The Short Version: Hit Lempo Isle first to get your bearings and unlock essential services, then dive into Hiisi Isle for the main story beats, and save Paha Isle's brutal Fatui stronghold for last. Trust me—this order will save you hours of backtracking and frustration.
Getting Your Bearings: What Makes Nod-Krai Tick
When Version 6.0 'Luna I' dropped on September 10, 2025, it brought us this fascinating autonomous archipelago tucked away south of Snezhnaya. And honestly? The way they've structured these three isles is pretty brilliant from a design perspective.
Lempo Isle is your classic hub territory—think of it as base camp. Nasha Town sprawls across seven distinct areas (Nothing Passage, Eye of Kratti, Blue Amber Lake, Starsand Shoal, Barrowmoss Barrens, that wonderfully named Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop, and the main settlement). It's where you'll handle all your administrative stuff and get comfortable with the region's mechanics.
Hiisi Isle feels completely different. The Frostmoon Scions have turned this place into something mystical, centered around Frostmoon Enclave and the Light-Bathed Platform. There's a reverent quality here that the other isles lack.
Paha Isle, though? That's where things get serious. The Fatui have transformed this into a fortress, and the Kuuvahki Experimental Design Bureau isn't exactly rolling out the welcome mat.
The Ballad of the Void Moon storyline weaves through all three territories, which is why exploration order matters so much. Fun fact: the naming isn't random—'Hiisi' refers to sacred places in Finnish mythology, 'Lempo' represents spirits of both love and destruction, and 'Paha' literally means 'evil.' The developers weren't being subtle.
Lempo Isle: Your Gateway to Nod-Krai
Start Here, Thank Me Later
Look, I've seen too many players rush straight to the exciting content and then spend hours confused about basic mechanics. Don't be that person.
Your First Hour Should Include:
Beeline to the Adventurers' Guild branch—you'll need commission access
Register with Voynich Guild headquarters (this is crucial for regional authority)
Hit up the Nod-Krai Fishing Association if you're into that
Tackle 'Route I: Villains' Row Challenge' to gauge the combat difficulty
Then Hit the Workshop District: The Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop isn't just a cute name—it's where some serious business happens. You'll face off against Knuckle Duckle (yes, it's a mechanical duck, and yes, it's tougher than it sounds), unlock the Lightless Capital Domain, and complete 'The Stress of Changing Careers' with inventor Aino. This mission chain is surprisingly engaging, by the way.
Resource Routes Worth Your Time
Nothing Passage gives you Nocturnal Blossom, Portable Bearing, and Midsommar Berry, plus those Radiant Moonfly boss encounters that'll test your reflexes. Starsand Shoal is your go-to for Lakkaberry and Rainbowdrop Crystal farming—essential if you're planning to build Flins later.
The Eye of Kratti supplements your Frostlamp Flower collection, while Barrowmoss Barrens is basically White Iron Chunk paradise. Plus, there's one of those Borderland Shrines of Depth tucked away there.
Don't sleep on the world quests here. 'The Power of Research', 'Colors out of space', and 'Whisper Beneath the Waves' aren't just filler content—they provide crucial context for what's happening across the region. And that 'Trapped Red Seele Puzzle'? Have your elemental rotations ready.
Hiisi Isle: Where Things Get Mystical
Navigating Frostmoon Territory
This is where Nod-Krai's story really starts cooking. The Frostmoon Scions have created something genuinely atmospheric here, and there's this underlying tension because—spoiler alert—rogue Harbinger Columbina is lurking around somewhere.
Your main objectives are straightforward but impactful: complete 'The Tale of the Gate Stone' and 'The Mirrors, the Maze, and the Tsar' to establish faction relationships. These aren't throwaway quests—they actually affect how certain NPCs interact with you later.
The Lost Mooncourt Domain here is solid for repeatable rewards, and you'll find the second Borderland Shrine of Depth at Light-Bathed Platform. But honestly? The real prize is establishing those Moonfall Silver farming routes. This stuff is Hiisi-exclusive and you'll need tons of it.
Character-wise, Lauma (5-Star Dendro Catalyst) represents the Frostmoon Scions beautifully. Her 'Lunar-Bloom' reaction mechanics are fascinating—they accumulate 'Verdant Dew' that translates into serious burst damage. The viewpoints 'Moon-Bathed Courtyard' and 'Pilgrimage to the Moon' aren't just pretty screenshots, either. They're legitimate navigation aids.
Paha Isle: The Real Challenge
Prepare for War
I'm not exaggerating when I say you need Adventure Rank 45+ for this place. The Fatui forces operating under the 'Palestar Edict' don't mess around, and if you're underleveled, you're going to have a bad time.
The stealth sections through those steel walkways and energy cores require actual skill—this isn't just crouch and hope for the best gameplay. And there's a very real possibility you'll face Harbinger Sandrone, so... yeah. Bring your A-team.
