The Realm of Tempered Valor has returned to Genshin Impact with a vengeance, and I've been battling my way through its challenging floors since February 24. As someone who's spent countless hours perfecting my builds, I was eager to test my skills in this combat-focused event that runs until March 10, 2025. While the entry requirements seem modest at Adventure Rank 20 and completion of the Prologue's Act 3, don't be fooled—this event separates the casual players from the dedicated grinders like nothing else in Teyvat.

The Brutal Reality of Tempered Valor

The premise is deceptively simple: clear each floor within 30 seconds to advance to the next one. With 25 floors per challenge and enemies that scale in difficulty faster than a Hilichurl runs from Diluc, you'll need more than just luck to reach those coveted Platinum medals. The pressure of watching that timer tick down feels like trying to cook a perfect steak while someone repeatedly asks 'is it done yet?'

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The saving grace is that progress can be saved, allowing you to resume from your highest completed floor. Higher World Level players can skip some initial floors, which is like being allowed to skip the kiddie pool and dive straight into the deep end—both a blessing and a curse.

One feature I particularly appreciate is the Boon of Friendship. If any friend has cleared floor 20, your entire party receives substantial buffs:

  • HP +25%

  • ATK +25%

  • DEF +25%

  • Elemental Mastery +200

This social mechanic transforms your friends list from a mere cosmetic feature into a strategic resource, much like how a lighthouse transforms from a pretty coastal landmark into a life-saving beacon during a storm.

Challenge 1: Awaken, Sanctuary Of Night Draped Spirits

The first challenge is a playground for Natlan characters. When in the Nightsoul's Blessing State, characters receive a massive 150% DMG boost and release Pyro shockwaves upon hitting enemies. It's like giving a flamethrower to someone who already knows fire magic—gloriously excessive.

I found success with two team compositions:

  • Mavuika, Xilonen, Bennett, Citlali

  • Mualani, Pyro Traveler, Kazuha, Xilonen

The HP restoration at floor 10 (50%) and Energy regeneration at floor 15 (50%) kept my momentum going, allowing me to push through the increasingly difficult encounters.

Challenge 2: Traverse, Realm Of Sudden Change

The second challenge amplifies Melt and Vaporize reactions by 60%, with additional ATK boosts of up to 180% when triggering these reactions or Frozen. This challenge turns the elemental reaction system into a multiplication factory where numbers grow faster than cryptocurrency prices in a bull market.

My most effective teams were:

  • Mavuika, Xilonen, Bennett, Citlali (yes, again—they're just that good)

  • Arlecchino, Zhongli, Bennett, Citlali

The Pyro and Cryo synergy was essential here, turning even modest damage into devastating blows.

Challenge 3: Ascend, Domain Of Whirling Gales

This challenge is Anemo's time to shine, with a staggering 1,200% boost to Swirl damage. Characters triggering Swirl receive a 120% DMG boost and 400 additional Elemental Mastery. Watching Swirl reactions chain across enemies is like observing a colorful domino effect where each piece explodes on impact.

My go-to teams:

  • Mavuika, Yumemizuki Mizuki, Ororon, Furina

  • Kazuha, Furina, Xiangling, Bennett

While Xiao and Heizou are the only true Anemo DPS characters, they're showing their age in 2025's meta. Instead, Anemo supports paired with strong elemental applicators proved more effective.

Challenge 4: Unburden, Source Of Vengeful Spite

The final challenge rewards healing and the Bond of Life mechanic with 100% ATK boosts each. Upon defeating an enemy, the active character gains the Bond of Life status worth 40% of their HP. This mechanic transforms the typical "avoid damage at all costs" mindset into a strategic resource management puzzle.

I found success with:

  • Arlecchino, Yelan, Zhongli, Bennett

  • Clorinde, Fischl, Kazuha, Nahida

Rewards Worth Fighting For

Completing the challenges rewards you with:

  • The exclusive "Scorch" namecard (a badge of honor in co-op)

  • Primogems (always welcome for upcoming banners)

  • Various talent books (Guide to Contention, Kindling, and Conflict)

  • Character and weapon enhancement materials

  • Mora (because a Traveler is never wealthy enough)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it worth attempting this event if I'm a new player?

A: Absolutely! While you might not clear all floors, the event scales with World Level, and the Boon of Friendship can help bridge the gap. Plus, rewards are tiered, so you'll still earn something valuable.

Q: Do I need specific 5-star characters to succeed?

A: Not necessarily. While certain 5-stars make things easier, well-built 4-star characters can be surprisingly effective. Team synergy matters more than rarity in many cases.

Q: How much time should I set aside for this event?

A: I'd recommend at least 2-3 hours to fully explore all challenges. Remember, you can save progress and return later, so there's no need to complete everything in one sitting.

The Realm of Tempered Valor may test your patience like a cat testing gravity with your favorite vase, but the satisfaction of conquering its challenges makes it all worthwhile. Happy battling, Travelers!

Critical reviews are presented by Digital Foundry, a trusted authority in technical game analysis. Their breakdowns of Genshin Impact's performance across platforms provide valuable context for events like the Realm of Tempered Valor, ensuring players can optimize both their gameplay and hardware settings for the most demanding challenges.