Malevich Prime Ice Construct Quest is a world quest in Genshin Impact set in Snezhnaya, the frozen nation added in Version 7.0. It involves an NPC named Malevich who needs your help using the Prime Ice Construct system — Snezhnaya’s signature exploration building mechanic powered by the Eye of Graeae gadget. Whether Malevich needs a platform built, a path cleared, or a specific construct placed in just the right spot, this guide covers everything you need to know to unlock, find, and complete this quest for all its chest rewards.
TL;DR
- Malevich Prime Ice Construct Quest is a Snezhnaya world quest in Genshin Impact Version 7.0.
- You need the Eye of Graeae gadget and Kresnik Energy to build Prime Ice Constructs.
- Unlock Snezhnaya by completing Archon Quest Prologue: Act III first, then progress through Gunfire in the Silent Lands.
- Use the correct Prime Ice Construct type based on what Malevich describes needing.
- Completing the quest rewards Primogems, Mora, Adventure EXP, and character upgrade materials.
What Is the Malevich Prime Ice Construct Quest?
Snezhnaya’s world quests frequently centre around the region’s unique Prime Ice Construct mechanic — a building system that lets you place physical structures in the open world using Kresnik Energy stored in the Eye of Graeae gadget. These constructs range from portable heat sources and teleport mechanisms to launch platforms and grappling guns, and many of Snezhnaya’s hidden quests ask you to use one or more of them to solve a specific problem for an NPC.
The Malevich quest follows this same format. Malevich is a Snezhnayan NPC who has a situation that requires you to build or use a Prime Ice Construct to help resolve it. The exact nature of the challenge — whether it involves warming a cold spot, reaching an elevated area, or clearing a blocked path — becomes clear once you find Malevich and speak to them in the field.
If you have already completed the Locked Door Quest or explored the Hide-and-Seek Jack Frosts quest inside the House of Hesperides, you are already familiar with how dismantling and building constructs works in Snezhnaya. The Malevich quest uses these same skills out in the open world.
How to Unlock the Malevich Quest
Step 1 – Reach Snezhnaya
Complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III – Song of the Dragon and Freedom. This is the only story requirement. Once done, a Teleport Waypoint in Snezhnaya unlocks on your map automatically. You can fast-travel directly there without needing to walk through Nod-Krai or any other region first.
Step 2 – Get the Eye of Graeae
When you first arrive in Snezhnaya, you receive the Eye of Graeae gadget automatically during the opening sequence. The Eye of Graeae is essential for this quest — without it, you cannot build any Prime Ice Constructs. It also protects you from the Bitter Cold that drains your HP over time in Snezhnaya’s icefields.
To build constructs, you need two things:
- Prime Ice – the physical material collected from the environment in Snezhnaya
- Kresnik Energy – the Eye of Graeae’s energy resource, refilled at Mini Kresnik Torches or by breaking Kresnik Kristall Ores
If either resource is depleted, the build option will be greyed out. Check both before starting any quest that requires placing constructs.
Step 3 – Unlock World Quests by Progressing the Archon Quest
Most of Snezhnaya’s world quests — including the Malevich quest — only activate after you advance through Archon Quest Chapter VII: Act I – Everwinter Without Mercy and complete the sub-quest Gunfire in the Silent Lands. Until you clear that checkpoint, many quests in the region remain locked.
Where to Find Malevich
Malevich is a Snezhnayan NPC located somewhere in the icefields or settlements of Snezhnaya. Based on the naming convention and the type of quest, Malevich is most likely found in one of the region’s smaller locations such as Morepesok, Glupov, Kvasnik, or in the Everfrozen Earth zone around Snezhnograd.
To find Malevich:
- Open your Snezhnaya Adventure Journal. This tracker records all available content in the region and can help you navigate directly to quest-relevant locations. If the Malevich quest is active, the journal will mark the objective.
- Look for an NPC with a quest indicator above their head as you walk through Snezhnayan settlements. Some quests trigger automatically when you enter the right zone, so walk slowly through village areas.
- Check the surrounding area of each Teleport Waypoint in Snezhnaya’s smaller zones. Hidden NPCs often appear near waypoints without an obvious map marker until you are close enough to trigger them.
How to Complete the Malevich Prime Ice Construct Quest
Step 1 – Talk to Malevich and Learn the Problem
When you find Malevich and interact with them, they will explain their situation through dialogue. Listen carefully — what they describe directly maps to the specific construct type you need. The key questions to note are:
- Do they mention being cold or needing warmth? → Basic Heat Source
- Do they mention needing to reach somewhere higher? → Launching Platform or Cube
- Do they mention a blocked path or wall? → Link Mechanism or Grappling Gun
- Do they mention needing to pull or hook onto something? → Grappling Gun
- Do they need to store or retrieve an item? → Storage Device
Do not skip through Malevich’s dialogue quickly. The clue about which construct to use is always in what the NPC says.
Step 2 – Open the Prime Ice Construct Menu
Equip the Eye of Graeae in your gadget slot, then press the exploration interaction button to open the Prime Ice Construct interface. The controls differ by platform:
- PC: Press T
- PlayStation: L1 + Square
- Xbox: LB + X
Browse the available constructs in the interface and select the one that matches Malevich’s described need. Make sure you have enough Prime Ice for the chosen construct type before placing it — the cost is shown in the interface next to each construct name.
Step 3 – Place the Construct in the Right Spot
Position the construct where the game’s indicator turns green. A green indicator means the placement is valid and the construct will function correctly. A red indicator means the spot is blocked or invalid — move slightly and try again.
