Investigating Strange Ice in Genshin Impact: A Guide to Unlocking Frozen Regions and Secrets

Conquering Genshin Impact’s Icy Grip: A Traveler’s Guide to Melting the Unmeltable

Stuck on icy obstacles in Genshin Impact? This ice is unlike regular frost. You can’t just hit it with a sword or use Pyro skills; it won’t budge. It’s strange ice. To melt it, you need Scarlet Quartz and strategy. Let’s break it down.

Investigating the Enigma of Strange Ice and Unlocking Frozen Territories

What is this strange ice? It’s a barrier, blocking treasures and challenges. In Dragonspine, it guards the Frostbearing Tree. Leaving it intact means missing rewards. Smash it to claim what lies beyond.

But how do you deal with this icy challenge?

Delving Deeper: How to Investigate Strange Ice

Investigating strange ice isn’t about detective work. It’s about smashing it with the right buff. Look for glowing red ore veins nearby; they are crucial. These veins are your source of Scarlet Quartz.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Locate Scarlet Quartz: Search for those red crystalline ore veins near the ice. They stand out in the environment.
2. Smash the Quartz: Hit the vein. Any attack works, but Claymore or Geo is faster. Doing this grants you a temporary fiery buff.
3. Charge at the Ice: With the buff active, run towards the strange ice and hit it again. The attack will finally do damage.
4. Repeat if Necessary: If the ice doesn’t break, find another vein. Get the buff, and strike again until it shatters.

This process is like using a special key to unlock a frosty barrier. It’s unique but fitting for Genshin Impact.

Banish the Chill: How to Get Rid of Strange Ice

The steps to eliminate strange ice are similar. You’re not merely poking it; you’re planning for destruction. Remember, Scarlet Quartz is your ally.

For optimal results, follow these steps:

1. Scarlet Quartz Reconnaissance: Before attacking, scout for nearby Quartz veins. They are usually close to the ice.
2. Acquire the Buff: Break a Scarlet Quartz vein to get that fiery buff. Your character will glow red.
3. Ice Demolition: With the buff, switch focus back to the strange ice. Attack with whatever character or weapon you have.
4. Persistent Permafrost? Repeat! If the ice remains unbroken, keep hunting for Quartz veins. Repeat until you succeed.
5. Ice Begone! Smash away until the strange ice disappears, revealing treasures or new areas.

You become an icebreaker. Your fiery buff is the key to melting ice barriers. It fits perfectly within the game’s theme.

Unfreezing the World: Unlocking Ice-Bound Areas

Strange ice often blocks more than treasures; it can obstruct entire regions too. Take the Cryo Statue of the Seven in Dragonspine. You find it entombed in ice, preventing you from attuning to Cryo.

Unlocking these areas follows the same formula: Scarlet Quartz is essential. The Dragonspine statue exemplifies this method.

Here’s how to unlock barred regions:

1. Frozen Statue Encounter: Approach the statue only to find it enveloped in hard ice. Unsurprising in Dragonspine.
2. Scarlet Quartz Scavenger Hunt: Check near the frozen statue for Scarlet Quartz veins. They often appear nearby for convenience.
3. Quartz Buff and Statue Assault: Break a vein for the fiery buff. Next, attack the frozen statue’s ice.
4. Thawing Progress: You might need multiple hits depending on the ice’s thickness. Stay persistent.
5. Statue Liberation! Enough attacks will rid the ice, allowing access to the statue. Interact to attune to Cryo and view the map.

Unlocking icy places feels like a puzzle game. You find ice, source Quartz, break it, melt away ice, and grow your exploration. It’s rewarding when you gain access to new parts of the world.

Breaking the Bonds of Strange Ice: Shattering the Unbreakable

Scarlet Quartz is key to breaking strange ice. Let’s look deeper into breaking these barriers effectively.

Weird Ice, Meet Weird Solution: How to Break the Weird Ice

Scarlet Quartz.

Breaking weird ice requires understanding Scarlet Quartz interactions. It’s not about damage; it’s about imbuing attacks with a special property.

Here’s a clear pathway to breaking weird ice:

1. Scarlet Quartz Acquisition is Key: This step is critical. Without Scarlet Quartz, nothing happens. Seek those veins!
2. Buff Up: Break a Scarlet Quartz vein to gain the temporary buff. You’ll see your character’s red aura.
3. Attack the Weird Ice: With the buff active, any attack can now damage weird ice. Sword or bow, it doesn’t matter—just attack!
4. Weird Ice Shatters (Eventually): Keep hitting the ice while your buff lasts. Depending on your attack power, it may take time but will shatter eventually.
5. Break.
6. Profit! After shattering the weird ice, claim your reward. It may be a chest, a Crimson Agate, access to a new area, or quest progress.

