Dragon Vein Shrines are one collectible in Beast of Reincarnation that I wouldn’t recommend ignoring. You start encountering them from Chapter 2, and unlike collectibles that are mainly there for completion, these actually make Emma’s journey easier.
Finding Dragon Vein Shrines gradually increases your maximum number of Stimpacks, and every shrine also gives you 3 Life Fruits for Koo-related crafting.
There are 40 Dragon Vein Shrines in total, spread across several zones. Some are practically placed in front of you during the story, while others are hidden down optional paths that you could easily finish the game without ever visiting.
Thankfully, Koo will alert you when a shrine is nearby. Pay attention whenever he reacts while you’re exploring; it’s usually worth stopping whatever you’re doing and looking around.
Here’s how the rewards work.
| Shrines Found | Reward |
|---|---|
| 1 | +1 Stimpack |
| 10 | +1 Stimpack |
| 20 | +1 Stimpack |
| 30 | +1 Stimpack |
| 40 | +1 Stimpack |
| Every Shrine | 3 Life Fruits |
Finding all 40 Dragon Vein Shrines also unlocks the Soul Returned achievement/trophy.
I’ve listed the shrines below in roughly the order you’ll encounter them, so you can use this as a checklist while progressing rather than having to return for everything later.
Ancient Civilization Zone Dragon Vein Shrine Locations
There are 3 Dragon Vein Shrines to collect in the Ancient Civilization Zone.
Dragon Vein Shrine #1
You really shouldn’t miss your first shrine.
It’s located directly along the main story path during Chapter 2 and essentially serves as the game’s introduction to Dragon Vein Shrines.
Interact with it and you’ll learn how the shrine reward system works.
More importantly, since this is your first shrine, you’ll immediately hit the first reward threshold and gain +1 Stimpack.
Dragon Vein Shrine #2 – Reservoir
When you first enter the reservoir, pay attention to how the area is divided into multiple lanes.
Going straight ahead eventually takes you toward the Reservoir: Interior camp.
Don’t simply rush toward it.
Instead, explore the eastern lane of the reservoir.
The second Dragon Vein Shrine is located there.
This one isn’t particularly difficult to reach, but it’s easy to walk straight past if you’re following the objective marker.
Dragon Vein Shrine #3 – Ruins Slope
Continue through the story until you’ve activated the generators and opened the bulkhead.
You’ll eventually return to the surface and discover the:
Ruins Slope: Approach camp
From here, you’ll need to cross the large open area toward the Nushi’s Lair. You can approach this section from ground level or use your traversal abilities to move across the higher route.
Around the midpoint of this path, watch the map for a noticeable protruding section.
Use your hookshot to climb up.
You’ll encounter an Elite bird accompanied by three archers.
Deal with them and continue straight ahead.
The route leads into another clearing containing more enemies, and you’ll find Dragon Vein Shrine #3 here.
The Great Wall Terraces Dragon Vein Shrine Locations
Things get considerably busier in The Great Wall Terraces, which contains Shrines #4 through #11.
That means there are 8 shrines to find in this zone.
Dragon Vein Shrine #4 – River Path
Near the beginning of this chapter, your objective is to investigate the source of the signal.
You’ll eventually reach a split where you have two obvious choices:
A slope leading left or a river route leading right.
Take the river path on the right.
Follow the river all the way to its end and you’ll find Dragon Vein Shrine #4.
It’s a small detour, so I’d grab this before returning to the main objective.
Dragon Vein Shrine #5 – Mountain Village
Activate the:
Mountain Village: Entrance camp
From the camp, travel west.
You’ll reach a group of worn-down houses occupied by enemies. Clear them out and continue toward the rear of the area.
Look for several brown industrial storage tanks.
Check behind the tanks where the vegetation and Malefacts are located.
Dragon Vein Shrine #5 is hidden in the grass here.
Dragon Vein Shrine #6 – Mountain Plaza
Continue until you’ve activated the:
Mountain Plaza: Forefront camp
You’ll encounter a boss shortly afterward.
Fight and defeat it.
Once the encounter is finished, don’t immediately continue toward the next objective. Instead, look west.
Start climbing upward along this route.
You’ll eventually reach Dragon Vein Shrine #6 sitting out in the open.
