So, you've been flying around the Upper Plains and you’ve run into a bit of a wall. It happens. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a massive game, and Ubisoft didn't exactly make every mechanic crystal clear. One of the most common points of confusion for players right now involves the Zeswa Clan and a specific character named Na'val. Specifically, how you're supposed to enter phase diving and talk to Na'val to progress certain questlines or just to engage with the deeper mechanics of the game's aquatic ecosystems.
It's tricky.
Pandora is beautiful, sure, but the mechanics of how the Na’vi interact with water—especially in the later regions—require a bit of finesse that the early tutorials in the Kinglor Forest don't prepare you for. You're likely looking for Na'val because you need to finish the "The Gentle Giant" quest or perhaps you're just trying to figure out why your character seems to struggle with deep water exploration compared to the NPCs.
Who Exactly is Na'val?
Let's start with the basics because if you're looking for the wrong person, none of the mechanics will matter. Na'val is a member of the Zeswa Clan. You’ll find them primarily in the Upper Plains, which is that massive, wind-swept grassland area you reach after the first major story beat. The Zeswa are known for their relationship with the Zakru—those enormous, mountain-sized beasts that look like a cross between an elephant and a turtle.
Na'val isn't just a random vendor.
They represent a bridge between the land-dwelling habits of the Zeswa and the deeper, more spiritual aspects of the Pandoran waters. Most players encounter Na'val during the mid-game. If you haven't reached the Upper Plains yet, stop reading. Go play the main story. You literally cannot talk to Na'val until the world opens up and you’ve established a reputation with the Zeswa.
The Mystery of Phase Diving
Now, about that "phase diving" term.
In the community, "phase diving" is often used to describe the transition between surface swimming and the deep-level exploration required for certain gathering materials or quest objectives. It isn't a "button" you press in a menu. Instead, it’s a combination of character upgrades and environmental interaction. To enter phase diving and talk to Na'val effectively, you need to understand that Pandora's water has layers.
The game uses a tiered system for underwater exploration. At first, you can only hold your breath for a short time. You’re basically a tourist. But as you progress through the Ancestor Skills tree, you unlock abilities that fundamentally change how you move through the water. This is what the "phase" refers to—moving from a surface-level interaction to a deep-dive interaction.
How to Actually Dive Deep
You need to look for the Deeper Connection or similar breath-holding skills in your skill tree. Honestly, if you try to reach Na'val’s specific quest locations without these, you’re just going to drown. A lot. It’s frustrating.
To dive, you use the crouch button while swimming (Circle on PlayStation, B on Xbox, or C on PC). But here is the kicker: to "phase" into the deeper areas where Na'val’s interests lie, you often have to find specific plants or currents. Pandora isn't a static map; it's a living thing.
Locating Na'val in the Upper Plains
Na'val is usually found near the The Circle, the main hub for the Zeswa. However, depending on your quest progress, they might be stationed near one of the Zakru grazing grounds. Look for the water's edge.
Na'val is obsessed with the health of the plains' water sources. To talk to Na'val, you often have to clear nearby RDA pollution first. This is a recurring theme in Frontiers of Pandora. If the environment is brown and dead, the NPCs won't give you the time of day. They’re busy mourning the land.
- Check your map for the "Zeswa" icons.
- Look for a Na'vi standing near water, usually holding a spear or tending to a Zakru.
- Ensure the "Pollution Level" in the immediate area is "Low" or "None."
Why Can't I Talk to Na'val?
This is where people get annoyed. You find the character, you’re standing right there, and... nothing. No prompt. No dialogue.
There are three main reasons this happens. First, you might be in the middle of another "Active" quest that locks out certain NPCs. Second, you might haven't reached the specific Favor level required with the Zeswa. Third—and this is the most common—you haven't completed the "Songs of the Ancestors" quest that introduces the deeper spiritual mechanics of the clan.
You've got to earn their trust. The Zeswa are proud. They don't just share their secrets about the water and the Zakru with any random Sarentu who walks out of a cryo-pod.
