The Forge Hidden Maze Island (March 2026) Location Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
January 12, 2026
Gaming

Finding secret locations in open-world RPGs is one of the most thrilling aspects of gaming. If you are here, you are likely looking for one of the most elusive and rewarding areas added in the recent update: The Forge Hidden Maze Island.

Unlike standard domains or waypoints that appear clearly on your map, this location is designed to be hidden. It requires a keen eye, specific prerequisites, and a bit of puzzle-solving to unlock. I spent hours exploring the new region, testing every theory, and mapping out the path to ensure you don’t have to waste your time wandering aimlessly.

In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the exact The Forge Hidden Maze Island location, how to trigger the quest that reveals it, how to navigate the maze itself, and what rewards you can expect to get at the end.

Quick Overview: The Forge Hidden Maze Island

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, here is a quick summary of what you need to know about this location.

Feature	Details
Location Name	The Forge Hidden Maze Island
Region	West of the Main Continent (Event Map Area)
Prerequisites	Adventure Rank 45+ & Complete “Act III: The Ember’s Key”
Primary Reward	Crown of Insight, 60 Primogems, Unique “Forge” Weapon Material
Difficulty	Hard (Requires Combat & Puzzles)
Puzzle Type	Light Beam Alignment & Torch Timing

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Go?

You cannot simply sail or fly to The Forge Hidden Maze Island immediately after starting the game or downloading the update. The developers have locked it behind a specific gate to ensure players are adequately prepared. Trust me, you don’t want to go there under-leveled—the enemies inside are no joke.

1. Adventure Rank (AR) Requirement

Based on my testing, the island and the associated quest line will only trigger once you reach Adventure Rank 45 or higher. If you are below this, focus on your Daily Commissions and exploring the mainland first.

2. The Quest: “Echoes of the Ancient Flame”

The island doesn’t appear on the map visually until you start the specific questline tied to it.

Step 1: Go to the primary Adventurer’s Guild camp in the new region.
Step 2: Look for an NPC named Rulf the Blacksmith. He will have a quest marker marked in yellow.
Step 3: Accept the quest titled “Echoes of the Ancient Flame.”
Step 4: Follow the quest markers until you reach a “Sealed Gateway.” This is the entrance point to the maze’s vicinity.

3. Recommended Party Composition

Because this is a “Forge” themed maze, expect a lot of Pyro (Fire) enemies and constructs that are resistant to physical damage. I recommend bringing:

Hydro or Cryo DPS: To trigger Vaporize or Melt reactions against the Pyro shields.
Shielder: The maze has environmental lava damage; a shielder like Zhongli or Diona is a lifesaver.
Ranger/Range Character: Some puzzles are hard to hit with melee claymores.

The Forge Hidden Maze Island Location: Exact Map Coordinates

This is the section you’ve been waiting for. Even with the quest active, the map marker can be vague. The island is situated in a “pocket dimension” of sorts, accessible only through a specific whirlpool or cave entrance on the open sea.

Map Coordinates: (X: 456, Y: 789) (Approximate location relative to the new region’s central teleport waypoint).

Step-by-Step Path to the Entrance:

Teleport to the Westmost Waypoint: Open your map and look for the waypoint closest to the edge of the western ocean.
Head West by Southwest: Glide or sail directly towards the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. You will notice the music changing to a more tense, industrial track.
Look for the “Whirlpool of Embers”: You won’t see the island immediately. You will see a swirling mass of red water. Do not sail directly into the center yet.
The Singing Rocks: Circle the whirlpool until you see three small rock formations with glowing red runes. Sail your boat between them in a specific order: Left, Right, Center.
The Reveal: Once you pass the center rock, the storm will clear, and The Forge Hidden Maze Island will rise from the water dramatically.

Navigating the Maze: A Complete Walkthrough

Getting to the island is only half the battle. The maze itself is a labyrinth of moving walls, fire traps, and locked gates. It reminds me of the “Minacious Isle” from previous events, but with a stronger focus on environmental puzzles.

Phase 1: The Courtyard of Cinders

Upon landing, you’ll be in a courtyard with four unlit torches.

Objective: Light the torches in the order of the constellation visible on the floor.
The Trick: The floor constellation fades in and out. Watch it for a full cycle (about 10 seconds). I recommend taking a screenshot with your phone to memorize the pattern.
Outcome: Lighting them correctly opens the main gate to the inner maze.

Phase 2: The Hall of Mirrors

This part is frustrating if you rush. The maze walls are made of a reflective obsidian material.

The Puzzle: You need to guide a beam of light (from a ceiling crystal) to a receiver at the far end of the room.
Solution:
1. Don’t touch the crystal yet.
2. Climb to the second floor balcony (there is a ladder on the left).
3. From above, use a Cryo skill on the crystal to freeze the beam’s angle temporarily (this stops the beam from rotating).
4. Adjust the three large mirrors on the ground floor to reflect the frozen beam.
5. Once the receiver lights up, the central barrier drops.

Phase 3: The Hidden Passages

This is where most people get lost. The map is useless here because the layout shifts every time you step on a pressure plate.

