Unlocking Chests in Genshin Impact: Your Treasure Hunting Handbook
Hey, Travelers! You wander Teyvat, battle hilichurls, and admire the scenery. It’s lovely. But are you making the most of your adventure? I’m talking about chests. These loot-filled, sometimes puzzle-protected chests hold treasures. Think of them as surprise eggs. Instead of toys, you get Primogems or decent weapons. Ignore them, and you leave free loot behind. No one wants that, especially not a savvy adventurer.
Let’s dive into chest hunting in Genshin Impact. This serves as your treasure-seeking guide, minus dusty pages and odd interpretations.
General Chest Information: Know Your Loot Boxes
First, not all chests are equal. Like your gacha pulls, there are common, slightly better-than-common, and special ones that feel rewarding. Let’s explore the chest hierarchy and essential info.
Chest Types and Permanence: Respawn or Gone Forever?
Ever see how some chests reappear? Others vanish like a Dendro slime in a Pyro domain? There’s a method behind it:
- Respawnable Enemy Chests: Defeat monsters to get these chests. Kill some hilichurls guarding a box for treasure. But, these chests link to enemy respawns. If mobs return, the chest relocks. It’s a cycle of chest life.
- One-Time Clearance Chests: These are true prizes. Puzzle chests, dig spots, or unique enemies guard them. Once opened, they stay open for good. It’s like claiming your territory after a successful hunt.
Chest Content: What’s Inside the Box?
Let’s talk loot. What should you grind for? Chests serve as your source of goodies early on, and even late game. Expect a mix of:
- Primogems: The premium currency we all desire. Chests provide consistent rewards, especially at the start. Think of each chest as a tiny gacha pull without the crushing disappointment.
- White Tassel Polearm: This 3-star polearm appears randomly from Exquisite or higher chests in Liyue, including The Chasm and Chenyu Vale. If you collect polearms, keep your eyes sharp in Liyue.
Chest Respawn: The Mystery of Reappearing Riches
We discussed enemy-linked respawns. But some common chests seem one-time only. However, they might reappear after in-game time passes or with encouragement. A well-aimed Pyro hit can clear thorns; Geo skills can break rocks. Experiment; Teyvat rewards those curious enough to explore.
Primogems: The Soft Cap Conspiracy
Ah, Primogems, vital for any Genshin Impact account. Chests are decent sources, but there’s a secret—The Primogem soft cap. Initially, you earn well for chest hunting: 2 for common chests, 5 for exquisite, and 10 for precious ones. If you vacuum every chest, rewards subtly drop. This means 0-2-5 for the same types. Genshin suggests you take a break to find quests instead. So, hunt chests but practice moderation. Or enjoy exploration, seeing low Primogems as a bonus.
Chest Locations and Region-Specific Intel: Teyvat Treasure Map 101
Teyvat is vast. Each region holds a unique chest ecosystem. Some regions overflow with chests; others are scant. Here’s a region breakdown for your treasure hunts:
Sumeru: The King of Chest Counts
If you’re a chest completionist, Sumeru is paradise. This lush Dendro region boasts 572 chests. Each chest gifts 2-20 Primogems upon discovery. If short on Primogems, go to Sumeru’s rainforest and desert.
Mondstadt: The OG Chest Region
Mondstadt is the starting point of our adventures. The max count here varies from 518 to 523 depending on patches. It shows Genshin’s development but remains solid for chest hunting, especially for nostalgia.
Enkanomiya: The Submerged Treasure Trove
Descend into Enkanomiya’s depths. This underwater realm hosts 185 chests in its unique landscape. Complete Enkanomiya for a badge of honor as a dedicated explorer.
Fontaine: The Hydro Haven of Hidden Loot
Dive into Fontaine’s waters, the Hydro nation. This area has 344 chests hidden among water and clocks. Get ready to dive as Fontaine’s chests are often submerged.
Liyue: The Geo Gem of Exploration
Liyue has contracts and stunning sights. Access occurs after completing the Archon Quest Prologue: Act I – The Outlander Who Caught the Wind. Prepare to explore mountains and harbors filled with chests, but climbing is essential.
Dragonspine: The Frigid, Chest-Filled Peak
Get ready for cold; Dragonspine hides treasures under snow. Unlock the underground cavern to find more chests by activating Cryo Totems and a Mechanism. Warm clothes and a Pyro character help in this chilly hunt.
Tools and Methods for Finding Chests: Become a Master Treasure Hunter
You know where the chests are now. But how do you find them? Teyvat offers tools to assist:
Treasure Compasses: Your Personal Chest Radar
Treasure Compasses are reusable gadgets, your personal chest radar. Forge them at blacksmiths—one compass for each main region like Mondstadt and Liyue. Select the region and let it guide you to nearby chests.
- Regional Specificity: Use the right compass for your current region. An Inazuma compass in Mondstadt? No luck.
- Dragonspine Exception: The Anemo Treasure Compass dodges Dragonspine due to the cold.
- Unlimited Uses: Unlike those Oculus Resonance Stones, treasure compasses offer unlimited uses.
Elemental Sight: See the Unseen (Sometimes)
Elemental Sight gives you a detective vision. Activating it highlights chests and interactable objects nearby. Not foolproof but helps spot cleverly hidden or off-path chests.
