers and Hydroculi.

1 Familiarize Yourself with Pneuma and Ousia Mechanics

The Fontaine region in Genshin Impact introduces a novel game mechanic known as the Arkhe System, featuring two semi-elements called Ousia and Pneuma. Although not full-fledged elements themselves, these mechanics are incorporated into Fontaine and all future Fontaine characters. Each character will possess either Ousia or Pneuma in addition to their usual element. For instance, Lyney, a 5-star Pyro bow unit, has access to Pneuma, while Lynette, a 4-star Anemo sword unit, can utilize Ousia.

The mechanics of Pneuma and Ousia offer unique interactions with certain enemies in the Fontaine region and can also be utilized to solve specific puzzles during exploration. In instances where players prefer not to utilize the Hydro Traveler (Pneuma) or the free Lynette unit (Ousia), there will be exploration mechanisms that grant temporary control over these elements, similar to Sumeru's Dendrograna and Inazuma's Electrograna.

Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.