View source for Secret Lair of the Snowmen

{{Temporary|release=A Very Merry Wintersday 2018|seasonal=Wintersday}}
{{quotation|In-game description|Enter the wintry Secret Lair of the Snowmen to restore their leader, Freezie.}}
{{Location infobox
| type = raid
| within = Shiverpeak Mountains
| location tree = Tyria; Shiverpeak Mountains
| id = 1306, 1352
| levels = 80
| loading-screen = Secret Lair of the Snowmen loading screen.jpg
}}
[[File:Secret Lair of the Snowmen entrance map.jpg|240px|thumb|Map location of the entrance to the Secret Lair.]]
The [[Secret Lair of the Snowmen]] is a [[raid|raid encounter]]<ref name="Wintersday Blog">[https://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/releases/december-17-2019/ A Very Merry Wintersday 2019], GuildWars2.com</ref> that was introduced for [[A Very Merry Wintersday 2018|A Very Merry Wintersday]] in 2018 with the [[Game updates/2018-12-11|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 [[File:Event Wintersday.png|24px|link=Secret Lair of the Snowmen]] portal next to [[Cob]] in [[The Crown Pavilion]] in [[Divinity's Reach]] (south-west of {{waypoint|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! <br> {{event bar empty}}
* Repeat the rescue: melt more minions! <br> {{event bar empty}}
* Watch for ice on the bridge! <br> {{event bar empty}}
* Thaw the ranks and get Jolly Donny to the door. <br> {{event bar empty}}
* Speak to Jolly Donny to proceed.
* Players in Strike Mission: x <small>(if public)</small>
* Engage Freezie
* Defrost Freezie!
** Freezie <br> {{event bar}}{{event icon|boss}}
** Crack Freezie's icy shell. <br> {{event bar}}{{event icon|boss}}
*** Freezie's Frozen Heart <br> {{event bar empty}}{{event icon|shield}}
*** Freezie's Shell Refreezing <br> {{event bar empty}}
** 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 {{skill icon|Snowball (skill)|size=20}} [[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 [[Jutting Ice Spikes|circle AoEs]] spawn throughout the journey. Frozen snowmen additionally block the path, eventually transforming into [[Ice Crusher]]s (melee) and [[Ice Spiker]]s (range). Defeating them will free them, allowing Jolly Donny to continue through the path.

[[File:Numbing Breach appearance.jpg|thumb|right|Clusters of icy veins on the bridge.]]
Upon reaching an icy bridge, it will be occupied by more snowmen and covered by [[Numbing Breach|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''': {{effect|Enraged (200%)}} - {{effect description|Enraged (200%)}}
:'''[[Fixated|Fixation]] Mechanic''': None
Freezie remains in the center of the arena for the entire encounter. His initial attacks are listed below:

{| {{STDT|mech2}}
! Skill
! Notes
|-
| style="width:120px;" | '''[[Cold-Hearted Aura]]'''
| Pulsing damage every 10 seconds.
|-
|'''[[Giant Snowball (chain)|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.<br>Summons a giant snowball that follows them, damaging players in its path. Leaves behind slippery ground.
|-
| '''[[Ice Cone]]'''
| Cone of projectiles auto-attack.
|}

[[Icy Protector]]s also periodically spawn and grant Freezie {{effect|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 [[Freezie's Frozen Heart|frozen heart]] is released and must be healed to full health. At the same time, Freezie regenerates from [[Ice Spiker]] projectiles and any [[Ice Stormer]]s 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 Pile]]s to get the {{skill icon|Snowball (skill)|size=20}} [[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.

{| {{STDT|mech2}}
! New skill
! Heart health
! Notes
|-
| style="width:120px;" |'''[[Frost Patch]]'''
| Any <small>(after first heart phase)</small>
| Icy lines in a snowflake pattern that inflict {{chilled}}.<br>All lines converge under Freezie, inflicting heavy damage to players directly under him.
|-
| '''[[Aurora Beam]]'''
| 33%
| Targets the '''furthest''' player indicated by the [[File:Fixated (purple).png|30px]] icon above the player.<br>Channels a purple beam that slowly rotates and follows them, with speed increasing based on the heart's health.<br>Pulses high damage every half-second, but dodgeable and safe to walk through the boss. 
|-
| '''[[Jutting Ice Spikes]]''' → <br>'''[[Blizzard]]'''
| 66%
| Icy spikes erupt around Freezie as a powerful gale of wind continually pushes players towards the outer AoE.<br>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:
* {{exp|37338}} or 14.7% of a level
* {{rewards item|Wintersday Gift|qty=30}}

