All Sol Valley Upgrade Shrines in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Once you’ve obtained the three elemental weapons in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, you can power them up by exploring the game’s desert area, Sol Valley. Hidden throughout this vast landscape are six underground shrines, each one enhancing a different elemental weapon. You’ll also find three shrines on the surface that give the Vi-O-La motorcycle’s Boost ability an extra charge. This guide will show you the location of every shrine in Sol Valley.

All Elemental Upgrades Shrines in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Upgrade Shrines Explained:

In Metroid Prime 4, each of the game’s weapons has two upgrade shrines dedicated to it. No matter which shrine you find first for a specific weapon, the upgrades always happen in the same order: you’ll first unlock the Charged Shot, and then the Super Shot.

Okay, so getting your first elemental weapon isn’t the end of the road! You can’t just wander into any old desert area. Each shrine is protected by something called an Elemental Blocker, meaning you need the right weapon to even get inside. The good news is each shrine has a really useful upgrade – either a Missile Expansion, Shot Expansion, or Energy Tank. I’ve put together a guide showing exactly where to find each shrine, how to beat the puzzle inside to get the upgrade, and where to find that sweet expansion item. It’s going to be a huge help!

All Fire Shot Upgrade Shrine in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Rings of Stone Shrine Solution – Fire Shot Upgrade:

Blocker Type: Ice Blocker
Expansion Item: Shot Expansion

Once you’ve used the Ice Shot to break the ice barrier blocking the elevator, you’ll go down into a simple-looking shrine. At the far end of the room, use your Psychic Visor to reveal a large, circular structure built into the floor.

If you scan the object completely, it will activate, lift off the ground, and start spinning. You’ll notice three rings rotating around a central object.

Use the Psychic Charge Beam to slow time and easily destroy the target in the center.

This will turn the rings into an elevator that leads down to the upgrade item.

To get the Shot Expansion, face away from the statue with the Upgrade Item and Exit, then look up at the ceiling while in scan mode. You’ll notice purple Psychic Energy flowing from a small opening. Use your Psychic Charge Beam to hit the target inside that opening. This will reveal a small tunnel behind the statue, and that tunnel contains the Shot Expansion.

Ladder of Thought Shrine Solution – Fire Shot Upgrade:

Blocker Type: None
Expansion Item: Energy Tank

The Ladder of Thought shrine has a straightforward puzzle. You’ll use two platforms with special nodes that Samus can grab onto. Jump to one platform, then raise the other, and repeat this process to climb up. Once you reach the top platform, the upgrade you’re looking for is right through the nearby door.

To find the Energy Tank, look for a hidden slot in the wall near the door to the upper platform. You’ll need to use your Fire Shot to burn away some webbing and uncover it.

All Ice Shot Upgrade Shrines in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Source of Spring Shrine – Ice Shot Upgrade:

Elemental Blocker Type: None
Expansion Item: Missile Expansion

To complete the Source of Spring Shrine, you’ll need the Ice Shot ability to freeze water. Inside the main room, you’ll find three pipes with water flowing from them. A platform is positioned under the middle pipe. To progress, freeze the pipes on the left and right sides, directing all the water through the center pipe and lowering the platform.

After the platform descends, you’ll find the entrance to the upgrade room. You can see the Missile Expansion behind a gate on the lower level. To the right of that gate, where a waterfall hits the ground, is a hidden opening. This opening, concealed by the water, leads to the chamber containing the Missile Expansion.

Floating Path Shrine Solution – Ice Shot Upgrade:

Elemental Blocker Type: Thunder Blocker
Expansion Item: Shot Expansion

To get into the Floating Path Shrine, Samus needs the Thunder Shot. The entrance is sealed by a Thunder Blocker that can only be deactivated with this weapon.

When you reach the central room of the shrine, you’ll notice two glowing nodes on stands. To cross the gap, carefully place each node into the platforms as they extend, one after the other.

Once you’ve finished, grab one of the nodes and put it in the door, then pull it down to open the way to the upgrade chamber.

To unlock the Shot Expansion, bring one of the Psychic Nodes down to the lower level and place it into the slot behind the statue. This will open a small room where you can find the expansion.

All Thunder Shot Upgrade Shrines in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Ring of Thunder Shrine Solution – Thunder Shot Upgrade:

Elemental Blocker Type: None
Expansion Item: Energy Tank

Before going into the Ring of Thunder shrine—which doesn’t require any special elemental power to open—go around to the back and use your Psychic Visor. This will reveal a hidden room containing an Energy Tank.

In the center of the shrine, you’ll find a circle of pillars. Using your Psychic Visor, you can identify two that you can interact with. Lift both of these pillars to reveal the conductive parts. Then, fire a Thunder Shot at any of the pillars – this will create an electrical arc around the entire circle, and an elevator will appear, leading you down to the upgrade chamber.

Falling Labyrinth Shrine Solution – Thunder Shot Upgrade:

Elemental Blocker Type: Thunder Blocker
Expansion Item: Shot Expansion

To enter the Falling Labyrinth shrine, you’ll need the Thunder Shot. Once inside, go through the first door and into the room with the Spinner in the middle. Use Psychic Boost on the Spinner to make a hidden point appear.

Place the Psychic Node into the circular opening in the ceiling above you. This will cause a large track for the Psychic Spider Ball to appear on the walls and ceiling.

To figure out the easiest way to climb, start by following the path downwards from the exit back to the beginning. This will show you the best place to start your climb. After you reach the opening in the ceiling, just open the door to get to the upgrade room.

To find the Shot Expansion, go down to the lowest level and search for a small, round opening in the base of the main structure. The expansion is located inside that opening.

All Vi-O-La Boost Upgrades in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Three Motorcycle Boost Charge Upgrades:

Sol Valley has three Vi-O-La Boost Tanks hidden around the area. To get each one, Samus needs to first defeat an Elemental Blocker. Here’s where to find them:

Western Boost Tank Shrine Location:

The shrine that upgrades your Boost Tank (the western one) is conveniently located in Sol Valley, between Volt Forge and Fury Green. It’s on a raised rock platform, like the other shrines, so you’ll need to jump to reach it. Some jumps are easy, but others might require Psychic Boots or a jump from a nearby smaller rock.

The Western Boost Tank shrine is locked with a Fire Blocker.

Eastern Boost Tank Shrine Location:

You can find the Eastern Boost Tank upgrade shrine southeast of the eastern G.F. Debris field. Alternatively, if you go north from the Source of Spring shrine, you’ll soon reach the plateau where it’s located.

The Eastern shrine is locked with an Ice Blocker.

Chrono Tower Boost Tank Shrine Location:

The last Boost Tank upgrade is located southwest of Chrono Tower, just beyond the force field around it. You’ll find it on top of a flat, rock plateau.

The Chrono Tower shrine is locked with a Thunder Blocker.

2025-12-10 22:06