Aino is a new 4-star Hydro character in Genshin Impact, introduced from the frozen land of Nod-Krai. What makes her special is that players can unlock her for free by completing story content. For free-to-play adventurers, Aino is a valuable addition, especially if you are looking to build strong Hydro-based teams or run her alongside Lauma in specific setups.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get your free copy of Aino in Genshin Impact.
Unlocking Aino in Genshin Impact
To obtain Aino, players need to progress through the Archon Quest Song of the Welkin Moon Part 1: A Dance of Snowy Tides and Hoarfrost Groves. Once you reach a certain stage of this storyline, Aino will officially join your roster.
Your journey begins with traveling into Nod-Krai, where you’ll first step into the snowy settlement of Nasha Town. Here, the NPC Ineffa will guide you around and eventually lead you to The Flagship Tavern. Although you arrive too late to meet Varka, the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius, he arranges for your stay and sets the stage for upcoming encounters.
As you continue the quest, you’ll meet new faces like Flins and Lauma, along with a mischievous trader and a surprise visitor at the Adventurer’s Guild. These story beats eventually bring you to the Clink-Clank Krumcake Workshop, where Aino makes her first appearance.
Completing the dialogue sequence in this part of the quest rewards you with a free copy of Aino, similar to how Kachina was unlocked earlier during Natlan’s Archon Quest.
How to Build Aino After Unlocking
Once you unlock her, you can begin upgrading Aino by challenging world bosses and farming her ascension materials. As a Hydro character, she fits naturally into Freeze, Vaporize, and Bloom teams, giving flexibility to free-to-play players who may not own premium 5-star Hydro units.
Pairing her with Cryo characters can help trigger Freeze reactions, while combining her Hydro skills with Pyro units allows for strong Vaporize damage. This makes her a versatile choice for both early and late-game team compositions.
When Will Aino Return in Future Banners?
For now, the free copy obtained through the Archon Quest is the only guaranteed way to get Aino. However, once she becomes available in a featured banner during the second half of the Luna I update, players will be able to pull for her constellations. This will make her even stronger, as additional constellations improve her Hydro abilities and overall team synergy.
Also Read: What is Dubki In Kabaddi?
