Genshin Impact: How to Unlock the Pied Piper Achievement in Novokitezhgrad

Most hidden achievements in Genshin Impact ask for combat precision, puzzle logic, or sheer luck. The Pied Piper achievement is a different animal. It demands nothing more than a short walk through one district of Snezhnaya. No fights, no riddles, no resin. Just four snowmen that behave like curious puppies. If you have reached Downtown Novokitezhgrad, you can finish this in under ten minutes. The only real obstacle is your own eyesight.

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Why this achievement feels different

The task reads like a checklist item from a larger quest, but it stands completely on its own. You do not need to talk to an NPC. You do not need to activate a mechanism. You only need to walk near four Jack Frosts scattered around the downtown area. Once you approach one, it starts trailing behind you. That is the entire interaction. There is no destination for these little followers. They just tag along until you walk away.

The lack of map markers makes this trickier than it sounds. The game gives you no visual hint about where these snowmen are hiding. Some sit in open plazas. Others lurk behind crates or in narrow side passages. The achievement unlocks the moment you have been close to all four, even if you never led them anywhere.

Where to start

Downtown Novokitezhgrad is only accessible after you progress through the Snezhnaya story. If you have the area unlocked, grab the nearest Teleport Waypoint and head toward the center of the district. The Jack Frosts are not tied to any quest trigger, so you can hunt them at any time once the region is open. There is no cost attached to this achievement. No resin, no mora, no special items. Just your time.

How the Jack Frosts behave

These snowmen have a simple AI pattern. When you get close enough, they start to follow you. They will not attack. They will not block your path. They simply move behind you until you leave their range. This behavior is useful for confirming which ones you have already found. If a snowman does not react to your presence, you have likely already approached that particular one.

One odd detail: the game does not track your progress with these snowmen anywhere in the UI. You will not see a counter or a checklist. The achievement simply pops when you have touched all four. That means you need to be methodical about your search, especially in the corners of the district.

The quick route

Start at the main plaza and work outward in a spiral. The first snowman is usually easy to spot near the center. The others require more attention. Check behind building facades, inside small courtyards, and along the edges of the district. A character with a small model or a dash ability can help you squeeze into tight spots. If you want to be thorough, sweep the area in a grid pattern. Walk one lane, turn, walk the next lane, repeat. This prevents you from missing a snowman tucked behind a wall.

There is no trick to the approach. Just walk close enough to trigger the follow behavior. If you are unsure whether a snowman counts, watch for the movement. A static snowman that does not react has already been counted.

Avoiding common mistakes

The most frequent issue players run into is missing the fourth snowman. The district has plenty of visual noise, and these little guys blend into the snowy environment. Re-walk the perimeter if you are stuck. Check the narrow passages between buildings. Look behind the larger structures. The fourth snowman is almost always in a spot you overlooked the first time.

If you approach a snowman and it does not follow, that is a sign you already found it earlier. Do not waste time trying to trigger it again. Move on and look for the ones that still react.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to finish a quest first?
No. The achievement is independent of any quest. You only need access to Downtown Novokitezhgrad, which comes from story progression in Snezhnaya.

Is there a reward beyond the achievement?
You get Primogems through the standard achievement system. No extra chest or item is tied to this one.

Can I complete this in co-op?
Official materials do not specify. Single-player mode is the safer option.

Does this reset weekly or daily?
No. Once unlocked, the achievement stays in your record permanently.

After the achievement

Once Pied Piper is yours, you can move on to other snow-related content in the region. The Jack Frosts appear in other activities around Snezhnaya, and the area has more hidden objectives to uncover. If you are in the mood for more exploration, look for other unmarked collectibles in the downtown area. The achievement system in Genshin Impact rewards thoroughness, and this one is among the easiest to add to your collection. The snowmen are waiting. Go say hello.