Is The Chasm Before or After Inazuma in Genshin Impact?
The answer is definitive: The Chasm is accessible before Inazuma in Genshin Impact. While narrative reasons might initially suggest otherwise, the game’s progression allows players to explore the perilous depths of The Chasm and complete its associated quests before setting foot on the storm-ridden islands of Inazuma. Player level requirements and quest dependencies confirm this order, even if the story hints at a different sequence.
Unveiling The Timeline: Chasm First, Then Inazuma
The key to understanding the order lies in the Adventure Rank requirements and the quest chains that unlock these regions. Here’s a breakdown:
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Liyue Arc Conclusion: The main Liyue storyline must be completed to unlock both The Chasm and Inazuma. This involves finishing the Archon Quest Chapter I: Act IV – “We Will Be Reunited.”
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Unlocking The Chasm: After completing the Liyue Archon Quest, The Chasm can be accessed with Adventure Rank 28. Players simply need to follow the quest marker leading to the entrance of the Chasm.
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Unlocking Inazuma: Reaching Inazuma requires a significantly higher commitment. Players must not only complete the Liyue Archon Quest but also complete “Chapter II: Act I – The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia” and reach Adventure Rank 30. This quest involves speaking to Katheryne at the Adventurers’ Guild in Liyue and commencing the Inazuma storyline.
Therefore, based on the core game mechanics, The Chasm is intended to be explored and conquered prior to embarking on the journey to Inazuma. This structure provides players with an intermediate challenge and a richer gameplay experience before tackling the significantly more complex region of Inazuma.
Why the Confusion? Narrative Versus Gameplay
The narrative progression in Genshin Impact can sometimes be misleading. While the story might seem to push Inazuma as the next logical destination after Liyue, the game mechanics prioritize The Chasm.
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Story Hints: Certain characters and events might suggest that Inazuma is the immediate next step. However, these are narrative teases designed to pique players’ interest and build anticipation.
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World Building: The Chasm’s inclusion feels like a natural extension of Liyue, further expanding its lore and geography. It provides a deeper understanding of Liyue’s history and its connection to other regions.
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Pacing: Introducing Inazuma immediately after Liyue might feel overwhelming due to its complex political situation and unique gameplay mechanics. The Chasm serves as a stepping stone, allowing players to gradually increase their power and familiarize themselves with new combat strategies.
Essentially, miHoYo strategically placed The Chasm before Inazuma to provide a smoother transition for players. It’s a matter of game design and pacing, ensuring a balanced and engaging experience.
The Benefits of Exploring The Chasm First
There are several advantages to exploring The Chasm before heading to Inazuma:
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Character Leveling: The Chasm offers a plentiful supply of resources, enemies, and quests that can significantly boost character levels. This is crucial for tackling the higher-level challenges in Inazuma.
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Weapon Ascension Materials: The area is rich in ores and materials required for weapon ascension, allowing players to upgrade their armaments before facing the formidable enemies in Inazuma.
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Artifact Farming: While not the primary source of end-game artifacts, The Chasm provides access to decent artifact domains that can help strengthen your characters.
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Story Expansion: The Chasm’s questline introduces new characters, delves into the history of Liyue, and provides insights into the ongoing conflict with the Abyss Order. This enriches the overall narrative experience.
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Practice Ground: The unique enemies and environmental hazards in The Chasm prepare players for the challenges they will face in Inazuma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Adventure Rank do I need to access The Chasm?
You need to reach Adventure Rank 28 and complete the Archon Quest Chapter I: Act IV – “We Will Be Reunited” to access The Chasm.
2. What Adventure Rank do I need to access Inazuma?
You need to reach Adventure Rank 30 and complete the Archon Quest Chapter II: Act I – “The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia”, as well as the aforementioned Liyue quest.
3. Do I need to complete all quests in Liyue before The Chasm?
No, you only need to complete the main Archon Questline in Liyue, specifically “We Will Be Reunited,” to unlock The Chasm. Side quests are not required.
4. Is it possible to glitch my way into Inazuma before The Chasm?
While it might be theoretically possible through certain exploits, it’s strongly discouraged. Attempting to bypass the intended progression can lead to glitches, bugs, and a compromised game experience.
5. Does The Chasm’s story have any connection to Inazuma’s story?
While there isn’t a direct, explicit connection, both regions touch upon themes of divine authority, resistance, and the impact of war. Understanding The Chasm’s lore can provide a broader context for the events unfolding in Inazuma.
6. What are the key differences between The Chasm and Inazuma in terms of difficulty?
Inazuma is generally considered more challenging than The Chasm. Inazuma features more complex enemy compositions, intricate puzzle mechanics, and a higher overall enemy level.
7. Which characters are most useful in The Chasm?
Characters with Geo and Physical damage are particularly effective against the enemies in The Chasm. Characters with exploration skills like Zhongli (Geo constructs) and Kazuha (vertical mobility) are also highly valuable.
8. What should I prioritize when exploring The Chasm?
Focus on completing the main questline, unlocking the Lumenstone Adjuvant (a gadget that helps navigate the dark areas), and collecting resources for character and weapon ascension.
9. Is The Chasm Underground Mines harder than the surface area?
Yes, The Chasm Underground Mines are significantly more challenging due to the darkness, stronger enemies, and more complex level design.
10. What type of enemies can I expect to find in The Chasm?
You’ll encounter a variety of enemies including Hilichurls, Ruin Serpents, Black Serpents, and monsters corrupted by the Abyss.
11. What is the Lumenstone Adjuvant, and why is it important?
The Lumenstone Adjuvant is a gadget that allows you to dispel the darkness and activate mechanisms within The Chasm Underground Mines. It’s crucial for exploration and progression.
12. Are there any new character ascension materials in The Chasm?
Yes, The Chasm introduces new character ascension materials, such as the Runic Fang dropped by the Ruin Serpent.
13. Does The Chasm have any unique artifacts?
While it doesn’t introduce completely new artifact sets, you can find existing artifact domains in The Chasm, providing access to valuable sets like Gladiator’s Finale and Wanderer’s Troupe.
14. Can I return to The Chasm after completing its quests?
Yes, The Chasm remains accessible after completing its associated quests, allowing you to continue exploring, farming resources, and completing world quests.
15. Will exploring The Chasm make Inazuma easier?
While not directly making it easier, the increased character levels, weapon upgrades, and improved understanding of combat mechanics gained from exploring The Chasm will undoubtedly make your journey through Inazuma more manageable and enjoyable. The Chasm serves as a valuable training ground and resource hub, preparing you for the trials that await in the land of eternity.