Secret Lair of the Snowmen

“

Enter the wintry Secret Lair of the Snowmen to restore their leader, Freezie.

— In-game description

Secret Lair of the Snowmen

Map of Secret Lair of the Snowmen

Levels

80

Type

Raid

Region

Shiverpeak Mountains

API

1306, 1352

Loading screen

Image(s)

Click to enlarge.

Map location of the entrance to the Secret Lair.

The Secret Lair of the Snowmen is a raid encounter that was introduced for A Very Merry Wintersday in 2018 with the December 11, 2018 update and is available during Wintersday.

Getting there

Players can select to join either a Public or Squad (private) version of the instance. The Public version prevents new players from joining once the final door to the boss is opened. The Squad version does not have the same restriction but will only allow players within the 10-player squad to join.

Public and squad versions

• Walk near the portal next to Cob in The Crown Pavilion in Divinity's Reach (south-west of  Crown Pavilion Waypoint — ).

Squad version only

• Enter or be within Divinity's Reach when the strike mission instance is opened.

Objectives

• Use snow to free the frozen snowman.
• Liberate Freezie's snowmen from their armor of ice!
  
• Repeat the rescue: melt more minions!
  
• Watch for ice on the bridge!
  
• Thaw the ranks and get Jolly Donny to the door.
  
• Speak to Jolly Donny to proceed.
• Players in Strike Mission: x (if public)
• Engage Freezie
• Defrost Freezie!
  • Freezie
    
  • Crack Freezie's icy shell.
    
    • Freezie's Frozen Heart
      
    • Freezie's Shell Refreezing
      
  • Time remaining: 10:00

Walkthrough

This strike mission acts as a good entry point for players tackling instanced content for the first time. Players will be introduced to the concept of 10-player content in a low-pressure environment, targeted mechanics, as well as the special action key, which players should assign to a comfortable keybinding.

Escort

Players are first greeted by a frozen snowman, Jolly Donny. Interacting with the nearby Snowball Pile gives players the   Snowball special action skill, which can be thrown at Jolly Donny to heal him (0.75% health per hit). At full health, he will be released and head down the cavern.

Environmental circle AoEs spawn throughout the journey. Frozen snowmen additionally block the path, eventually transforming into Ice Crushers (melee) and Ice Spikers (range). Defeating them will free them, allowing Jolly Donny to continue through the path.

Clusters of icy veins on the bridge.

Upon reaching an icy bridge, it will be occupied by more snowmen and covered by icy breaches that inflict heavy damage and  Chilled. An Ice Dart Turret sits at the end of it, periodically shooting at players with three icy snowballs that can inflict  Knockback. Defeating the turret first then focusing on the remaining enemies will make it easier to avoid the icy breaches.

Past the bridge are two more groups of snowmen and large snowballs that fall down the path. These snowballs also leave a slippery trail, causing players to lose ground traction.

At the large double-doors, players must speak to Jolly Donny to unlock it then head down the frozen hole to restore Jolly Donny's frozen friend.

Freezie

Health: 5,898,600

Enrage Timer: 10 minutes

Enrage Effect:  Enraged - Increases damage dealt by 200%.

Fixation Mechanic: None

Freezie remains in the center of the arena for the entire encounter. His initial attacks are listed below:

Skill	Notes
Cold-Hearted Aura	Pulsing damage every 10 seconds.
Giant Snowball	Targets a random player indicated by a sound, a yellow icon above the player, and a game message in the middle of the screen. Summons a giant snowball that follows them, damaging players in its path. Leaves behind slippery ground.
Ice Cone	Cone of projectiles auto-attack.

Icy Protectors also periodically spawn and grant Freezie  Icy Barrier (indicated by the tether between them), reducing incoming damage per active protector. Upon reaching 1% health, players must break the protector's defiance bar to defeat it and remove the buff.

When Freezie reaches 0% health, his frozen heart is released and must be healed to full health. At the same time, Freezie regenerates from Ice Spiker projectiles and any Ice Stormers that reach him. If Freezie reaches full health, Freezie's heart returns to him and players must reduce his health to 0% again to release and continue healing it.

Players must interact with the Snowball Piles to get the   Snowball special action skill. Throwing these at the heart will heal it by 0.75% health per hit. The piles can spawn from either defeating enemies or waiting for Jolly Donny to throw some more, indicated by the white circles.

When Freezie regenerates to full health, he gains new skills based on the heart's current health.

New skill	Heart health	Notes
Frost Patch	Any (after first heart phase)	Icy lines in a snowflake pattern that inflict  Chilled. All lines converge under Freezie, inflicting heavy damage to players directly under him.
Aurora Beam	33%	Targets the furthest player indicated by the icon above the player. Channels a purple beam that slowly rotates and follows them, with speed increasing based on the heart's health. Pulses high damage every half-second, but dodgeable and safe to walk through the boss.
Jutting Ice Spikes → Blizzard	66%	Icy spikes erupt around Freezie as a powerful gale of wind continually pushes players towards the outer AoE. Pulsing damage within the outer AoE.

