As Genshin Impact quickly approaches the introduction of Version 3.1, as well as an expanded Sumeru Map and long-awaited characters like Cyno and Nilou, many exploits still exist in the game. These exploits, when used properly, can provide overall benefits to gameplay, including increased mobility and easier combat, as well as fun and interesting ways to show the Traveler never-before-seen views of Teyvat. Paired with Genshin Impact's beautiful world, waiting to be explored, these tricks are a must-try before they are patched.

Unlike smaller gameplay tricks, exploits involve unintentional flaws or oversights in a game's code. For example, a tricky platforming section that leads to an out-of-reach area that the developers intend to be used is not an oversight. However, when platforming up a seemingly impassible wall, through manipulation of the game's physics engine, famously seen in games such as Skyrim, is an exploit. While not directly harmful to the game itself, exploits usually make a game much easier, and for that reason are patched quickly, especially for an online-based game like Genshin Impact that's updated regularly.

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Although Genshin Impact is a highly-polished game, a few exploits slip through the cracks. Movement-based ones, such as physics-based glitches that allow the Traveler to recover stamina while climbing, and creating ice bridges to traverse large bodies of water that the Traveler shouldn't be able to cross normally, allow the Traveler easier and earlier access to many treasures in the game. Some of these exploits, while producing less productive results, are still interesting to perform - like Underwater Walking, which allows players to walk normally underwater, or Boat Launching, which lets the Traveler launch themselves impossible distances by glitching under a boat. Finally, to give the Traveler an edge in combat, the AI of Genshin Impact is often easily exploitable, which can lead to battles being made much simpler.

Genshin Impact Exploit: Standing While Climbing

Genshin Climbing Glitch

Genshin Impact places a heavy emphasis on exploring the massive world that has been set before the Traveler, allowing every mountain to be climbable, and every river swimmable. However, to limit the amount of freedom that the player is given and provide certain gameplay challenges, Genshin has implemented an energy system, preventing players from just climbing up the side of the mountain to skip the long trek up a mountain path. The first exploit will allow the Traveler to skip this intended path by taking advantage of the physics that determines whether the character is on solid ground or not. By finding a groove in the geometry of a mountain, something that should only be for texturing and decoration, commonly found in the mountains of Liyue, the Traveler can stand as if they were on solid ground, allowing them to regain full energy before climbing again. This helps players from needing to collect food buffs that enhance and restore energy, saving a great deal of time normally spent on grinding and cooking.

Genshin Impact Exploit: The Ice Bridge

Genshin Ice Bridge

The second exploit, the Ice Bridge, is one of the most useful in the game. Functioning very similarly to the Climbing Exploit, the Ice Bridge allows players to cross any body of water, without using a single point of stamina. To perform this exploit, the player must choose a Cryo character (Kaeya is a great choice here) and use their abilities to create a frozen path in the water.

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Then, before the new ice path melts, the player must reuse the ability, creating more ice paths further in the body of water. The rhythm of this exploit can take a bit of getting used to, however, once it is mastered, any body of water in the game can be traveled on foot. Players even used the ice-bridge exploit to reach Inazuma much earlier than intended. As of now, this remains one of the most versatile exploits in the game.

Genshin Impact Exploit: Underwater Walking

Genshin Impact Underwater Glitch

While this next exploit has less universal application, it still is fun to perform nonetheless. To perform this glitch, go to Liyue Harbor, and approach Bibo's ship near the entrance of the city. Here, the player can set themselves between the boat and the dock to catch themselves in the falling animation. After a few seconds, the player will be sent to the bottom of the harbor and is free to walk around as if they were on the surface. If the Traveler comes too close to the surface of the water or tries to leave the harbor, they will be shot to the surface, ending their underwater adventure. This glitch only works for characters that can get stuck in the area between the dock and the boat, so Genshin Impact characters like Kaeya and Zhongli work well, while characters like Klee and Fischl do not work at all.

Genshin Impact Exploit: Boat Launching

Boat Launch Genshin

This Genshin Impact exploit, the Boat Launch, is the simplest glitch to perform in the game. This glitch was discovered by Genshin Impact YouTuber, HDRsaputra, who used it to see if they could reach the height of the floating city Celestia. To perform this, players must head to the Wangshu Inn in Liyue and move directly south from the waypoint to a small boat near a rock, in the river below. Then, while performing a plunging attack to enter the water, they must quickly swim under the boat and then wait. Once ready, they can swim out from under the boat, and the character should be launched into the sky. The longer the Traveler and company waits under the boat, the further the character will be launched on exit. This can provide a beautiful birdseye view of Liyue, as well as being a fun way to travel around the country, for those willing to wait under the boat to achieve the perfect launch.

Genshin Impact Exploit: A.I Manipulation

Genshin A.I on Fence

This final Genshin Impact exploit, while not as visually impressive as the last two, provides a simple way to exploit the path finding of AI. When being chased by multiple enemies, the creatures tend to take the fastest route to the player. However, when something is obstructing this path, with the player nearby, oftentimes the enemies will get stuck on the object, like fences or barricades, and attempt to attack the player despite being unable to reach them. While this doesn't work for ranged enemies or ones that can teleport, corralling melee enemies may give the strategic edge needed in battle.

While it's surprising that all of these work to this day, Genshin Impact is still a well-crafted game, with very few game-breaking bugs and exploits. While these tricks do provide interesting advantages in combat and exploration, they don't necessarily break the game. That being said, as the Genshin Impact Version 3.1 release date fast approaches, it'll be interesting to see which glitches survive the patch.