For “how to play co op in genshin impact”, you might be surprised to learn that the game doesn’t let you team up with friends right from the start. This guide will show you exactly how to unlock and use the multiplayer feature step by step.
Genshin Impact is mostly a single-player experience, but its co-op mode lets you explore Teyvat with up to three other players. You can fight bosses, gather resources, and complete domains together. But there are some important rules and limits you need to know.
How To Play Co Op In Genshin Impact
Before you can join or invite anyone, you must meet a few basic requirements. The game locks co-op behind Adventure Rank and story progress. Here is what you need to do first.
Unlock Co-Op Mode
You cannot play co-op from the start. You need to reach Adventure Rank 16. This usually takes about 4 to 6 hours of normal gameplay. You also must complete the Archon Quest called “Song of the Dragon and Freedom.” This quest finishes the first main story chapter in Mondstadt.
Once you hit Rank 16 and finish that quest, the co-op button appears in your menu. It looks like two little people icons. Tap it to open the multiplayer screen.
Invite Friends To Your World
After you unlock co-op, inviting friends is simple. Open the co-op menu and select “Friends.” You will see a list of your friends who are online. Click the “Apply to Join” button next to their name. They must accept your request.
You can also send a direct invite from the friends list. Your friend will get a notification. They have to be in their own world and not already in a co-op session. If they are busy, the invite will fail.
Join Another Player’s World
To join someone else, go to the co-op menu and look for “Join World.” You can see a list of players who are open to visitors. You can also type their UID number directly. This is useful if you want to join a specific person.
Remember that the host player controls the world. You cannot change the time of day, start quests, or open certain chests. You are a guest, so you follow the host’s rules.
Co-Op Rules And Restrictions
Co-op in Genshin Impact is not completely free. There are many things you cannot do while in another player’s world. Knowing these limits will save you frustration.
What You Can Do In Co-Op
- Fight world bosses like Stormterror, Andrius, and Childe
- Complete domains and ley line outcrops
- Mine ores, collect plants, and gather local specialties
- Defeat normal enemies and elite enemies
- Open common chests and exquisite chests (but not precious or luxurious)
- Cook food at campfires
- Use your own characters and team
What You Cannot Do In Co-Op
- Start or progress story quests, world quests, or daily commissions
- Open precious chests, luxurious chests, or mora chests
- Interact with certain NPCs or start events
- Change the time of day (the host controls this)
- Use the Statue of The Seven to heal (but you can heal yourself with food)
- Collect oculi or other collectible items from the world
- Enter domains that require a specific story quest completion
These restrictions exist to prevent griefing and to keep the main story linear. If you want to do story content, you must do it alone.
How To Start A Co-Op Session
Starting a co-op session is easy once you know the steps. Follow this simple process.
- Open the Paimon menu by pressing Escape or the menu button.
- Click the co-op icon (two people) in the top left corner.
- Select “Friends” or “Join World” depending on what you want.
- Choose a friend or type a UID number.
- Send the request and wait for acceptance.
If you want to host, just open your world to friends. You can set it to “Allow Direct Join” so friends can enter without asking. This is great for farming sessions.
Matchmaking For Domains
You do not need friends to play co-op. The game has automatic matchmaking for domains. When you enter a domain, you can choose “Match” instead of “Start.” The game will find three other players for you.
This is the fastest way to farm artifacts, talent materials, and weapon ascension materials. The matchmaking usually takes less than 30 seconds. You can also set a password for private domains if you want to play with specific people.
Best Activities For Co-Op
Some activities are much better in co-op than solo. Here are the best things to do with friends.
Boss Farming
World bosses like the Cryo Regisvine, Pyro Regisvine, and Oceanid are easier with a team. You can split roles. One player heals, another deals damage, and someone applies elements for reactions. This speeds up farming a lot.
Weekly bosses like Stormterror and Andrius also allow co-op. But remember that the host must have the boss unlocked. You cannot fight a boss that the host has not yet unlocked in their world.
Domain Runs
Artifact domains are the most popular co-op activity. The matchmaking system pairs you with players who have strong characters. You can clear a domain in under a minute with a good team. This is the best way to farm artifacts for your characters.
