Genshin Impact Best Expedition Duration for Resources: Guide

Expeditions are one of the most underrated yet consistently rewarding features in Genshin Impact. Available through the Adventurers' Guild, they allow players to send idle characters on resource-gathering missions, providing a passive income of materials over time. However, many players overlook the strategic depth behind selecting the right expedition duration. While it might seem trivial, choosing between 4, 8, 12, or 20 hours can significantly impact your resource accumulation, character availability, and overall progression efficiency. This guide will break down the best expedition durations for different player profiles and goals.

Understanding the Expedition System

Before diving into duration strategies, it’s essential to understand how expeditions work. Each region (Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, and Sumeru) offers unique resources. For example, Mondstadt expeditions yield Mora and character ascension materials like Valberries and Cecilia, while Liyue provides ore and rare items such as Jade and Cor Lapis. Inazuma and Sumeru expeditions offer region-specific materials like Onikabuto and Nilotpala Lotus.

Players can dispatch up to five characters simultaneously (increased from the initial cap with game updates). Each character assigned to an expedition is unavailable for use in your party until the mission completes. The rewards are fixed per hour and do not scale with character level, rarity, or friendship level. However, certain characters have passive talents that reduce expedition time or increase yields for their home regions.

Expedition Duration Options

Genshin Impact offers four primary expedition durations:

4 hours: Quick, short-term missions.
8 hours: A balanced option, often aligned with a daily reset cycle.
12 hours: A longer duration, useful for overnight or work/school schedules.
20 hours: The maximum duration, offering the highest total yield per dispatch.

Each duration has its pros and cons, and the "best" choice depends on your playstyle, daily routine, and in-game goals.

Analyzing the Best Duration for Efficiency

1. The 20-Hour Expedition: Maximizing Passive Gains

The 20-hour expedition is ideal for players who log in once per day or have limited time to manage their account. It provides the highest total resource yield per dispatch. For example, a Mora expedition in Mondstadt gives 5,000 Mora per 20 hours, compared to 500 Mora per 4 hours (which would total only 2,500 Mora if dispatched five times in 20 hours). This makes the 20-hour option the most efficient for sheer volume.

However, the downside is character lockout. If you send a key character like Bennett or Fischl on a 20-hour expedition, they won’t be available for combat, domains, or events until the next day. This is less of an issue for players with deep rosters but can hinder newer accounts.

Best for: Casual players, those with large character pools, and players focused on long-term resource farming.

2. The 4-Hour Expedition: Flexibility and Active Play

For daily active players, the 4-hour expedition is arguably the most efficient. It allows you to cycle through expeditions multiple times a day, aligning with resin refreshes or daily commissions. With five dispatch slots, you can collect rewards up to five times in 20 hours, yielding more resources than a single 20-hour run if managed perfectly.

For instance, dispatching five characters on 4-hour Mora expeditions five times a day would net 12,500 Mora (500 × 5 × 5), compared to 5,000 Mora from a 20-hour dispatch. The catch? This requires logging in every 4 hours, which isn’t feasible for everyone. It also risks inefficiency if you miss timers.

Best for: Hardcore players, those optimizing for maximum gains, and individuals who can check the game frequently.

3. The 8-Hour and 12-Hour Expeditions: The Middle Ground

The 8-hour expedition syncs well with Genshin’s daily reset cycle. If you send characters out after completing your dailies, they’ll return just in time for the next day’s session. This is convenient for players who log in once or twice daily. The 12-hour expedition is similar but better suited for overnight schedules or longer breaks.

These options offer a balance between yield and convenience. While not as efficient as min-maxing 4-hour runs, they provide better returns than 20-hour expeditions if you can claim them twice daily. For example, two 8-hour Mora runs yield 4,000 Mora (2,000 × 2), which is less than the 5,000 from a 20-hour run but with half the character lockout time.

Best for: Regular players who log in 1-2 times daily and want a hassle-free routine.

Regional Considerations and Character Talents

Your choice of duration should also account for regional rewards and character passive talents. For example:

Mondstadt: Focus on Mora expeditions if you’re short on currency. Use characters like Fischl (reduces Mondstadt expedition time by 25%) to optimize 4-hour or 8-hour runs.
Liyue: Essential for ore farming (e.g., Crystal Chunk, White Iron). Characters like Keqing or Chongyun reduce Liyue expedition time.
Inazuma/Sumeru: Critical for regional specialties. Yelan (reduces Liyue time) or Shinobu (reduces Inazuma time) can be leveraged for faster turnarounds.

If you have characters with time-reduction talents, shorter expeditions like 4 or 8 hours become more valuable. For instance, with a 25% reduction, a 4-hour expedition completes in 3 hours, dramatically increasing daily yield potential.

Practical Tips for Different Player Types

New Players: Prioritize Mora and character ascension materials. Use 20-hour expeditions initially to build reserves without micromanaging. Avoid sending core party members like your main DPS.
Mid-Game Players: Mix durations based on needs. Use 20-hour for ore and 4-hour for Mora if active. Unlock all expedition regions to diversify income.
End-Game Players: Maximize efficiency with 4-hour cycles during active hours and 20-hour overnight. Utilize time-reduction talents to farm rare materials like Nilotpala Lotus or Onikabuto quickly.
Event-Driven Play: During limited-time events, shorter expeditions help keep characters free for event challenges. Opt for 4-hour or 8-hour runs to avoid lockout.

Conclusion: There Is No One-Size-Fits-All

The best expedition duration in Genshin Impact ultimately depends on your playstyle, goals, and schedule. If you value convenience, the 20-hour expedition is your best bet. For active players, the 4-hour cycle offers unparalleled efficiency. The 8-hour and 12-hour options provide a flexible middle ground.

Remember to align your choices with character availability and passive talents. By tailoring your expedition strategy, you can turn this passive system into a powerful tool for accelerating your progress in Teyvat.