None can deny that Assassin' Creed Valhalla is a colossal game with numerous locales to explore and secrets to uncover. One area that treasure-hunters might overlook, though, is the Vikings' native country of Norway. Although players start their journey here, the point is to get to England, where untold wealth supposedly lies.
With this in mind, fans can be forgiven for not thinking about what they can find on the home turf. After all, why would the Northmen be so fixated on raiding other countries if they haven't already milked theirs dry? However, this frigid land still has some last remnants of riches waiting for eagle-eyed explorers to find.
Updated February 7, 2022, by Stephen LaGioia: While England has remained the focus of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, gamers are finding that there are plenty of other lush, action-filled lands to explore. Various added content and side quest arcs like The Asgard Saga, River Raids, and the DLC packs open up distinct, all-new locales with their own slew of goodies, quests, and points of interest.
Yet, dating back to the game's release, Norway remains under the radar as a fun change of pace — and a memorably scenic, often overlooked land to get lost in. As gamers seek to power up Eivor and increasingly venture out from England, it seemed fitting to revisit and fill out this handy guide to Norway and its often-missed secrets.
15 Fly Agaric Battle
One of the more unique side ventures in Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the ability to "take a trip," as it were, by consuming the smattering of fly agaric fungi strewn about the vast lands. Seeking these out can be fairly tricky on their own, as it the case for many in Hordafylke.
Assuming Eivor is at or around a power of 280, venture to the large island in the north. The mushroom resides near the base of a mountain, to the southeast of a synchronization point that's perched atop the mountain. Be ready for a battle after consuming the mushrooms, as a handful of potent fighters will appear, one of whom wields a large axe.
14 Elk Of Bloody Peaks
Seeking out and slaying the range of Legendary animals can be a fun and rewarding — albeit a tough — task in Valhalla. One of the easier varieties comes in the form of an Elk that roams the mountains west of Fornburg, Rygjafylke. Seek out a blue dot representing a Mystery, as it will turn into a paw print once Eivor draws near.
Players shouldn't have too much issue bringing down this beast if they're at a suitable power level. However, be prepared to dodge and sidestep, as the Elk favors running and charging about. Victors will be rewarded with some leather, a couple of skill points, and the ability to display its mounted head by way of a tanner.
13 War Hammer
Players can take advantage of this one-handed weapon, as it's fairly strong considering how early on it can be obtained. Still, the trick is actually finding it. Players who favor heavy hits will want to give this one a try, as it rewards players with a bump in heavy damage following a Heavy Finisher (up to five times).
Players will want to climb atop a hut that resides at an enemy camp southwest of a large town called Stavanger. This is in the Rygjafylke area, southwest Norway. Looking across the way from the hut rooftop will reveal a hanging platform with an enticing gold chest. Leap across to the platform and claim the hidden treasure.
12 Thorn Of Slumber
Ranged assassins rejoice! For Eivor's homeland houses a subtly effective and often overlooked Book of Knowledge ability that fires sleep-inducing arrows on foes. Head to Gryttirsand, Rygjafylke, and seek out the gold square symbol on the map.
Specifically, the book is hidden in a central outpost south of the Nottfall camp. Break the wooden platform obstructing the ladder to reach the lower level and claim this useful ability.
11 Cairn
One of the more unique side tasks in Valhalla is a series of brief puzzles that require Eivor to take a break from the action and, as it happens, stack a pile of stones without them tumbling down. One of these can be found on the west end of an island in west Hordafylke, a bit southwest of a synchronization point.
Unlike some later manifestations of these "Cairns," this one is fairly simple to cobble together, as it features just four stones that are relatively wide. But again, finding this small, desolate area is the real trick. Players will be granted a skill point upon completion; not bad considering the brief, simple nature of this rocky puzzle.
10 Throwing Axe Fury
Devotees of certain Viking media, particularly God of War, might want to take note. In the region of Rygjafylke, players can enter a cave near Nottfall. It resides at the location of the first raid against Kotjve's forces. Although Eivor eventually comes to a wall with a locked door, the real way inside is through a hole to the right.
This leads them to a Book of Knowledge containing the Throwing Axe Fury ability. The name is self-explanatory, and hurling these projectiles is a great way of tackling enemy groups. More importantly, players everywhere can imagine they're wielding the Leviathan Axe before wielding the Leviathan Axe for real.
9 Mark of Death
Like many abilities, the Mark of Death is hidden in a secret room. The specific location is Alrekstad. Eivor descends through a hole into another cave, where the Book of Knowledge awaits. Players will need to shoot down boulders resting in a net to clear the way for the cave.
The ability itself is worth having to take out several opponents at once, making Eivor an efficient killing machine from range. As a side note: it's not unlike the ally kills in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, one aspect that made that entry one of the best.
The real kicker, though, is that the key to the cave is cruelly located in a pile of pig dung. It's perhaps not one of the proudest finds for Eivor, but it's one that's well worth the cringy means to access it.
8 Treasure Hoard
The Northmen think the best treasure lies in England and other distant lands, but they have one hoard right under their noses. Near the Kjotve Fortress in Rygjafylke, Eivor can find an unassuming cottage with a map inside.