The Scarlet Quartz mechanic is straightforward once understood. The ice’s “weirdness” serves as a way to introduce a puzzle-solving element.

Destroying the Undestroyable: How to Destroy Strange Ice

“Destroying strange ice” sounds dramatic. It feels like you’re using some power to obliterate the frozen menace. In Genshin, “destroying” strange ice just means breaking it using: Scarlet Quartz.

The process to destroy strange ice resembles breaking weird ice. Terminology may differ, but the gameplay remains the same. It revolves around that vital Scarlet Quartz buff.

Here are steps for maximum efficiency against strange ice:

1. Scarlet Quartz Procurement: Find and break a Scarlet Quartz vein. This is crucial.
2. Buff Engagement: Collect the Scarlet Quartz buff. A red aura around your character means it’s active. Don’t just break the ore!
3. Strategic Ice Assault: Approach the strange ice with your fiery buff. Attack! Show that ice who’s boss!
4. Destruction in Progress: Attack until the strange ice shatters. The sound of breaking ice is satisfying when overcoming a frosty obstacle.
5. Victory and Loot: Celebrate your ability by claiming the rewards behind the vanquished ice. You earned it!

“Destroying” strange ice means targeted, Scarlet Quartz-empowered attacks. Shattering ice still feels destructive, right?

Starglow Cavern’s Frozen Puzzle: Breaking Strange Ice in Starglow Cavern

Starglow Cavern in Dragonspine is known for its puzzles and strange ice. Here, breaking strange ice could involve extra challenges like puzzles or combat.

Often, in Starglow Cavern, breaking strange ice means completing challenges to lower barriers around ice crystals. Then use red stones (which are Scarlet Quartz) to break the crystals.

This is the typical sequence for dealing with strange ice in Starglow Cavern:

1. Challenge Initiation: Find strange ice guarded by a challenge. This may involve time trials, combat, or puzzles.
2. Challenge Completion: Complete the challenge. This removes barriers or unlocks the next step to break the ice.
3. Barrier Dissipation: Upon completing the challenge, the barrier around the strange ice should disappear. Now, you can interact with it.
4. Red Stone (Scarlet Quartz) Retrieval: Search for nearby Scarlet Quartz veins. Break a vein to get the Scarlet Quartz buff.
5. Crystal Assault with Red Stone Power: With the Scarlet Quartz buff, attack the ice crystal. Normal attacks won’t work without the buff!
6. Repeated Strikes: It may take multiple Scarlet Quartz buffs to break the ice crystal. You may need to repeat steps 4-6 a few times, as guides note.
7. Ice Shattered, Rewards Gained: Continue until the crystal shatters, rewarding you with treasure, Crimson Agates, or progress in your Starglow Cavern adventure.

Starglow Cavern’s strange ice puzzles combine combat, puzzle-solving, and Scarlet Quartz. It shows how Genshin Impact integrates various gameplay elements into exploration and challenge design.

Scarlet Quartz: The Ultimate Icebreaker – Using Scarlet Quartz to Break Ice

Let’s emphasize this: Scarlet Quartz is essential for breaking strange ice in Genshin Impact. It’s not just one way; it’s the way. Forget Pyro abilities or brute force – Scarlet Quartz is key.

Scarlet Quartz is simple. It’s a temporary buff that gives any attack ice-breaking properties. You don’t need specific characters or elemental reactions. Just Scarlet Quartz and any attack will suffice.

Here’s how to effectively use Scarlet Quartz to break ice:

• Find Scarlet Quartz: Look for red ore veins near strange ice formations.
• Break the Quartz: Use any attack to break the Scarlet Quartz vein. Claymores or Geo attacks are faster, but anything works.
• Grab the Buff: Collect the Scarlet Quartz buff. The red aura indicates it’s active.
• Attack the Ice: Focus on the strange ice and attack. Now, any action will break the ice due to Scarlet Quartz.
• Repeat if Needed: For tougher ice, repeat the process – more buffs and attacks until it breaks.

Think of Scarlet Quartz as a temporary “ice-breaker enchantment.” It’s a simple but effective mechanic adding puzzle-solving and exploration to icy regions like Dragonspine.