Once the heart reaches 100% health, Freezie regains his sense and concludes the encounter.

Rewards

Each completion of the strike will grant the following:

• 37,338  or 14.7% of a level
• Wintersday Gift (30) (guaranteed)

Additionally, players will receive a daily Wintersday Chest containing the following:

• 1 piece of equipment of ERare or higher quality , typically Piece of Rare Unidentified Gear
• Chance at one of the following:
  • Wintersday Gift (10)
  • Mini Freezie
  • Mini Wintersday Cheer Freezie
  • Mini Magical Reindeer
  • Mini Mystical Snowflake
  • Giver's Wintergreen Axe
  • Giver's Wintergreen Dagger
  • Giver's Wintergreen Focus
  • Giver's Wintergreen Greatsword
  • Giver's Wintergreen Hammer
  • Giver's Wintergreen Longbow
  • Giver's Wintergreen Mace
  • Giver's Wintergreen Pistol
  • Giver's Wintergreen Rifle
  • Giver's Wintergreen Scepter
  • Giver's Wintergreen Shield
  • Giver's Wintergreen Short Bow
  • Giver's Wintergreen Staff
  • Giver's Wintergreen Sword
  • Giver's Wintergreen Torch
  • Giver's Wintergreen Warhorn
  • Wintergreen Custom Candy Cane Hammer

NPCs

Allies

• Freezie's Frozen Heart
• Frozen Snowman / Jolly Donny
• Snowman

Services

Anvil

Foes

• Freezie (boss; ally upon defeat)
• Ice Crusher
• Ice Spiker
• Ice Stormer
• Icy Protector

Objects

• Dwarven Skeleton for the The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx: Pitcher of Joy — Throw 101 snowballs in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. (1) and the The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx: Polar Bones — Discover the remains of an ancient king in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. (3) - once Freezie has been defeated, use the endless snowball piles to throw repeatedly at Freezie to get the Pitcher achievement, then climb up the snowflake ladder back to the top ring. Carefully make your way back down the long hall - you may have to dodge a large snowball - through the area with the cracked ice (remember the ice cracks can hurt you so avoid them best you can). Head back towards the entrance where the portal can be seen. Once that is in sight, jump or slide down into the water and head to the small ice ledge along the water's edge, to the right. Follow this around, keeping to the right, heading towards the little beach area. Continue following around the slight wall outcropping on your right and you'll see a partially buried skeleton you can rummage. Rummage the bones to earn the Polar Bones achievement.
• Endless Snow Pile
• Endless Snowpile
• Ice Dart Turret
• Snowball Pile

Dialogue

Upon entering

Frozen Snowman: Uh, little help here? Just throw a couple snowballs at me, please and thank you.

After freeing the Frozen Snowman

Jolly Donny: Now, that's more like it. I was on my way to find help for Freezie. A broken heart has turned his snowy joy to cruel ice.

Jolly Donny: We've got to thaw his heart and give him back the cheer of Wintersday.

Freezie: This day is mine, this lair is mine. You dare to challenge me? Minions! Freeze them out!

Talking to Jolly Donny

Jolly Donny: It's not too late to save my friends! Bust their icy shells to free them!

What happens after we free your friends?

Then we just have to go help Freezie. His heart's become ice, but some loving snow should thaw it!

Let's do it!

Upon rescuing Snowmen (random chance at one of the following)

Snowman: (joyful giggling)

Snowman: Thanks for the thaw!

Snowman: Hooray, hooray! It's Wintersday!

At the beginning of "Repeat the rescue: melt more minions!"

Freezie: Who are you to judge what we became once Dwayna abandoned us? I lead the snowmen! I give them purpose!

At the beginning of "Watch for ice on the bridge!"

Freezie: The force of my dominion is greater than any joy. Not just on Wintersday, but on every day to come.

At the beginning of "Thaw the ranks and get Jolly Donny to the door."

Freezie: We waited so very long for the call... But no longer! We are made of stronger stuff than flimsy flurries.

Talking to Jolly Donny

(if public and fewer than 5 players inside)

Jolly Donny: We'll need more help to save Freezie!

I'll check back when help arrives.

(otherwise)

Jolly Donny: Freezie's more cheerful most of the time, really! He's just a little too cold this year. Let's warm his heart with some holiday fun!

(if public)

(Advancing will lock your party and prevent any other players from joining the Strike Mission.)

All right, let's save Wintersday.

(if public and fewer than ?^{[verification requested]} players inside)

Could use a little more Wintersday cheer. You sure you're ready?

(You have fewer players than recommended for this Strike Mission. Choose to go forward anyway, or wait for more help.)

We're ready.

Your party has been locked.

No new players will be able to join the Strike Mission. Work with your party to complete the goal!

We'll wait for more help.

(otherwise)

Your party has been locked.

No new players will be able to join the Strike Mission. Work with your party to complete the goal!

We're still waiting for more people to show up.

Jolly Donny: Freezie's more cheerful most of the time, really! He's just a little too cold this year. Let's warm his heart with some holiday fun!

All right, let's save Wintersday.