Kuuvahki Experimental Design Bureau houses the Frostladen Machinery Domain, and the world quests here ('The Shoemaker's Children Go Barefoot' and 'Drifting Towards a Promised Sky') are genuinely challenging. The variety is impressive: Surrounding Waters throws naval combat at you, Low Altitude Airspace tests your aerial navigation, and Route III: Heavy Metal is exactly what it sounds like—mechanized mayhem.
Final Night Cemetery sounds ominous because it is. Third Borderland Shrine of Depth, premium Frostlamp Flower farming, and character Flins (5-Star Electro gravekeeper) with his 'Lunar-Charged' damage mechanics. This guy hits different—literally.
Head-to-Head: Which Isle Wins What?
Time Investment Reality Check
Lempo Isle: 8-12 hours if you're thorough, moderate difficulty (AR 35+ recommended). Expect mechanical puzzles and reasonable combat encounters. Rewards include regional access and character Aino—solid investment.
Hiisi Isle: 6-10 hours, but the difficulty ramps up (AR 40+ strongly suggested). Heavy on lore and faction diplomacy. Moonfall Silver farming and character Lauma make this worthwhile beyond the story.
Paha Isle: 10-15 hours of genuinely challenging content (AR 45+ non-negotiable). Stealth sections and elite combat encounters. The endgame materials and character Flins justify the time investment, but this isn't casual content.
Resource Economics
Lempo's bread and butter: Nocturnal Blossom, Portable Bearing, Midsommar Berry, Lakkaberry, plus general crafting materials. Solid foundation stuff.
Hiisi's exclusives: Moonfall Silver is the big draw here—you literally can't get this anywhere else. The mystical enhancement materials are gravy.
Paha's premium goods: Advanced Frostlamp Flowers, industrial components, and those endgame ascension materials that make the difficulty worthwhile.
Boss progression makes sense too. Lempo introduces you to regional mechanics with Knuckle Duckle and Radiant Moonfly. Hiisi tests your elemental understanding. Paha throws elite Fatui forces and potential Harbinger fights at you.
The Smart Exploration Strategy
Phase 1: Lempo Foundation Building Get your services established in Nasha Town. Register with both guilds, unlock Aino's workshop, and learn how this region actually works. Rushing past this is a mistake I see constantly.
Phase 2: Hiisi Narrative Development Build those Frostmoon Scions relationships and push the 'Ballad of the Void Moon' forward. Stock up on Moonfall Silver while you're here—you'll thank me later.
Phase 3: Paha Endgame Execution Master the stealth mechanics, solve those industrial puzzles, and wrap up the story. This is where everything comes together.
Alternative approaches exist—speedrunners focus on waypoint unlocking first, material farmers rotate based on character needs, story enthusiasts follow main quest progression religiously. But for most players? The three-phase approach works best.
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Team Building and Preparation
The Exploration Dream Team
Core composition: Anemo character for puzzle solving and traversal, Geo character for terrain navigation, Electro character for kuuvahki mechanisms, plus one flexible slot for isle-specific needs.
Version 6.0 bumped the level cap from 90 to 100, which requires 'Masterless Stella Fortuna' resources. Level 90-95 needs one, Level 95-100 needs two—that's three total per character. Plan accordingly.
Essential tools: Craft that Nod-Krai treasure compass through Meeting Points reputation ASAP. Use Resonance Stones for regional Oculi, and keep an interactive map handy for collectibles.
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Meeting Points: Your Reputation Matters
This system rewards area progression with special compass access, character mini-storylines, exclusive crafting blueprints, and achievement bonuses. Prioritize reputation activities during initial exploration—the compass alone justifies early investment.
100% exploration checklist: All treasure chests, complete Oculi collection, waypoint and Statue activation, time trial completion, Seelie guidance, and domain unlocking. Each waypoint provides 50 Adventure EXP and 5 Primogems—it adds up.
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Your Burning Questions, Answered
Which isle should beginners tackle first? Lempo Isle, no question. The Adventurers' Guild, Voynich Guild registration, and crafting facilities are essential. Those seven sub-areas offer perfect difficulty scaling for learning regional mechanics.
How much time are we talking for complete exploration? 24-37 hours total across all three isles. Lempo takes 8-12 hours, Hiisi needs 6-10 hours, and Paha demands 10-15 hours if you're doing everything.
What materials are actually worth farming? Lempo: Nocturnal Blossom, Portable Bearing, White Iron Chunks. Hiisi: Moonfall Silver exclusively—you can't get this anywhere else. Paha: Rare Frostlamp Flowers and advanced industrial components.
Best characters for exploration? Anemo for traversal and puzzles, Geo for terrain navigation, Electro for kuuvahki mechanisms. The new characters—Aino (4-Star Hydro), Lauma (5-Star Dendro), Flins (5-Star Electro)—offer territorial advantages that make exploration smoother.
How important is Meeting Points reputation? Extremely. It unlocks treasure detection tools, character materials, and exclusive crafting options. Early reputation investment pays dividends throughout your exploration journey.
What do I need before attempting Paha Isle? Adventure Rank 45+ with well-developed characters, comfort with stealth mechanics, diverse elemental coverage, and stockpiled healing items. The elite Fatui encounters don't forgive poor preparation.