What to know
- Franz’s side quest begins at a secluded house northwest of the Bowery.
- The snowball is found in the Eastern Heath ice region near the Smelling Salts trinket area.
- You must carry the snowball all the way back without dropping or losing it.
- Completing the quest transforms Franz into a snowman and rewards you with the Dummy Cache utility item.
Mina the Hollower hides plenty of secrets away from the main path, and Franz’s Snowball Delivery quest is one of the more memorable optional tasks. What starts as a simple request from a dying man becomes a lengthy journey across multiple regions, culminating in a unique reward that can help during exploration and combat encounters.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Quest Name | Snowball Delivery |
| Quest Giver | Franz |
| Starting Area | Northwest of the Bowery |
| Objective | Bring a snowball from the ice biome to Franz |
| Snowball Location | Eastern Heath ice region |
| Nearby Landmark | Smelling Salts trinket location |
| Special Requirement | Do not drop the snowball |
| Reward | Dummy Cache |
| Additional Outcome | Franz becomes a snowman |
Where to find Franz and start the quest in Mina the Hollower
Franz can be found in a secluded home located far west of the Bowery area in Western Wilds. From the Bowery, continue navigating toward the northwestern section of the region until you discover a lone house separated from the busier parts of the map.
Inside the home, you’ll meet Franz, who explains that he has always wanted to see and possess a snowball at least once in his life. He believes his time is running out, making the request surprisingly emotional despite the game’s lighthearted presentation.
Accepting his request officially starts the side quest.
Location of the snowball
The snowball is located in the icy section of Eastern Heath. To reach it, travel east and continue past the bridge leading into the frozen biome.
The exact snowball can be found near the same area where players obtain the Smelling Salts trinket. If you’ve already collected that trinket, you should be familiar with the route. The snowball sits in the snowy platform section of the area and can be picked up once you reach it.
How to carry the snowball back to Franz
This quest is mechanically simple but requires patience.
Once you pick up the snowball, your goal is to transport it all the way back to Franz’s house. The primary challenge is ensuring that the snowball is not dropped during the journey.
Step 1
Travel to the Eastern Heath ice biome and locate the snowball near the Smelling Salts area.
Step 2
Pick up the snowball and begin the return trip immediately.
Step 3
Carefully retrace your route through the frozen region and back across the bridge.
Step 4
Continue traveling through the connecting areas while protecting the snowball.
Step 5
Reach Franz’s house in the northwest section above the Bowery.
Interact with Franz while carrying the snowball to complete the quest.
The safest strategy is simply to move steadily and avoid unnecessary risks or detours. Since the challenge comes entirely from maintaining possession of the snowball, rushing often creates more problems than it solves.
What happens after giving Franz the snowball
When you finally hand over the snowball, Franz’s wish is fulfilled in an unexpected way.
Instead of merely admiring it, Franz transforms into a snowman. This amusing conclusion serves as the quest’s final story moment and permanently changes the NPC’s appearance.
The transformation also unlocks a valuable new utility item.
Dummy Cache reward explained
Completing the Snowball Delivery quest rewards you with Dummy Cache.
According to its description:
Press B to place a Joule-filled decoy that distracts enemies.
The Dummy Cache functions as a distraction tool, allowing you to deploy a decoy that can pull enemy attention away from Mina. This can create openings during dangerous encounters, help reposition during combat, or provide safer opportunities to navigate hostile areas.
| Reward | Description |
|---|---|
| Dummy Cache | Places a Joule-filled decoy that distracts enemies |
| Franz’s Transformation | Franz permanently becomes a snowman |
| Quest Completion | Finishes one of Mina the Hollower’s hidden side quests |
Why the Dummy Cache is useful
Although easy to overlook, Dummy Cache can become surprisingly valuable during difficult sections of the game. Since enemies will focus on the decoy instead of Mina, it provides additional breathing room for healing, repositioning, escaping dangerous situations, or setting up attacks.
Players who enjoy experimenting with tools and utility items will likely find more opportunities to take advantage of its distraction effect throughout their adventure.
The Snowball Delivery side quest is a classic example of Mina the Hollower’s charm. A seemingly simple request sends you across the world carrying a fragile snowball, only for the story to end with Franz becoming a snowman and rewarding you with the useful Dummy Cache. If you’re aiming to uncover every hidden quest, collect every item, and experience the game’s stranger moments, this side quest is definitely worth completing.
