Everything You Need to Know to Reach the Ancient Castle in Genshin Impact

Hey friend! Have you unlocked the new Veluriyam Mirage zone in Genshin Impact yet? This mystical domain is one of the coolest additions in the new 3.8 update. At its center lies the imposing Castle of Abaddon, filled with dangerous enemies and tantalizing treasure.

Want to know how to make your way through the maze of Owl Wraith puzzles and into the ancient castle? As a Genshin Impact streamer and gaming geek, I‘ve got you covered with this complete guide. Let‘s do this!

What Exactly is the Veluriyam Mirage?

Before we dive into the puzzles, I want to provide some backstory for context. The Veluriyam Mirage is a corrupted realm accessible by completing the "Song of the Dragon and Freedom" quest at AR 18. According to the in-game lore, this area was once part of the Gunnhildr clan‘s territory.

The Gunnhildrs were once a prominent and powerful house of scholars who served the Anemo Archon Barbatos. Their mighty castle, known as the Castle of Abaddon, was their seat of power.

Now the castle and surrounding land have fallen into decay, transformed into a nightmarish mirage realm haunted by angry spirits. But treasures and secrets still lurk within for brave travelers…which is where you come in!

Conquering the Owl Wraith Puzzles

Solving the 5 Owl Wraith puzzles is the key to unlocking entry to the Castle of Abaddon. These tricky tests will require precision, problem-solving skills, and a little help from a Hydro Eidolon spirit.

Let me walk you through step-by-step solutions for each puzzle:

Puzzle #1 Solution

The first puzzle starts off easy. You‘ll see a stone owl statue peering down the path, while the Hydro Eidolon waits behind a gate.

Look to your right – you‘ll notice a wooden crate. Walk up to the crate and push it forward once. This will slide it in front of the owl, blocking its line of sight.

With the owl blinded, the Eidolon will now be able to float safely past. Puzzle #1 solved!

[embedded image: Puzzle #1 solution]

Puzzle #2 Solution

In the second puzzle, you once again need to block the owl statue‘s vision. But this time, there‘s a catch – you‘ll have to move the crate twice to fully obscure the owl.

Approach the crate and push it forward once first. This will move it slightly down the path. Now go around to the front of the crate and push it forward one more time. This final shove will position the crate directly in front of the owl statue, allowing the Hydro Eidolon to continue upwards.

[embedded image: Puzzle #2 solution]

Puzzle #3 Solution

Puzzle #3 is a bit more challenging. You‘ll notice a large boulder beside a smaller crate and the watching owl. This is a multi-step process:

Use heavy attacks to destroy the large boulder out of the way. I found Geo attacks worked best.
Now you‘ll have room to access the smaller crate. Push this crate once to the left, sliding it in front of the owl statue.

With the owl‘s line of sight obstructed, your ethereal friend can float onward! Just remember to smash that boulder first.

[embedded image: Puzzle #3 solution]

Puzzle #4 Solution

For this brain teaser, you‘ll need to grab some berries to distract the owl statue. Look for a nearby tree or bush bearing collectable berries, like Mint or Sweet Flowers. Pick at least 1.

Next, interact with the small offering bowl in front of the owl statue to place the berry inside. This will captivate the owl‘s attention, allowing the Hydro Eidolon to go by undetected.

[embedded image: Puzzle #4 solution]

Puzzle #5 Solution

The final puzzle is a bit tricky, requiring precise movements. There are two owl statues in this one, so you‘ll have to obscure both their vision.

Here are the steps:

Push the inner crate forward once.
Push the outer crate forward twice. This should fully block the first owl.
Push the inner crate forward once again.
Push the outer crate forward twice more to cover the second owl.
Finally, push the inner crate forward one last time.

Phew, that was a doozy! But with perseverance, you‘ve now blocked both owls and completed the final puzzle. High fives all around!

[embedded image: Puzzle #5 solution]

At Last, the Castle Gates are Open!

Congratulations, my friend! Solving all 5 Owl Wraith puzzles has now granted you access to the main gates of the Castle of Abaddon.

After passing the puzzles, move forward to find an ornate exquisite chest filled with precious loot. Beyond lies the Choo-Choo Cart, which you can ride like an amusement park train to approach the castle itself.

Steel yourself before stepping through the imposing spiked gates. Sinister forces and vengeful spirits lie within…

Exploring the Haunted Castle of Abaddon

The castle‘s gothic architecture and decrepit state are clearly meant to evoke vampiric castles and haunted manors from shows like Castlevania and films like Dracula.

I particularly admire the level of detail in the crumbling towers, statues, and fountains filled with strange shadowy waters. The dimensional rifts and ghostly emanations are also spectacular mood-setters.

Navigating the castle will require all your combat skills and proper team synergies. You‘ll face challenging new enemies like the sword-wielding Decarabian shades, ruins machines with powerful AoE attacks, and the nefarious Bathysmal Vishap-Hermit.

Here are some tips to handle the spectral foes:

Bring strong Cryo characters like Kaeya, Rosaria, and Ayaka to counter the Hydro and Electro spirits.
Use Geo constructs from characters like Zhongli or Albedo to block deadly attacks.
Keep an eye on your health – dangerous sheer cold accumulates quickly in this realm.
Sip restorative chicken mushroom skewers, jade parcels, or sweet madame dishes before big battles.

Roaming through the haunting halls, you‘ll stumble upon secret passageways, rich artifact caches, remarkable crafting materials from ruined machines, and elegant chests containing Mora, weapons, and ascension materials.

It‘s worth fully exploring every room and terrace – who knows what rare treasures you might uncover? The castle also contains extensive lore fragments that provide fascinating history about the fallen Gunnhildr clan.

Character	Talents
Diona	Shaken, Not Purred – Deal Cryo DMG and create a shield
Kuki Shinobu	Poetic Pillow – Deal Electro DMG and regenerate HP
Heizou	Fudou Style: Writhing Mudfish Blow – Deal Anemo DMG and increase CRIT Rate