You’re wandering around Natlan, probably looking for a stray Pyroculus or just trying to figure out why the local Saurians are so obsessed with those glowing markings, and suddenly you hit a wall. Literally. Most players stumble into the Traces of Chroma Genshin questline by accident because, honestly, the game doesn't do a great job of holding your hand at the start. It’s messy. It’s colorful. It involves a lot of "wait, did I just see that wall move?"
Natlan is different. Unlike the rigid, scholarly vibe of Sumeru or the sharp, justice-focused lines of Fontaine, Natlan is built on a foundation of "Phlogiston" and ancient graffiti. If you’ve spent any time in the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, you know the people here treat art like a literal weapon and a spiritual map. This isn't just decoration. These "traces" are part of a massive, sprawling world quest series formally known as "In the Footsteps of the Chosen of Dragons." It’s a mouthful, but it’s basically the backbone of Natlan's deep lore.
What actually are the Traces of Chroma?
Basically, we're talking about a specific set of world quests that deal with the Graffiti-Marked Obsidian and the strange, iridescent residue left behind by ancient Saurian ceremonies. If you’ve seen those glowing green, blue, and orange marks on the canyon walls of the Basin of Unnumbered Flames, you're looking at the Traces of Chroma.
The quest typically kicks off when you encounter a specific Saurian or a suspicious-looking mural that looks like it was painted by a hyperactive toddler with a God complex. You aren't just cleaning up graffiti. You're uncovering the "Wayob," which are basically the ancestral spirits of the tribes. These spirits communicate through color and sound. If the colors are fading or "corrupted," the tribe loses its connection to its history.
It's deep stuff. But in terms of gameplay, it's a lot of platforming and switching between your character and your Saurian buddies.
Why everyone gets stuck at the mural puzzles
The biggest headache in the Traces of Chroma Genshin experience is the "Paint-Filled" puzzles. You’ll find yourself standing in front of a giant rock face, your Paimon-brain tingling, and zero idea what to do. Usually, the solution involves the "Indwelling" mechanic.
You have to possess a Yumkasaurus (the green ones) or a Koholasaurus (the blue ones) to interact with specific paints. For example, if you see a mural with missing pieces, you can't just slap any color on there. You have to find the specific "Chroma" droplets nearby. Sometimes they’re hidden behind breakable walls that only a Tepetlisaurus can dig through.
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It’s a multi-step process.
First, you clear the area of enemies—usually those pesky "Flowing Spirit" avatars.
Then, you look for the "Echoing Conch" or a similar catalyst.
Finally, you manipulate the Saurian's unique ability to "re-draw" the lines.
People fail these because they try to do it as the Traveler. Stop. You need the dinosaurs. The dinosaurs are the key.
The lore behind the colors: It’s not just paint
HoYoverse loves their layers. In the Traces of Chroma Genshin quests, we learn that the colors correspond to the six tribes of Natlan. Each color represents a specific "Soul Weaving" technique. When you see the vibrant orange of the Children of Echoes or the deep blue of the People of the Springs, you’re looking at the literal life force of that tribe.
The "Chroma" is actually solidified Phlogiston.
Think of it like this: Phlogiston is the gasoline of Natlan, and Chroma is the neon sign that tells you where the gas station is. When the Abyss starts creeping in—which it does, constantly—the first thing that happens is the Chroma turns grey or "voided." This is why the questline feels so urgent. If the color disappears, the memories of the heroes who died for Natlan disappear too. It’s a pretty heavy metaphor for cultural erasure, wrapped in a colorful video game quest.
Finding the hidden Graffiti-Marked Obsidians
If you’re hunting for the "Traces of Chroma" to finish your reputation tasks, you need to find the three fragments of the Obsidian.
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- The Green Fragment: Hidden in the canopy areas where the Yumkasaurus roam. You usually have to complete a "time trial" involving those grappling hooks that look like floating fruit.