Interactive Maps: The Completionist’s Dream
Want hardcore chest hunting? Interactive maps are crucial. Websites like the official Genshin Impact map allow filtering for chests (especially puzzle chests) and tracking progress. One player shared that “using the map helped achieve 100% in Mondstadt.” It’s minimal cheating for efficiency.
Exploration Techniques: Think Like a Treasure Hunter
Good old-fashioned exploration matters too. Keep these tips in mind:
- Look Everywhere: Chests aren’t always visible. Inspect open spaces, enemy camps, corners, and rooftops.
- Puzzle Solving: Many chests lock behind puzzles. Observe your environment to solve riddles and gain loot.
- Destructible Objects: Some chests hide behind rocks or breakables. Smash everything! (Within reason.)
- Of course. Don’t attack NPCs.
Anemoculus Finder: Treasure Not Chests
The Anemoculus Finder aids exploration. You can craft this gadget after reaching Reputation Level 2 in Mondstadt. It finds Anemoculi. Need help locating them? A fully upgraded Statue of the Seven boosts stamina for more efficient exploration and chest hunting!
Specific Chests and Unlocking Them: Chest Codex
Now, let’s discuss specific chest types and how to unlock them. Teyvat has many unique chests that require more than just defeating slimes.
Aranara Chests: Riches of the Forest
Sumeru’s Aranara have unique chests linked to questlines. The “Legend of the Stone Lock” quest chain unlocks them. To access the final batch of Aranara chests:
- Complete the Quest: Finish the “Legend of the Stone Lock” quest.
- Beat the Perpetual Mechanical Array (Multiple Times): Defeat this boss five times. Speak to the Aranara after each defeat to advance.
- Return to Araminali: After saving all Aranara (and doing the boss grind), return to Araminali. You’ll gain eight Common Chests, three Exquisite Chests, three Precious Chests, and one Luxurious Chest. Worth it!
Rennala’s Chest (Elden Ring): Wrong Game
This one is a curveball. Rennala’s Chest? This pertains to Elden Ring. To open the chest near Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, you need the Discarded Palace Key from a side quest with the Carian Princesses. Wrong game, but maybe Genshin will have Elden Ring-inspired chests someday.
Ornate Alien Chests: Find Glyphs
Ornate Alien Chests require scanning glyphs nearby to open. It feels like a scavenger hunt. Puzzle-solving adds depth to chest hunting.
Locked Gold Chests: Keyed for Treasure
Locked Gold Chests require Golden Keys. Finding Golden Keys is part of another treasure hunt.
Crimson Chests: Smash It Open
Crimson Chests need a hammer or explosives to open. It’s a more destructive method of treasure hunting. Ka-boom!
Goddess Chests: Skyward Strikes and Cubes
Goddess Chests unlock with a Skyward Strike on a cube. Embrace your inner hero.
Typhon Chests: Find Typhon Logs
Unlocking a Dead Drop, or Typhon Chest, requires finding every Typhon log in the area. Collecting logs gives treasure rewards. Listen closely!
Ornate Chest Abiotic: Key Required
The Ornate Chest Abiotic needs an Ornate Key to unlock. Key-based chests are common in treasure hunting.
Chest in Fontaine Research Institute: Timed Challenge
Fontaine’s Research Institute has a chest behind a timed challenge. On the second floor, look southwest. Detonate seven explosive barrels within 30 seconds to open the chest. Boom!
Chest in Enkanomiya: Evernight Essence Puzzle
Enkanomiya’s chests involve time-shifting puzzles. Fill a triangular mechanism with Evernight Essence and hit it to drop the barrier. Evernight Essence sounds mysterious.
Increasing Exploration Progress: Efficiency is Essential
To improve chest-hunting efficiency, follow these tips:
Waypoints and Teleports: Fast Travel Helps
Teleport waypoints ease travel in Teyvat. Find and unlock as many as you can. Less travel means more time for chest hunting.
World Quests and Story Quests: Quest for Chests
Many world and story quests reveal hidden areas and chests. Completing quests uncovers Teyvat’s secrets. It’s like getting paid to explore!
Shrines: Boost Exploration Reputation
Unlocking shrines increases exploration progress percentage. Higher progress reveals more chests. Plus, shrines are often in picturesque spots.
Primogems and Rewards: Beyond Chests
Chests provide Primogems, but they’re not the only source. Here’s a broader look at Primogem sources in Genshin Impact:
- Chests: Unlock chests for early-game Primogems.
- Spiral Abyss: This area yields Primogems, especially when you clear floors and achieve high star ratings. It’s a challenge!
- Daily Commissions: Complete daily commissions for consistent Primogems. It’s your daily allowance.
- Events: Engage in in-game events! They usually offer Primogems in rewards.
- Quests: Complete main story quests (Archon Quests), character quests, and world quests for Primogems.
- Achievements: Explore and complete achievements for Primogem rewards. Achievements provide smaller challenges.
- Redeem Codes: Watch for Genshin Impact redeem codes during livestreams or events for Primogems.
- Livestream Events: Tune into Genshin Impact livestream events! Codes during these events give Primogems.
This is your guide to chest hunting in Genshin Impact. Explore Teyvat and become the ultimate treasure hunter! Maybe you’ll even surpass my own chest-opening obsession, which, according to my long total chest completion list, is quite a commitment. Happy hunting!
