The Fischmas event in Fisch introduces the ultimate endgame challenge: obtaining the legendary Maelstrom Rod. As the strongest and final fishing rod released in the update, it offers unmatched stats, unlimited weight capacity, and a unique casting mechanic that rewards timing. This exclusive item is only available during the Fischmas event. This guide provides a complete, step-by-step walkthrough to secure this powerful rod before the event ends.
What is the Maelstrom Rod?
The Maelstrom Rod is a limited-time, endgame fishing rod exclusive to the Fischmas event. It boasts the highest statistics in the game, features unlimited weight capacity (removing line break worries), and utilizes a unique casting mechanic that prioritizes player timing over simple button presses. It is designed specifically for late-game players seeking the ultimate fishing tool.
Prerequisites: Starting the Maelstrom Rod Questline
You cannot begin the journey for the Maelstrom Rod directly. First, you must complete the core Fischmas event storyline.
Complete Santa’s Questline: Finish all quests given by the Santa NPC in the festive village. This lengthy chain is the foundation of the event.
Obtain Key Items: Upon completion, you will receive two crucial items:
Santa’s Miracle Rod: Your base rod for the upgrade.
Ever Frost Key: A special key required later in the quest.
Step 1: Prepare Your Rod with Festive Enchant
Before anything else, you must enhance your Santa’s Miracle Rod.
Apply the Festive Enchant to your Santa’s Miracle Rod. This requires a Festive Relic, an item typically earned through earlier Fischmas quests or activities. This enchantment is mandatory for progression.
Step 2: Gather the Three Essential Items
You must collect three rare items. Missing any one will block your progress.
Frost Moon Totem: Purchase this from an event vendor in the village for 5,000 Bells.
Essence of Winter: A very rare drop with a 1 in 1,000 chance while fishing anywhere in the festive village during the event.
Essence of Star Frost: A rare drop with a 1 in 150 chance obtained only while fishing during the active Frost Moon phase (see next step).
Step 3: Activate the Frost Moon & Open the Vault
The Frost Moon is a special event phase required to proceed.
Activate the Frost Moon: Use the Frost Moon Totem at the designated altar in the village. This will change the in-game time to night and trigger the special moon phase, enabling the next steps.
Pull the Three Levers: During the Frost Moon, find and interact with three hidden levers scattered around the village. Their locations are often on rooftops, behind buildings, or in secluded corners.
Open the Central Vault: After pulling all three levers, a vault or sealed door in the center of the village will unlock. Approach and open it.
Step 4: Summon and Catch the Cryoshock Serpent
This is the boss encounter of the questline.
Pour the Essences: Inside the vault, you will find a serpent statue. Interact with it to pour in both the Essence of Winter and Essence of Star Frost.
Use the Ever Frost Key: With the essences placed, use your Ever Frost Key on the statue. This will summon the Cryoshock Serpent, a powerful event boss.
Defeat and Catch It: Engage the Cryoshock Serpent. You must deplete its health and successfully catch it to log it in your bestiary. This fight tests your upgraded rod and skills.
Step 5: Claim Your Reward – Purchasing the Maelstrom Rod
After defeating the serpent, a new path will open, leading to a final platform or hidden area.
Navigate to the end of this area to find a special vendor or shop.
Here, you can finally purchase the Maelstrom Rod for 3,250,000 in-game currency (Bells).
Conclusion
The path to the Maelstrom Rod in Fisch is the definitive endgame challenge of the Fischmas event. It requires meticulous preparation, grinding for rare materials, solving environmental puzzles, and defeating a formidable boss. By following this guide—completing Santa’s quests, gathering the three essences, activating the Frost Moon, and conquering the Cryoshock Serpent—you will earn the right to purchase this unparalleled rod. Remember, it vanishes after Fischmas, so embark on this epic quest before time runs out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I get the Maelstrom Rod after the Fischmas event ends?
A: No. The Maelstrom Rod, along with all the required quests and items (like the Essences and Totem), is exclusive to the Fischmas event and will be unavailable once it concludes.
Q: Is the Santa’s Miracle Rod with Festive Enchant consumed during the quest?
A: No, it is not consumed. You need it equipped to progress through certain steps, but you will keep it.
Q: What happens if the Frost Moon ends before I pull the levers?
A: You will likely need to use another Frost Moon Totem to reactivate the phase. Prepare to gather multiple totems if needed.
Q: Can I fight the Cryoshock Serpent with friends?
A: This depends on the game’s mechanics for the event. Typically, such boss encounters in Fisch are solo instances, but check event instructions for co-op possibilities.
Q: Is the Maelstrom Rod tradeable?
A: Almost certainly not. Powerful endgame and event-limited items are usually bound to the player’s account that earned them.