Mount Fay Bench Locations: Complete Checkpoint Strategy Guide
Mount Fay's bench locations are strategically crucial for conquering this challenging area. With only three checkpoints scattered throughout the mountain, knowing their exact locations, activation requirements, and optimal usage strategies can save hours of repeated attempts. The critical 90 Rosary bench is particularly essential as the last safe respawn point before the summit challenge.
Bench #1: Lower Section Rest Point
Entry Level Bench
EASY TO FIND Auto-ActiveThe first bench in Mount Fay serves as an introduction to the area's unique challenges while providing a safe respawn point for early exploration. Located in the lower climbing section, this bench is hidden behind a breakable wall that requires basic needle strikes to access.
π Exact Location:
After the initial heat source and first grappling sequence, look for a section of wall with slightly different coloration on the left side. The wall appears solid but breaks away with 2-3 needle strikes, revealing a small chamber with the bench.
π Visual Identification:
- Discolored wall section with hairline cracks
- Subtle blue glow emanating from behind the wall
- Audio cue: faint bench chiming sound when approached
- Located approximately 3 minutes into Mount Fay climb
β‘ Special Properties:
- Immediate activation: No special requirements needed
- Heat source included: Small thermal crystal provides warmth
- Safe exploration base: Ideal for learning cold damage mechanics
- Resource access: Silk refill station available in chamber
π― Strategic Usage:
Use this bench as your training ground for Mount Fay's mechanics. Practice grappling sequences, cold damage timing, and heat source navigation from this safe base. Many players benefit from making multiple short expeditions from this checkpoint to learn the area gradually rather than attempting the full climb immediately.
Bench #2: The Critical 90 Rosary Checkpoint
90 Rosary Bench
ACTIVATION REQUIRED Manual ActivationThe 90 Rosary checkpoint is the most crucial bench in Mount Fay, serving as the last safe respawn point before the treacherous upper sections and summit challenge. This bench requires manual activation and transforms into a heated platform once activated, providing both save functionality and cold damage protection.
π§ Activation Process (CRITICAL):
Behind the large crystal formation, look for a section of wall with different texture. Strike with needle to break through.
Inside the alcove, locate the circular pressure plate on the floor in front of the bench.
Stand on the pressure plate and strike the bench with your needle exactly three times.
The bench glows brightly and the entire platform becomes heated, indicated by a warm orange aura.
π Exact Location:
Approximately two-thirds up Mount Fay, in a small alcove accessible through a hidden passage behind the massive crystal formation. The entrance is on the eastern side of the crystal, marked by slightly different wall coloration.
β οΈ Critical Warning:
DO NOT proceed past this point without activating the bench! The upper sections of Mount Fay are significantly more challenging, and this is your last opportunity for a safe respawn before the summit. Failing to activate this checkpoint will force you to restart from much lower positions.
π― Strategic Importance:
This checkpoint divides Mount Fay into two major phases: the learning phase (entry to 90 Rosary) and the execution phase (90 Rosary to summit). Most successful Mount Fay attempts involve multiple learning runs to this checkpoint before attempting the final summit push.
π₯ Heated Platform Benefits:
- Cold immunity: Entire platform provides protection from cold damage
- Planning space: Safe area to study upper section routes
- Resource preparation: Organize inventory and abilities before final push
- Mental preparation: Take time to prepare for the summit challenge
Bench #3: Summit Approach Rest (Optional)
Summit Approach Bench
CONDITIONAL ACCESS Auto-ActiveThe third bench is located in the upper reaches of Mount Fay, serving as an optional checkpoint for players who discover the alternate route through the eastern wall using Silk Soar ability. This bench is not required for standard progression but provides a valuable safety net for advanced route strategies.
π Access Requirements:
- Silk Soar ability: Required to access the eastern wall route
- Advanced grappling skills: Complex sequence to reach the alcove
- Route knowledge: Must know the specific entry point location
- Adequate silk reserves: Alternative route consumes more resources
π Discovery Method:
From the middle platform hub, use Silk Soar to reach the eastern wall grapple points. Follow the alternative climbing route for approximately 8-10 grapple sequences. The bench is located in a small cave opening, marked by distinctive icicle formations.