“In the Mountains” Quest and the Thawing of Ice Shards

The “In the Mountains” World Quest in Genshin Impact is all about strange ice and Scarlet Quartz. This quest takes you deep into Dragonspine, focusing on thawing mysterious ice shards. It showcases core mechanics of Dragonspine’s environmental challenges.

Embarking on a Chilly Adventure: How to Do the Ice Quest

A common question is “How to do the ice quest?” in Genshin Impact. Most refer to “In the Mountains,” which immerses you in Dragonspine’s frosty depths while thawing enigmatic ice shards.

The earlier “ice quest” information references another game entirely – Skyrim’s “Blood on the Ice.” It’s unhelpful when discussing Genshin Impact. Let’s ignore that and focus on “In the Mountains.”

The quest starts by interacting with the Cryo Statue of the Seven in Dragonspine. It’s encased in ice initially. Thawing this Statue marks the first step of this questline using Scarlet Quartz.

The main objective is to thaw three ice shards located throughout Dragonspine. Each shard has a unique thawing method, showcasing different mechanics in puzzle and combat.

Here’s the quest progression overview:

1. Unlock the Dragonspine Statue of the Seven: This starts the quest. Thaw the ice around the Statue with Scarlet Quartz.
2. Talk to the Statue: Interact with the unfrozen Statue to officially begin “In the Mountains.” It guides you to thaw the shards.
3. Thaw the First Ice Shard (Starglow Cavern): Go to Starglow Cavern. Complete a time trial challenge, then use Scarlet Quartz to break the shard.
4. Thaw the Second Ice Shard (Wyrmrest Valley Outskirts): Head to Wyrmrest Valley outskirts. Solve a puzzle with Seelies and activate Ruin Guards, followed by using Scarlet Quartz.
5. Thaw the Third Ice Shard (Underground Area): Go underground (near Peak of Vindagnyr). Defrost the area to find Seelies, then use Scarlet Quartz again.
6. Ascend to the Peak of Vindagnyr: After thawing all shards, return to near Peak of Vindagnyr (where you found the third shard). A path to the summit opens.
7. Confront the Final Challenge: At the peak, face a Cryo Hypostasis boss. Defeat it to complete “In the Mountains” and unlock Peak of Vindagnyr domain.

The “In the Mountains” quest encompasses Dragonspine’s core mechanics: thawing ice with Scarlet Quartz, solving puzzles, and combat challenges. It’s essential for anyone fully exploring Dragonspine.

Thawing the Untamed Cold: Thawing Ice Shards for the “In the Mountains” Quest

The “In the Mountains” quest requires thawing three ice shards. Each is in a distinct area of Dragonspine. Each shard presents its own challenge. You must overcome it before shattering the shard using Scarlet Quartz.

The shards are found in:

• Starglow Cavern
• Wyrmrest Valley Outskirts
• Underground Area (near Peak of Vindagnyr)

Each location needs a specific method to prepare the shard for thawing with Scarlet Quartz.

The thawing process for each shard location involves specific steps:

1. Starglow Cavern Shard (Time Trial):
   • Location: Starglow Cavern, Dragonspine.
   • Preparation Method: Complete the time trial challenge by defeating enemies within a set time limit.
   • Thawing the Shard: After the time trial, the shard will be vulnerable. Use Scarlet Quartz (found nearby) to break it.
2. Wyrmrest Valley Outskirts Shard (Puzzle and Combat):
   • Location: Outskirts of Wyrmrest Valley, Dragonspine.
   • Preparation Method: Solve a puzzle by guiding Seelies to their pedestals. Expect combat with Ruin Guards during the puzzle.
   • Thawing the Shard: After solving the Seelie puzzle, the shard is accessible below. Use Scarlet Quartz to shatter it.
3. Underground Area Shard (Seelie and Red Ore):
   • Location: Underground area near Peak of Vindagnyr, Dragonspine.
   • Preparation Method: Use Warming Seelies and Pyro attacks to defrost the area. This unlocks paths and brings out Seelies. Guide them to their pedestals.
   • Thawing the Shard: After defrosting and guiding the Seelies, the shard thaws. Use Scarlet Quartz to break it.

Thawing these ice shards offers an adventure. You will explore Dragonspine’s corners and engage with various mechanics. Experience the region’s challenges and rewards.