I need more time.

When Jolly opens the door

Jolly Donny: Freezie isn't evil, he's just wounded. Let's crack his cold shell and heal my friend!

A snowball appears

A giant snowball is chasing <Character name>!

At the beginning of "Defrost Freezie!"

Freezie: Come! Face the greatest snowman ever made!

During heart phase

Jolly Donny: Quick! Use these to heal his heart!

Freezie: No! I need the bitter ice. Minions, restore me!

After heart phase

Freezie: What have you done? My heart feels...warmer.

When Freezie performs Blizzard

Freezie: Freeze over!

After defeating Freezie

Freezie: Friends, thank you for mending my heart. Sorry for being such a jerk.

Freezie: It feels good to be all snow again. I'm full of Wintersday joy, and it's time to share it 'round!

Freezie: Merry Wintersday, friend! I was so focused on Dwayna's absence that I nearly forgot what I was protecting. Thanks for reminding me!

Merry Wintersday, Freezie.

When throwing snowballs at Freezie

Freezie: Oh! I see you'd like to play!

Speaking to Jolly Donny after completing the strike mission

Jolly Donny: Do you want to return to Divinity's Reach?

Yes.

Not right now.

Related achievements

Location of the skeleton

• The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx: Pitcher of Joy — Throw 101 snowballs in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. (1)
  • Permanent piles of snowballs will remain in the arena after completing the strike, which may be chucked at Freezie to complete the achievement at your leisure.
• The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx: Polar Bones — Discover the remains of an ancient king in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. (3)
  • Can be found by the wall at ground level in the northeast side of the initial area.
• The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx: Straight to the Heart — Help Freezie within three heart phases in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. (5)
• The Wondrous Workshop of Toymaker Tixx: Wintersday's Guardian — Confront Freezie in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen and remind him of the true meaning of Wintersday. (10)
• Wintersday Daily: Saving Wintersday — Protect the Infinirarium from rampaging toys, or bring the cheer of Wintersday to the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. (0)
• Wintersday Daily: Daily Bonus Rewards: Infinirarium and Secret Lair — Protect the Infinirarium from rampaging toys, or bring the cheer of Wintersday to the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. (0)

Notes

Bug:

After leaving an unsuccessful instance and returning you are sometimes added to an already locked instance. If that happens your character will be defeated instantly near the entrance. You can be revived by another player, provided they haven't all been locked already in Freezie's pit. Attempting to use a waypoint while in this state claims you're in combat. Logging out and in again will take you to Divinity's Reach near the Lair's portal in a defeated state, but if you revive and re-enter the Lair you will be instantly killed again. Entering the Lair on any other character on the same account also puts that character in the same situation. You have to wait for the instance to finish but if at least one player stays alive and keeps kiting Freezie the instance can last for a long time.

Anomaly:

You can't use mounts inside the Strike, but neither  Mounts Disabled nor  No Mount Use are shown on the bar.

• If doing this activity for the Wintersday Festivities achievemet, make sure not to leave too early, as the points are awarded several seconds after the exit portal appears.
• You can't glide inside the Strike,  Gliding Disabled is in effect everywhere.
• Upon its introduction during A Very Merry Wintersday in 2018, the Secret Lair of the Snowmen was originally referred to as a group instance because strike missions had not been officially introduced into the game yet. Since its return on A Very Merry Wintersday in 2019, it is labeled as a strike mission.

Version history

Patch	Changes
December 12, 2023	Updated Freezie's event timer to indicate that Freezie will become enraged when the timer ends.
December 13, 2022	Logging out while inside the Secret Lair of the Snowmen instance will now return you to your previous map when you log in again. An exit portal for the Secret Lair of the Snowmen Strike Mission has been added to the compass.
December 17, 2019	The Secret Lair of the Snowmen has been updated as a Strike Mission, allowing heroes to choose between entering as a team or matching with like-minded festivalgoers.
December 11, 2018	Update 2: Fixed an issue that could cause a fight to incorrectly reset in the Secret Lair of the Snowmen. Secret Lair of the Snowmen has been added to the game.

Trivia

The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Secret Lair of the Snowmen.

• The bones found as part of the Polar Bones achievement belong to King Hundar, who once hid his greatest treasure—fine ale—within these caves.
• The instance is located to the west of Frostgorge Sound, but will not be visible on the main map.

References

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Wintersday
Accessed from: Divinity's Reach

Activities	Bell Choir Ensemble Secret Lair of the Snowmen Snowball Mayhem Snowfall Sprint Tixx's Infinirarium Toypocalypse Winter Wonderland
Achievements	Daily  For the Children!  Grawnk Munch  Traditions  The Wondrous Workshop  Winter's Presence (Weekly) Wintersday Festivities • The Goldclaw Holiday Collection
Vendors	Decorations Gift Wrapping Snowflake Trader Weapons Weekly Wintersday Crafting Wintersday Gifts Wintersday Rewards Wintersday Skins
Items	Invitation to Wintersday Rewards and items Gem Store
Other	Drooburt Orphans NPCs and dialogue

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Raids