Some constructs require precise placement relative to an existing anchor point or mechanism in the environment. If the construct does not seem to be connecting or activating, check whether there is an existing fixture nearby it needs to link to — the Link Mechanism, for example, must connect with another Link Mechanism already in the area to create a portal pair.
Step 4 – Confirm the Construct Is Working
Once placed, interact with the construct or observe the environment for the expected result. If you built a Basic Heat Source, the Bitter Cold in the immediate area should diminish. If you built a Launching Platform, you should be able to activate it to launch upward. If the construct does not produce the expected effect, try adjusting placement slightly — even a small repositioning can fix an invalid connection.
Step 5 – Return to Malevich
Once the construct is active and the quest objective updates, go back to Malevich for the follow-up dialogue. Most Snezhnayan world quests of this type conclude with a short conversation confirming the problem is resolved, followed by the quest completing and rewards distributing to your inventory.
All Nine Prime Ice Constructs Explained
Knowing all nine construct types helps you recognise which one Malevich’s quest needs. Here is the full list as of Version 7.0:
- Cube – raises objects, blocks movement, blocks guards’ line of sight, and serves as a climbable step to reach higher ground
- Basic Heat Source – generates local warmth; melts certain ice barriers and slows Bitter Cold buildup for nearby players
- Link Mechanism – creates a paired portal; entering one exits at the other, enabling teleportation across short distances or through walls
- Grappling Gun – fires a hook at anchor points to pull or destroy specific objects, or to traverse gaps by swinging
- Launching Platform – creates a launch pad that sends you or objects airborne to reach elevated terrain or high platforms
- Storage Device – stores or picks up items; shared across players in co-op worlds to exchange goods
- Ambient Bollard – provides exploration buffs depending on placement location; useful for boosting movement or combat in specific spots
- Sign: Icon – leaves a visible icon marker for other players exploring Snezhnaya in their own world
- Sign: Text – leaves a written message for other players to read
How to Manage Prime Ice Constructs
If you place a construct incorrectly during the quest, or another player’s construct is interfering with your progress, you can remove constructs at any time. Open your map and press the Manage Prime Ice Constructs toggle at the bottom of the screen. You can then:
- Choose a specific construct and press Remove to dismantle it individually
- Use the “Prime Ice Construct in the current scene” button to mass-delete everything in the current area
You can also remove constructs from the build menu by hovering over the placed construct and selecting the dismantle option directly.
Malevich Quest Rewards
Completing the Malevich Prime Ice Construct Quest gives you standard Snezhnaya world quest rewards:
- Primogems – the main currency for Wishes on character and weapon banners
- Mora – used for leveling up characters, weapons, and talents
- Adventure EXP – raises your Adventure Rank
- Hero’s Wit – character EXP books for leveling your roster
- Mystic Enhancement Ore – weapon EXP material
The quest also contributes toward your Snezhnaya Adventure Journal completion, which tracks all regional activities and provides bonus rewards as you fill it out.
Tips for Prime Ice Construct Quests in Snezhnaya
Keep Your Kresnik Energy Full at All Times
Running out of Eye of Graeae energy mid-quest means you cannot build until you refill. Before approaching any NPC for a Prime Ice Construct quest, stop at a Mini Kresnik Torch to top off. A full gauge ensures you can place your construct immediately without having to backtrack for refills.
Read the NPC Dialogue Carefully
Every Prime Ice Construct quest in Snezhnaya gives you the answer to what construct you need through the NPC’s words. If Malevich says they are cold, the answer is a heat source. If they say they cannot reach something, the answer involves elevation. Rushing past dialogue is the most common reason players struggle with these quests.
Check the Construct Cap
Each construct type has a limit on how many can be placed at once. If the build option is greyed out and you have enough Prime Ice and energy, you may have already hit the cap for that construct type in the current area. Remove an existing one from the area using the Manage Prime Ice Constructs map toggle to free up a slot.
Use the Snezhnaya Adventure Journal to Track Progress
If you cannot find Malevich or are unsure which quest objective to work on next, open the Snezhnaya Adventure Journal. It shows a full list of available content in the region, marks quest locations on the map, and lets you fast-travel directly to objectives with one tap.
Other Snezhnaya Quest and Exploration Guides
- Locked Door Quest: Key of Ancient Design Guide
- Hide-and-Seek Jack Frosts Quest Guide
- All House of Hesperides Challenges Guide
- Jack Frost Train Puzzle Guide
- Yarina Prime Ice Construct Quest Guide
- Shadow Wingdrop Guide
- Excitement-Loving Jack Frost Challenge Guide
- Dizzy Jack Frost Quest Guide
- Pioneers Quest Walkthrough in Genshin Impact
- How to Explore the Facility Interior in Genshin Impact
- Qiqi Stellar-Conduct Build
- Raiden Shogun – top Electro for Stellar-Conduct and Polestar Field reactions
- Kaedehara Kazuha – great Anemo support for any Snezhnayan team
- Zhongli – best shielder for Snezhnaya’s Bitter Cold and combat
- Fischl – reliable off-field Electro for Stellar-Conduct setups
- Tartaglia – native Snezhnayan DPS and Hydro carry
- Bennett – best Pyro support and healer for Snezhnaya exploration
- Hu Tao – strong Pyro DPS for any Snezhnayan combat encounter
- Yelan – solid off-field Hydro support
- Furina – excellent Hydro character for reaction compositions
- Neuvillette – high-damage Hydro DPS for Snezhnayan exploration teams
Where to Play Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is free to play across all major platforms. Download it from the official Genshin Impact website, on Android via Google Play, on iOS via the App Store, on PlayStation, on Epic Games Store for PC, and on Xbox.
