Genshin Impact Swimming and Diving, including diving spots, underwater mechanics and abilities

Swimming and submerging in Fontaine’s waters is the main feature added to Genshin Impact in patch 4.0.

Genshin Impact has received a massive update that brings a wide variety of changes to improve your gaming experience. On top of that, you can now visit the new region, Fontaine, where the new chapters of the traveler’s journey will take place.

Among the new features, the biggest is the ability to explore under the waters of Fontaine. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about Genshin Impact’s swimming mechanics, diving spots, underwater abilities, and special enemy locations.

In this section:

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Swimming and Diving in Genshin Impact Explained

With the 4.0 update, a new swimming mode was added to the game, which also allows you to dive. To unlock swimming and diving in Genshin Impact, you need to interact with the first Statue of Seven that can be accessed in Fontaine to receive Fontaine’s Blessing. You can easily find the statue by following the Archon Quest.

This swimming mode is different from the normal one that has been a part of the game for a long time due to some rules. First, in this new swimming mode the characters use Water Resistance. In areas where swimming and diving are allowed using Aquatic Stamina, the stamina bar turns blue and characters don’t die if they run out. This works both on the surface and underwater.

Since Aquatic Stamina only works in Fontaine, the areas where you can dive are limited.

Once in the underwater level, the basic commands change. In addition to swimming in any direction, you can also surface, dive, swim faster, attack, and use the Transoceanic Sourcewater command, which allows you to absorb the abilities of specific enemies.

All Dive Locations in Genshin Impact

To dive and access the underwater sections of Fontaine, it is not necessary to enter through any opening or specific area. All you need to do is swim until you can dive. In case the area is too shallow to dive, the game will let you know.

To check the extension of the aquatic area of Fontaine, you can see the tone of the sea on the map. The area covered in a lighter shade of blue is where the Fontaine region is considered and where Water Resistance is used.

Fontaine is divided into three main regions and most of the water areas surrounding them are deep enough for snorkeling.

Fontaine Region Court

Beryl Region and Belleau Region

All Genshin Impact Underwater Mechanics And Abilities Explained

As you explore under the waters of Fontaine, you will eventually have to use xenochromatic abilities, special abilities that you can absorb from specific enemies. While all of these abilities can be used to attack enemies, each one interacts with specific mechanics in the underwater level.

Xenochromatic Blubberbeast Ability

This ability is taken from some cute little seals with a sign above their heads. With it, you can launch sound waves to attack enemies, and by holding the attack command, you can aim where you are sending the waves. It can also be used as a sonar just like the Echoing Conch.

Xenochromatic Hunter’s Beam Ability

Once absorbed, this ability allows you to throw water swords at enemies. To acquire this ability, you need to find lightning bolts with the ability’s sign above it. This is a great attack to use from a safe distance and also allows you to move quickly between attacks. Holding down the command allows you to aim your swords. The Hunter’s Ray ability is needed to cut through weak sections of Fontemer Seagrass that can be found in the underwater level.

Xenochromatic Armored Crab Ability

Find small crabs with the sign of the ability to absorb this ability. When used, this ability gives characters a shield for a brief moment and also releases a shockwave that deals damage to enemies near you. Holding command allows you to charge up the attack, which turns into a stronger shockwave when released. The only way to destroy certain underwater rocks, as well as Bullet Barnacles, a sea cannon, is by using the Armored Crab’s ability against them.

recovery orbs

Around the underwater level, you can find three orange fish hanging around in certain places. These are called recovery orbs. Touching them restores HP and water resistance. In case you want to know the closest ones, they are marked on the minimap with a fish symbol.

resonant conch

These shells are found in some areas of the Fontaine underwater level and can be extremely useful. When activated, they draw your attention to a point of interest. It may be part of a puzzle solution or hidden treasure.

Explanation of the underwater puzzles in Genshin Impact

To enrich the underwater exploration, Fontaine has his own set of puzzles that require the use of specific aquatic abilities to solve.

streams of water puzzle

One of the puzzles you end up finding involves redirecting the currents you find around Fontaine. Not always, but most water current puzzles involve interacting with a sphere, a water totem, or both. You may even need to use a xenochromatic ability, like the Armored Crab’s, to block the current and solve the puzzle.

Ousia and Pneuma totems

Scattered in the underground level, there are Ousia or Pneumia totems. Although the mechanics that concern them are also found in the rest of Fontaine, you should know that the same rules apply in the underwater level. Using an Ousia-targeted attack on an item charged with Pneumia and vice versa destroys the item or balances it.

Underwater miniboss locations in Genshin Impact

Among the challenges that the underwater level brings to the game, there are some special enemies that you can fight to earn good rewards. In each fight, you must use one of three xenochromatic abilities. Fighting these enemies not only rewards you with precious chests but also completes achievements.

Find the location and strategy of each enemy below:

Faded Veteran and Dobharcy, Lord of the Occult

Although we can use the same strategy with both enemies, defeating them will require a bit of patience. The enemy turns invisible and swims by sending sound waves to hit you. The main strategy is to use the Xenochromatic Blubberbeast ability to hit them out of stealth mode. If you pay close enough attention, it’s possible to see their silhouettes where the attacks are coming from, making it easy to take down both enemies.

Angelica and Medoro, Cortana and Murgleis

These two duos are pretty fast, so your main goal is to constantly move and use your dash to avoid their incoming attacks. To defeat them, you must use the Xenochromatic Hunter’s Lightning ability to throw water swords at them. Finally, they begin to charge up an attack. During this process, it is possible to see that they are linked. Throws a water sword to break their bond before the attack erupts. Hitting it will also damage them.

Ocean Circuit Judge

This huge crustacean is probably the most challenging of the special enemies due to how fast it moves underwater. While most of the time, Ocean Circuit Judge shoots a sphere of water to attack you, occasionally the enemy will perform a spin attack. Get ready to dodge it! To fight Ocean Circuit Judge, you need to use the Xenochromatic Armored Crab’s ability and go under him to hit his weak spot. Otherwise, the Ocean Circuit Judge will not take enough damage.

Have fun swimming around Fontaine!