Assassin’s Creed Valhalla ushers players into a sprawling adventure set in the age of Vikings. Embodying Eivor, a Viking raider and clan leader, players are thrust into a rich story that intertwines combat, exploration, and the Norse tradition. Ubisoft’s dedication to historical immersion allows gamers to experience the Viking saga in a way that is both expansive and meticulous, with a variety of secrets and collectibles scattered across a partitioned map featuring numerous regions, each offering unique challenges and treasures.
The game mechanics balance brute force and cunning, encouraging players to approach each objective with a mix of strategy and strength. Along with major story arcs, Valhalla teems with side activities, puzzles, and hidden elements that reward exploration and problem-solving. Gamers are tasked with uncovering these secrets to not only enhance their gameplay experience but also to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of the Viking narrative crafted by Ubisoft.
Top 15 Secrets
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is teeming with secrets, some of which are so elusive that even the most dedicated players might not have uncovered them all.
- Subtle Tolkien References: The game nods to J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, including quests named after characters and locations from both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
- A Sea Monster Easter Egg: In the Wrath of the Druids DLC, players can find the bones of a large sea creature on the northeastern shore of Ireland.
- Animus Anomalies: These are glitchy, platforming puzzles scattered across the map, serving as a reminder of the game’s connection to the larger Assassin’s Creed universe.
- Strawmen Assassinations for Free Adrenaline: Eivor can assassinate strawmen around their settlement for a quick adrenaline boost, a subtle exploit not widely realized.
- An Exploit for Flying Paper Catches: Using the Blinding Rush ability, players can slow down time to catch flying papers more easily.
- A Callback to the First Game: The game features assassinations in York that mirror those in Damascus from the original Assassin’s Creed, serving as a subtle homage.
- Trogdor the Burninator: A reference to the Homestar Runner web series, this easter egg involves a tattoo design found in the game.
- Words of the High One: Hidden runes on the official game website reveal a verse from Hávamál, alluding to wisdom from Odin.
- The Collector’s Edition: Owners of this edition have additional secrets to discover, including hidden runes in physical items.
- Fireflies: Collecting and releasing fireflies in your settlement unlocks a beautiful visual effect.
- Murdering Winifred: A dark twist on a Winnie the Pooh-inspired event where players can choose to kill a bear named Winifred.
- COVID-19 Mention: An email found outside of the Animus references the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a direct acknowledgment of real-world events.
- Fenton: A sheepdog quest that subtly references a viral YouTube video featuring a dog named Fenton.
- Visit Asgard & Jotunheim: Players can visit these mythical realms by building a specific house in their settlement and following a questline.
- Return the Leaf: A touching quest that involves helping a young girl waiting for her father by interacting with a leaf on a tree.
Hidden Locations & Encounters
- Hidden Cave of Trials: In the region of Eurvicscire, a well-hidden cave contains a series of platforming trials. Completing them rewards you with the mythical Nodens’ Arc bow.
- Thor’s Well: This curious location in East Anglia features a peculiar well with an intricate mechanism. Interacting with it at specific stages of Excalibur’s collection grants powerful rewards.
- Orlog Champions: While Orlog, the in-game dice game, might seem simple, dedicated players can find hidden champions across the map to challenge, each with their unique playstyle.
- The Tiny House: Amidst the vastness of Norway, a comically small house in the Rygjafylke region offers a humorous, unexpected find.
- Vinland Arc: While not completely secret, you can sail to North America (Vinland), a unique area that offers a self-contained story arc and different challenges.
Pop Culture References & Easter Eggs
- Robin Hood Easter Egg: In Snotinghamscire, players stumble upon a camp featuring several elements and characters mirroring the legendary tale of Robin Hood.
- Alice in Wonderland: Drinking a special potion in the Ravensthorpe settlement triggers a hallucinogenic trip down a rabbit hole, complete with tea party references.
- Excalibur!: This iconic mythical sword isn’t just a simple find. Collecting the Treasures of Britain tablets and solving a cave puzzle is required to wield it.
- Harry Potter Easter Eggs: Fans of the wizarding world might find joy in several subtle nods such as a flying broom or a note about ‘The Snitch’.
Gameplay Quirks
- Rock Balancing Power: Completing enough Cairn challenges around the map grants Eivor the power to balance an improbable number of rocks on top of each other.
- Dual Spears: Although not intended, a glitch allows Eivor to dual-wield spears, a potent and unusual combat style for those skilled enough to exploit it.
- Cat Skills: Ravensthorpe’s resident cat can be petted and befriended. Doing so leads to the feline bringing you small gifts as a reward.
Mythical & Legendary
- Hidden Ones Bureaus: Scattered throughout England, these bureaus contain clues and rewards from the precursor Assassin order.
- Fight Beasts of Legend: Defeat monstrous legendary animals in hidden lairs for unique trophies and bragging rights.
- Mysterious Isu Tombs: Explore ancient Isu sites and solve their environmental puzzles to uncover powerful artifacts.
- Odin’s Hidden Vault: Located beneath Ravensthorpe, uncover the secrets of Odin within this concealed chamber.
Fun & Surprising
- Rap Battle Like a Pro: Improve your flyting skills by mastering insults and rhythms and become a champion wordsmith.
- The Fishing Hut: Unlock the fishing hut in your settlement for a relaxing mini-game and some extra resources.
- Hidden Romance Options: Engage in various romantic encounters across England, some more lighthearted than others.
- Secret Order Member: Hunt down zealots of the Order of Ancients, including a hidden member revealed through extensive exploration.
Easter Eggs & References
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: A crashed spaceship and a strange towel pay homage to this classic sci-fi comedy series.
- Dark Souls Tribute: Discover a bonfire and a sword embedded in stone, echoing the iconic imagery of the Dark Souls games.
