Quick Answer: Build your first competitive TCG deck with 3 Character Cards and 30 Action Cards. Start with synergistic characters like Fischl + Sucrose + Mona for Electro-Charged reactions. Include universal cards like Paimon, Leave It to Me!, and Strategize. Focus on 2-element combinations to simplify dice management while learning core mechanics.
Look, I'll be honest with you – when Genius Invokation TCG first dropped back in December 2022, I thought it was just another mini-game distraction. Boy, was I wrong. After spending countless hours perfecting builds and watching players struggle with the same fundamental mistakes, I've learned there's actually serious depth here. And yeah, it can be pretty overwhelming at first.
Understanding Genius Invokation TCG Basics
Game Mode Overview
Here's the deal: you need to defeat all three opponent Character Cards (typically 10 HP each = 30 total HP). The whole thing's tucked away in The Cat's Tail tavern in Mondstadt – you know, that cozy spot where Diona works.
Getting started requires Adventure Rank 32 plus completing Archon Quest 'Prologue: Act 3'. The tutorial quest 'Battlefield of Dice, Cats, and Cards' hands you a starter deck: Diluc, Kaeya, Sucrose, plus Fischl's card. Not bad, actually – gives you immediate access to Melt (Pyro + Cryo) and Swirl (Anemo + Pyro/Cryo) reactions right out the gate.
Interface Navigation
The match flow breaks down into three phases. Roll Phase gives you 8 Elemental Dice plus one reroll (always use that reroll, trust me). Action Phase is where the real strategy happens – Combat Actions end your turn, Fast Actions let you keep going. End Phase triggers summon effects and draws 2 cards.
Combat Actions include Character Skills and switches. Fast Actions cover most Action Cards and Elemental Tuning. Simple enough, but the timing? That's where beginners trip up constantly.
Essential Deck Building Fundamentals
Deck Requirements
Fixed structure here – exactly 3 Character Cards + 30 Action Cards. No wiggle room. Action Cards split into Equipment, Support, and Event Cards. Pro tip: the 'Casket of Tomes' gadget saves up to 20 deck configurations with Deck Sharing Code import/export. Game changer for testing builds.
Character Cards pack Normal Attack, Elemental Skill, and Elemental Burst (needs Energy from Normal Attacks/Skills). Equipment Cards? One Weapon + one Artifact per character max. Support Cards cap at 4 slots – some burn through Usages or Duration. Summons get their own zone with a 4-slot limit.
Resource Balance Principles
Build around Elemental Reactions. Period. Key combinations that actually matter: Pyro + Electro (Overloaded), Cryo + Hydro (Frozen), Electro + Hydro (Electro-Charged). Anemo triggers Swirl, Geo creates Crystallize.
Here's my editor take: stick to two main elements when you're starting. Yeah, three-element builds look flashy, but managing those dice requirements while learning core mechanics? Recipe for frustration.
Choosing Your Starting Character Cards
Beginner-Friendly Characters
Fischl remains my top recommendation – Oz provides consistent off-field Electro that just works. Ayaka's Cryo infusion passive makes Freeze/Melt reactions almost foolproof after switching. Ganyu brings piercing damage through her Elemental Burst summon, hitting all characters and ignoring shields entirely.
Kaeya offers low-cost Cryo application. Diluc delivers straightforward high-damage Pyro attacks. Nothing fancy, but reliable.
Elemental Synergy Basics
Electro-Charged (Electro + Hydro) spreads AoE damage across targets – beautiful against grouped enemies. Freeze (Cryo + Hydro) prevents enemy attacks for one turn. Quicken (Dendro + Electro) creates Catalyzing Field, amplifying subsequent damage. Melt (Pyro + Cryo) hits like a truck for single-target damage.
Character synergy example: Fischl's Elemental Skill creates persistent Electro through Oz. Sucrose spreads elements via Swirl across enemy teams. Mona's kit provides damage mitigation + Hydro application, while her Burst creates 'Illusory Bubble' – and that bubble amplifies your next attack damage significantly.
Action Card Selection Strategy
Core Universal Cards
These cards belong in virtually every beginner deck:
Paimon: 3 dice cost, provides 2 Omni Dice at Action Phase start for 2 turns
Liben: Collects up to 3 unused dice, converts to 2 Omni Dice + 2 cards next turn
The Bestest Travel Companion!: 0 dice cost, converts 2 Elemental Dice to Omni Dice
Leave It to Me!: 0 dice cost, makes next character switch a Fast Action
Strategize: 1 die cost, draws 2 cards
Chang the Ninth: Card draw utility
Katheryne: Cheaper character switches
Priority Food Cards
Low-cost sustain that actually matters:
Mondstadt Hash Brown: 1 die, heals 2 HP (simple, effective)
Lotus Flower Crisp: 1 die, reduces next damage by 3 this round
Minty Meat Rolls: 1 die, reduces Normal Attack costs by 1 Unaligned Element (3 uses)
Chef Mao: Support Card synergizing with Food strategies, generates dice + draws food cards
Specialized Cards
Gambler's Earrings creates 2 Omni Dice when opposing character gets defeated (3 times per match). I Haven't Lost Yet! costs 0 dice, playable only when your character gets defeated – provides 1 Omni Element + 1 Energy. Clutch card.
Iron Tongue Tian/Liu Su accelerate Energy generation for Burst strategies. Wagner/Timaeus locate and play Weapon/Artifact cards at reduced costs.
