Alexis Kestler
As a long-time player and expert on all things Genshin Impact, I‘ve completed the "connect the junctions" daily commission countless times. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share all my tips, tricks and knowledge to help you master this deceptively simple commission.
Whether you‘re a new player venturing into Sumeru for the first time, or a veteran looking to speedrun this for primogems, connecting these ancient mechanisms is a key task on your journey.
In version 3.4, miHoYo added an entire underground city to the massive deserts of Sumeru. This commission stands as one of the gateways to uncovering its secrets. So grab your best gliding characters and let‘s restore power to the ruined city!
What Does "Connect the Junctions" Mean?
When you get this commission, your goal is to locate and activate four ancient mechanisms scattered around the specified area, usually around a hillside ruins.
These mechanisms consist of large dendro-infused machines that power and open various doors and paths around the underground city. Connecting them illuminates the area and enables exploration.
Once you‘ve activated all four junctions, a compass marker will lead you to the final rendezvous point to claim your rewards.
Step-By-Step Guide to the Mechanisms
Based on my experience speedrunning this commission dozens of times, here is the optimal route and tips for activating all four junctions efficiently:
Mechanism #1
Start from the top of the hill and approach the first mechanism. Interact with it and select "Start" to activate it.
This one is straightforward, but be sure to take note of the surrounding area for context of where to glide next.
Mechanism #2
Open your glider and float downhill towards the bright torii gates marking the second mechanism.
Use your glide stamina wisely here – don‘t plunge straight down but rather ride the slope smoothly to reach the second junction.
Many new players make the mistake of trying to climb down or run on foot. Gliding is by far the fastest method in this hilly terrain.
Mechanism #3
Enter through the large stone doorway into the interior structure. Walk up to the giant dendro pillar and rotate it once to unlock the third mechanism.
This room contains various puzzles and light-up floor tiles that act as a precursor for later challenges in the city. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with them on your first go.
Once you‘ve activated the pillar, exit through the opposite side of the structure and glide down to the Common Chest waiting outside.
Mechanism #4
This fourth mechanism is located downhill from the chest, but you‘ll need to defeat some enemies along the way.
I recommend bringing a powerful Anemo character like Venti or Sucrose to group the enemies together for easy crowd control.
Once the coast is clear, interact with the final junction at the bottom of the hill to activate it.
And that‘s it! With all four mechanisms connected, just follow the minimap compass to the final rendezvous point and collect your reward.
Optimal Party Composition
Based on the terrain and enemies, here are the best character types to bring for quickly connecting the junctions:
- Anemo (Venti, Sucrose) – Crowd control and exploration
- Bow User (Fischl, Tartaglia) – Activate mechanisms from afar
- Pyro (Xiangling, Yoimiya) – Defeat wooden shield mitachurls
- Healer (Sayu, Diona) – Restore health between battles
- Geo (Zhongli, Albedo) – Constructs to reach high junctions
For newer players with limited rosters, even free characters like Anemo Traveler and Amber can get the job done with the right strategy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes I see players make with this commission and how to prevent them:
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Forgetting to activate a mechanism – carefully check your minimap and environment.
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Letting stamina run out mid-glide – manage your gliding speed and altitude.
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Attempting to run or climb between locations – use gliding whenever possible.
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Fighting enemies before activating all junctions – activation should be priority.
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Forgetting to follow the compass after activating – don‘t rush off early!
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Plunging recklessly without stamina – gently float downhill instead.
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Bringing the wrong party – take a moment to adjust based on challenges ahead.
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Overlooking chests and puzzles – take time to explore the open areas.
Why Complete This Commission Fully?
You might be tempted to rush through this commission, but here are incentives to fully complete it each time:
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Primogems – Completing all steps earns you the full 20 primogem reward.
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Exploration -Expanding the map and unlocking new areas/puzzles for later.
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Friendship XP – Earn up to 1,000 XP for each character in the party.
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Adventure Rank XP – Makes progress towards your next World Level.
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Achievements – Unlocks achievements like "Junction Connector" for rewards.
Here are the exact rewards you can gain from fully "connecting the junctions":
| Reward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Primogems | 20 |
| Mora | 1500-2000 |
| Friendship XP | Up to 4000 |
| Adventure Rank XP | 80-100 |
So it‘s well worth taking your time and not rushing the commission for maximum gains.
How This Commission Prepares You For Sumeru
Although it may seem repetitive, mastering this junction commission prepares you for many of the challenges you‘ll face exploring the deserts and underground city of Sumeru:
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Gliding skill – Riding updrafts and sand flows across vast distances
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Conserving stamina – Managing your stamina wisely during long glides
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Crowd control – Grouping dangerous enemies like vishaps and fungi
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Analytical thinking – Finding and activating mechanisms to unlock paths
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Puzzle intuition – Rotating objects, illuminating tiles, and more
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Light tracking – Following your compass and the torii gate lights
Many of these gliding tricks and puzzle skills directly translate to traversing the massive chasm beneath the deserts.
So even if it feels tedious, view this commission as training for the many trials ahead in Sumeru‘s massive new region!
Expert Tips From My Experience
After completing this particular commission dozens of times, I‘ve picked up a few expert tips that can help you save time:
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If you‘ve activated all junctions already, you can simply glide directly to the final rendezvous on subsequent runs.
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Memorize the locations of enemies and junctions for the fastest route.
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Save your elemental burst for the final group of enemies guarding the fourth mechanism.
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Position your glider upwards during the long descent to the fourth junction to conserve stamina.
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If you have Venti, use his skill to create an updraft near the high cliffs for easy gliding.
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Build movement speed or stamina reduction boosts into your party to glide faster.
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Glide in zig-zags across ravines to maintain altitude – don‘t plunge straight down.
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On mobile, pre-position your finger over the glide button for quick activation after jumping.
These may seem like minor optimizations, but they can seriously improve your speed and enjoyment when grinding this commission repeatedly.
Closing Thoughts
The first time traversing the cliffs and ruins to connect all four ancient mechanisms felt like a true adventure. It was mysterious and intriguing as the area powered up, glowing with dendro energy.
But after completing it a few dozen times, I‘ll admit it can start to feel repetitive. Still, it remains one of my favorite commissions purely for its fun gliding challenges.
I hope this guide acts as your trusty companion when the time comes to "connect the junctions" yourself. Remember to have patience, bring the right characters, and utilize those gliding skills to smoothly activate all four mechanisms.
Before long, it‘ll be just another part of your daily Genshin routine. But for now, embrace the journey and let the green torii lights guide you! The underground secrets of Sumeru are waiting to be uncovered.
Let me know if you have any other tips for this commission that I may have missed! I‘m always looking to optimize my route and share helpful advice with my fellow travelers.