The Role of the Zakru
Everything with Na'val circles back to the Zakru. To truly enter phase diving and talk to Na'val, you have to understand the symbiotic relationship between the water and these giants. The Zakru produce a substance that affects the local flora. Sometimes, Na'val will ask you to retrieve something from the "Deep Pools." This is where your diving skills are put to the test.
If you’re struggling to stay down long enough to find what Na'val wants, look for the Daphillea plants. These are those glowing, bulbous underwater plants. Interacting with them refills your oxygen meter. It’s a literal lifesaver. Without using these, "phase diving" becomes a race against a red flashing screen that you will probably lose.
Improving Your Diving Performance
If you want to make the process of talking to Na'val easier, you should focus on your gear. Look for gear mods that specifically mention "Swim Speed" or "Breath Duration."
I know, I know. You want to focus on damage and health. But Pandora is about exploration. If you can’t reach the bottom of the lake, you’re missing out on some of the best crafting materials in the game, like the superior quality Diving Weed or Water Lily Seeds.
- Eat Food: Before heading out to see Na'val, cook a meal with Fish and Mushrooms. Certain recipes provide a "Deep Diver" buff that significantly increases your underwater time.
- Ancestor Skills: Prioritize the "Way of the Diplomat" if you want better interactions with clan members like Na'val, but for the actual diving, look into the "Survivor" tree.
- RDA Bases: Seriously, clear them. The water quality in the Upper Plains is directly tied to the nearby RDA outposts. If the water is murky, you can't see the items Na'val is asking for.
Steps to Take Right Now
If you are stuck right now, staring at the water or a silent NPC, here is exactly what you should do to fix it.
First, open your map. Is there a giant yellow circle nearby indicating an RDA mining platform? If yes, go blow it up. Na'val won't talk to you while the sky is screaming and the water is oily. It’s a lore thing, but it’s also a hard-coded mechanic.
Second, check your inventory for "Zeswa Favor." You earn this by contributing to the clan baskets found in their camps. If your favor is bottomed out, Na'val will treat you like a stranger. Toss some high-quality meat or fruit into the basket at The Circle.
Third, ensure you are actually in the "diving" state. If you are just floating on the surface, the interaction prompt for certain underwater NPCs or objects won't appear. You have to be submerged.
Navigating the Quest Bugs
Let's be real: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has its fair share of glitches. Sometimes, the option to talk to Na'val just... disappears. If you’ve cleared the pollution, you have the favor, and you’re at the right spot, try a hard reset.
- Save your game manually.
- Close the application entirely.
- Restart and fast travel to a different region (like the Kinglor Forest).
- Fast travel back to the Upper Plains.
This often resets the NPC schedules and can force the dialogue prompt to appear. It's a "classic Ubisoft" solution, but it works more often than not.
Actionable Tips for Mastery
To get the most out of your time in the Upper Plains and your interactions with characters like Na'val, keep these points in mind:
- Master the "Crouch-Swim": Don't just tap the button. Hold it to maintain depth. Use the sprint button while submerged to move faster, but watch your stamina.
- Use Na'vi Senses: Underwater, your senses highlight interactable objects in a bright blue or gold. If Na'val has sent you on a fetch quest, your senses will show you the exact "phase" or depth level you need to reach.
- Identify the Zakru Milk: Often, Na'val's dialogue triggers after you’ve interacted with the Zakru in a specific way. Look for the interaction points around the giants' legs when they are near water.
- Focus on the "Gentle Giant" Quest: This is the primary thread involving Na'val. If it’s not in your quest log, talk to the clan leaders at The Circle first.
By focusing on the environmental health of Pandora and your own character's specialized survival skills, you’ll find that interacting with the Zeswa becomes much more intuitive. Na'val isn't there to be a hurdle; they are there to teach you that the Na'vi way of life isn't just about the forest—it's about every layer of the world, from the highest floating mountain to the deepest lake bed.
Go clear those RDA outposts and get your diving gear ready. The Zeswa are waiting for you to prove you're more than just a "Sky Person" in a Na'vi body.