- Bilbo Baggins’ Home: A cozy hobbit-like house can be found in Glowecestrescire, a nod to the world of Tolkien.
- A Puzzling Altar: A Stonehenge-like structure with a mystery requiring stones gathered from across the world.
Gameplay Tricks & Quirks
- Torch of Infinite Burning: A special torch with unlimited fuel can be found, easing exploration of dark caves.
- Become a Bear Rider: Taming a bear and riding it into battle is an unconventional but hilarious possibility.
- Secret Raids: Discover locations ripe for plunder that aren’t officially marked as raid spots.
- Swimming with Orcas: Spot and swim alongside pods of orcas (killer whales) in the vast Norwegian Sea.
Community Connections
- Player-Created Tattoos: Talented players can import their custom tattoo designs into the game, adding a unique touch.
- The Mystery of the Lady of the Lake: Explore a haunting site based on an Arthurian legend.
- Community-Made Photo Mode Creations: Browse and share in-game photography, capturing dramatic or comical scenes.
- Unveiling the Isu Language: Fans have worked to decode the intricate Isu language found throughout the game.
Key Takeaways
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla offers an elaborate Viking experience with an emphasis on exploration.
- In-game mechanics provide a blend of combat, strategy, and cultural immersion.
- Discovering secrets within the game enriches the overall story and gameplay.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla immerses players in a detailed world of Viking lore, complete with a robust combat system, extensive exploration opportunities, and intricate gear and resource management. Mastery of these elements is crucial to uncover the game’s many secrets and to experience all aspects of Viking life in the game.
Combat and Skills
In Valhalla, combat is all about strategy and proper skill use. The skill tree offers pathways to enhance your abilities—think carefully about where to place your skill points as they affect your approach to battles. Players should aim for enemy weak points, which require precision to hit but can be swiftly located with careful observation. Successful hits to these points can be the difference between victory and defeat. Mastering light and heavy attacks as well as the dodge and roll mechanics will help players outmaneuver adversaries. Stamina management is essential; running out could leave you vulnerable. Players can gain XP and level up by engaging in combat, completing quests, and finding books of knowledge, which in turn unlocks new skills.
Exploration and Quests
Exploration in AC Valhalla is rewarding and essential for progress. The map is peppered with quests, world events, and secrets like Roman artifacts, treasure maps, and Animus anomalies. Engaging in these not only enriches the experience but also provides valuable rewards. For meticulous explorers, standing stones and treasures of Britain offer unique puzzles that yield useful resources when solved. Additionally, side quests often tell compelling stories that flesh out the world, giving more depth to the Norse and Saxon landscape. Fishing and hunting are leisure activities that can provide food and resources necessary for maintaining health.
Gear and Resources
Players will find a variety of gear throughout their journey. Weapons and armor are found by exploring the world, raiding locations, and defeating legendary animals. Settlement upgrades in Ravensthorpe are tied to resources like ingots, gold, and various supplies that can be gathered by exploring or successful raid completion. Each piece of gear can be upgraded to enhance its stats. Using resources wisely is key to improving gear and growing your settlement. Players should always keep an eye out for valuable loot that can aid in these upgrades. Food is a critical resource for maintaining health in and out of combat, and gathering it should be a regular activity.
World and Setting
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s expansive game universe immerses players in a richly detailed historical environment. It spans several maps reflecting the cultures and landscapes of Norway and England in the Viking era, each with distinct regions and cultural elements.
Regions and Politics
The world of Valhalla is divided into many regions such as Cent, Rygjafylke, Hordafylke, and Grantebridgescire. In England, players encounter diverse kingdoms like East Anglia, Essexe, and Wincestre. Each area features its own set of leaders, political struggles, and possibilities for alliances. As Eivor, the protagonist, you will forge alliances with local kings and navigate the combative landscape of each territory through both dialogue and force. DLC expansions, including “Wrath of the Druids” and “Dawn of Ragnarok,” further enrich the political narrative by introducing new regions and political frameworks.
Culture and Activities
In addition to politics, these lands offer a breadth of cultural experiences. In towns, Eivor can partake in activities like Orlog, a dice game, or find romance. The Raven Clan’s culture is central to the gameplay, with the concept of raiding being pivotal. Players conduct raids to gather resources, often resulting in fast-paced and strategic combats. Raids contribute to the wealth of your settlement and allow for its growth. Players can also uncover stories of traitors, engage in hunting, and explore mythical realms such as Asgard and Vinland, which adds to the game’s cultural mosaic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding secrets in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla can give players new items and gameplay experiences. This section answers common questions about secret items, maps, codes, and in-game surprises.
How can I find secret weapons in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Players can find secret weapons scattered throughout the game’s world. Building structures like the fishing hut in your settlement can lead to discovering hidden gear. Regular exploration and completing side quests often reveal powerful, hidden weapons.
Where is the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla secrets map located?
The secrets map in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla isn’t a standalone item. Instead, players uncover secrets as they explore various regions within the game. They should look for hints or items that could lead to discovering secret paths or treasures.
What are the cheat codes for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on PS4?
Cheat codes aren’t officially released for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on PS4. Any in-game advantages usually come from discovering glitches, exploits, or tricks within the game rather than entering specific codes.
How do I redeem free codes in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Free codes in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla can be redeemed in the game’s store. Enter the Ubisoft Connect interface and input the code to receive your free items or bonuses.
Are there any hidden endings in AC Valhalla?
The game does contain alternate endings which are influenced by choices players make. To experience different endings, players should pay attention to the narrative choices presented in key story moments.
Can you uncover an Easter egg in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Yes, there are Easter eggs in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. These are hidden features or jokes that developers have included. Finding them typically requires a keen eye and attention to detail, and they are often discovered by exploring the game world thoroughly.
