How to solve the Reliquary of Compassion puzzle in Ghost of Yōtei

TL;DR

  • Upgrade your Hankyu bow to Altered Hankyu for fire arrows before attempting the puzzle
  • Navigate through Chilled Peak Shrine using strategic campfire positioning to survive freezing temperatures
  • Light four fox statue bowls with fire arrows to activate the puzzle mechanics
  • Align all statues to face the mountain’s hearth with wolves’ eyes for successful completion
  • Receive the powerful Charm of Mount Yōtei providing significant combat advantages

Proper preparation is absolutely essential before attempting the Reliquary of Compassion challenge. The extreme environmental conditions demand specific equipment that cannot be overlooked if you hope to succeed in this demanding trial.

The Reliquary of Compassion in Ghost of Yōtei presents a complex environmental puzzle that rewards determined players with exceptional gifts from Mount Yōtei itself. This journey pushes protagonist Atsu to their absolute limits against brutally freezing winds and treacherous terrain.

Successfully conquering the harsh weather conditions and locating this particular reliquary delivers tremendous satisfaction regardless of your experience level with shrine puzzles. Our comprehensive Ghost of Yōtei guide provides detailed instructions for solving the Reliquary of Compassion puzzle, precise location coordinates, and complete reward analysis. For additional navigation assistance, consult our interactive Ghost of Yōtei map resource.

Before embarking on your expedition to the Reliquary of Compassion, critically ensure you’ve upgraded your Hankyu bow at minimum to the Altered Hankyu version to unlock essential fire arrows. This upgrade requires specific materials and visiting the Yōtei’s Shadow Inn to consult with Ran, the master Bowyer specializing in traditional weapon enhancements.

A Ghost of Yotei screenshot showing the Altered Hankyu bow and its stats
Image: Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

A Ghost of Yotei screenshot showing Atsu beside the Reliquary of Compassion

The Reliquary of Compassion occupies the northern sector of Teshio Ridge, accessible through a carefully planned route. To reach this destination, travel to the northern shoreline of Sarobetsu Lake, where you’ll discover a distinctive red torii gate marking the entrance to the Chilled Peak Shrine complex.

Torii gate leading to the Chilled Peak Shrine and Reliquary of Compassion in Ghost of Yotei.
Graphic: Paulo Kawanishi/Polygon | Source images: Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

Traversing the ascent path follows similar mechanics to other shrine approaches. You’ll need to scale vertical surfaces and perform precision jumps across branches as standard, but the critical difference involves mandatory proximity to campfires to maintain body temperature and prevent freezing damage.

Continue along the designated path until you slide onto a frozen lake surface with a warming campfire positioned to your right. Instead of proceeding directly toward this heat source, strategically veer to the left pathway where an additional fire awaits, then follow the ascending trail upward. This route leads to a narrow crevice you can squeeze through to finally access the Reliquary of Compassion chamber.

A montage of two Ghost of Yotei screenshot showing where players can find the path to the Reliquary of Compassion
Graphic: Paulo Kawanishi/Polygon | Source images: Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment
The Reliquary of Compassion puzzle's location in Ghost of Yotei.
Graphic: Paulo Kawanishi/Polygon | Source images: Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

As previously emphasized, possessing the Altered Hankyu bow is absolutely mandatory, representing the essential first upgrade for the standard Hankyu bow and providing access to crucial fire arrows. If you haven’t acquired this enhancement, immediately visit Yōtei’s Shadow Inn and consult with Ran, the specialized Bowyer who can facilitate this critical upgrade process.

Equipped with your enhanced Altered Hankyu bow, you’re prepared to tackle the Reliquary of Compassion puzzle mechanics. Initially, utilize fire arrows to ignite the ceremonial bowls positioned before the four fox statues. This activation creates temporary warmth zones that protect Atsu from hypothermia while providing sufficient time to manipulate each statue’s orientation.

To successfully complete the puzzle and claim your rewards, you must rotate all statues until the wolves’ eyes consistently face toward the mountain’s central hearth. This alignment requires careful observation of each statue’s distinctive markings and strategic positioning to achieve the correct configuration.

A montage showing the Reliquary of Compassion from Ghost of Yotei and the numbers 1 to 4 marking the fox statues around the main pillar.
Graphic: Paulo Kawanishi/Polygon | Source images: Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Pro Tip: Begin with the statue farthest from your position and work inward systematically. Each successfully aligned statue provides additional warmth, extending your available time for subsequent adjustments. Monitor your temperature gauge constantly and retreat to activated bowls if your meter drops below 30% capacity.

Successfully solving the Reliquary of Compassion puzzle rewards you with the exceptional Charm of Mount Yōtei, a powerful talisman providing substantial combat advantages. This charm significantly enhances your defensive capabilities while offering unique buffs that persist throughout your journey.

A Ghost of Yōtei screenshot showing the Charm of Mount Yōtei
Image: Sucker Punch Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment via Polygon

The Charm of Mount Yōtei provides a 15% damage reduction against all elemental attacks and increases your resistance to environmental effects by 25%. This makes it particularly valuable for navigating other frost-based challenges throughout the game world. Additionally, the charm synergizes exceptionally well with fire-based abilities, creating powerful combination effects when used strategically.

For players seeking to maximize their combat effectiveness, this charm becomes an essential component of advanced build strategies. Its defensive properties allow for more aggressive playstyles while maintaining survivability against challenging opponents and environmental hazards.

Action Checklist

  • Upgrade Hankyu bow to Altered Hankyu at Yōtei’s Shadow Inn
  • Navigate to northern Sarobetsu Lake and locate Chilled Peak Shrine entrance
  • Traverse shrine path using campfires for temperature management
  • Light all four fox statue bowls with fire arrows
  • Align statues with wolves’ eyes facing mountain hearth
  • Collect Charm of Mount Yōtei reward

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