- The Yellow Fragment: Tucked away in the canyons. This one is almost always guarded by a local legend or a particularly beefy group of Fatui who have no business being in Natlan but are there anyway because they love ruining everyone's day.
- The Blue Fragment: Underwater or near the hot springs. You’ll need to use the Koholasaurus to "surf" through specific rings of light.
Once you have these, you can access the "Chroma Chamber." This is where the real story beats happen, and where you get those sweet, sweet Primogems.
Common Misconceptions and Troubleshooting
I see this a lot on Reddit: "My quest is bugged, the mural won't light up!"
It’s probably not bugged. Check your "Nightsoul" meter. In Natlan, certain interactions only work if you have enough Nightsoul points, which you get by attacking things or using Saurian abilities. If your meter is empty, the Chroma won't respond to you. It's like trying to start a car with no battery.
Also, some Traces of Chroma Genshin objectives are time-gated by the "Daily Reset." If you finish one part and the next NPC doesn't show up, go find some chests and come back tomorrow. The game wants you to sit with the story, not rush through it in twenty minutes.
Another thing—don't ignore the small graffiti. You might think only the big murals matter, but the "traces" are often tiny markings on the ground that lead you to hidden caves. If you see a glowing orange paw print, follow it. It almost always leads to a "Chroma" fragment or a hidden achievement like "The Rainbow's End" or something equally poetic.
What you need to do right now
If you’re serious about clearing the Traces of Chroma Genshin content, stop wandering aimlessly.
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First, make sure you’ve completed the "Tales from the Graffiti-Marked Wall" quest. This is the unofficial prologue. If you haven't done this, half the interactive points in the world won't trigger.
Next, focus on your Saurian upgrades. The further you get in the "Chroma" questline, the more you'll need high-level mobility. The puzzles get harder. The jumps get longer. The enemies get tankier.
Actionable Steps for Completion:
- Switch to a Saurian-heavy team: Keep a character like Mualani or Kinich in your party if you have them, as they have built-in mechanics that mimic the Saurian's interaction with Chroma.
- Mark your map: Every time you see a mural that says "It looks like something is missing," pin it. You likely haven't unlocked the specific "color" required to fix it yet.
- Check the "Archive" tab: Read the descriptions of the Obsidian fragments you find. They actually give you hints about the location of the next piece. Most players skip the text, but the directions are literally right there.
- Look Up: In Natlan, the "traces" are rarely at eye level. They are on the ceilings of caves or the sides of massive cliffs. Use the Yumkasaurus's vertical leap to scan the upper ridges of the Basin.
- Clean the Corrupted Spots: If you see "dark" graffiti that looks like purple ink, use an elemental attack (preferably Pyro or Hydro depending on the environment) to see if it reveals a Chroma trace underneath.
The Traces of Chroma Genshin isn't just a quest; it's a scavenger hunt across the most vertical region we've seen yet. It’s frustrating, sure. But when you finally see that giant mural light up and the music swells, it’s easily one of the most satisfying moments in the 5.x updates. Just remember: if in doubt, turn into a dinosaur. It solves almost everything in Natlan.
Final Technical Check
Ensure your game client is updated to at least version 5.0, as the Chroma mechanics are region-locked to Natlan. If you are trying to find these traces in Sumeru or Fontaine, you're going to be looking for a very long time for something that isn't there. The "Traces of Chroma" specifically refer to the localized Phlogiston art style of the Pyro nation.
Go to the "Mural of the Secret Island" if you want the ultimate challenge in this category. It requires all the fragments and a lot of patience, but the rewards include a unique namecard and enough materials to actually level up those new Natlan weapons you've been sitting on.
Start at the "Statue of the Seven" in the Basin of Unnumbered Flames and look for the kid painting on the rock nearby. That’s your gateway. Don't overthink the puzzles; usually, the most obvious answer—like "shoot the exploding barrel next to the paint"—is the right one.