Earning achievements in Guild Wars 2 not only provides a sense of accomplishment but also rewards you with valuable items and progress. This guide focuses on “A Crack in the Ice” and achieving the “Thorough Sampling” meta-achievement. Here’s how to locate all 19 chests required for completion, granting you 7 Achievement Points (AP) and 3x Frozen Exotic Weapon Fragments.
Preparing for the Hunt
Some chests, specifically #15 through #19, require the “Cold Resistance” buff to survive the harsh environment. Here’s how to obtain it:
- Gather the necessary ingredients: 10 Winterberries, 8 Frostbitten Suet, 3 Eggshells, and 1 Grawl Firestone.
- The Grawl Firestone can be purchased from the Grawl Vendor after completing the relevant renown heart quest (the heart event).
- Combine all the ingredients at the hot spring location. The buff will last until the daily reset.
Chest Locations: A Detailed Guide
Below are the locations of all 19 chests, presented with descriptions and helpful visuals.
1. Svanir Supplies
Find a lever on the right side of the building to open the door.
2. Hot Spring Depths
Swim down through the hole in the middle of the hot spring.
3. Hurler’s Hoard
Ascend the mountain near the Veteran Jotun.
4. Woomulla’s Cache
Located on top of a tree. Use the bouncing mushroom below to reach it. Note: This chest might move around to different treetops in the area.
5. Eagle Flight’s Gear
Also found on top of trees. Use the bouncing mushroom to access it. This chest may also move around.
6. Woomulla’s Supplies
Similar to the previous chests, this one is on top of trees and requires the use of a bouncing mushroom. It can also move locations.
7. Frozen Falls Stockpile
Located at the bottom of the frozen waterfall. Interact with the object to open it.
8. Grawl Supplies
Found inside the Grawl tunnels/caves.
9. Firestone Reserves
Also inside the Grawl tunnels.
10. Kodan Nest Egg
Located on top of the Kodan ship inside a cubby hole.
11. Bedside Dresser
Talk to the Quaggan named Thoorne to get a key. Swim down to one of the pods and open it to reveal the chest.
12. Dangerous Bridge Stock
Accessible via a small jumping puzzle.
13. Steam Crate
Requires another jumping puzzle, starting at the location marked by the arrow. Jump through some stone steps and a bridge. Alternatively, use the thermal tube at Blister Cauldron’s and glide from there.
14. Mushroom Trio Stash
Run south from Sorrow’s Eclipse waypoint and use the mushrooms to get up.
15. Unstable Remains (Cold Resistance Required)
Located inside the cave below the Mastery Point. This is the same cave you entered for the Bitter Cold story instance.
16. Diving Trunk (Cold Resistance Required)
Accessible after completing the dive master achievement.
17. Frozen Ledge Package (Cold Resistance Required)
Glide to it from the top diving goggles.
18. Frozen Bridge Case (Cold Resistance Required)
Located on top of an ice bridge.
19. Frozen Peak Chest (Cold Resistance Required)
You can run up to this location or glide from the mastery point location.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to find all 19 chests and complete the “Thorough Sampling” achievement in Guild Wars 2. Good luck, and happy hunting!