Dragon Vein Shrine #7 – Great Forest
Progress beyond the:
Great Forest: Entrance camp
Continue following the main path until a large mechanical ball attempts to flatten you.
Deal with it first.
Afterward, look for a path heading west.
Follow it and you’ll encounter a group of enemies gathered around Dragon Vein Shrine #7.
Clear the enemies and claim the shrine.
Dragon Vein Shrine #8 – Flower Square
This is another easy one.
Continue pursuing the Malefact until your third encounter takes you around the Flower Square area.
Dragon Vein Shrine #8 is located right beside:
Flower Square: Forefront camp
It’s on the eastern side of the main route.
Unless you’re sprinting straight toward the objective without exploring anything, Koo should make this one difficult to miss.
Dragon Vein Shrine #9 – Ruined Road Square
Start from:
Flower Square: Forefront camp
Look west and you should notice a collapsed bridge.
Cross it.
This leads into an optional area called:
Ruined Road Square
Activate the campsite here.
Now use your hookshot on the nearby traversal point and begin climbing.
Keep going until you spot another orange hookshot point.
Use it.
Once you land after the climb, you’ll find Dragon Vein Shrine #9.
This is exactly the kind of shrine you can miss if you’re sticking exclusively to the main story because Ruined Road Square itself is optional.
Dragon Vein Shrine #10 – River Islet
Fast travel back to:
Flower Square: Forefront
This time, follow the road north toward the main objective.
Eventually you’ll come across an interesting little battle involving:
3 Golems vs. 2 boar Malefacts
Around the grassland to the west, Koo may also detect an Elite wolf.
It’s worth hunting the wolf because you’ll receive a Skill Amber.
Once you’re finished, continue toward the nearby river.
Dragon Vein Shrine #10 is sitting on a small islet in the river.
This is an important milestone because your tenth shrine gives you another:
+1 Stimpack
Dragon Vein Shrine #11 – Ruined Temple
Shrine #11 is noticeably farther away from the obvious route.
You can technically collect it either before or after fighting the area’s boss, although doing it afterward fits the progression reasonably well.
Continue exploring until you discover:
Flower Field Tower camp
There’s a large iron platform nearby packed with Golems.
Destroy them.
You’ll then need to start climbing the tower on the right. Continue along the intended route, using Emma’s hair to traverse between towers.
Eventually you’ll discover:
Titan Buddha camp
Continue through the boss encounter and defeat the Nushi.
Afterward, you’re supposed to descend from the boss arena and use an elevator.
Don’t take that elevator yet.
Instead, travel all the way south and locate the control panel that lowers a bridge.
Here’s the important bit: don’t cross the bridge.
Instead, travel toward the opposite side, heading toward the western portion of the map.
Continue forward until you discover:
Ruined Temple camp
Enter the temple.
Dragon Vein Shrine #11 is inside.
Pilgrim’s Zone Dragon Vein Shrine Locations
Pilgrim’s Zone contains 7 Dragon Vein Shrines, numbered #12 through #18.
Dragon Vein Shrine #12
After completing the boss fight at the beginning of the chapter, look east.
You should spot several hookshot points.
If you can’t immediately reach them, climb onto the nearby rocks first and use the extra height.
Continue grappling upward until you reach the highway.
There are even more traversal points here, so keep using your hookshot.
Eventually you’ll encounter several rat Malefacts.
The shrine is nearby.
Dragon Vein Shrine #13 – Cave
Continue until you’ve reached:
Cave Entrance camp
Progress through the cave normally.
This shrine is close enough to the main route that Koo should detect it for you.
Follow his alert and you’ll find Dragon Vein Shrine #13 without needing a significant detour.
Dragon Vein Shrine #14 – Hidden Passage
Shrine #14 comes shortly after #13.
You’ll eventually encounter a section where you need to crouch and destroy a canister on the opposite side of a wall, causing an explosion that opens your route.
Continue forward and defeat the group of Golems.
Once they’re gone, look to your right.
There’s another passage that Emma can crouch through.
Enter it.
Dragon Vein Shrine #14 is waiting on the level above.
Dragon Vein Shrine #15 – The Stone Chamber
The Stone Chamber can be a little awkward to navigate.
Start from:
Stone Chamber camp
Enter the building and look directly ahead for a hookable branch.
Hook yourself up to it.
You’ll be close to the Stone Chamber Interior camp, but that’s not where we’re going.