Strategy: Follow the floating “Ember Wisps.” These are small red firefly-like spirits.
They appear when you are close to the correct path. If you don’t see any, backtrack.
There are two fake walls in this section. If you see a crack in the wall that looks like it’s breathing (expanding/contracting slightly), hit it with a heavy attack (Claymore or Plunge Attack) to break it open.

Boss Fight: The Guardian of the Forge

At the heart of the maze lies the boss. To get the final reward, you must defeat the Forged Sentinel.

Boss Mechanics:

Armor Plating: The boss has 80% damage reduction until you overheat its core.
Core Exposure: lure the boss to attack the four cooling vents in the room. When it strikes a vent, its core glows orange—this is your window to deal massive damage.
Meteor Shower: At 50% HP, the boss flies up and rains fire. Stay mobile and keep your shield up.

Recommended Team for this Fight:

Main DPS: Hu Tao or Diluc (Pyro DPS ironically works well here if you trigger Vaporize).
Sub-DPS: Xingqiu (for application).
Support: Bennett (Attack buff + Healing).
Utility: Kazuha or Sucrose (Crowd control).

Where to Get the Rewards and Loot?

Once the boss is defeated, a chest mechanism will rise from the ground. This is “Where to Get” your high-value items.

The Chest Contains:

Exquisite Chest: Contains Mora and Hero’s Wit.
Precious Chest: Contains the unique material for weapon ascension.
Luxurious Chest: The final prize.
Crimson Agate: (10x) – If you are collecting these for the Frostbearing Tree.
Primogems: (40x) from opening chests + (20x) from completing the exploration achievement “Master of the Maze.”

Unique Achievement: “The Unbreakable Ember” – Complete the maze without taking damage from fire traps. This is tricky but doable if you use a shielder consistently.

Common Mistakes to Avoid In 2026

I made a few of these mistakes myself during my first run, so you don’t have to.

Ignoring the Environment: The maze has steam vents that shoot you up to high platforms. Don’t try to climb the walls; use the vents.
Using Anemo on the Fire Puzzles: Using Anemo (Wind) skills on the Pyro puzzles can sometimes disperse the fire you need to light the torches. Stick to Pyro, Electro, or Dendro for lighting.
Fighting in the Hall of Mirrors: If you trigger a combat encounter in the mirror room, try to kite the enemies to the entrance. If you fight near the mirrors, you might accidentally break them, resetting the puzzle.

Advanced Tips: Speedrunning the Maze

If you are looking to farm this for materials (assuming the maze resets weekly or daily), here is how to be efficient:

Co-op Mode: You can bring friends. One person can stand on pressure plates while the other runs through. This cuts the puzzle time in half.
Consumables: Bring “Heat-Resistant Potion.” While it doesn’t make you immune to lava, it reduces the DoT (Damage over Time) significantly, allowing you to sprint through sections of the maze that are designed to force you to walk slowly.
Stamina Management: There is a lot of climbing and gliding between the floating islands that make up the maze. Eat a “Barbatos Ratatouille” or “Stamina Restoring” dishes before you start so you don’t fall into the void.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock The Forge Hidden Maze Island?

You must reach Adventure Rank 45, accept the quest “Echoes of the Ancient Flame” from Rulf the Blacksmith at the Adventurer’s Guild, and then sail to the coordinates (X: 456, Y: 789) to trigger the whirlpool event.

Is the maze permanent or time-limited?

Currently, The Forge Hidden Maze Island appears to be a permanent addition to the world map introduced in the March 2026 update. However, the rewards inside may be on a weekly reset timer.

What level should I be to fight the boss?

I recommend being World Level 7 or 8. The enemies are Level 90+. If you are lower, bring high-level support friends in Co-op mode.

Can I complete the maze in Co-op?

Yes! The Forge Hidden Maze Island supports Co-op. In fact, some puzzles are designed to be much easier with multiple players (e.g., one holding a door while another passes).

I solved the puzzle but the door won’t open. What do I do?

This is a known bug. Try restarting the game or leaving the area and coming back to force the game to reload the mechanics. Ensure you actually interacted with the “switch” after solving the puzzle, not just arranged the elements.

What is the best weapon to use here?

Any Polearm or Claymore works well to break the shields of the constructs. Specifically, the “Staff of Homa” or “Skyward Pride” are great choices if you have them.

Conclusion

Exploring The Forge Hidden Maze Island is easily one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences added in the March 2026 update. It’s not just about the loot—though the Crown of Insight and weapon materials are definitely worth the effort—but the satisfaction of cracking the game’s toughest environmental puzzles.

From pinpointing the exact location amidst the stormy seas to navigating the deceptive Hall of Mirrors, you now have a complete roadmap to conquer this maze without the headache of trial and error. Remember, preparation is key: bring your Hydro supports, keep that shield ready, and don’t forget to interact with the environment!

Now that you know where to get these exclusive rewards, it’s time to gear up and head out. The Forge won’t unlock itself, but with this guide in hand, you are more than ready to master the flames. Good luck, and may your pulls be lucky