Overview
The Forbidden Mountains are a high-level endgame region introduced in the v1.1 content update of Honor of Kings: World. Located at the northeastern edge of Primaera, this zone is characterized by jagged, snow-covered peaks, narrow ridgeline paths, and ancient ruins half-buried in ice and rock. The region is home to some of the most dangerous enemies in the game and houses the Temple, widely regarded as one of the hardest endgame dungeons available at launch.
The v1.1 update, titled "Beyond the Veil," expanded the explorable world by approximately 8 square kilometers with the Forbidden Mountains. Accessing the region requires completing a prerequisite quest chain and reaching a minimum gear score, ensuring that only endgame-ready players venture into its hazardous terrain.
Geography and terrain
The Forbidden Mountains are defined by extreme verticality and environmental hazards that make traversal itself a challenge. Unlike the rolling hills of the Springbrook Plains or the forested valleys of Dragon Valley, the Forbidden Mountains demand careful navigation:
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Narrow ridgelines | many paths are barely wide enough for two players abreast, with fatal drops on either side |
Avalanche zones | certain areas trigger dynamic avalanches that force players to seek shelter in alcoves or behind boulders, or risk being swept off the mountain |
Hidden caves | the mountainside is riddled with concealed cave entrances, some of which lead to treasure caches, mini-bosses, or shortcuts between elevation levels |
Ice bridges | fragile natural ice formations span chasms between peaks; some collapse under the player's weight after a few seconds, requiring quick traversal |
Blizzard events | periodic storms reduce visibility to near zero and apply a stacking cold debuff that must be managed with warming items or shelter |
Ancient ruins
Scattered throughout the Forbidden Mountains are the remains of structures dating back to the age of the gods. These ruins predate any known mortal civilization and bear architectural similarities to the Twelve Wonders, suggesting that the mountains were once a site of divine significance. Inscriptions found on ruin walls, when translated by scholars at Jixia Academy, reference a "sealing", possibly related to the events surrounding Nuwa's sacrifice and the containment of ancient powers.
The ruins serve multiple gameplay purposes. Some contain lore collectibles that fill out the world's backstory. Others function as puzzle chambers where players must manipulate ancient mechanisms to unlock passages or reveal hidden areas. A few of the larger ruin complexes serve as the entrance points for the Temple dungeon.
The Temple dungeon
The Temple is the flagship dungeon of the Forbidden Mountains and the centerpiece of the v1.1 update. Built deep within the mountain's core, the Temple is a multi-floor dungeon that combines platforming, puzzle-solving, and some of the most demanding boss encounters in the game.
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Floors | the Temple spans five descending floors, each with a distinct visual theme and enemy set |
Mechanics | each floor introduces a unique environmental mechanic. Crumbling platforms, rotating flame traps, gravity-shifting chambers, and more |
Bosses | the Temple contains three mini-bosses and one final boss, the Sealed Guardian, an ancient construct left behind by the gods |
Difficulty | recommended for full four-player groups at maximum gear score; solo completion is technically possible but considered a significant challenge achievement |
Rewards | the Temple drops some of the highest-tier gear in the game, along with unique cosmetic sets and a mount themed around the ancient ruins |
Monster ecosystem
The Forbidden Mountains host a unique set of creatures not found elsewhere in Primaera. The extreme altitude and isolation have produced an ecosystem distinct from the lowlands:
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Frost wyrms | serpentine creatures that burrow through snow and ambush players from below |
Stone sentinels | animated remnants of the ancient ruins that patrol set paths and attack intruders on sight |
Snowborne stalkers | fast, pack-hunting predators adapted to blizzard conditions, nearly invisible during storms |
Elder mountain goats | massive, aggressive herbivores that charge players who enter their territory on the ridgelines |
Exploration rewards
Beyond the Temple dungeon, the Forbidden Mountains offer extensive exploration rewards for thorough players. Hidden throughout the region are ancient artifact fragments, rare crafting materials found only at extreme altitudes, and viewpoint locations that unlock panoramic vistas of the surrounding world. A region-specific exploration journal tracks the player's progress in discovering all of the mountains' secrets.