While you’re on the branch, turn south.
You should see a corridor.
Follow this corridor all the way to its end and you’ll reach Dragon Vein Shrine #15.
Dragon Vein Shrine #16 – Trail Area
You’ll need to progress far enough to reach the Belfry entrance before the game allows you to properly access this shrine.
Start from:
Belfry Entrance camp
Drop down to ground level and travel south.
Keep going while dealing with any Malefacts you encounter.
Eventually you’ll reach:
Trail Area camp
Activate it.
Continue south from the camp.
You’ll find Dragon Vein Shrine #16 underneath a tent.
You can also approach from the Scorched Grasslands camp by heading north, but the Belfry needs to have been reached first.
Dragon Vein Shrine #17 – Belfry
Head inside the Belfry and continue the main objective.
You’ll need to:
Light the fire → Ring the bell
After ringing the bell, you’ll discover:
Belfry Interior camp
There’s an exit nearby, but ignore it temporarily.
Instead, continue forward across the wooden bridges.
Destroy the Golems blocking your route until you eventually reach a console.
Interact with the console to open a nearby door.
Go outside.
Use Emma’s hair to create a route to the opposite side and you’ll reach Dragon Vein Shrine #17.
Dragon Vein Shrine #18 – Nushi’s Lair Entrance
Fast travel or make your way to:
Nushi’s Lair Entrance camp
Take the nearby elevator upward.
Once you arrive, look east for a broken road.
Use Emma’s hair and your hookshot to get across.
Two bear Malefacts are waiting on the other side.
Take them down.
Continue forward and you’ll reach Dragon Vein Shrine #18.
Matsukawa Zone Dragon Vein Shrine Locations
Matsukawa contains 9 Dragon Vein Shrines, making it one of the most collectible-heavy sections.
You’ll find Shrines #19 through #27 here.
Dragon Vein Shrine #19
Don’t worry if you haven’t seen a shrine for a while after beginning Chapter 5.
Continue through the story until you’ve made your way through the cave and finally emerge outside.
Look below.
You’ll see several Golems fighting a Malefact.
Drop down and clear the entire group.
Dragon Vein Shrine #19 is nearby.
Dragon Vein Shrine #20
Use Shrine #19 as your starting point.
To continue through the area, you’ll need to hookshot upward.
Make your way to the top.
Once you arrive, look across the ledge.
Dragon Vein Shrine #20 should be clearly visible on the opposite side.
This is another major milestone:
20 Shrines = +1 Stimpack
Dragon Vein Shrine #21
From Shrine #20, drop all the way back down to the ground.
Turn your camera north.
You should see several damaged buildings.
Explore them.
Dragon Vein Shrine #21 is hidden inside one of these structures.
Matsukawa Colony Shrines
Shrines #22 through #27 are all connected to the Matsukawa Colony, and understanding the area’s enormous rotating device makes finding them much easier.
Think of the structure as having three layers:
Bottom → Middle → Top
You’ll be moving between all three.
Dragon Vein Shrine #22 – Rotating Device Bottom Level
Start from:
Upper Matsukawa Colony (Front) camp
Travel west until you see a ledge you can hookshot toward.
You’ll know you’ve found the correct spot because there’s also a Keeper Golem nearby.
From there, extend Emma’s hair toward the nearby platform.
Follow the pipes toward the giant rotating structure.
As you approach, you’ll eventually receive a prompt allowing you to hookshot to its middle level.
Don’t do that yet.
Stay on the bottom level.
Dragon Vein Shrine #22 is down here.
Grab it before moving upward.
Dragon Vein Shrine #23 – Tranquil Hall
From Shrine #22, continue west around the rotating structure.
Eventually you’ll encounter makeshift iron bridges.
The first bridge leads toward enemies, a document and a Strongbox. Grab those if you want, then return to the rotating structure.
You want the second bridge.
Cross it.
You’ll reach:
Tranquil Hall camp
Enter the hall.
An Elite wolf is waiting inside.
Defeat it and you’ll find Dragon Vein Shrine #23 directly behind it.
Dragon Vein Shrine #24
Fast travel back to:
Tranquil Hall camp
Turn around.
There’s a hookshot point nearby.
Use it to climb upward.
You’ll encounter a group of rat-like Malefacts.
Clear them and then look around the upper portion of this same area.