βοΈ Risk vs. Reward:
- High silk consumption to reach
- Complex route with limited heat sources
- Not necessary for standard progression
- Failure requires significant backtracking
- Bypass the most difficult standard sections
- Alternative route to summit if primary fails
- Additional safety checkpoint for experts
- Access to unique collectibles and secrets
π― When to Use This Bench:
Consider this route only if you have mastered the standard Mount Fay progression and are comfortable with advanced movement techniques. This bench is particularly valuable for players attempting multiple summit runs or those exploring Mount Fay's secret areas.
Checkpoint Optimization Strategy
Effective checkpoint usage in Mount Fay requires understanding when to push forward versus when to retreat and regroup. The area's unique cold damage mechanics and limited save points demand strategic thinking about risk management and progression pacing.
π Phase 1: Learning Runs (Entry to 90 Rosary)
Use the lower section bench as your base for multiple short exploration runs. Focus on learning heat source locations, practicing grappling sequences, and understanding the cold damage timing without the pressure of losing significant progress.
Key Objectives:
- Master basic cold damage survival between heat sources
- Memorize locations of all heat sources up to middle section
- Practice grappling chains with proper silk conservation
- Locate and activate the 90 Rosary checkpoint
- Understand wind platform timing and movement patterns
π― Phase 2: Execution Runs (90 Rosary to Summit)
With the 90 Rosary checkpoint activated, focus on mastering the upper sections including the notorious 35-second gauntlet and blizzard ascent. This phase requires different strategies as mistakes become much more costly.
Advanced Strategies:
- Segment Practice: Attempt only specific challenging sections at first
- Resource Management: Enter each attempt with full silk and health
- Route Memorization: Study optimal paths during heated platform rest
- Emergency Protocols: Develop backup plans for each critical section
- Mental Preparation: Accept that multiple attempts are normal and expected
Retry Optimization & Time Management
β‘ Fast Retry Techniques
Checkpoint Positioning
Always rest at checkpoints facing the direction of your next objective. This saves precious seconds during retry attempts and maintains momentum for rapid progression.
Resource Pre-loading
Before each major attempt, ensure you have maximum silk capacity, full health, and optimal tool/crest configuration. Avoid making equipment changes between the 90 Rosary checkpoint and summit attempts.
Route Segmentation
Break down the summit approach into 3-4 distinct segments. Practice each segment independently until comfortable, then chain them together for full attempts.
π Progress Tracking
Failure Point Analysis
Keep mental notes of where each attempt fails. Common failure points include:
- Wind platform timing mistakes (Middle Section)
- 35-second gauntlet resource depletion (Upper Section)
- Blizzard navigation errors (Summit Approach)
- Grapple point targeting during cold damage (Various)
Skill Development Metrics
Track improvement in these key areas:
- Consistency: Percentage of runs reaching each checkpoint
- Speed: Time taken for each major section
- Resource Efficiency: Silk remaining at key checkpoints
- Damage Minimization: Health preservation through difficult sections
Common Checkpoint Mistakes to Avoid
β Skipping 90 Rosary Activation
The Mistake: Proceeding past the 90 Rosary area without activating the checkpoint
Why It's Devastating: Forces restart from lower section bench, losing 20-30 minutes of progress
The Fix: Always activate immediately upon discovery, even if not planning to use it immediately
β Checkpoint Camping
The Mistake: Spending excessive time resting at checkpoints out of fear
Why It Hurts: Breaks momentum and increases psychological pressure for "perfect" attempts
The Fix: Set time limits for checkpoint stops - maximum 2 minutes for planning
β Inadequate Preparation
The Mistake: Leaving checkpoints without full resources or proper equipment
Why It Fails: Increases likelihood of preventable failures due to resource limitations
The Fix: Standard pre-attempt checklist: full health, max silk, correct tools equipped
β Route Rigidity
The Mistake: Sticking to one specific route regardless of circumstances
Why It Limits Success: No adaptation when primary route encounters unexpected obstacles
The Fix: Learn multiple route options from each checkpoint for flexibility
Related Mount Fay Checkpoint Guides
Complete Mount Fay Guide
Full walkthrough integrating checkpoint strategy with progression
Cold Damage Survival
Heat source management between checkpoints
Prerequisites Guide
Required preparation before attempting checkpoint progression
Faydown Cloak Guide
Your ultimate goal after mastering all checkpoints