You’re running around Natlan, hunting those glowing chests, and honestly, the drop rates for the Genshin Impact Obsidian Codex fragments feel personal. It’s frustrating. You need those rings to get into the Secret Room of each tribe, but the game doesn't exactly hold your hand through the process. Most players just assume it's a random slog. It isn't. Well, it's mostly random, but there is a logic to the madness that people keep missing because they’re too busy staring at the scenery in the Basin of Unnumbered Flames.
What is the Genshin Impact Obsidian Codex exactly?
Basically, the Obsidian Codex is a collection of quest-item fragments unique to the Natlan region. They come in three distinct "flavors" tied to the major tribes: the Children of Echoes (Green), the People of the Springs (Yellow), and the Scions of the Canopy (Turquoise). You need three fragments of a specific color to craft a single Ring.
Why do you care? Because without these rings, you aren't getting into the Sanctums. Those rooms are packed with high-tier rewards, including the Sanctifying Elixir, which is basically the holy grail for anyone tired of getting "DEF %" on their double-crit artifacts.
The brutal reality of the drop rates
Don't listen to the people who say they got a full set in ten minutes. They’re lying or incredibly lucky. These fragments only drop from Precious and Luxurious Chests within the specific borders of each tribe's territory.
If you’re hunting the Green Obsidian Codex fragments, you have to be within the "canyon" areas belonging to the Children of Echoes. If you wander five feet into the People of the Springs' territory and open a Luxurious chest, you’re getting a Yellow fragment, not a Green one. It sounds simple, but the borders in Natlan are messy. Players often waste their limited high-tier chests in the wrong zones and then wonder why they can't finish their Green ring.
HoYoverse didn't put these in Common or Exquisite chests. That’s the kicker. Since Precious and Luxurious chests are finite, you actually have a limited "budget" of chances to find these fragments. If you clear the map and still don't have enough? You’re stuck waiting for future patches or hidden world quests that spawn new chests.
Where Most Players Mess Up the Search
The biggest mistake is ignoring the "Area" name on the mini-map.
Let's look at the Genshin Impact Obsidian Codex for the Scions of the Canopy. Their territory is vertical. It’s all about those grappling hooks and Saurian leaps. If you’re opening chests in the Tequemecan Valley, you’re looking for Turquoise fragments. If you’ve already cleared the obvious puzzles, you need to look for the "hidden-in-plain-sight" Luxurious chests, like the one tucked behind the waterfall near the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
- Green Fragments: Find these in the Sulphurous Veins area.
- Yellow Fragments: Stick to the Toyac Springs.
- Turquoise Fragments: Scour the Tequemecan Valley.
It's not just about finding any chest. It's about finding the right tier of chest in the right postal code. Honestly, if you’re at 98% exploration and still missing a fragment, you’ve probably missed one of the Natlan Shrines of Depths. Those chests are guaranteed high-tier, making them the most reliable source for a missing Codex piece.
Using the Rings and the Secret Rooms
Once you’ve somehow managed to scrape together three fragments of one color, they automatically (or via the inventory) merge into a Ring. These rings are keys.
Take the People of the Springs. Their Secret Room is tucked away under a cliffside that most people glide right past. Inside, you aren't just getting primogems. You’re getting the specific artifact sets introduced in Version 5.0, like the Obsidian Codex artifact set (which, confusingly, shares the name but is a different thing entirely) and the Scroll of the Hero of Cinder City.
The "Obsidian Codex" artifact set itself is a beast for Natlan characters like Mualani or Kinich. It gives a massive Crit Rate boost when the wearer is in the Nightsoul Blessing state. This is why the fragments matter so much; the Secret Rooms provide the high-value pieces you need to actually build these characters without spending three months in a domain.
Is there a "pity" system for fragments?
Genshin players love talking about "pity." Unfortunately, for the Genshin Impact Obsidian Codex fragments, there is no official word from HoYoverse about a guaranteed drop. However, anecdotal evidence from the community—and my own testing—suggests that the drop rate is roughly 30-50% per Precious/Luxurious chest.
If you open five Luxurious chests and don't get a fragment, you’re experiencing a statistical anomaly. Most people finish their rings well before they run out of chests in a region. If you’re struggling, you likely haven't unlocked the "hidden" chests tied to long World Quest chains like "Between Pledge and Forgettance." These quests unlock entire sub-areas with multiple Luxurious chests that are almost guaranteed to drop what you need.
The "Obsidian Codex" Artifact Set vs. The Quest Items
Don't get them mixed up. It's a bit of a naming nightmare.
- Obsidian Codex (Quest Items): The fragments and rings used to unlock tribe vaults.
- Obsidian Codex (Artifact Set): The 2-piece/4-piece gear that buffs Crit Rate and DMG.
The artifact set is essentially the "Signature" set for Natlan's cast. The 4-piece bonus provides a 40% Crit Rate increase when the character consumes Nightsoul points. That is an insane value. To get the best pieces, you need the Sanctifying Elixir found in the Secret Rooms opened by the Codex Rings. It’s a circular grind.
Actionable Next Steps for Fragment Hunters
Stop aimless wandering. It kills your efficiency and burns you out.
First, check your inventory. See which color you have the most of. If you have two Green fragments, teleport to the Children of Echoes immediately. Use an interactive map—honestly, the official HoYoLab one is fine—and filter specifically for Luxurious Chests and Shrines of Depths.
Ignore the Common chests for now. They won't help you with the Codex.
Second, prioritize the "Manas-Fed Ember" puzzles. These usually lead to a Precious chest. In Natlan, these puzzles often require you to possess a Saurian and complete a movement challenge. They are high-effort, but they have the highest probability of coughing up that final Turquoise fragment you've been hunting.
Finally, save your Sanctifying Elixir. Don't use the one you find in the Secret Room on a whim. Use the "Artifact Transmuter" to craft a piece with a guaranteed Elemental DMG bonus for whichever Natlan DPS you're maining. The Codex grind is long, but the reward is the most direct path to a "perfect" build that we've ever had in Genshin Impact.
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Go to the Toyac Springs first if you're pulling for Mualani; her power spike from the artifacts behind that door is massive. Clear the World Quests in the area before you start hunting, as many chests are phase-locked behind dialogue and cutscenes. Once those are clear, the fragments usually start falling into your lap.