Exploring the massive Hydro nation of Fontaine in Genshin Impact offers fresh adventurers an incredible journey filled with underwater wonders, vertical cliffs, and lucrative treasures. Among the most rewarding open-world structures to seek out are the mysterious Shrines of Depths, which seal away luxurious chests packed with Primogems and rare materials. Understanding how to locate and unlock these ancient gazebos will significantly boost your early game progression and exploration efficiency.
Understanding Fontaine Shrines of Depths
The Shrines of Depths are ancient architectural ruins scattered across the beautiful landscapes of Teyvat, containing high-tier rewards for dedicated players. In the region of Fontaine, these glowing structures are uniquely split between the surface terrain and deep aquatic trenches. Each shrine is completely sealed by a magical barrier that requires a specific regional key to break open.
New players should note that these structures cannot be unlocked through standard combat or basic puzzle-solving mechanics. They serve as long-term exploration milestones that reward your commitment to mapping out the Hydro territory. Successfully opening a shrine grants a Luxurious Chest containing generous loot, including forty Primogems, adventure experience, and valuable local sigils.
How to Earn Hydro Shrine Keys
Before plotting a route to the structure locations, travelers must acquire specialized Hydro Shrine Keys through specific regional activities. The most reliable method for beginners is leveling up the Statue of the Seven by offering collected Hydroculi found across the map. Reaching certain milestones at the statue will directly reward you with the keys needed for your journey.
Additionally, active players can obtain keys by offering Hydro Sigils to the magical Fountain of Lucine situated near the Opera Epiclese. As you increase the fountain level by exploring and opening ordinary chests, you will periodically unlock additional shrine keys. Completing specific chapters of the main Archon Quests in the Fontaine storyline will also grant these essential items as completion rewards.
Discovering Surface and Underwater Shrines
Fontaine introduces a groundbreaking diving mechanic that allows players to explore expansive submerged zones like the Elton Trench. Consequently, finding every hidden shrine requires a blend of traditional land traversal and deep-sea diving across the multi-layered aquatic zones. Several surface shrines sit prominently on high cliffs in the Court of Fontaine region, making them easily visible from nearby teleport waypoints.
In contrast, the underwater shrines require careful navigation through deep marine valleys and trenches where visibility can be limited. Beginners should prioritize activating nearby underwater teleport waypoints first to make backtracking much simpler if their oxygen or health runs low. Scanning the underwater map boundaries carefully will often reveal the distinct blue glow emitted by these submerged structures.
Maximizing Your Chest Rewards
Every sealed vault in the Hydro region contains a single high-tier chest that provides a permanent boost to your account resources. New players should make sure their inventory has enough space before opening these containers to avoid leaving valuable artifacts behind. The Primogems obtained from these locations are perfect for wishing on current character event banners to expand your roster.
Furthermore, the local sigils found inside the luxurious chests can be taken back to the offering systems to unlock further progression materials. Marking each cleared shrine on your in-game map is highly recommended so you can keep accurate track of your overall nation exploration percentage. Taking your time to systematically unlock each location ensures a smooth and rewarding experience throughout your journey in Fontaine.
