Genshin Impact: The Hallowed Plain Ice Fog, Explained

The fog problem, in plain terms

If you have spent any time in the Hallowed Plain in Genshin Impact, you already know the Ice Fog is not a minor inconvenience. It is a persistent cold storm that drains your health as long as you stay inside it. That makes exploring the area feel like a race against your own HP bar, and it is easy to assume the only answer is to sprint through and hope for the best. There is a real fix, though, and it comes in the form of Kresnik’s Torch.

Activating that torch requires work first. The Shadow Realm questline has to be progressed to a specific point before the torch even exists in your world. Once you hit that point, the fog lifts permanently and the Hallowed Plain becomes a normal, safe area.

What the fog actually does

The Ice Fog is an environmental hazard, not a one-time event. It keeps dealing damage over time to anyone inside it, which means resource gathering, questing, or just looking around becomes a constant drain. It is not tied to any enemy or boss. It is simply the state of the area until you deal with Kresnik’s Torch.

The good news is that the removal is permanent. You do not need to repeat the process every time you enter the zone.

What you need before you start

Two things have to be true before you can clear the fog. First, you need to have progressed through the Shadow Realm storyline far enough to unlock the quests tied to Kresnik’s Torch. Second, you need access to the Hallowed Plain itself, which comes from that same progression.

There is one honest caveat. Official materials do not list the exact quest names or requirements for this. The practical approach is to keep working through the Shadow Realm quests until the torch objective appears in your log.

How to clear the fog

1. Finish the Shadow Realm quests that unlock the torch. This is the gate. If the torch is not available, this is the reason.
2. Find Kresnik’s Torch in the Hallowed Plain. Once the prerequisite quests are done, the torch should show up on your map.
3. Interact with the torch. Activating it dispels the Ice Fog, and the area becomes safe to explore.

That is the whole process. Complete the quests, find the torch, light it, and the fog goes away for good.

If something is not working

• The torch is not appearing. Check your quest log for unfinished Shadow Realm objectives. If anything is still pending, the torch will not spawn.
• You are still taking cold damage. The activation may not have registered. Try logging out and back in, or leave the area and return.
• The quest is not available. Keep progressing through the Shadow Realm storyline. Some quests are time-gated or require earlier completions before they unlock.

Common questions

Do I need to activate the torch every time I enter the area?
No. Once activated, the fog is gone permanently.

Can I clear the fog without doing the quests?
No. You cannot get to the torch without completing the Shadow Realm quests first.

Does the fog affect co-op?
The fog is an environmental hazard. In co-op, the cleared fog applies to everyone as long as the host has activated the torch.

After the fog lifts

With the cold storm gone, the Hallowed Plain opens up for normal activity. You can gather resources, complete any remaining quests, and explore without watching your health bar tick down. For more Genshin Impact guides and news, check the GenshinBuilds hub.