Ultimate Guide to Exercise Surging Storm Event in Genshin Impact

I've been diving headfirst into the latest Genshin Impact event, and let me tell you, it's been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions! Exercise Surging Storm has completely flipped the script on traditional combat in the game - instead of commanding Ayaka or Neuvillette, I'm now the proud general of an army of slimes and hilichurls. Yes, you read that right! The tables have turned, and I'm loving every chaotic minute of it.

My Strategic Command Center

It's 2025, and miHoYo has outdone themselves with this December event. Running from December 18th to the 30th, Exercise Surging Storm lets me build a lineup of enemies I've spent countless hours defeating throughout Teyvat. There's something deliciously ironic about carefully selecting and upgrading the very same Hydro Slimes that once annoyed me to no end in the Mondstadt rain.

To participate, you'll need to be at least Adventure Rank 20 and have completed the Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of Dragon and Freedom." Pretty basic requirements for most players by now, but worth mentioning for the newbies who joined during the Natlan update!

The Art of Selecting My Minions

The units in this event come in three flavors: Normal, Elite, and Apex. Think of them as your common, rare, and legendary cards if you're familiar with other gacha games. Normal units start at level 20, Elite at 25, and the golden Apex units at a mighty level 30.

I nearly screamed with joy when I pulled my first Frostarm Lawachurl - those beefy ice monsters are absolute BEASTS in this event! The way they smash through opponent lineups gives me a strange sense of vindication after all the times they've crushed me during my exploration.

Here's my personal tier list of units I've had the most success with:

1. S-Tier Destroyers: Frostarm Lawachurl, Eye of the Storm, Consecrated Red Vulture

2. A-Tier Powerhouses: Ruin Guard, Eremite Scorching Loremaster, Kairagi: Dancing Thunder

3. B-Tier Reliable Forces: Large Hydro Slime, Electro Cicin, Bubbler Seahorse

4. C-Tier Cannon Fodder: Basic Slimes, Hilichurl Fighters (sorry little guys!)

Stratagem Shenanigans

Let me share a little secret that's been working wonders for me: Stratagems are EVERYTHING in this event! These special buff cards can completely transform your lineup from a disorganized mob into a well-oiled destruction machine.

You get to select these powerful buffs at the start of rounds 1, 3, 5, and 7, and the choices you make can mean the difference between glorious victory and humiliating defeat. I learned this the hard way after losing three straight matches because I picked buffs that didn't synergize with my units. 😭

My favorite stratagem so far gives all Hydro units a 50% attack boost and applies Wet status to enemies at the start of battle. Pair that with some Cryo units and you've got yourself a freeze-comp that would make even Ayaka jealous!

Lineup Logic: The Method to My Madness

Setting up your lineup requires genuine strategic thinking - something my sleep-deprived brain wasn't prepared for at 2AM last night. But I persevered!

I've found that understanding the color-coded unit types is crucial:

• Purple (Single Target): These glass cannons can obliterate individual targets but fold like wet paper towels when attacked

• Dark Green (Team): Strength in numbers! They swarm enemies like angry bees

• Brown (AoE): My personal favorites for crowd control and mass destruction

• Red (Melee): Tough frontliners that soak up damage

• Blue (Ranged): Snipers that pick off enemies from afar

• Light Green (Flying): Aerial terrors that laugh at ground attacks

My current winning strategy involves placing tanky Melee units up front, followed by a mix of AoE and Single Target damage dealers, with Flying units positioned strategically to avoid enemy Ranged attackers. I'm winning about 7 out of 10 matches with this approach, which I consider a personal triumph given my usual gaming skills!

Battle Time: Sit Back and Watch the Chaos

Once the battle begins, I transform from strategic mastermind to helpless spectator. There's something both liberating and nerve-wracking about having zero control during the actual fights. I find myself cheering for my little Hydro Slimes like they're competing in the Olympics. "GO SQUISHY, SHOW THEM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!" (It's water. They're made of water.)

The Wargames consist of ten consecutive battles, and you've got four lives (called Remaining Combat Strength) to make it through. Each victory brings you closer to those sweet, sweet rewards, while each defeat chips away at your life counter. I've learned to accept losses philosophically - sometimes the RNG gods are simply not in your favor.

The Spoils of War

After completing a full set of Wargames, you're showered with rewards based on how many Wargame Medals you've accumulated. The ultimate goal is to reach 4,000 points to claim everything.

The reward haul is pretty substantial:

• 420 Primogems (just enough to get that 3-star weapon you didn't want! 🙃)

• Various ascension materials including Chains of Dandelion Gladiator and Boreal Wolf's Cracked Tooth

• 14 Hero's Wit (never enough EXP books, am I right?)

• 42 Mystic Enhancement Ores

• 10 Sanctifying Unction

• Talent guides and a hefty 200,000 Mora

I've already claimed about half the rewards, and those Primogems are safely stashed away for the rumored Dainsleif banner that's supposedly coming next patch. A traveler can dream!

Final Thoughts and an Open Question

Exercise Surging Storm has completely changed how I look at the enemies in Genshin Impact. There's something bizarrely satisfying about commanding the very creatures I've spent years defeating. The strategic depth is surprisingly rich for what could have been a simple mini-game.

As I continue my journey through this event, I can't help but wonder: what if Genshin Impact developed this concept into a permanent game mode with seasonal updates and competitive rankings? Would you prefer commanding enemies over characters, or does the traditional gameplay still hold your heart? Perhaps the line between friend and foe in Teyvat is more blurred than we realized...

Until next time, may the RNG gods bless your pulls and your Surging Storm lineups! 🌊⚡❄️🔥

The content is derived from articles by Gamasutra (Game Developer), a respected source for insights into game design and player engagement. Their features on event-driven gameplay in titles like Genshin Impact often emphasize how innovative mechanics—such as temporarily letting players control enemy units—can refresh player interest and deepen strategic complexity, echoing the excitement and tactical depth described in the Exercise Surging Storm event.