Building Your First Competitive Deck
Electro-Charged Swirl Build
Characters: Fischl, Sucrose, Mona. Two free characters plus this demonstrates fundamental reactions perfectly.
Turn 1: Fischl Elemental Skill summons Oz (Electro application) → Switch to Sucrose → Normal Attack triggers Swirl, spreading Electro to all enemies. Turn 2: Deploy Sucrose Elemental Burst creating summon for repeated Swirl reactions. Turn 3: Switch to Mona → Elemental Skill triggers Electro-Charged for area damage.
Key Cards: Stellar Predator (Fischl Talent), When The Crane Returned (fast switch + attack), Leave It to Me! (0-cost fast switch).
Alternative Beginner Builds
Permafreeze: Ayaka, Xingqiu, Chongyun. Apply Hydro with Xingqiu → switch to Ayaka/Chongyun for Freeze. Include Kanten Senmyou Blessing (Ayaka Talent), The Scent Remained (Xingqiu Talent), Elemental Resonance: Woven Ice.
Quicken: Fischl, Collei, Keqing. Establish summons (Oz + Cuilein-Anbar) applying elements at round end, creating Catalyzing Field. Keqing serves as primary damage dealer benefiting from field effects.
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Elemental Dice and Resource Management
Dice Generation Strategies
Eight dice types: seven elements plus versatile Omni Element (functions as any element). Costs display as 'Matching' (white crystal, requires specific element) or 'Unaligned' (black crystal, accepts any element).
Elemental Tuning lets you discard one Action Card to change one die to your active character's element – it's a Fast Action, so use it liberally.
Energy operates character-specifically. No sharing between characters. Each gains 1 Energy from Normal Attacks/Elemental Skills. Knights of Favonius Library provides additional reroll opportunities once per round – underrated card, honestly.
Turn Planning
Fast Actions first, always. Superior strategy: Equipment/Support cards/Elemental Tuning → then Character Skills. Unused dice vanish between rounds, so plan accordingly.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Critical Gameplay Errors
Action Priority Mistake: Using Character Skills (Combat Actions) first immediately ends your turn. I see this constantly. Correct sequence: Fast Actions (Equipment, Support cards, Elemental Tuning) → Combat Actions.
Combat vs Fast Actions confusion: Combat Actions (Character Skills, switches, declaring round end) end turns. Fast Actions (most Action Cards, Elemental Tuning) maintain turns. Exception: Some Talent cards count as Combat Actions – read carefully.
Resource Management: Balance offense/defense through healing cards (Mondstadt Hash Brown, Barbara), shielding (Noelle, Lotus Flower Crisp), disruption mechanics (Freeze reactions). Plan dice expenditure considering immediate needs plus future requirements.
Card Acquisition and Collection Building
Weekly Progression
TCG Player Level increases through NPC battles and Guest Challenges. Complete 4 weekly for extra EXP + Lucky Coins. Level increases unlock additional NPCs, Tavern Challenges, rewards including Primogems, Lucky Coins, Match Invitation Letters.
Character Card Acquisition: Send Match Invitation Letters to characters at The Cat's Tail, win duels. Letters cost 1,000 Lucky Coins from Prince's Card Shop. Lucky Coins come from duels and TCG Player's Manual.
Collection Strategy: Prioritize versatile characters fitting multiple archetypes. Focus on characters enabling strong elemental reactions before specialized options.
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Practicing and Improving Your Gameplay
Training Strategy
Preparation Phase draws 5 random Action Cards with one swap opportunity. Secure key setup cards, select starting character based on first-turn strategy. Practice against various NPCs – each teaches different archetypes.
Deck Sharing Code enables importing proven builds from experienced players. Study construction principles and adaptation strategies. Begin with simple two-element combinations before attempting complex multi-reaction strategies.
Track win rates against opponent types, identifying strengths/weaknesses. Master dice management and action timing before advanced techniques. For consistent access to new content, utilize Genshin Impact Top Up services from BitTopup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unlock Genius Invokation TCG? Reach Adventure Rank 32 + complete Archon Quest 'Prologue: Act 3'. Complete tutorial quest 'Battlefield of Dice, Cats, and Cards' for starter deck: Diluc, Kaeya, Sucrose, Fischl.
Best beginner character cards? Fischl (consistent Electro via Oz), Ayaka (Cryo infusion passive for easy reactions), Kaeya + Diluc (strong Melt combination). Focus on straightforward abilities with clear synergies.
Essential action cards for new players? Paimon (dice generation), Leave It to Me! (free switches), Strategize (card draw), The Bestest Travel Companion! (dice conversion), Mondstadt Hash Brown + Lotus Flower Crisp (cheap sustain).
How do elemental reactions work? Apply one element → apply different element for reactions. Electro + Hydro = Electro-Charged (AoE), Cryo + Hydro = Freeze (prevents attacks), Pyro + Cryo = Melt (high damage). Anemo triggers Swirl spreading existing elements.
How to get more cards? Increase TCG Player Level through NPC battles + Guest Challenges (4 weekly). Higher levels unlock Match Invitation Letters for character cards + Lucky Coins for card shop. Character cards cost 1,000 Lucky Coins from Prince's Card Shop.
Combat vs Fast Actions difference? Combat Actions end turns: Character Skills, switches, round end declaration. Fast Actions continue play: most Action Cards, Elemental Tuning. Use Fast Actions first for board setup before Combat Actions.