Fontaine, the nation of Hydro was released in Genshin Impact Version 4.0. This nation feels like a breath of fresh air after exploring the Sumeru desert for multiple patches. Fontaine introduces several new mechanics that might confuse Travellers who are visiting for the first time. This Fontaine exploration guide will explain the mechanics to help Genshin Impact players have an easier time and a more fun experience in the nation of Hydro.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: Aquabus and its lines
The very first new mechanic players will encounter in Fontaine is the Aquabus. The Aquabus is a water vehicle that operates on a dedicated transportation system called an aquarail, providing scenic tours and efficient transportation for its occupants. The aquarail is elevated from the ground and connects different islands of Fontaine.
Currently, there are three lines with only two of them operating. The Clementine Line connects Romaritime Harbor and the Court of Fontaine. The Navia Line connects the Court of Fontaine and the Erinnyes island.
Clementine Line and Navia Line
Players will dock at Romaritime Harbor after taking a Waverider from Sumeru. From here, they will take the elevator up to the Romaritime Station and board the Clementine Line aquabus. After reaching the main station, players can choose to explore the Court of Fontaine or take the Navia Line to unlock waypoints in Erinnyes Island.
Upon arriving at the Main Station at the Court of Fontaine, take the elevator to 3F: Navia Line to board the aquabus to Erinnyes Island. If the aquabus is not there, interact with the “wait for the aquabus” option near the bench.
Alternatively, take the elevator to 1F: Station Main Hall to reach the lower part of the Court of Fontaine. Take the elevator to 4F: Palais Mermonia to unlock the Statue of the Seven.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: Underwater Swimming
The most anticipated feature of Fontaine’s release was the introduction of underwater swimming. Swimming in the waters of Fontaine is very different from swimming elsewhere in Teyvat. The regular stamina bar is replaced with an Aquatic Stamina bar. This bar is not upgradable, but thankfully you will not drown if the stamina runs out. It will recharge like regular stamina. Pressing the dedicated dive button will take you under the water.
Underwater, you can only move forward while sprinting. Adjusting the camera angle lets you go deeper or rise to the surface. Letting go of the sprint button will let you move around freely and orient yourself by looking at your surroundings.
Underwater, players will have 4 buttons. There are dedicated dive/rise buttons to take you deeper into the water or swim upwards to the surface. The sprint button consumes Aquatic Stamina to move forward. The attack button can be tapped or held. Tapping it will release a whip-like attack that has a very limited range and negligible DMG. Holding it enters a target-seeking mode which automatically locks on to the nearest target.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: Underwater Combat
Attacking Xenochromatic Fontemer Aberrants will allow you to absorb their ability. This ability can be used by pressing/holding the skill button. Xenochromatic Fontemer Aberrants have an icon above their head, they are not hostile and they do not have a health bar. There are three different abilities that can be absorbed. These abilities can be used in combat as well as puzzle-solving.
Armored Shield (from Armored Crab)
It creates a shield and unleashes shockwaves.
- Press: Unleashes a shockwave around the character, dealing AOE Physical DMG.
- Hold: Enters aiming mode, and unleashes a forward blast upon releasing, dealing AOE Physical DMG and creating a shield. If the character is hit by an attack while holding this ability, a counterattack will be unleashed upon release in the form of a projectile.
Water Blades (from Hunter’s Ray)
Unleashes water blades that deal DMG and can cut through Fontemer Seagrass.
- Press: Unleashes a water blade that deals Physical DMG.
- Hold: Enters aiming mode, and unleashes a bigger water blade that can pierce through targets upon releasing, dealing Physical DMG.
Sonar Waves (from Blubberbeast)
Releases pulsing sonar waves that deal DMG and can resonate with objects to mark their location.
- Press: Unleashes a sonar wave that deals Physical DMG.
- Hold: Enters aiming mode and continuously releases sonar waves, each dealing Physical DMG.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: Other Underwater Mechanics
Current
Enter these strong and fast water currents and go with the flow to arrive at your destination.
Although you cannot change the general direction you’re moving in, you can still move around to a certain extent in these currents.
High-Pressure Water Vent
They can spray out underwater currents. If you have the Armored Crab Shield from an Armored Crab, you can avoid being carried away and resist the current.
Recovery Orb
Players will sometimes see these energy-emitting blocks underwater. Touching them will restore Aquatic Stamina and 50% of each character’s Max HP for the entire party.
Echoing Conch
When activated, it generates visible sound waves that can detect invisible objects nearby. It can help with puzzle-solving.
Fantastical Floating Ball
A mysterious sphere-shaped device that seems to be capable of detecting water pressure at certain depths based on variables of weight. It will activate when affected by high-pressure water currents or other similar factors. The ringed device will activate upon contact with the sphere due to mysterious reasons.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: The Arkhe System
Arkhe consists of two opposing energies, Ousia and Pneuma. When Ousia-aligned energy meets Pneuma-aligned energy, an Annihilation reaction will be triggered. Ousia and Pneuma Blocks can be found in the world. Once picked up, the character’s next Normal/Charged/Plunging attack will be infused with Arkhe. Pneuma is yellow and Ousia is purple.
Fontainian characters, as well as the Hydro Traveler can release Arkhe attacks based on their innate Arkhe alignments. These attacks trigger as follow-ups to specific parts of the characters’ abilities, but have a fixed cooldown once triggered which is separate from the Talent’s cooldown. These attacks do not apply elemental effects.
There are puzzles that require Pneuma/Ousia relays to be hit by the opposite Arkhe attack which neutralizes it and turns it green.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: Beastly Rift
Beastly Rifts are fantastical arcane formations on the ground. Entering the arena will spawn crystals that need to be protected from waves of Rifthounds.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: Local Legends
The Local Legends are eight special miniboss enemies encountered in Fontaine. All of them are enhanced versions of normal enemies with greatly increased health/defence and different attack patterns.
Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide: The Miraculous Antoine Roger Aircraft
The Miraculous Antoine Roger Aircraft appears in the open world. To operate the aircraft, the player must use the Ousia block nearby to react with the Pneuma engine on the aircraft.
When operating the aircraft for the first time, after the aircraft begins to rise, the player must deal with obstacles along the way, such as rebalancing Arkhe levels, clearing Floating Anemo Slimes out of the area, or repelling attackers. Some Arkhe events may require the player to fight enemies to obtain an Ousia Block, though players can skip these fights by bringing an Ousia-aligned character. Once the aircraft has left the platform, it can be recalled using a device nearby.
Final Thoughts
These were all the new Fontaine-exclusive mechanics introduced in Genshin Impact version 4.0. More mechanics will be added in future patches.
What are your thoughts about the Genshin Impact Fontaine Exploration Guide? Let us know in the comments below!
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