As I sit here nursing my bruised ego and sore thumbs after another failed attempt at defeating Genshin Impact's newest boss, I can't help but laugh at my own stubbornness. It's 2025, and HoYoverse has once again found a way to make me question my gaming skills with the introduction of the Secret Source Automaton: Configuration Device in Version 5.1. This mechanical monstrosity has been giving players like me headaches since its release last month, and I'm here to share my pain-filled journey.

The Boss That Broke My Spirit (And My Controller)

Let me paint you a picture: imagine trying to fight a toaster that has 60% resistance to EVERYTHING and refuses to take meaningful damage unless you play by its very specific rules. That's essentially what the Secret Source Automaton is—a glorified kitchen appliance with an attitude problem that's more stubborn than my cat refusing to get off my keyboard during raid night.

The central mechanic of this boss revolves around Nightsoul mechanics, which only Natlan characters can trigger. After triggering these mechanics enough times, the boss summons two pillars of Solid Phlogiston. And here's the kicker—only characters from the Children of the Echoes tribe can climb these pillars to attack the cores that power the boss.

My first attempt at this fight was like trying to open a pickle jar with buttered hands—frustrating, messy, and ultimately futile. I went in with my favorite team comp that I've been perfecting since 2023, only to discover that without Xilonen or Kachina (the only two Children of the Echoes characters available), I was essentially throwing pebbles at a tank.

The Pillar Problem: A Tale of Woe

The two Solid Phlogiston pillars that appear during the fight might as well be middle fingers pointed directly at players who haven't invested in specific characters. These towering structures, which hold the key to making the boss vulnerable, are about as accessible to most characters as a five-star hotel is to my empty wallet.

I tried everything! Using Kinich's grapple hook was like trying to use dental floss to climb Mount Everest. Chiori's teleportation ability got me close, but not quite there. And Wanderer's flight? Let's just say I ended up face-planting into the pillar more times than I care to admit.

My attempts to reach these cores have been so pathetic that I'm pretty sure the boss has been laughing at me. If bosses could post on social media, this one would definitely be sharing clips of my failures with captions like "Watch this player try to beat me without Xilonen or Kachina! 🤣"

The Resistance Is Not Futile, It's Just Really Annoying

With all resistances cranked up to 60%, hitting this boss without breaking its mechanics is like trying to cut a steak with a plastic spoon—technically possible, but why would you put yourself through that?

I spent three hours yesterday just chipping away at its health bar. My damage numbers were so small they needed a microscope to be seen. What normally would be impressive 50k crits were reduced to sad little 20k taps. I felt like I was trying to empty the ocean with a teacup.

The most frustrating part is knowing there's a simple solution: just use Xilonen or Kachina. But my stubborn gamer pride has me convinced there must be another way. I've been playing since launch, and by the Archons, I will find a way to beat this mechanical menace on my own terms!

The Natlan Nation Expansion: A Double-Edged Sword

The expansion of Natlan in Genshin Impact has been both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, we've got this gorgeous new region with rich lore and exciting characters. On the other hand, we have bosses like the Secret Source Automaton that make me question my life choices.

Before this boss came along, Natlan only had two world bosses: the Gluttonous Yumkasaur Mountain King and the Goldflame Qucusaur Tyrant. Both challenging, but at least they didn't discriminate against my character roster like this new mechanical menace.

As a veteran player who has prided myself on being able to adapt to any challenge, this boss has been humbling. It's like showing up to a potluck dinner with a carefully prepared dish only to find out it's actually a formal five-course meal with specific dress code requirements—and you're wearing flip-flops.

My Coping Strategies (Or Lack Thereof)

To deal with this boss, I've developed a few strategies:

1. Denial - Pretend the boss doesn't exist and focus on other content

2. Anger - Yell colorful phrases at my screen while failing repeatedly

3. Bargaining - "Maybe if I just level up my artifacts one more time..."

4. Depression - Lie on the floor contemplating why I play this game

5. Acceptance - Finally break down and build Kachina properly

I'm currently oscillating between stages 2 and 5, with occasional relapses to stage 1 after particularly frustrating defeats.

The Community Response

The Genshin community has been divided on this boss. Some players are embracing the challenge and the need to diversify their team comps, while others (like me) are stubbornly trying to find workarounds.

Forums and Discord channels are filled with discussions about:

• Potential alternative methods to reach the pillars

• Optimal team comps without Natlan characters

• Calculations on how long it would take to defeat the boss without breaking its mechanics

• Creative ways to express frustration through memes

Looking Forward: Hope on the Horizon?

HoYoverse has a history of listening to player feedback, so there's hope that future updates might introduce more flexibility to this boss fight. Perhaps new characters will join the Children of the Echoes tribe, or maybe the mechanics will be adjusted to allow for more diverse approaches.

Until then, I'll continue my quest to defeat this mechanical nightmare, even if it means finally investing in characters I've been neglecting. My pride may be bruised, but my determination remains as strong as a hilichurl's love for slimes.

As I write this, I'm preparing for another attempt with a newly built team. My Kachina is finally properly leveled, though her artifacts are about as optimized as a bicycle with square wheels. But hey, progress is progress!

In the end, this boss fight, like many challenges in Genshin Impact, has pushed me to explore new characters and strategies. It's frustrating, yes, but also a reminder of why I've stuck with this game for so long—it never stops challenging me to grow as a player.

So here's my question to fellow travelers: How far are you willing to go to maintain your preferred playstyle before adapting to new mechanics? Are you a stubborn resistor like me, or do you embrace change with open arms and an open wallet?

Until next time, may your pulls be lucky and your resin never cap!