In the bustling Court of Fontaine, a new tabletop wargame had quietly emerged, courtesy of the diligent Special Security and Surveillance Patrol. Travelers from all corners of Teyvat flocked to this corner, drawn by the thrill of strategic combat where they'd select their game pieces, place them in designated deployment zones, and watch as the battlefield came alive. The Operation Downpour Simulation event wasn't just a test of wits; it felt like stepping into a miniature war zone, with every move echoing the high stakes of real adventures. Players could almost taste the adrenaline as their pieces locked onto targets, their hearts pounding with each clash. When the challenge began, it was all about destroying enemy defenses and installations to claim victory—a total of 11 stages awaited, each with its own quirks and curveballs. For many, the sheer novelty of it was a breath of fresh air, like rediscovering the joy of childhood board games but with a Genshin twist. The air hummed with excitement, and you couldn't help but feel a rush of nostalgia mixed with the sharp edge of competition.

As the first stage kicked off, it was a piece of cake for most players. The setup was straightforward, allowing beginners to dip their toes without drowning in complexity. A common strategy involved placing two Hilichurl pieces on the top side and two Samachurl pieces below the right Cryo Whopperflower. Once the Samachurls took down the first Whopperflower, the Hilichurls would charge in and demolish the Wooden Palisades. Easy peasy, right? But even in this simplicity, there was a sense of accomplishment—like finally nailing that perfect combo after fumbling through tutorials.

Moving to stage two, things got a tad trickier with paths blocked by wooden obstacles. Players had to get creative, using Pyro-inflicting pieces to burn through the barriers. Here's a quick rundown of the go-to strategy:

  • Place two Ruin Guard pieces in the middle.

  • Line up three Hilichurl Grenadiers in a row between them.

This setup kept the enemies' Hydro Slimes distracted by the Ruin Guards, giving the Grenadiers a clear shot to torch everything. It was one of those moments where you'd breathe a sigh of relief, thinking, "Whew, that could've gone south fast."

Stage three ramped up the challenge by introducing a third type of piece, opening up wild new tactics. Players often started with three Cryo Specters right in front of the bottom Cryo Samachurl. Once the Frostarm Lawachurl was defeated, they'd drop a Ruin Guard in the middle and slot an Electro Samachurl beside it. The Lawachurl's inability to hit airborne pieces gave the Specters a brief invisibility, but Treasure Hoarder Pyro Potioneers soon crashed the party. That's when the Ruin Guard and Electro Samachurl came in clutch, overwhelming the foes with sheer numbers. fontaine-s-tabletop-battle-adventure-image-0 The transition from easy wins to this level of strategy felt like climbing a steep hill—exhilarating but exhausting.

By stage four, enemies had upped their game with Suppression Specialist Mek—Ousia in the center, which had a massive range and targeted flying pieces. A solid approach was:

  • Put an Electro Cicin in the middle deployment zone (bottom side).

  • After the first Cryo Whopperflower fell, place an Eroding Avatar of Lava in its spot to clear obstacles.

  • Once the first line was gone, deploy two Hilichurls behind the Avatar.

  • Finally, after the second obstacle line vanished, bring in remaining pieces to speed up the takedown.

This stage was where many players hit a wall, muttering, "This ain't no walk in the park," as they scrambled to adapt.

Stage five saw the debut of the Hydro Mimic Finch, adding chaos with its AoE Hydro shockwave upon defeat. Strategies often included:

  • Position one Grenadier in the bottom right and top left corners.

  • After the first barrier broke, drop a Hydro Mimic Finch in the bottom right.

  • Destroy the second barrier and deploy all leftover pieces there.

The unpredictability of the Mimic made every win feel like a lucky break, leaving players wondering what surprises lurked ahead.

For stages six to eight, barricades and barriers dominated, demanding a mix of long-range and short-range pieces. In stage six, for instance:

Piece Placement Target
Ruin Guard Middle Non-barricaded enemies
Electro Samachurl Below barricade (left and right) Barricade defenses
Hilichurl Bottom right Enemy stronghold

Stage seven relied on Hilichurl Grenadiers to burn obstacles, while stage eight's difficulty spike had Suppression Specialist Meks ready to swat flying targets. The tension here was palpable—like being on the edge of your seat during a boss fight.

The final stages, nine through eleven, were the real nail-biters. Stage nine involved setting Hydro Mimic Finches and Electro Cicins to outmaneuver foes, with a Ruin Guard placed mid-lane only after the Mimic's explosion. Stage ten felt like a gauntlet with tight defenses, requiring precise timing:

  • Place Eroding Avatar of Lava on top and left.

  • Add a Hilichurl Grenadier top left for barricade burning.

  • After top-left obstacle cleared, deploy Hydro Mimic Finch against Frostarm Lawachurl.

  • Slot Cryo Specters strategically to handle leftovers.

Stage eleven, the climax, demanded flawless execution. Players would start with an Eroding Avatar of Lava on top and left, then a Hilichurl Grenadier top left. Obstacle destruction led to Hydro Mimic Finch placements and Cryo Specter backups. If enemies lingered, spare pieces cleaned up. Finishing this stage felt like conquering a mountain—exhausting but euphoric. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was always that lingering thought: What untold strategies could emerge from the shadows of Fontaine? 🤔