So you’re planning your first expedition into Orbis. Maybe you’re wondering where to start. Maybe you’re curious what’s out there. Maybe you just want to know which regions won’t kill you immediately.
We’ve got you covered. Here’s everything we know about the confirmed regions of Hytale, what makes each one unique, and what you can expect when you step through the portal.
First: A Quick Vocabulary Check
If you’ve been following Hytale for a while, you might remember the term “Zones.” As of the Spring 2025 update, that terminology is out. We’re now talking about Regions.
What’s the difference?
- Old Zones — Large areas with mixed content
- New Regions — Collections of 3-5 biomes with cohesive themes
Regions are smaller than Zones but there are more of them. This finer control gives each area a stronger sense of identity. Think of it like this: instead of a massive area with everything mashed together, you get focused regions that each have a clear personality.
Central Grasslands: Where It All Begins
The Central Grasslands “represents the heart of what was once Zone 1.” This is the starting area—the place where “many journeys on Orbis begin.”
What It Looks Like
From the official screenshots and descriptions:
- Open prairies — Wide, grassy spaces with sparse forests scattered throughout
- Rocky outcrops — Stone formations breaking up the flat terrain
- Resource-rich — “Rich in resources” suggests good starting materials for new players
What Lives Here
This is Trork territory. The Spring update doesn’t shy away from this: “Trorks make their homes here.”
For the uninitiated, Trorks are the aggressive mushroom-like creatures we’ve seen in trailers. They’re described as “Orbis’ most dangerous monster-hunters,” which tells you two things:
- They’re aggressive toward players
- They hunt other creatures too
This isn’t just “enemy mobs spawn here.” It’s an ecosystem, and Trorks are the apex predator of the grasslands.
For New Players
The Central Grasslands being the starting area makes sense:
- Resources are plentiful — You won’t struggle to find basic materials
- The terrain is manageable — No extreme weather or treacherous terrain
- The threat is known — Trorks are dangerous but predictable
This is your tutorial zone, basically. But unlike some games where the starting area is boring and safe, Hytale is giving us a place that’s beautiful but still has teeth.
Wild Savannah: Where Zones Converge
The Wild Savannah “draws on aspects of old Zones 1, 2, and 3.” This is an interesting concept—a region that’s a blend of multiple biomes from different areas.
What This Means
We don’t have visual confirmation yet, but the name and description suggest:
- Savannah terrain — Open grasslands with scattered trees
- Mixed influences — Elements from temperate, desert, and arctic zones
- Transitional ecosystem — Creatures and plants from multiple regions
This could be a fascinating region biologically. What happens when species from different zones share the same space? Do they compete? Coexist? We’ll have to wait and see.
Boreal Frontier: The Frozen North
The Boreal Frontier draws from old Zone 3—the arctic zone. We’ve seen snippets of this area in trailers and blog posts.
Confirmed Creatures
From earlier coverage, we know the arctic zone is home to:
- Mountain goats — Cliff-dwelling herbivores that navigate steep terrain
- Bears — Forest predators, territorial and aggressive
- The Yeti — Apex predator of the arctic, lives in mountain caves
What to Expect
The Boreal Frontier isn’t just “snow zone.” The terrain includes:
- Mountain ranges — Serious climbing opportunities
- Fast-flowing frozen rivers — Iced-over waterways
- Ice caves — Underground formations with their own ecosystems
For Adventurers
Cold environments in games often come with mechanics:
- Temperature effects — Snow and ice that “actually affect gameplay”
- Specialized gear — Need warm clothing to survive?
- Slippery terrain — Movement implications?
The official blog has mentioned that climate mechanics aren’t just cosmetic—the cold “isn’t just a visual filter.” Plan accordingly.
Earthglade: The Deep Forest
Earthglade is described as “deep forests” where Trorks have “steered themselves once again into the path of an old adversary.”
That phrase—“old adversary”—is doing a lot of work. Who are they talking about? The Kweebecs, probably. We know from the Spring update that Trorks and Kweebecs have a history of conflict. “Marauding Trorks” are why Mature Kweebecs and Razorleaves exist.
What This Means for Players
Earthglade sounds like contested territory. You’ve got:
- Dense forests — Limited visibility, lots of cover
- Trork activity — They’re here, and they’re probably aggressive
- Kweebec presence — Villages that might be friendly… or might need help
This could be one of the most interesting regions for emergent gameplay. What happens when two NPC factions are fighting, and players enter the mix?
Unnamed Regions: What We’re Still Waiting For
The Spring update mentions that Regions have “replaced Zones as the way we approach designing each part of Orbis,” but only gives us details on a few. We’re still waiting on information about:
The Zone 2 Equivalent
Zone 2 was the sun-baked desert home to the Ferans. We know Ferans wear shackles reminiscent of their history as conquered people. We know the desert has “bright and colorful cacti” that influenced clothing design.
There must be a Region that covers this area. We just haven’t seen the official reveal yet.
The Zone 4 Equivalent
Zone 4 was the “devastated” tropical zone with dinosaurs and ancient ruins. A Region covering this area would likely be one of the most interesting for players who care about lore and exploration.
Other Potential Regions
We know there are “more” Regions than the old Zones. What else is out there?
- Coastal regions? — Islands, beaches, ocean biomes?
- Underground regions? — Cave systems, subterranean zones?
- Unique biomes? — Places that don’t fit the old Zone categories?
Only Hypixel knows for sure, and they’re not telling us everything yet.
What This Means for Your Journey
The Region system has practical implications for how you’ll play:
Progression Through Biomes
Each Region contains 3-5 biomes with cohesive themes. This means:
- Gradual difficulty — Regions likely scale in challenge
- Thematic variety — Each area feels distinct
- Exploration rewards — New regions bring new resources, new creatures, new challenges
Multiplayer Considerations
Different Regions support different playstyles:
- Central Grasslands — Good for gathering, base-building
- Boreal Frontier — For players who want harsh challenges
- Earthglade — For those who want NPC interaction and faction dynamics
Server Planning
For server operators, Regions offer interesting possibilities:
- Region-specific servers — Roleplay servers set in one area
- Cross-region events — Multi-region adventures
- Trading networks — Resources vary by region, creating economic opportunities
Preparation Tips
We don’t have the full game yet, but based on what we know, here’s some speculative advice:
For the Central Grasslands
- Bring basic gear — You’ll need to defend against Trorks
- Gather while you can — Resources are plentiful here, scarcer elsewhere
- Learn the Trork patterns — Their aggression has limits
For the Boreal Frontier
- Warm clothing — Assuming temperature mechanics exist
- Climbing gear? — Mountains will require preparation
- Respect the Yeti — You’re not killing one until you’re properly equipped
For Earthglade
- Stealth options — Dense forests reward cautious movement
- Diplomacy gear — If Kweebecs are friendly, you might want to look non-threatening
- Combat readiness — Trorks don’t care if you’re diplomatic
The Bottom Line
Orbis is big. It’s diverse. And the Region system ensures that each area has a clear identity and purpose. You’re not just exploring “more of the same”—you’re discovering genuinely new places with their own creatures, resources, and challenges.
The Central Grasslands are your starting point. From there? The world is open. The Boreal Frontier awaits. Earthglade’s deep forests call. The Wild Savannah’s mixed biomes promise unique encounters.
We’ll fill in the blanks as Hypixel reveals more. But based on what we know, Orbis is going to be worth exploring—and that’s the most important thing.
Pack your bags. The journey begins in the grasslands, but it doesn’t end there.
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