Hey fellow Travelers! Ever find yourself stuck on a puzzle, staring at a cliff face, or just plain lost in the vast beauty of Teyvat? I've been there. But let me tell you, there's one game mechanic that's an absolute game-changer for exploration, combat, and uncovering secrets: Elemental Sight. It's not just a fancy visual effect; it's your sixth sense in the world of Genshin Impact, and mastering it is the key to unlocking everything the game has to offer.
Think of Elemental Sight as your detective vision. It peels back the ordinary layer of Teyvat to reveal a hidden world of elemental energy and clues. Activating it bathes the screen in a cool monochrome filter, making anything charged with elemental power—or just plain important—light up like a neon sign. This isn't just for show; it's essential for finding your lost sibling, solving ancient riddles, and even gaining the upper hand in a tough fight.
Who Can Use It? The Vision-Havers & The Sensitive
First things first, not everyone can just whip out Elemental Sight. You generally need a Vision to tune into the elemental wavelengths. But there are exceptions! Our main character, the Traveler, is the prime example. Even without a permanent Vision initially, their innate sensitivity to the elements makes them a natural—in fact, they're the most effective user in the entire story! Here's the confirmed roster of characters who can use this ability:
-
The Traveler (Top Tier! 🌟)
-
Lisa (A very close second! ⚡)
-
Amber 🔥
-
Rosaria ❄️
-
Yanfei ️
So, if you're playing as one of these, you're good to go! For everyone else, it's a no-go.
How to Activate Your Elemental Vision
It's super easy, but the button changes depending on how you play:
| Platform | How to Activate |
|---|---|
| PC | Click the Middle Mouse Button (scroll wheel click!) |
| PlayStation | Press the Left Button on the D-Pad |
| Mobile | Tap the Eye Icon on your mini-map |
A quick heads-up: Elemental Sight isn't a toggle you leave on forever. It automatically turns off after you move a certain distance, and it only reveals things within a limited radius around you. So, get used to tapping that button frequently when you're on the hunt!
Cracking the Color Code: What Do All Those Glows Mean?
This is where it gets really cool. Unlike other games that just highlight everything in yellow, Genshin uses a whole rainbow of colors, each tied to a specific element or object type. Memorizing this code is like learning a secret language!
🔥 Red = Pyro (Fire)
- Torches, cooking pots, Exploding Barrels, anything that's on fire or fire-related. Your go-to for lighting things up!
💧 Blue = Hydro (Water)
- Bodies of water, Hydro Ambers, anything with a "Wet" status. Essential for many puzzles in Fontaine and beyond.
❄️ Light Blue = Cryo (Ice)
- Mist Flowers, Frostburst Barrels, recently turned-off Flamethrowers. Look for this cool glow.
⚡ Purple = Electro (Lightning)
- Electro Crystals, those buzzing puzzle stones, Electro Rock Piles. Common in Inazuma and Sumeru's rainforests.
🪨 Yellow = Geo (Earth)
- Ores (Iron, White Iron, Crystal, etc.), Geo constructs. Your best friend for mining routes and Geo puzzles.
🌱 Green = Dendro (Grass/Wood)
- Grass patches, haystacks, wooden objects. Simple but sometimes holds the key to a Dendro reaction puzzle.
💨 Turquoise = Anemo (Wind)
- Anemo Ambers and other wind-related mechanisms. Crucial for activating wind currents.
⚪ White = Neutral / Interactive
-
This is a big one! White glow doesn't mean an element, but it marks tons of interactive objects:
-
Chests (Common, Exquisite, Precious, Luxurious!)
-
Raisable gates and doors
-
Ruin Machines (Guards, Graders, etc.)
-
Some NPCs with hidden dialogue or quests
-
General interactive items in the world
-
Pro-Tips & Advanced Uses You NEED to Know
Elemental Sight does way more than just find chests (though it's great for that too!). Here are some advanced applications that have saved me countless hours:
-
Tracking Weekly Bounties & Trounce Domains: Can't find that pesky weekly boss? Activate Elemental Sight! They often leave behind a faint elemental trail you can follow directly to them. No more running in circles!
-
Reuniting Lost Seelie: We've all chased a Seelie and lost it. Pop Elemental Sight, and you'll see a clear, glowing trail leading from the Seelie's current position straight back to its garden. Lifesaver!
-
Unmarked "Hidden Exploration Objectives": Teyvat is full of secrets that don't show up in your quest log. Elemental Sight is often the only way to find these unmarked puzzles, hidden pressure plates, or secret entrances. If an area feels suspiciously empty, try looking at it with your Sight on!
-
Navigating Phase Gates (Fontaine & Chasm): In areas with Phase Gates, Elemental Sight will reveal the glowing energy pathways between them. This lets you plan your teleportation route visually before you even jump in.
-
Combat Intelligence: This is a game-changer in Spiral Abyss or against tough enemies. Toggle Elemental Sight during combat (quickly!). You can clearly see what elemental traits or shields an enemy has. Seeing a purple Electro aura on an enemy immediately tells you to bring a Cryo or Dendro character to break it efficiently. It turns guesswork into strategy.
A Few Caveats to Remember...
-
Not a "Highlight Everything" Tool: Not every single interactable object will glow. Some mundane things are left out.
-
Not Everything That Glows is Interactive: Sometimes you'll see a colored aura on scenery that's just for atmosphere or showing residual elemental energy. Don't spend 10 minutes trying to click on a pretty rock! 😅
-
It's Your Exploration Swiss Army Knife: From the first Statue of the Seven in Mondstadt to the deepest depths of the new Natlan region (as of 2025), Elemental Sight remains consistently useful. New puzzle mechanics are always built with it in mind.
So, next time you log in, make a habit of hitting that Elemental Sight button whenever you enter a new area, get stuck, or just feel like there's more to see. It literally changes how you see the world. Trust me, once you get used to viewing Teyvat through this elemental lens, you'll start finding secrets, resources, and solutions you never knew were right in front of you. Happy exploring, everyone! May your Sight be sharp and your chests be plentiful! ✨