Once you’ve unlocked all three elemental weapons in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the desert region of Sol Valley opens up as a treasure trove of powerful upgrades. Hidden beneath the sands are six underground shrines, each containing significant improvements to your Fire, Ice, and Thunder Shots. Plus, there are three additional above-ground shrines that boost your Vi-O-La motorcycle’s capabilities.
This guide walks you through every shrine location in Sol Valley, including puzzle solutions and how to snag the bonus expansion items tucked away inside each one.
Understanding Sol Valley Upgrade Shrines
Before diving into specific locations, here’s what you need to know about how these shrines work:
Elemental Upgrade Progression: Each elemental weapon has two dedicated shrines. No matter which shrine you visit first, the upgrade order stays consistent—you’ll always unlock the Charged Shot first, then the Super Shot on your second visit.
Elemental Blockers: You can’t just waltz into any shrine whenever you want. Each entrance is sealed with an Elemental Blocker, meaning you’ll need the corresponding weapon to even get inside. This naturally gates your progression and encourages thorough exploration.
Bonus Expansions: Every shrine contains an extra collectible—either a Missile Expansion, Shot Expansion, or Energy Tank. These are always worth tracking down for that extra edge in combat.
All Fire Shot Upgrade Shrines in Sol Valley
Rings of Stone Shrine – Fire Shot Upgrade
Blocker Type: Ice Blocker
Expansion Item: Shot Expansion
You’ll need your Ice Shot to destroy the Ice Blocker sealing the entrance elevator. Once you descend, the shrine initially looks pretty empty—but don’t be fooled.
Puzzle Solution:
- Head to the end of the room and activate your Psychic Visor
- Scan the large ringed apparatus built into the floor to make it rise and start spinning
- You’ll see three rings rotating around a central target
- Use the Psychic Charge Beam to slow time, making it easy to destroy the target in the center
- The rings will transform into an elevator leading down to your upgrade
Finding the Shot Expansion:
Stand with your back to the Upgrade Item statue and look up at the ceiling in scan mode. You’ll spot purple Psychic Energy streaming from a small opening. Use your Psychic Charge Beam to destroy the target hidden inside that chamber. This reveals a Morph Ball entrance behind the statue, leading straight to the Shot Expansion.
Ladder of Thought Shrine – Fire Shot Upgrade
Blocker Type: None
Expansion Item: Energy Tank
Good news—this shrine has no elemental blocker, so you can access it as soon as you reach Sol Valley with your Fire Shot.
Puzzle Solution:
The puzzle here is refreshingly straightforward. You’ll see two platforms, each with a Psychic Node that Samus can latch onto. Jump onto one platform, raise the other, then switch back and forth until you reach the upper platform. Cross through the door, and the upgrade altar awaits.
Finding the Energy Tank:
Near the upper platform door, look for a Morph Ball slot in the wall. It’s hidden behind webbing, so use your Fire Shot to burn it away and reveal the entrance to the Energy Tank. This is actually Energy Tank #5 from our complete Energy Tank guide!
All Ice Shot Upgrade Shrines in Sol Valley
Source of Spring Shrine – Ice Shot Upgrade
Blocker Type: None
Expansion Item: Missile Expansion
Another shrine without an elemental lock, though you’ll definitely need your Ice Shot for the puzzle inside.
Puzzle Solution:
- Enter the main chamber and observe the three pipes creating makeshift waterfalls
- Notice the platform directly below the center waterfall
- Your goal is to freeze the right and left pipes so all water flows through the center pipe only
- This concentrates the water flow, lowering the central platform
- Once lowered, the door to the upgrade chamber becomes accessible
Finding the Missile Expansion:
You’ll spot the Missile Expansion behind a gate on the ground level. Look to the right of the gate where one waterfall hits the ground. Behind the water stream is a Morph Ball slot that leads directly to the expansion chamber. For more on maximizing your missile capabilities, check out our dedicated guide.
Floating Path Shrine – Ice Shot Upgrade
Blocker Type: Thunder Blocker
Expansion Item: Shot Expansion
You’ll need your Thunder Shot to enter this shrine.
Puzzle Solution:
- Enter the main chamber and locate the two Psychic Nodes on pedestals
- Insert the nodes into the extending platforms one at a time
- Carefully work your way across the gap by moving nodes forward
- At the end, place one node in the door mechanism and pull it down like usual
- This grants access to the upgrade chamber
Finding the Shot Expansion:
Take one of the Psychic Nodes down to the lower level and insert it into the receptacle on the back of the central statue. A small chamber opens up, revealing the expansion item inside. It’s easy to miss if you don’t explore the lower area thoroughly!
All Thunder Shot Upgrade Shrines in Sol Valley
Ring of Thunder Shrine – Thunder Shot Upgrade
Blocker Type: None
Expansion Item: Energy Tank
Before even entering this shrine, walk around to the back of it. Use your Psychic Visor to unlock a hidden compartment containing an Energy Tank (this is Energy Tank #6 from our full collection guide).
