Sol Valley Map and Shrines

Master the Sol Valley Shrines in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond! Find all Elemental Shot upgrades (Fire, Ice, Thunder) and expansions with this detailed walkthrough.

Alright, let's dive into Sol Valley! This area feels a bit different from the usual Metroid vibe, but don't worry, we'll get you through it. The main things to keep an eye out for here are the six Shrines, which are key to upgrading your Elemental Shots. You'll find these Shrines on the surface, and each one has an elevator that takes you down to a main puzzle room, followed by a final room where you'll snag an upgrade.

There are two Shrines for each Elemental Shot type: Fire, Ice, and Thunder. Completing one of each pair will give you the 'Charged' version of the Shot, and completing the other will grant the 'Super' version. Don't forget, each Shrine also hides an expansion upgrade, either inside or just nearby, so make sure you're thorough!

A heads-up: while some Shrines have locks on their elevators, you might be able to get to certain ones early. You could even find Green Energy or expansion upgrades before you can fully complete a Shrine, depending on what you've unlocked. It's up to you if you want to grab those early!

Shrines Overview

Each Shrine requires a specific Elemental Shot to enter and features a puzzle to solve. After the puzzle, you'll receive an upgrade for one of your Elemental Shots (Charged or Super variant) and often an expansion upgrade.

• Fire Shrines: Ladder of Thought Shrine and Rings of Stone Shrine
• Ice Shrines: Source of Spring Shrine and Floating Path Shrine
• Thunder Shrines: Ring of Thunder Shrine and Falling Labyrinth Shrine

Ladder of Thought Shrine (Fire)

Requires: Fire Shot

• Entrance: You'll need to blast some webbing on the far wall to reveal a door. To open it, slide the Psychic Crystal down. This is the only Shrine with a blocker right in the entrance room.
• Ladder of Thought: As you enter, watch out for small but damaging Web Crawlers that appear. Burn the webs in the area to reveal Green Energy and two purple rocks. The puzzle involves using these rocks: step on one, raise the other so you can jump to it, then jump, turn, and raise the first rock. Keep doing this to reach the upper ledge. Before heading through the exit door, burn the webbing above and to the right of it to find a small tunnel. You'll need a Double Bomb Jump or the Spring Ball and Bomb combo to enter. Inside, you'll find an ENERGY TANK. Once you have it, return and go through the upper door.
• Gift of Fire: Grab the FIRE SHOT UPGRADE from the offering bowl.

Rings of Stone Shrine (Fire)

Requires: Ice Shot

• Entrance: Use your Ice Shot on the Ice Lock on the surface to get in. Down the elevator, open the Psychic Door ahead.
• Rings of Stone: Scan the rings on the ground to make them float. Then, fire a Control Beam and steer it through the moving rings to hit the target in the center. This activates the lift. Make sure to collect any Green Energy here before riding the lift down and exiting through the door.
• Gift of Flame: Take the FIRE SHOT UPGRADE. Before you teleport out, switch to your Psychic Visor and look back at the door you entered from. You'll see purple sparkles coming from a small hole above it. Use your Control Beam to hit the target there, which opens a hidden tunnel behind the offering statue. Roll inside to find a SHOT EXPANSION.

Source of Spring Shrine (Ice)

Requires: Ice Shot

• Entrance: Open the Psychic Door in front of you.
• Source of Spring: First, head to the lower floor and roll into the tunnel to grab a MISSILE EXPANSION. You can get this even without the Ice Shot. Back in the main room, scan the three water fountains to learn they share a source. Use your Ice Shot to freeze the left and right fountains, leaving the middle one active. This will push a large container down. Proceed through the next door.
• Gift of Ice: Collect the ICE SHOT UPGRADE.

Floating Path Shrine (Ice)

Requires: Thunder Shot

• Entrance: Use your Thunder Shot on the Electric Lock on the surface to enter. After the elevator, open the Psychic Door.
• Floating Path: You'll see two Psychic Motes and a gap to cross. There are sockets along the walls; toss a Mote into one to create a platform. Using two Motes allows you to create a path by linking them. It's safest to use all five available platforms. You'll need to place a Mote on the exit door at the far end to leave.
• Gift of Frost: Take the ICE SHOT UPGRADE. Don't leave yet! Go back to the previous room.
• Floating Path (Expansion): Drop down below the door you just exited. Slot a Mote into the pillar down there to get a SHOT EXPANSION. You can now leave via the entrance or the teleporter.

Ring of Thunder Shrine (Thunder)

Requires: Thunder Shot

• Entrance: Open the Psychic Door in front of you.
• Ring of Thunder: Use your Psychic Glove on the two small pylons to make them match the others, then zap the ring with your Thunder Shot. This reveals a lift. Ride it up and head through the door.

Falling Labyrinth Shrine (Thunder)

Requires: Thunder Shot

• Entrance: Open the Psychic Door.
• Falling Labyrinth: This puzzle involves navigating a series of platforms that appear and disappear. You'll need to use your Thunder Shot to activate switches that control the platforms. Timing is key here, as you'll need to move quickly between platforms. Keep an eye out for any hidden alcoves or passages that might contain upgrades.
• Gift of Thunder: After completing the labyrinth, you'll receive the THUNDER SHOT UPGRADE. Look carefully around the final room for any hidden areas or breakable walls that might contain an expansion.