Summary
- The new mechanics introduced in Genshin Impact's 4.0 update, particularly in the Fontaine region, add difficulty to underwater exploration and puzzles.
- Fontaine's puzzles are generally more challenging than those in previous regions because they rely on completely new mechanics, such as underwater combat encounters and the Arkhe system.
- Obtaining characters infused with the new Arkhe energy types (Ousia and Pneuma) can be difficult and limits players' options for solving certain puzzles in Fontaine. However, the rewards for completing these puzzles, such as Mora containers, are greater than those in other regions.
Exploring underwater is a refreshing twist thanks to the new mechanics introduced in Genshin Impact's initial 4.0 update, though the Fontaine region still has plenty of land to explore beyond the new submerged sections. While it's generally easier to spot puzzles and secrets because of how freely players can move through the underwater sections, some of the new features added in Genshin Impact's 4.0 update have added additional layers of difficulty to these open-world challenges.
In general, Fontaine's puzzles are arguably more difficult than those from previous regions in Genshin Impact because most of these puzzles rely on completely new mechanics. Some such areas where this is most noticeable are the puzzles involving underwater combat encounters and the new Arkhe system, both currently exclusive to Fontaine. Ultimately, even the generic returning puzzles from other regions that still appear in Fontaine tend to have better rewards this time around.
Genshin Impact’s Fontaine Region Mechanics Make Exploration More Complex
The 4.0 update for Genshin Impact notably introduces the Arkhe mechanic to the game, which consists of two new energy types exclusive to the characters, enemies, and puzzles of the region. Each of the new characters from the Fontaine region will either be aligned with Ousia or Pneuma energy, in addition to their primary Element type. When either of these Arkhe energies comes into contact with a creature or object that is aligned with the opposite Arkhe energy it will create the Annihilation reaction that can stun enemies or progress certain puzzles. While some of the puzzles that incorporate this mechanic sometimes have temporary Arkhe energy infusion stations nearby, the majority of these challenges require players to own characters that are permanently infused with these energy types.
The only options that players initially have for obtaining a character with the Pneuma energy are to use the Traveler or acquire Lyney, the five-star Pyro bow user from Event Wish Banners. While Lynette, the four-star Anemo sword user, is currently free to obtain throughout phase 1 of the 4.0 update and this character is innately infused with Ousia, getting a character infused with this energy type may not always be an easy task in the future. When Lynette is no longer available for free, players may have a difficult time obtaining an Ousia-infused character and consequently may not be able to solve certain puzzles in Fontaine.
Getting characters aligned with each of these new types of energy unique to the Fontaine region can be a huge entry barrier that prevents players from solving some of the puzzles, given that none of the characters released before the 4.0 update are aligned with an Arkhe energy type, except for the Traveler. As more characters from the Fontaine region become available to obtain, the hurdle that Ousia and Pneuma energy poses will likely become easier to overcome. Still, for now, players have very limited options to deal with these kinds of puzzles.
No matter how well-prepared and leveled-up players are, Fontaine's underwater combat generally levels the playing field by making players use an exclusive set of weapons and abilities in these encounters. Combat encounters are extremely common throughout Fontaine’s underwater sections and are often mixed in with other kinds of puzzle mechanics. For this reason, it's recommended for underwater exploration teams that players utilize Fontaine characters with high HP and defense stats since these characters will naturally have Pneuma or Ousia energy as well.
Another thing to note about the Fontaine region's puzzles is that despite generally being more difficult, some of the rewards can be greater than those from any of the other regions in Genshin Impact. Specifically, the Mora containers that can be found throughout Fontaine tend to have far greater quantities of Mora than those from the previous regions, making it especially rewarding for new and longtime players alike to uncover Fontaine’s secrets.
Genshin Impact is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and mobile devices. A Switch version is in development.