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Genshin Impact Genius Invokation TCG – Release Date & How To Play

Genshin Impact is expanding into the trading card game scene with the Genius Invokation mode. Here's how to play it and when it will release.
Genshin Impact Genius Invokation TCG – Release Date & How To Play

Genshin Impact developer HoYoverse is expanding the lore and gameplay by introducing a new game mode, Genius Invokation. This trading card game (TCG) sees Travelers collecting cards, assembling deck builds, and challenging friends online in the latest casual gaming experience set in Teyvat. 

While there may be few details available on the game mode, the developer has released some footage in the 3.1 Special Program livestream and critical gameplay features. Here's what we know about the upcoming permanent game mode: the release date, how to play, and more in Genshin Impact. 

17th December 2022 Update: HoYoverse has released an official gameplay trailer and gameplay rules for the Genius Invokation TCG game mode. All the details are provided below.

Genshin Impact Genius Invokation TCG Mode – Release Date

Genius Invokation is a new permanent game mode arriving to Genshin Impact in the 3.3 update. This update will be made available on 7th December 2022, according to the game's adjusted update schedule preview.

genshin impact guide genius invokation mode reveal announcement 3.1 special program
The Genius Invokation TCG mode was revealed during the 3.1 Special Program livestream in September 2022. (Picture: YouTube / Genshin Impact)

This game mode is based on a trading card game from the Sumeru region, first created by Sumeru Akademiya researchers. They commissioned this game to the traveling merchandise merchant, Liben, who brought it to the attention of the Yae Publishing House in Inazuma.

The game has gained popularity in these regions with a local hangout spot, Puspa Café in Sumeru, known for hosting several games. The game mode featured a brief gameplay demo during the 3.1 Special Program livestream in September 2022 that gave Travelers a first look at its gameplay mechanics.

Lastly, as you'll be playing against other characters in this permanent game mode, it won't have any rewards for PvP should you play against your friends online. Instead, it rewards you for your PvE matches, and cards can be acquired in various gameplay activities.

Genshin Impact Genius Invokation TCG Mode – How To Play

genshin impact guide genius invokation mode how to play deck cards casket of tomes
Challenge a character using a deck complete with Character Cards to begin dueling in Genius Invokation TCG. (Picture: YouTube / Genshin Impact)

It begins with a deck, like most card games, as Travelers can access the deck menu with the Casket of Tomes to edit their current deck. Each deck comprises three Character Cards and 30 Action Cards to be considered a full deck.

Using Character Cards requires knowledge, as each card has a health or HP displayed in the upper left corner. As your Character Cards take DMG, this HP will decrease until your opponent brings your HP down to 0.

Also displayed on the card are the character's skills consisting of a Normal Attack, Elemental Skill, and Burst, much like the characters in-game. To use these skills requires you to roll a particular number using the Elemental Dice before you can use the skill for the active character.

genshin impact guide genius invokation mode how to play roll elemental dice
Use the Elemental Dice for playing cards, switching characters, or using Character skills during rounds of Genius Invokation TCG. (Picture: YouTube / Genshin Impact)

Each time you use a Normal Attack or Elemental Skill, the active character gains an Energy point, displayed on the upper right side of the card. After accumulating enough Energy, roll the Elemental Dice once again to launch the active character's Elemental Burst.

You can equip other effects and buffs to your active character to enhance attacks using Equipment Cards, Character, and Combat Statuses. At most, every character can have one weapon and artifact Equipment Card equipped; however, some characters can have more.

Likewise, some characters can also produce Character and Combat Statuses which can be attached once available. In the case of Combat Statuses, should you switch to another character, that status will then be relocated to the new active character, which you'll need to roll an Elemental Dice of your choice to switch characters.

Aside from Equipment Cards, there are other types of cards that can be played, like Event Cards, which triggers immediate effects, and Support Cards which provide ongoing effects. Once the game begins, the 30 Action Cards will form your Drawing pile, in which you can draw cards for your hand.

Before using every card in your hand, roll the Elemental Dice to receive one of two results: Matching and Unaligned Element. Matching Element lets you use the required amount of identical Elemental Dice when using Action Cards, and Omni Dice are considered.

Unaligned Element also lets you use the required amount of identical Elemental Dice when playing Action Cards; however, the difference is that it doesn't consider the cards' Elemental type. If neither Elemental Dice matches the element needed to play the cards, you can either play cards with effects that allows you to reroll or change the dice's Elemental type.

genshin impact guide genius invokation mode how to play destroy opponent's charactors
The main objective is to utilize your Active Characters' attacks to eliminate your opponent's Active Characters to win. (Picture: YouTube / Genshin Impact)

Optionally, you can discard the cards which change the dice's Elemental type of one die attributed to your active character. When in the Action Phase, two possible actions can occur in a match: Fast and Combat Action.

Fast Action lets you continue playing following a turn which means playing any card and performing Elemental Tuning are considered Fast Action moves. Combat Action lets you pass a turn to your opponent, allowing you to use skills, switch active characters, and conclude rounds.

After using Fast and Combat Actions, the player who ends the round will be the starting player for the following round until they've declared the End Phase. The End Phase will activate random card effects onto the Character Zone as both players draw cards before the next round begins and continues until a player defeats all three Character Cards.

Genshin Impact Genius Invokation TCG Mode – Rewards

genshin impact guide genius invokation mode rewards invitation board
Locate the invitation board to challenge other characters or play against Travelers online for rewards. (Picture: YouTube / Genshin Impact)

Competing in Genius Invokation TCG duel will earn you various rewards; however, gaining Player EXP lets you increase your ranking or Player Level. This will directly correspond to the type of rewards you'll receive for participating in a duel, whether it's through open-world matches or Weekly Guest Challenges.

Additionally, you can earn Character Cards as rewards by inviting characters using the invitation board and through tavern Challenges when looking for Prince at The Cat's Tail. These matches come in two difficulties: Friendly Fracas or Serious Showdown, and you can also buy cards from the dedicated shop at The Cat's Tail using the unique currency called Lucky Coin.

Lastly, you can play against your friends online using the game's Co-Op Mode when interacting with the invitation board. Once you've reached Player Level 4 and higher, you can use Co-Op Mode to match with random players to challenge to a duel online.

That's everything to know about Genshin Impact's permanent card game mode, Genius Invokation TCG, including its release date, how to play, and rewards.