Dragon Vein Shrine #24 is here.
Dragon Vein Shrine #25 – Hall of Silence
Now you need to reach the middle level of the rotating structure.
From Shrine #24, continue straight ahead and you should be able to reach it with a single jump.
One useful way to tell whether you’ve gone too high:
If you find a campsite on the rotating structure itself, you’re probably on the top level.
Head back down to the middle.
Once you’re correctly positioned, travel east until you discover another bridge leading upward.
Follow it to:
Hall of Silence camp
Enter the room.
You’ll initially find a locked door.
Interact with it.
This triggers several enemy waves:
3 normal Golems → 2 stronger Golems → 1 Hulk Golem
Destroy everything.
Once the fight is over, the door opens.
Dragon Vein Shrine #25 is inside the next room.
Dragon Vein Shrine #26 – Top Level
Return to the entrance of the Hall of Silence.
This time you need to reach the top level of the rotating structure.
Walk roughly halfway across the bridge and watch for the hookshot point to become available.
Use it.
Once you’re up top, activate:
Matsukawa Colony (Top Level) camp
Now follow the structure around.
Eventually you’ll encounter more rat Malefacts.
Dragon Vein Shrine #26 is right around them.
Dragon Vein Shrine #27 – Mausoleum
Starting from Shrine #26, continue west.
Eventually you’ll encounter an enormous pipe.
Use Emma’s hair to cross the gap.
On the other side, activate:
Mausoleum camp
Enter the Mausoleum.
You’ll need to defeat:
1 Elite enemy + 2 strong enemies
Once they’re dealt with, continue forward.
Dragon Vein Shrine #27 is waiting ahead.
That’s the final shrine in the Matsukawa Zone.
Fuji Frontier Zone Dragon Vein Shrine Locations
The Fuji Frontier contains 5 shrines, numbered #28 through #32.
Dragon Vein Shrine #28
This one requires almost no explanation.
As soon as the chapter begins, look just ahead of the Cleanse Walker.
Dragon Vein Shrine #28 is practically waiting for you.
Grab it before heading off.
Dragon Vein Shrine #29
Continue through the chapter until you’ve crossed the pipes and series of floating/skyborne platforms.
Eventually you’ll return to solid ground.
Several Golems are waiting here.
Dragon Vein Shrine #29 is in this same area and is very difficult to miss.
Dragon Vein Shrine #30 – The Branching Nushi
Continue until you reach:
The Branching Nushi camp
Proceed forward.
Eventually you’ll encounter an archer Golem standing on an elevated platform.
Defeat it.
Jump onto the platform where it was standing.
Now look toward the rocks on your right.
Climb your way upward.
Dragon Vein Shrine #30 is hidden up here.
Watch out for the ballista Golems while you’re climbing.
And with shrine #30 collected, you’ll hit another threshold:
30 Shrines = +1 Stimpack
Dragon Vein Shrine #31 – Defense Outpost
Start from:
Defense Outpost: Interior camp
Instead of taking the northern route, go west.
Follow this path all the way in.
You’ll encounter an Elite enemy.
Defeat it.
Dragon Vein Shrine #31 is sitting behind the Elite.
Dragon Vein Shrine #32 – Hidden Cave
Return to:
Defense Outpost: Interior camp
This time, head north.
You’ll encounter several Golems operating ballistas.
Continue until you’ve defeated the second one positioned on the rocky formation.
Drop down.
There’s yet another enemy below.
Continue straight ahead and cross the platforms until you reach two caves.
The first contains enemies and a Skill Amber for Koo, so it’s worth exploring.
The second cave is where you’ll find Dragon Vein Shrine #32.
It’s located all the way at the back.
Giant Tree Zone Dragon Vein Shrine Locations
There are 4 Dragon Vein Shrines here: #33 through #36.
This zone also contains Shrine #35, which is easily one of the most annoying shrines to locate without knowing exactly where you’re going.
Dragon Vein Shrine #33 – Ruined Tower Area
Progress until the story objective changes to:
Search for a way to open the Giant Tree gate
You’ll eventually need to explore the Ruined Tower and its surrounding camps.
Reach:
Ruined Tower Area camp
The game wants you to climb upward.
For the shrine, we’re doing the opposite.
From the campsite, jump over the cableways onto the platform directly ahead. It should be roughly level with the camp.