The map leads to the goods in Hordafylke. Once the players dig the treasure out of the rocks, they'll be gifted with a new schematic. It's right next to the synchronization point, which makes one wonder why some hopeful Assassin didn't stumble on it earlier.
7 Bear of the Blue Waters
Most of the Legendary Animals are found in foreign lands, but this unforgiving ursine is one of two found in the Vikings' homeland. Who would have thought that one of the smallest islands in Hordafylke housed one of the biggest enemies? Specifically, the bear can be spotted on a small ice cap not far off the coast of northwest Norway.
As the climate would suggest, it's a giant polar bear. Eivor clearly isn't the first Viking to take a shot at it since the beast already has a ton of arrows in its back. Again, though, which raiders aimed for such an unassuming patch of land?
It should be noted that this area can't be accessed at the start of the game (though this early encounter would likely be problematic for Eivor anyway). In fact, a power of around 300 is recommended. Be prepared to doge and try to stay behind it, as the bear will not be shy about charging when opportunity strikes. Slaying the bear will yield a slew of rewards, including a Priestess Carving Schematic and Leather Materials.
6 Erik Loyalskull
Although this opponent is located north of the Rygjafylke settlement (Hildesvini's Crag), players may not feel inclined to seek him out. After all, why would Eivor be concerned with Lost Drengr at the beginning? He or she is likely worrying about the early-game tutorials and getting to the main setting of England.
Those searching for extra goodies will discover someone who's already been there, having supposedly sailed with the famous Ragnar Lothbrok. Things must have gone south for him after that since he's now secluded in a series of caves. Suffice it to say, it's out of the way of the main adventure.
This battle can be tough if Eivor isn't prepared, so be ready with a stout weapon and ideally a shield as well as a good means for ranged attacks. Still, the reward is worth the grueling fight, as Erik yields a potent spear called Fafnir's Fang.
5 Orwig Neverdeath
He says he wants to die, but one would never know it. This old coot is easy enough to find for those who know where to look in Hordafylke: sitting at a camp atop a cliff north of Alrekstad. He's not in any cave or fortress; he's relaxing in his chair. Battling him, however, is likely reserved for the most devoted of completionists. Why is that?
It's primarily because of his power level, which stands at a whopping 370. Chances are that not many players bother getting that high. This potent fighter will almost certainly need to be confronted well after Eivor's concluded his campaign in England and returned home.
4 Animus Anomaly
Of all the Animus Anomalies, only one is hidden in Norway. These are already some of the rarest collectibles and/or tasks in the game, but the one in Hordafylke can only be accessed upon Eivor's return visit at the end. The suggested level for the area is 280. Specifically, it resides north of Torghatten Rock in the southeast area of Hordafylke.
Unless they're actively looking for these arbitrary challenges, it's hard to imagine many players unearthing this little phenomenon on purpose. Even then, the prohibitive level barrier prevents all but the most powerful Vikings from getting anywhere near it. If anything though, this sci-f i-themed puzzle makes for a fun (albeit tricky) change of pace.
3 Comb of Champions
One of the odder encounters that Eivor may or may not come across early on, this quest involves finding a woman's comb for a so-called special reward. This World Event can be found not far from a large, mountainous waterfall in Rygjafylke. Putting aside the vagueness of the clues, players probably won't expect the item to be right there in the immediate vicinity.
This comb, on the other hand, is next to the nearby waterfall. Eivor must dive in to reach this hidden object. However, the water obscures the screen so heavily that the secret passage is hard to spot even with Odin's Sight. Plus, the freezing temperature drains the Viking's health, giving them a short time limit. Is this comb really worth it? That's for the player to decide, assuming they've stumbled upon this area.
2 Gungnir, Odin's Spear
It makes sense that the king of the Aesir gods would stash his weapon in the home country of his believers. Eivor can't actually access it until they complete the main story, and the power level of the area stands at a sky-high 280. That might sound simple if not for the massive nature of this epic. Getting to the end requires quite a bit of level grinding and busywork.
For those willing to put up with the grind, the spear lies in a cave (called "Goinnhellir") that Eivor visits during an epilogue quest. It resides in Hordafylke, in the northern region of Norway. Players must navigate a network of paths and breakable ice walls to reach the end. If they venture right off the beaten path, then they'll find the prize.
It's better to grab it now since getting back here after the quest is a royal pain. It takes some venturing, but it's well worth obtaining, being one of the strongest weapons in the game.
1 Mjölnir, Thor's Hammer
Believe it or not, the weapon of Odin's son is even harder to obtain than the spear. The God of Thunder didn't want anyone touching his valuables. Accessing his famous hammer also requires finishing the story missions, but it doesn't stop there.
Players must then collect Thor's armor. They attain three pieces by defeating the Daughters of Lerion bosses and another by looting a cave in East Anglia. The last piece acts as a reward for killing all 45 Order of the Ancients members (yes, really). The hammer can then finally be claimed in the northernmost area of Norway (at the end of a large crater), reserved for only the most godlike (or obsessive) gamers.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.