Additionally, players will receive a daily [[Wintersday Chest]] containing the following:
* 1 piece of [[equipment]] of {{rarity|Rare}} or higher quality , typically {{item icon|Piece of Rare Unidentified Gear}}
* Chance at one of the following:
** {{item icon|Wintersday Gift}} (10)
** {{item icon|Mini Freezie}}
** {{item icon|Mini Wintersday Cheer Freezie}}
** {{item icon|Mini Magical Reindeer}}
** {{item icon|Mini Mystical Snowflake}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Axe}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Dagger}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Focus}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Greatsword}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Hammer}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Longbow}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Mace}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Pistol}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Rifle}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Scepter}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Shield}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Short Bow}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Staff}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Sword}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Torch}}
** {{item icon|Giver's Wintergreen Warhorn}}
** {{item icon|Wintergreen Custom Candy Cane Hammer}}

== NPCs ==
=== Allies ===
* [[Freezie's Frozen Heart]]
* Frozen Snowman / [[Jolly Donny]]
* [[Snowman (NPC)|Snowman]]

=== Services ===
: {{vendor|reinforce armor}} [[Anvil]]

=== Foes ===
* [[Freezie]] <small>(<b>boss</b>; ally upon defeat)</small>
* [[Ice Crusher]]
* [[Ice Spiker]]
* [[Ice Stormer]]
* [[Icy Protector]]

== Objects ==
* [[Dwarven Skeleton]]  for the {{achievement|Pitcher of Joy}} and the {{achievement|Polar Bones}} - 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!
:{{dialogue icon|more}} ''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!
::{{dialogue icon|end}} ''Let's do it!''

;Upon rescuing Snowmen <small>(random chance at one of the following)</small>
:'''Snowman:''' (joyful giggling)
:'''Snowman:''' Thanks for the thaw!
:'''Snowman:''' Hooray, hooray! It's Wintersday!

;At the beginning of "Repeat the rescue<nowiki>:</nowiki> 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
:<small>'''(if public and fewer than 5 players inside)'''</small>
:'''Jolly Donny:''' We'll need more help to save Freezie!
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''I'll check back when help arrives.''
:<small>'''(otherwise)'''</small>
:'''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!
:<small>'''(if public)'''</small>
:(Advancing will lock your party and prevent any other players from joining the Strike Mission.)
:{{dialogue icon|ready}} ''All right, let's save Wintersday.''
::<small>'''(if public and fewer than ?{{verify}} players inside)'''</small>
::Could use a little more Wintersday cheer. You sure you're ready?<br><br>(You have fewer players than recommended for this Strike Mission. Choose to go forward anyway, or wait for more help.)
:::{{dialogue icon|ready}} ''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!'''
:::{{dialogue icon|end}} ''We'll wait for more help.''
::<small>'''(otherwise)'''</small>
::'''Your party has been locked.'''
::'''No new players will be able to join the Strike Mission. Work with your party to complete the goal!'''
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''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!
:{{dialogue icon|more}} ''All right, let's save Wintersday.''
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''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!
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''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?
:{{dialogue icon|yes}} ''Yes.''
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''Not right now.''

== Related achievements ==
[[File:Polar Bones map.jpg|thumb|right|Location of the skeleton]]
* {{achievement|Pitcher of Joy}}
** 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.
* {{achievement|Polar Bones}}
** Can be found by the wall at ground level in the northeast side of the initial area.
* {{achievement|Straight to the Heart}}
* {{achievement|Wintersday's Guardian}}
* {{achievement|Saving Wintersday}}
* {{achievement|Daily Bonus Rewards: Infinirarium and Secret Lair}}

== 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 {{effect|Mounts Disabled}} nor {{effect|No Mount Use}} are shown on the bar.}} 
* If doing this activity for the [[(Weekly) Wintersday Festivities|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, {{effect|Gliding Disabled}} is in effect everywhere.
* Upon its introduction during [[A Very Merry Wintersday 2018|A Very Merry Wintersday]] in 2018, the Secret Lair of the Snowmen was originally referred to as a group instance because [[Strike Mission|strike missions]] had not been officially introduced into the game yet.<ref>[https://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/releases/december-11-2018/ A Very Merry Wintersday 2018], GuildWars2.com</ref> Since its return on [[A Very Merry Wintersday 2019|A Very Merry Wintersday]] in 2019, it is labeled as a strike mission.<ref name="Wintersday Blog" />

== Version history ==
{{Version history table header|hidetext=y}}
{{Version history table row|2023-12-12}}
* Updated Freezie's event timer to indicate that Freezie will become enraged when the timer ends.
{{Version history table row|2022-12-13}}
* 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.
{{Version history table row|2019-12-17}}
* 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.
{{Version history table row|2018-12-11}}
* 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 ==
{{gww}}
* The bones found as part of the Polar Bones achievement belong to [[gww:King Hundar|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 ==
<references />

{{Wintersday nav}}
{{Raid nav}}
[[de:Geheimer Unterschlupf der Schneemänner]]
[[es:Guarida Secreta de los Muñecos de Nieve]]
[[fr:Repaire secret des Bonshommes de neige]]