Every new patch in Genshin Impact brings a wave of excitement, and the arrival of new characters is always a highlight. While some characters weave themselves into the grand tapestry of the main story, others shine as the stars of flagship events. But beyond the lore, what truly captivates players is how these new additions can completely revolutionize combat strategies and exploration dynamics. Enter Gaming, a character who has carved out a unique space for himself since his debut.
Gaming isn't just another face in the crowd. As a four-star Pyro Claymore user, he stands out with a kit that punches well above his rarity. Designed as a formidable on-field DPS, he brings a playstyle and power level that are rarely seen among four-star characters of his weapon type. His deep connection to Liyue's annual Lantern Rite celebration and the region's rich cultural heritage makes him a character steeped in significance. So, what does it take to unleash Gaming's full potential? Let's break down the complete investment required to build this fiery performer in 2026.
🔥 Gaming's Complete Ascension Material Guide
First things first: to make Gaming stronger, you need to ascend him. Hailing from Qiaoying Village, which was introduced alongside him in the 4.4 update, Gaming requires materials that reflect his Liyue roots and fiery nature.
-
Local Specialty - Starconch: This is Gaming's designated local specialty. You'll need to scour the shorelines of Liyue, with Yaoguang Shoal being a particularly fruitful hunting ground. In total, you'll need to collect 168 Starconches to take him from level 1 to 90. Don't worry, there are around 80 available per reset cycle in the overworld.
-
Common Enemy Drops - Slime Materials: Thankfully, one of the material grinds is relatively painless. Gaming requires drops from Slimes, which are among the most common enemies across Teyvat. You'll be collecting Slime Condensate, Secretions, and Concentrate.
-
World Boss Drop - Emperor's Resolution: This material is obtained by defeating the formidable Emperor of Fire and Iron, a massive armored crab king found in an underwater cave in Fontaine. This is where your Resin will be spent.
-
Elemental Gemstones - Agnidus Agate: As a Pyro character, Gaming needs the fiery Agnidus Agate stones in all their forms, from Slivers to Gemstones.
Here is the complete breakdown of materials needed for each Ascension Phase:
| Phase | Level | Mora Cost | Agnidus Agate | Starconch | Slime Drops | Emperor's Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 -> 40 | 20,000 | Sliver x1 | x3 | Condensate x3 | — |
| 2 | 40 -> 50 | 40,000 | Fragment x3 | x10 | Condensate x15 | x2 |
| 3 | 50 -> 60 | 60,000 | Fragment x6 | x20 | Secretions x12 | x4 |
| 4 | 60 -> 70 | 80,000 | Chunk x3 | x30 | Secretions x18 | x8 |
| 5 | 70 -> 80 | 100,000 | Chunk x6 | x45 | Concentrate x12 | x12 |
| 6 | 80 -> 90 | 120,000 | Gemstone x6 | x60 | Concentrate x24 | x20 |
| TOTAL | 1 -> 90 | 420,000 | Full Set | 168 | Various | 46 |
Pro Tip: Farming the 46 Emperor's Resolutions will cost you approximately 920 Original Resin, so plan your boss runs accordingly!
💰 The True Mora & EXP Cost of Level 90
Ascension is just one part of the leveling journey. Actually taking Gaming from level 1 to 90 requires a massive stash of Mora and EXP books. If you're not prepared, this process can seriously dent your reserves. Have you ever wondered exactly how many Hero's Wit you need to save up?
Here’s the detailed cost for leveling Gaming up, including the inevitable bit of wasted EXP:
-
Levels 1 to 70: This phase requires a mix of Wanderer's Advice, Adventurer's Experience, and Hero's Wit. The Mora cost starts to climb steadily.
-
Levels 70 to 90: This is where the real investment begins. The final 10 levels alone demand a staggering 171 Hero's Wit and over 684,600 Mora.
Total Level-Up Cost (1-90):
-
Experience Books: Equivalent to roughly 248 Hero's Wit (including conversions from lower-tier books).
-
Mora: A whopping 1,671,600 Mora just for the level-ups, on top of the 420,000 Mora for ascension.
🎭 Maximizing Damage: Gaming's Talent Materials
If you enjoy Gaming's dynamic, plunge-attack-focused playstyle, leveling his talents is a must. For a four-star character, he boasts surprisingly high base stats and excellent damage multipliers on his Elemental Skill and Burst. Investing in his talents gives you fantastic value for your resources, though it is a time-consuming and costly endeavor.
Gaming's talents require Prosperity-series Talent Books, which are obtained from the Taishan Mansion domain in Liyue (available on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday). You'll also need more of those Slime drops and a key weekly boss material.
-
Weekly Boss Material - Lightless Mass: This is dropped by the "All-Devouring Narwhal" in the Fontaine weekly trounce domain, "Shadow of Another World," located underwater in Salacia Plain.
-
The Crown of Insight: To crown a talent (level it to 10), you'll need this rare item, typically obtained from major seasonal events or certain permanent game milestones.
Here’s what you need to level a single talent to level 10:
| Talent Level | Mora Cost | Prosperity Books | Slime Materials | Lightless Mass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 12,500 | Teachings x3 | Condensate x6 | — |
| 3 | 17,500 | Guide x2 | Secretions x3 | — |
| 4 | 25,000 | Guide x4 | Secretions x4 | — |
| 5 | 30,000 | Guide x6 | Secretions x6 | — |
| 6 | 37,500 | Guide x9 | Secretions x9 | — |
| 7 | 120,000 | Philosophies x4 | Energy Nectar x4 | x1 |
| 8 | 260,000 | Philosophies x6 | Concentrate x6 | x1 |
| 9 | 450,000 | Philosophies x12 | Concentrate x9 | x2 |
| 10 | 700,000 | Philosophies x18 | Concentrate x12 | x2 + Crown |
| TOTAL (1-10) | ~1.65 Million | Teachings x3, Guides x21, Philosophies x40 | Varies | x6 |
Remember: This table is for ONE talent. To fully max his Skill, Burst, and Normal Attack, you need to triple these material requirements (except Crowns, which are one per talent).
✅ Final Verdict & Building Tips for 2026
So, is building Gaming worth it in 2026? Absolutely. For a four-star unit, he offers exceptional performance as a Pyro DPS, especially in reaction-based teams like Vaporize or Overload. His kit is fun, fluid, and effective.
Quick Recap of Total Approximate Costs (for Level 90, 6/6/6 Talents):
-
Mora: ~4.5+ Million (Ascension + Leveling + Talents)
-
Resin: ~920 for Boss Mats, plus daily runs for Talent Books and EXP Ley Lines.
-
Time: Farming 168 Starconches and weekly boss mats will take several weeks.
Pro-Tip: Start with his Elemental Skill and Burst before investing heavily in his Normal Attack, unless you really love his plunge playstyle. Pair him with supports like Xingqiu, Yelan, or Bennett to see his damage truly soar.
Building any character is a journey, and Gaming is a rewarding destination. With this 2026 guide, you're now equipped with all the knowledge to efficiently prepare and unleash the full power of Liyue's fiery performer. Happy farming