If you're puzzled as to how to walk up sand in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you're likely not alone. The pesky sand dunes scattered around its expansive word are a big tease, likely leading to treasures, secret areas, new regions, and big bosses you just want to launch off the big silly cliff you'll end up on.
Like most of the exploration mechanics in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the sand dunes aren't terribly well explained when you come across them. Nobody tells you why you can't go up them, when you might go up them, or even if they're just there as a way back down and not up. So we're going to help fill in the gaps.
For more on Xenoblade Chronicles 3, check out our guide on how to climb. Like the sand situation, it's not well explained, so we've conjured a page to pitch in. On top of that, if you're wondering how to do Ouroboros orders in a chain attack, we've got you covered there as well.
How to Walk Up Sand in Xenoblade Chronicles 3
First off, if you're hoping to walk up sand in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you need to be at the right level. There's no secret button prompt you're missing or a specific path up the sand you haven't spotted if you're struggling to climb a sand dune within the first few hours of the game.
Walking up sand in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 requires actually unlocking the ability to do so. There's a little trick involved that equates to imaging your feet are giant stakes piercing the sand and lodging into the earth itself.
It's an elaborate mind game that, in reality, doesn't change the fact that you learn to run up them like any other incline, but it gives the game reason to lock it behind a quest from a soft-spoken sensei.
Basically, to walk up sand in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, you need to complete the Going Beyond Power quest started by a little golden question mark in Alfeto Valley.
By starting that, you'll help out an old friend and go on a mission to liberate Taion, Mio, and Sena's former colony. Along the way, you'll be taught how to walk up sand (known as Scree Walking) by their dutiful commander Teach. He's a sensei actually called Teach, yes. It's not a nickname.
During that quest, you'll have to learn the ways of the big stone foot stake and sprint up a sand dune that leads above colony and up to Teach's favourite vantage point.
You're good to leave as soon as you make it through that cutscene, but it's worth doing the rest of the quest as well. It unlocks something you'll want to add to your collection, but you'll want to be around level 30 before taking it on. You can make the trip to the colony and get the trait earlier than that, but it's a treacherous walk.
For more reads, check out our Xenoblade Chronicles 3 preview or our Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition review. We'll have more guides in time, so keep checking back if you get stuck.