Shard Location Deep Dive: Starglow Cavern, Outskirts, and Underground Area

Let’s refine those shard locations and thawing methods. Knowing where to go eases the “In the Mountains” quest.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of each shard location and thawing steps:

1. Starglow Cavern (Time Trial):
   • Location: Go to Starglow Cavern in Dragonspine’s west. It stands out on the map.
   • Method:
     1. Enter Starglow Cavern and find the ice shard, often in a visible spot.
     2. Start the time trial challenge nearby involving defeating enemies.
     3. Complete the time trial.
     4. Locate a Scarlet Quartz vein nearby.
     5. Break the vein to gain a buff.
     6. Attack the ice shard with the Scarlet Quartz buff until it shatters.
2. Outskirts (Puzzle and Combat):
   • Location: Find the Outskirts location around Wyrmrest Valley, in its lower regions.
   • Method:
     1. Locate the ice shard near Ruin Guard statues and Seelie pedestals.
     2. Solve the Seelie puzzle by guiding Seelies to their pedestals. Ruin Guards may attack as you do.
     3. Solve the puzzle to open a path down to where the ice shard is.
     4. Find a Scarlet Quartz vein in this area.
     5. Break the vein for the buff.
     6. Attack the ice shard with this buff until it shatters.
3. Underground Area (Seelie and Red Ore):
   • Location: Access the underground area near Peak of Vindagnyr during “In the Mountains.”
   • Method:
     1. Enter the underground area, initially frozen.
     2. Defrost it by activating Warming Seelies using Pyro on ice cages and mechanisms for paths.
     3. Guide all Warming Seelies to their pedestals to defrost completely.
     4. Locate a Scarlet Quartz vein in this defrosted area.
     5. Break the Scarlet Quartz vein for the buff.
     6. Attack the ice shard with the buff until it breaks.

Following these location-specific steps simplifies thawing ice shards in “In the Mountains.”

Scarlet Quartz: Dragonspine’s Fiery Secret

Scarlet Quartz is crucial for Dragonspine’s icy challenges. This section delves into what this special red ore is, how to obtain it, and its properties.

The Ice That Won’t Melt: What is Scarlet Quartz?

The “ice that won’t melt” describes the strange ice in Genshin Impact. It resists Pyro, physical attacks, and acts like an immovable object. It requires a specific catalyst: Scarlet Quartz.

Scarlet Quartz is a “new type of ore” found in Dragonspine. It has a recognizable reddish, crystalline appearance. Breaking these veins gives a temporary buff that lets your attacks shatter the strange ice.

This strange ice is protected by a barrier weakened by attacks infused with Scarlet Quartz. It’s not about melting; it’s about shattering its defenses with this ore.

Key facts about Scarlet Quartz and strange ice:

• Strange Ice Resists All Attacks: Not even Pyro, Hydro, Electro, Anemo, Geo, Dendro, or Physical attacks can break it alone.
• Scarlet Quartz is Essential: Breaking Scarlet Quartz veins grants buffs that enable attacks to break strange ice.
• Region-Specific Mechanics: While mainly in Dragonspine now, future updates may introduce these mechanics in other icy regions.
• Temporary Buff: The Scarlet Quartz buff is limited in duration, so use it quickly.
• Proximity to Ice: Scarlet Quartz veins often appear near strange ice formations, making puzzles intuitive.

Understanding that Scarlet Quartz is key to overcoming strange ice is vital for conquering Dragonspine’s challenges.

Harvesting the Heat: How to Get Scarlet Quartz

Scarlet Quartz is essential. The next question is how to obtain this fiery ore. Luckily, getting Scarlet Quartz is simple. Just find and break Scarlet Quartz veins scattered throughout Dragonspine.

Scarlet Quartz veins are generally easy to find, but here are tips for locating them:

• Visual Recognition: Scarlet Quartz veins are visually distinct. They are bright red crystals against snowy backgrounds.
• Near Strange Ice: Scarlet Quartz veins are usually near strange ice formations where breaking ice is necessary. Look for red ore by strange ice.
• Elevation Can Help: Sometimes, these veins are on higher ground. Climb or glide to a vantage point to spot them easily.
• Mining Sounds: If you hear mining sounds but aren’t mining yourself, it could mean a nearby Scarlet Quartz vein.
• Specific Locations Example: One tip involves climbing to the “highest peak” and lighting a “wind totem” for access to a Scarlet Quartz platform. While not universally applicable, this highlights how to find it.