Continue circling around the structure while jumping between platforms.
Eventually you’ll discover Dragon Vein Shrine #33 tucked away along this lower route.
Dragon Vein Shrine #34 – Feeding Grounds
Reach:
Giant Tree: Feeding Grounds camp
Dragon Vein Shrine #34 is located slightly south of the campsite.
It’s much simpler than the next one.
Dragon Vein Shrine #35 – Cableway Line 2 Peak A
This is probably the shrine I’d expect most players to miss.
It’s located along a completely optional route, and the map doesn’t do you many favors.
First, progress through the story until you’ve defeated Corvus.
You’ll receive:
Card Key (Line One)
Now fast travel to:
Cableway – Line 1: Base Station camp
Travel north toward the area where you previously fought several Malefacts.
Instead of climbing the tower using the cableway, remain on the ground level and continue forward.
You’ll discover:
Cableway – Line 0: Base Station
There’s another tower directly in front of this camp.
Climb it.
At the top you’ll meet a friendly Golem and find another cableway requiring your Line One Card Key.
As a bonus, speaking with the Golem gives you The Worldly Golem task. Since its requirement involves defeating Corvus, you should already be able to complete it and claim a new sword.
Now board the cableway.
When you arrive at the other end, stay on the iron structure.
Don’t start jumping onto branches and wandering through the surrounding environment.
Follow the available route.
Eventually you’ll reach:
Cableway – Line 2: Peak A camp
From the campsite, look east.
Jump onto the nearby metal grating platform.
Continue into the area ahead and you’ll finally reach Dragon Vein Shrine #35.
This is definitely one I’d mark off immediately after collecting it because retracing this route later isn’t particularly fun.
Dragon Vein Shrine #36 – Giant Tree Roots
Return to:
Cableway – Line 2: Peak A camp
Take the nearby cableway to the next area. The necessary card key can be found inside the transport.
Continue across the broken highway.
You’ll encounter two bird enemies and a deer Malefact along the route.
Defeat them.
At the end of the highway, look north.
You’ll have two routes:
A cableway on your right and a bridge leading toward another cableway on your left.
Take the left bridge.
If you discover:
Cableway – Line 2: Checkpoint camp
you’re going the correct way.
Use the cableway.
At the next destination, drop down into the natural area below and activate:
Cableway – Line 2: Terminal Stop camp
Travel south.
You’ll first encounter a bear and several bird Malefacts.
Continue south after defeating them.
More birds and Golems will appear before you eventually reach a ruined building.
Look to the left of this building for:
Giant Tree Roots (Middle Level) camp
Dragon Vein Shrine #36 is nearby.
Crater Zone Dragon Vein Shrine Location
There’s only one Dragon Vein Shrine in the Crater Zone.
Dragon Vein Shrine #37 – Fortress
Continue normally through the Crater Zone until you reach the fortress.
During the main story, you’ll interact with a control panel that causes a submerged building to rise.
Climb this newly accessible building.
Eventually you’ll be forced to hookshot across to another platform.
Enter the next room.
Dragon Vein Shrine #37 is basically sitting directly in front of you.
This one is tied closely enough to the main route that you’d have to work pretty hard to miss it.
Starfall Tower Dragon Vein Shrine Location
Starfall Tower also contains only one shrine.
Dragon Vein Shrine #38
You’ll encounter Shrine #38 close to the end of the chapter.
It’s positioned directly along the main path.
If you somehow walked past it, fast travel to:
Nushi’s Lair Entrance camp
Then backtrack slightly south.
You should quickly find Dragon Vein Shrine #38.
The Capital Dragon Vein Shrine Locations
You’ve made it to the final two.
The Capital contains Dragon Vein Shrines #39 and #40.
Dragon Vein Shrine #39 – Sewage Works
Travel to:
Sewage Works: Ingress camp
The shrine is located on the opposite side near the campsite.
Koo should make locating it relatively straightforward once you’re in the area.
Dragon Vein Shrine #40 – Urban Area
Start from:
Urban Area: Ingress camp
Proceed through the main corridor.
Keep going until you step outside.
As soon as you emerge outdoors, turn right.
There it is.
Dragon Vein Shrine #40.
If you’ve followed the guide and collected every previous shrine, interacting with this one gives you your final:
+1 Stimpack
You’ll also unlock the:
Soul Returned achievement/trophy