Puzzle Solution:
- Inside the main chamber, you’ll see a ring of pylons
- Activate your Psychic Visor to identify which two pylons can be manipulated
- Raise both pylons so their conductive sections are exposed
- Fire a Thunder Shot into any pylon and watch the charge arc around the entire circle
- This reveals an elevator that descends to the upgrade chamber
It’s a satisfying puzzle that really showcases the interconnected nature of the Thunder Shot’s mechanics.
Falling Labyrinth Shrine – Thunder Shot Upgrade
Blocker Type: Thunder Blocker
Expansion Item: Shot Expansion
This shrine requires Thunder Shot access and features one of the more complex puzzles in Sol Valley.
Puzzle Solution:
- Make your way through the first door into the chamber with the Spinner object
- Use Psychic Boost to reveal a node within the Spinner
- Take the Psychic Node and place it in the circular grate directly above you in the ceiling
- This reveals a massive Psychic Spider Ball track covering the walls and ceiling
- Pro tip: Follow the track downward from the exit to the start—this shows you the optimal starting point
- Navigate up through the hole in the ceiling and open the door to the upgrade chamber
Finding the Shot Expansion:
Drop down to the lowest level of the shrine and search for a Morph Ball hole in the bottom of the central structure. Roll inside to claim the expansion item.
All Vi-O-La Boost Upgrades in Sol Valley
Your Vi-O-La motorcycle can receive three Boost Charge upgrades scattered around Sol Valley. Each is housed in a simple above-ground shrine locked with an elemental blocker. These upgrades significantly extend your boost duration, making desert traversal much faster.
Western Boost Tank Shrine
Location: Positioned between Volt Forge and Fury Green on Sol Valley’s western edge
Blocker Type: Fire Blocker
This shrine sits on a raised rock platform. You’ll need to either use your Psychic Boots or jump from smaller surrounding rocks to reach it. Destroy the Fire Blocker with your Fire Shot, and the Boost Tank is yours.
Eastern Boost Tank Shrine
Location: Southeast of the eastern G.F. Debris field (or directly north from the Source of Spring shrine)
Blocker Type: Ice Blocker
Another elevated plateau location. Head southeast from the debris field or north from Source of Spring to find this raised rock platform. Use your Ice Shot on the blocker to collect the upgrade.
Chrono Tower Boost Tank Shrine
Location: Southwest of Chrono Tower, just outside its force-field perimeter
Blocker Type: Thunder Blocker
The final Boost Tank sits on yet another plateau-shaped rock formation. You’ll find it southwest of Chrono Tower, conveniently close to the tower’s force-field boundary. Thunder Shot required for entry.
Tips for Shrine Hunting in Sol Valley
- Explore with all weapons unlocked: While some shrines have no blockers, having all three elemental shots gives you complete freedom to tackle shrines in any order you prefer.
- Use your Psychic Visor religiously: Many puzzle solutions and hidden expansion items only become visible with the Psychic Visor active. Scan everything!
- Mark locations on your map: Sol Valley is vast and sparse. When you spot a shrine you can’t access yet, mark it so you remember to return later.
- Don’t skip the expansion items: That extra Shot Expansion or Missile Expansion can make a real difference in tough combat scenarios.
For more help navigating Sol Valley and beyond, check out our guides on where to go after Volt Forge and collecting Scout Bots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many shrines are in Sol Valley?
There are 9 shrines total in Sol Valley: six underground elemental upgrade shrines (two for each weapon type) and three above-ground Vi-O-La Boost Tank shrines. Each elemental weapon gets progressively more powerful as you visit both of its corresponding shrines.
Can I access all shrines immediately when I reach Sol Valley?
No, you can’t access all shrines right away. While some shrines have no elemental blockers, most are sealed behind Fire, Ice, or Thunder Blockers. You’ll need to unlock all three elemental shots—Fire Shot, Ice Shot, and Thunder Shot—to access everything Sol Valley has to offer.
Does it matter which elemental shrine I visit first?
The order you visit shrines doesn’t matter for the upgrade progression. Regardless of which of the two shrines for a specific weapon you tackle first, you’ll always receive the Charged Shot upgrade first, then the Super Shot upgrade on your second visit. Visit them in whatever order makes sense for your exploration path.
Are the expansion items in shrines worth collecting?
Absolutely! Each shrine contains a valuable expansion item—either a Missile Expansion, Shot Expansion, or Energy Tank. These directly increase your combat effectiveness and survivability. The puzzles to reach them are usually quick once you know the solution, making them well worth the effort. Plus, completionists will want to grab them all anyway
With all nine Sol Valley shrines conquered, your elemental arsenal will be fully upgraded and ready to tackle Metroid Prime 4’s toughest challenges. Don’t forget to explore other areas for more collectibles like Mech Parts and Green Energy Crystals. For overall gameplay strategies, our beginner tips guide has everything you need to master Samus’s latest adventure!