Talent material domains and weapon material domains also work well in co-op. The drops are the same as solo, but you clear faster. This means more runs per hour.
Material Gathering
If you need local specialties like Cecilia, Silk Flower, or Violetgrass, co-op helps. You can enter a friend’s world and collect their materials. Each world has its own respawn timer, so you can gather from multiple worlds in one day.
This is very useful for ascending characters. For example, if you need Qingxin for Xiao, you can ask a friend to let you collect theirs. Just ask first. Some players do not like strangers taking their materials.
Co-Op Etiquette Tips
Playing with others requires good manners. Here are some tips to be a good co-op partner.
- Ask before taking materials. Not everyone shares.
- Do not start boss fights without asking the host.
- Bring a healer if your team is weak. No one likes dying.
- Do not leave mid-domain. Finish the run first.
- Use the chat to communicate. Say “hi” and “thanks.”
- Do not steal kills. Let everyone contribute.
- If the host wants to do a specific domain, follow their lead.
Good manners make co-op fun for everyone. Bad behavior can get you kicked or blocked.
Troubleshooting Common Co-Op Issues
Sometimes co-op does not work as expected. Here are common problems and fixes.
Cannot Join Friend’s World
If you cannot join a friend, check their world level. You can only join worlds that are within one level of your own. For example, if you are World Level 5, you can join levels 4, 5, or 6. Also, check if they are already in co-op or if they have set their world to “Reject Join.”
Connection Errors
Co-op requires a stable internet connection. If you get disconnected often, try switching to a wired connection. Also, close other apps that use bandwidth. Genshin Impact uses a peer-to-peer system, so lag from one player affects everyone.
Cannot Start Domain In Co-Op
If the domain start button is grayed out, check if all players have the required Adventure Rank. Some domains need Rank 20 or higher. Also, make sure the host has unlocked the domain. Guests cannot unlock domains for the host.
Advanced Co-Op Strategies
Once you understand the basics, you can try more advanced tactics. These help you clear content faster.
Elemental Reaction Teams
In co-op, you cannot switch characters during combat. You are stuck with the four you brought. So plan your team for reactions. For example, if you bring a Hydro character and a friend brings Pyro, you can trigger Vaporize for big damage.
Common co-op team comps include:
- Two DPS characters and two supports
- One healer, one shielder, and two damage dealers
- All four players using the same element for resonance
Talk to your team before starting. Decide who heals and who deals damage.
Resin Efficiency
Co-op does not reduce resin costs. Each player still pays 20 resin per domain. But you can clear faster, so you use your resin more efficiently. If you have limited play time, co-op helps you burn resin quickly.
For world bosses, the host pays 40 resin to claim rewards. Guests do not pay resin but also do not get rewards. This is good for helping friends but not for your own farming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Play Co-op On Different Platforms?
Yes, Genshin Impact supports cross-platform co-op. You can play with friends on PC, PlayStation, mobile, and even Xbox (via cloud gaming). Just make sure you are on the same server region.
How Many Players Can Join A Co-op Session?
Up to four players total. The host plus three guests. You cannot have more than four people in one world.
Can I Do Story Quests In Co-op?
No, story quests and world quests are single-player only. You cannot progress the main story while in co-op. You must leave co-op to continue quests.
Do I Need To Be The Same Adventure Rank As My Friend?
Not exactly, but you must be within one world level of each other. World level increases at certain Adventure Ranks. If your world levels are too far apart, you cannot join.
Can I Trade Items With Other Players In Co-op?
No, there is no trading system in Genshin Impact. You cannot give items, weapons, or artifacts to other players. The only way to share is by letting them collect materials from your world.
Final Thoughts On Co-Op Mode
Co-op in Genshin Impact is a great way to play with friends, but it has limits. You cannot do story content together, and you must respect the host’s world. Use co-op for farming, boss fights, and domain runs. It saves time and makes the game more social.
Remember to always ask before taking materials and bring a healer if your team needs one. With good communication, co-op can be very rewarding. Now you know exactly how to play co op in genshin impact, so go invite a friend and start exploring Teyvat together.
If you run into issues, check your world level and internet connection. Most problems are easy to fix. Happy adventuring, and may your artifact rolls be good.