Alright, buckle up, Travelers! Let’s discuss traveling in Teyvat. Walking everywhere is so last century. Even if last century in Teyvat had less tech and more hilichurls.
Vehicles: Your Ride or Dies (Maybe)
Trains: All Aboard the… Wait, There Are No Trains?
Ever dreamed of a steam train through Genshin Impact’s landscapes? Sadly, no trains exist. Teyvat is a wonderland with strange architecture. Trains are a no-show. Look for platforms or conductors, and you’ll be disappointed. Maybe in Natlan? One can only wish.
Boats/Ships: Sea-ing the World
Okay, no trains. But don’t worry, nautical adventurers! Boats are here, and they are kinda cool. Specifically, we mean the Waverider. Think of it as a personal speedboat, Genshin style.
- Nation-Specific: Summon these boats only in seafaring nations like Inazuma and Sumeru. Liyue’s adepti prefer yaksha-powered travel. Mondstadt obviously prefers the wind.
- Waverider Waypoints: These waypoints are essential to summon your Waverider. They act like parking spots for your watercraft. Convenient, right?
- Unlockable Ship Alert! Want a fancy ship? The Pearl Galley Ship awaits! Complete the Ocean Pearl questline in Liyue Harbor to unlock it. Less ‘driveable,’ more ‘landmark,’ but hey, it’s a ship!
Aircraft: Taking to the Skies (Sort Of)
Are there planes in Genshin? Not really. But there are these things called Aircraft. Nine exist, some lying underwater due to Teyvat logic.
- Ousia Blocks Required: To activate these contraptions, find an Ousia block nearby. Hit the machinery with a Charged Attack or Elemental Skill. Think of it as jump-starting a sky-car with batteries.
- Limited Flight: Don’t expect to pilot these across countries. They offer short-hop, pre-set flight paths. Great for quick views, but not long-distance travel.
Methods of Travel: Getting From Point A to Point B (and Sometimes C)
Fast Travel: Blink and You’re There
Let’s be honest, walking is time-consuming. Fast Travel is your best ally in Teyvat. Here’s how it works:
- Statues of the Seven and Teleport Waypoints: These serve as teleport hubs. Activate them by approaching and interacting. They’ll glow blue when ready for your instant travel needs. Statues also reveal maps around them, adding exploration points!
- Portable Waypoint: Want to be spontaneous? Reach Reputation Level 6 in Mondstadt. You’ll receive the blueprint for a Portable Teleport Waypoint. Craft it, set it anywhere (almost), and bam! Temporary teleport spot for 7 days. Great for marking resources or being efficient. Co-Op guests can use it too.
Gliding: Embrace the Wind (and Stamina Management)
Gliding is iconic in Genshin travel.
- Wind Glider Unlock: Get your Wind Glider early from Amber during the “City of Freedom” quest in Mondstadt. It’s your starter pack for aerial adventures.
- Mid-Air Activation: Jump, then press jump again mid-air to deploy your glider. It’s that simple.
- Combat Restrictions (Mostly): You can’t swing swords or use elemental bursts while gliding. Some character abilities differ but typically it’s travel, not combat.
- Stamina is Key: Monitor that stamina bar! Running out mid-glide leads to less-than-graceful landings, resulting in water or hilichurl camps.
Waverider Waypoints: Red vs. Blue, But Does It Matter?
We discussed Waverider Waypoints before. Here’s something possibly confusing.
- Activation Doesn’t Change Functionality: Activating Waverider Waypoints (red to blue) doesn’t alter their function. They don’t enable teleportation, and you need to be near them to summon a Waverider regardless of activation.
- Purely Aesthetic (Maybe): The color change seems cosmetic. Perhaps it’s Genshin saying “hey, you interacted with this!” Don’t overthink; just summon your boat and sail.
Other Movement Mechanics: The Oddities and Ends
Teyvat has quirky movement options beyond your usual running and jumping.
- Crawling in Port Ormos: Yes, there’s a spot where you can crawl. Why? Because Genshin, and maybe there are low tunnels or just for fun. Go find it and experience crawling.
- Walking vs. Running (Default Touchpad Control): For touchpad users, you can switch between walking and running based on your finger’s position on the touchpad. Good control for varying pace.
- Fastest Speed? The Eternal Question: What’s the fastest move in Genshin? A question that sparks debates. Character abilities, movement buffs, specific terrains… speed-runners have spreadsheets at hand. For average players? Probably sprinting, character skills, and maybe a touch of gliding based on the situation.
Flying: When Gliding Isn’t Quite Enough
So, gliding is cool, but what about true flight?
- Wind Glider = Flight (Kind Of): Let’s be honest, gliding is Genshin’s version of “flight.” You get your Wind Glider and can “fly” – within stamina limits and mostly downwards.
- “Power of Flight!”: Characters often mention the “power of flight,” usually during gliding. It’s poetic more than literal.
- Limited True Flight Abilities: Some characters have abilities that grant moments of what feels like true flight. Think Wanderer’s skill that lets him hover and ascend briefly. Others have grappling hook-like skills for vertical movement bursts.
- Stamina Limits (Again): Even with flight-like abilities, stamina is crucial. No infinite soaring awaits you. Clever stamina management can extend airtime though.
Your comprehensive guide to traveling in Genshin Impact is done! From mundane to less mundane, Teyvat offers choices for travel despite true trains being an enchanting dream. Now explore, Traveler! Pack stamina-boosting food!