Underwater exploration is the main feature in Genshin Impact Fontaine as it’s a whole new mechanic that players likely don’t see coming in the three years of Genshin Impact’s existence.
Other than swimming around and solving new puzzle mechanisms, Travelers also have to get accustomed to the fact that they won’t be able to fight with the normal character abilities while diving. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how to attack and heal in the underwater area of Genshin Impact.
How To Attack Underwater In Genshin Impact Fontaine
To attack underwater in Genshin Impact, players must find one of the available Xenochromatic Fontemer Aberrants. These creatures are blue and somewhat translucent, and they’re always present near a puzzle that requires their ability to solve. In version 4.0, players will come across three types of these creatures; Hunter’s Ray, Blubberbeast, and Armored Crab.
After finding the creature, use the "Basic Attack" button (officially named Transoceanic Sourcewater) to adopt the said animal’s ability. The damage done by the borrowed moves is fixed and is not affected by the active character’s level or stat, so it’s a great idea to bring characters with large pools of HP in the underwater exploration to reduce the chance of dying to surprise attacks.
Additionally, Travelers can also bring characters that have Arkhe to dive in Fontaine. Arkhe grants a character an innate Pneumousia energy underwater, so players no longer have to searc h for Pneuma or Ousia Blocks to solve certain puzzles while diving. Note that each character carries one type of Arkhe attribute; for example, Lynette carries Ousia (dark) while Lyney has Pneuma (light). The attribute is indicated by a small glowing light on the character’s right side.
Hunter’s Ray Water Blades
Obtained from a stingray-like creature and grants players two charges of Fontemer Water Blades. Both charges can be used at once, and one charge will be restored after 4s. As the name suggests, this skill unleashes sharp water into the target. Players can also hold the ability to aim it accurately.
Among all the three skills, this one has the highest damage and is the most straightforward to use. For most enemies, players can simply use one Water Blade and one Basic Attack to defeat them.
Other than for attacking, the sharp blades can also be used to cut Fontemer Seagrass. The Genshin Impact plant that can be cut is indicated by a glowing green orb on the stem.
Blubberbeast’s Sonar Waves
Blubberbeasts are sea lion-like creatures that can lend the Pulsing Sonar Wave ability. It has the lowest damage count compared to the other abilities, but it has no cooldown as players can keep holding the skill and let it throw endless sound waves. This ability is best used to quickly clear small enemies and objects.
In terms of puzzles in Genshin Impact, Blubberbeast’s Sonar Waves can resonate with Sonar Resonance Points, which can be activated by using the Echoing Conch. The Sonar can also go through objects, allowing people to trigger devices behind a gate or invisible barriers.
Armored Crab’s Heavy Shields
Finally, the crab grants the ability to shield the active character, which will reduce incoming damage, block water current from vents, and protect them with a mere 2s cooldown. This skill has the most complex mechanics as it allows people to retaliate against an attack.
Aim the skill at an enemy, wait until their attack lands on the character, then release the shield to deal higher damage to the target. This retaliation mechanic also works to destroy Bullet Barnacles in Genshin Impact.
Although in the middle ground in terms of damage, this ability has the most use in underwater exploration. Travelers can use it to:
- Destroy Bullet Barnacles
- Destroy breakable stones
- Harvest underwater Crystals
- Block currents from Water Vent
How To Heal Underwater In Genshin Impact Fontaine
To heal in the underwater of Fontaine in Genshin Impact, players can find some glowing orange fishes (officially called Recovery Orb). Swim to the Orbs to absorb them, which will restore HP to the entire party and recover underwater Stamina.
Since the fish grants Stamina, players can plan their swimming route so that they can keep swimming quickly. For this feat, the assistance of Lynette will be valuable since she can show the locations of these Recovery Orbs with her Passive Talent. Additionally, if Lynette is in the party, the restoration for both HP and Stamina (from the Recovery Orbs) is enhanced by 25%.
Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.