How do I complete the Blackcliff Forge exploration quest in Genshin Impact?

The Blackcliff Forge exploration quest in Genshin Impact is part of the Liyue region's world quests and involves exploring the Blackcliff Forge area to uncover its secrets. This quest is relatively straightforward but requires attention to detail and proper preparation to complete efficiently. Below is a detailed guide to help you navigate and complete the quest successfully.

To begin the quest, you need to head to the Blackcliff Forge location in Liyue. The forge is situated near the southern part of the map, close to the Guyun Stone Forest. Once you arrive, you will encounter a series of tasks that involve interacting with the environment, solving puzzles, and defeating enemies. The quest mechanics primarily revolve around exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, so having a well-rounded team is essential.

The first step is to locate the forge itself. You will find it near a large rock formation with a glowing mechanism. Interact with the mechanism to activate it, which will trigger a series of events. This includes the appearance of enemies such as Hilichurls and Treasure Hoarders. Be prepared to engage in combat, as these enemies can be challenging if you are not adequately equipped. A good strategy is to use characters with strong AoE (Area of Effect) abilities to deal with multiple enemies at once. Characters like Diluc, Klee, or Xiangling are excellent choices due to their powerful elemental skills and bursts.

After defeating the enemies, you will need to solve a puzzle involving elemental mechanisms. These puzzles typically require you to use specific elements to activate certain devices. For example, you might need to use a Pyro character to light torches or an Electro character to charge conduits. Make sure your team includes characters with diverse elemental abilities to handle these puzzles efficiently. Characters like Fischl, Bennett, and Barbara are great for their versatility in applying different elements.

Once the puzzle is solved, you will gain access to the inner part of the forge. Here, you will find a series of chests and collectibles. Be thorough in your exploration, as some items are hidden in less obvious locations. Use your elemental sight to highlight interactive objects and hidden paths. This ability is invaluable for finding hidden treasures and completing the quest objectives.

One common mistake players make is rushing through the quest without fully exploring the area. The Blackcliff Forge has several hidden chests and collectibles that can provide valuable resources and experience. Take your time to explore every nook and cranny to maximize your rewards. Additionally, ensure that your team is well-prepared for combat. Underestimating the enemies in this area can lead to unnecessary deaths and wasted resources.

Advanced techniques for this quest include optimizing your team composition for both combat and exploration. A balanced team with a mix of DPS, support, and elemental coverage will make the quest much easier. For example, pairing a strong DPS character like Keqing with a healer like Qiqi and a support character like Sucrose can provide both damage output and survivability. Additionally, using characters with crowd control abilities, such as Venti or Jean, can help manage large groups of enemies more effectively.

Artifact and weapon recommendations for this quest focus on enhancing your characters' strengths. For DPS characters, prioritize artifacts that increase attack power and critical rate, such as the Gladiator's Finale set. For support characters, artifacts that boost energy recharge and elemental mastery, like the Noblesse Oblige set, are ideal. Weapons should complement your characters' roles, with high base attack weapons for DPS and supportive weapons for healers and supports.

In specific scenarios, you might encounter environmental hazards such as falling rocks or explosive barrels. Be mindful of your surroundings and use these hazards to your advantage. For example, you can lure enemies near explosive barrels and then detonate them for massive damage. Additionally, using elemental reactions like Overloaded (Pyro + Electro) or Superconduct (Cryo + Electro) can significantly increase your damage output and make combat encounters more manageable.

In conclusion, completing the Blackcliff Forge exploration quest in Genshin Impact requires a combination of thorough exploration, strategic combat, and effective puzzle-solving. By preparing your team with the right characters, artifacts, and weapons, and by taking your time to explore the area fully, you can complete the quest efficiently and reap the rewards. Remember to use your elemental sight, manage your resources wisely, and leverage environmental hazards to your advantage. With these strategies, you will be well-equipped to conquer the Blackcliff Forge and uncover its secrets.