Stepping into Ardravi Valley feels like walking onto the set of an ancient sci-fi epic. That colossal, dormant Ruin Guard looming over the landscape? Absolutely breathtaking. Seriously, it’s impossible not feel tiny standing beneath it. A silent giant, a relic of the Cataclysm 500 years past, just presiding over this vibrant, thriving valley. Life, somehow, finds a way around the remnants of destruction. Sumeru isn’t like Mondstadt or Liyue, traveler. Exploration here demands gadgets, puzzle-solving grit, and the patience to tackle health-draining Withering Zones. Those sneaky Dendroculus? Oh, they love playing hide-and-seek! Finding all 30 in Ardravi Valley alone is a marathon, not a sprint. Trust me, I learned the hard way! But fear not, fellow explorer, this guide maps every single one. Buckle up!

🗺️ Starting Point: Vimara Village Teleport

Hit that Vimara Village waypoint. Immediately head east! That first Dendroculus is teasing you up the mountain to your left. Follow the path leading to an underpass – spot that gear on the left? The glowing green prize is right beside it. Easy peasy! Now, the real fun begins. Go straight inside that cave up ahead. See that submerged Dendroculus? Yeah, it’s underwater, locked behind a puzzle. Don’t sweat if you haven’t unlocked it! Here’s my hot tip: Glide over from a height and plunge straight down. You’ll snag it mid-plunge! Genius, right?

Leaving that cave? Pure agony. Teleporting back to Vimara Village and running back is sadly the smarter move. Once you reach the location near the cave exit, scan the treetops at the area's edge. Yep, another Dendroculus chilling high up! Feeling lazy? You can actually grab the next one first by running up the mountain directly from Vimara. It’s perched precariously on a cliff edge, hidden. Whip out that Vintage Lyre and play the Rhythm of the Beastly Trail. Poof! It reveals itself like magic. ✨

From here, pivot right towards the Aeonlight Drake boss icon. Don’t go all the way! On a humble hut just before the boss marker sits your next target. Got it? Great! Now, face the mountain dead ahead and scale it towards the map’s edge. Uh-oh, barrier! This Dendroculus is locked inside. Grab a Dendrogranum nearby and shoot the floating targets to break the seal. Liberate that Oculus!

Double back towards the mountain edge. Look down! Another one is casually lounging atop a tree near the sheer drop. Seriously, who placed these?! Now, spin around. Head up the mountain behind you, back towards the map edge. Another barrier?! This time, pesky Whopperflowers are guarding it. ⚔️ Clear them out, watch the barrier vanish, and claim your reward. Phew!

⚙️ Devantaka Mountain & The Colossus

Things get epic near the giant. Teleport southeast of Devantaka Mountain. Head right, up the slopes (use Dendro Sigils if lazy like me!). At the very peak, an Eremite warrior is chilling near a tree. The Dendroculus? Right above him on the branches. Subtle.

Back to the same waypoint! Glide left across the mountain. Mid-glide, near the shore, drop down onto a specific tree at the bottom. Spot the barrier? Lyre time again! Play Rhythm of the Beastly Trail to free this trapped Oculus. Feels good unlocking secrets.

🌳 Western Ardravi Valley - Vimara & Beyond

Port Ormos offers surprises too! Teleport to the top of Port Ormos and glide south. Spot a building? The Dendroculus is tucked inside a tree right next to it. Sneaky! From there, glide back up and fly across to the mountain before the water. Look for a massive gear – your prize is proudly displayed on top.

Feeling aquatic? Dive into the water in the port's center. Don’t have Mona or Ayaka? Grab a Dendro Sigil lift nearby. The Dendroculus is just floating on the surface. Easy! Next, swim east right next to the shoreline’s fallen Ruin Guard. Another one waiting there.

Okay, back to the giant! Teleport to the Statue of Seven at Devantaka Mountain. Glide south to find a Dendroculus nestled cozily in a tree trunk. Now, the real challenge: the Ruin Guard itself.

1. The Arm's Hidden Nook: Climb the colossal arm. Glide off the left side of its pointer finger. It’s wedged in the bracket between the finger and knuckle. Took me ages to spot this!

2. Underneath the Arm: Descend underneath the arm. More Ruin Machines? Deal with them first. The Dendroculus is hiding down there.

3. The Eye of the Giant: This one’s dramatic. Climb ALL the way to the very top of its head. Don't glide from the statue or arm – it won't work! From the head, glide down directly into its massive eye socket. The Dendroculus floats right in the center. Pure cinematic loot!

4. The Canyon Gear: From the head or statue, glide into the valley below. A huge gear sits in the canyon's heart – your target is perched right on top.

🔍 Quest-Locked Secrets

Two final Dendroculus demand progress in the Vimana Agama World Quest. Annoying, but worth it!

1. Deep in the Cave: As you delve deep underground during the quest, you’ll reach a massive cavern’s end. A huge gear dominates the space. See the camp below with a bouncy mushroom? ⚡ Zap it with Electro, launch up, and grab the Dendroculus floating above the gear.

2. Cave Entrance Past Vimara: The very last one! It’s chilling near the entrance of a cave just past Vimara Village, accessible during the quest’s progression.

Whew! 30 Dendroculus collected. The valley’s secrets laid bare. Honestly, navigating Ardravi Valley’s verticality and puzzles was both frustrating and exhilarating. The sheer scale, especially around the Ruin Guard, constantly left me awestruck. Those barrier puzzles? Maddening! That underwater snag? Pure panic. But finding each Oculus felt like a genuine triumph.

Standing atop that ancient Ruin Guard’s head, looking out over Ardravi Valley, I couldn’t help but wonder… what if it did wake up? Imagine seeing that colossal frame slowly rise, gears grinding after centuries of silence, its single eye glowing with renewed power – not as a foe, but as a guardian of Sumeru’s lush landscapes. A dream, maybe. But in Teyvat, stranger things have happened! That’s the magic of this place – history sleeping beneath your feet, begging to be explored, one glowing green orb at a time. 💚