Genshin Impact adds a sixth region, Natlan. The vibrant locales of this Pyro kingdom are full of loot, hidden missions, and a variety of riddles. This guide explains what Natlan hides and how to solve its enigmatic puzzles.
What is phlogiston and how does it work?
The phlogiston scale sits above the health bar. It fills in places with a large buildup of phlogiston and is spent by Natlan residents when they enter a special stance.
Phlogiston appears in two forms: liquid and particles. In liquid form it resembles lava and slowly drains the active character’s HP. The effect is similar to heated zones in other regions, but here it is tied to Natlan. Colochosaurs can move along liquid phlogiston, and so can the Traveler when using the right stance. Mualani and other members of the Springs tribe have the same ability. When a special stance is active, the Hydro Catalyst floats over the lava without taking damage.
Particles are small flame-shaped spheres. Collecting them increases the phlogiston level on the scale. Monuments that use this substance work the same way; when activated, phlogiston replenishes quickly.
Phlogiston can be replenished and spent as well, not only through the skills of playable characters but also in the open world. A second type of monument can be filled with phlogiston to trigger a time trial or open a new path.
Blessing of the Night Spirit – what it is and how to use it
The Blessing of the Night Spirit is a Natlan stance unlocked mainly via elemental abilities. These poses speed up movement: Mualani can stay afloat on water for long periods, Kachina can climb steep slopes, and Kinich can grab a grappling hook and leap through the air. These moves consume stamina, and when stamina runs low players can draw on the phlogiston meter to extend duration.
These abilities aid both exploration and combat. Mualani can stack power and land strong blows, Kachina has two forms of eshka that deal constant damage, and Kinich uses a grappling hook to circle an enemy and deal Dendro damage. Over time, the system will gain more variations.
Saurians: how to inhabit and how to use
Saurians are quirky dragon-like creatures scattered across Natlan. The traveler forms bonds with them and can ride these animals to move around and solve puzzles. The guide now describes the abilities of each saurian:
Tepetlysaurus — traverses steep cliffs; its elemental skill can drill ore and uncover underground objects.
Colochosaurus — can swim on water, dive, and move along spiritual paths. This enables quick movement, but it costs the saurian’s stamina.
Yumkasaurus — uses a long tongue to latch onto airborne spores, allowing movement through the air and jumps over obstacles.
Each saurian has its own stamina used for its skill. When stamina is low, the Night Spirit gauge can be used.
How to solve puzzles in Natlan
Natlan hosts many puzzles tied to saurian abilities and the Night Spirit that Natlans wield. This guide covers the main riddle types found there.
Spiritual paths are phlogiston lines leading to hard-to-reach places. They appear as bright orange stripes. To ride them, a colochosaurus or Mualani’s eshka can be used to jump onto the path. Other lines require catching particles, destroying targets, and leaping over cracks.
Phlogiston carvings and discovery symbols are paired signs. Carvings act as locks, while symbols serve as keys. Pair matching signs, ride the colochosaurus, and destroy the symbol.
Molten cracks look like red fractures in rock. Riding a Tepetlisaurus lets players enter the crevice and reach points quickly. These holes help solve puzzles and cut travel time.
Removable hooks are wooden devices used to drag objects. With a Yumkasaurus, the traveler can grab a hook and move an obstacle, for example shifting an iron box away from a doorway. Hooks can be moved from one place to another.
Rolled grass prints are symbols suspended in the air. Clinging to them lets the traveler glide. There are two stamp types: red and green. Red stamps enable easy aerial movement, while green stamps create platforms to pause on.
Flame grenades are Natlan’s combustible fruits. They act as natural explosives and can break rock or harm foes. With a Yumkasaurus, they can be hurled at targets to trigger puzzles; interacting with Piro’s flame grenade causes immediate detonation.
Manitou are Natlan’s fairy-like sprites. Purple-orange in color, they grant a chest when brought to a marked spot.
Rainbow rays form Natlan’s defensive barriers, continuously targeting the traveler and dealing damage. Approaching them diminishes their effect.
Riddles and puzzles in the Tekwemekan Valley
The Tekwemekan Valley spans a large area with many challenging puzzles. The guide outlines the tougher riddles and how to solve them.
The puzzle with blocked chests in the sulfur veins: how to solve
Atop the mountain near the sulfur veins lie three blocked chests — rich, precious, luxurious — with no obvious clues nearby. Here is how to unlock them.
Take the underground teleport to the rock summit; Tepetlisaurus helps. The chests sit near a small stone with a design. Opening all of them requires a sequence of steps.
First, collect a local curiosity known as the ashtray, orange-red buds that bloom when Pyro is near. One flower suffices; if missing, continue behind the chests to find several buttons on the next slope. Return to the chests and place the ashtray in the bowl. Pyro slimes appear and must be defeated, after which the rich chest opens.
Second, deal with the next group of slimes. After defeating them, a precious chest opens. Collect its rewards to begin the third part of the puzzle.
Third, after opening the precious chest, a time trial appears requiring nine opponents defeated within a clock. Activate the pedestal and defeat the enemies to remove the lock on the luxurious chest.
Puzzle with alpacas in the north of the Zwaveladers
North of the sulfur veins sits a hut with wooden alpacas. To solve this riddle, locate the missing figures and return them to their places.
Use the travel point north of the Tekwemekan Valley and descend to the pen with the statues. Behind the gate collect all figures. They must be placed in the marked positions on the map. The first figure goes on the blue painted stone, the second on the opposite edge, and the third on the top of the same pillar. After restoring all figures, a precious chest awaits in the pen.
Grille puzzle in the flooded ruins
A grate in the Flooded Ruins opens with a key. The area becomes accessible during the quest Under the Crystal; if the key was missed, here is how to unlock the grate and claim rewards.
Take the closest teleport to the indicated point and turn right into a small cave below. The grate sits near a switch; it is activated by a key found nearby.
If the steps were missed, return to the indicated place, enter the narrow door, grab the key on the stairs near the dilapidated statue, then return to lift the grate.