Defeating the Secret Source Automaton: A Boss Strategy Guide

The Secret Source Automaton is an exciting new world boss introduced in Genshin Impact with patch 5.1. This formidable enemy has a substantial health pool but is manageable with the right strategies and team composition. Defeating the Automaton yields valuable materials necessary for upgrading Xilonen. This guide will help you locate the Secret Source Automaton, suggest effective team setups, and share strategies for defeating it.

To upgrade Xilonen, players will need to engage in battles against this boss. You must use 40 Original Resin after defeating the Secret Source Automaton to claim your rewards, which is consistent with how rewards work for other world bosses. Upon entering the game following patch 5.1, you will notice the boss’s icon located in Natlan, but you may need guidance on how to access it.

Finding the Configuration Device

Located in a Hidden Cave

To find the Secret Source Automaton, teleport to the Waypoint located just south of Teticpac Peak. From there, head directly south until you spot a makeshift wooden bridge. Below the bridge, there’s a large hole in the ground that serves as the entrance to the boss arena. Jump down and follow the passage to the Waypoint right before the boss’s lair.

Defeating the Secret Source Automaton

Necessary to Upgrade Xilonen

The Secret Source Automaton uses three different attack patterns. It begins by firing two rotating beams that gradually collapse and explode. Next, it unleashes three orbital shots that track your character’s location. Finally, the Automaton erects two pillars and charges up a devastating attack. Players must climb these pillars to destroy the devices atop them, and only specific Natlan characters can accomplish this. Kachina, which players receive for free, should be included in your team for this phase, as well as Xilonen, who can also scale the pillars using her skill.

According to Sun Wei on YouTube, this world boss can be tackled successfully with free-to-play characters. He utilized Traveler (Geo), Amber, Kachina, and Xiangling in his demonstration. The synergy of double Geo and Pyro characters enhances the team’s effectiveness. Familiarity with the Automaton’s attack patterns means that the fight becomes more manageable as you wear down its health bar.

In my personal experience, I first took down this boss using Kachina, Kokomi, Rosaria, and Diluc. It’s crucial to maintain constant elemental reactions and high burst damage during the fight to ensure a quick victory, allowing you to gather materials sooner.

While Kachina and Xilonen are particularly suitable for this battle, other characters can also ascend the devices. You have limited time before the Secret Source Automaton unleashes its charged attack, which can eliminate your active character in an instant. Characters like Kazuha, Zhongli, Albedo, Venti, and Wanderer can reach the top of the pillars as well. After defeating this boss, you’ll receive Gold-Incscribed Secret Source Cores essential for Xilonen’s Ascension.

Due to the cap of 200 Original Resin players can collect each day, a limited-time event is available to assist. By completing the Tribal Chronicles: Children of Echoes event during the first weeks of patch 5.1, you can earn 60 Primogems, nine Prithiva Topaz Fragments, six Gold-Incscribed Secret Source Cores, 30 Brilliant Chrysanthemums, 12 Warrior’s Metal Whistles, and 15 Sentry’s Wooden Whistles. These items are crucial for Ascending Xilonen. Although this won’t fully level her up, it can significantly reduce your farming time. When you’ve depleted your Original Resin for the day, you can still gather the last few materials by exploring Natlan in Genshin Impact.

Source: Sun Wei/YouTube