Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Challenge Quests

Master Assassin's Creed Odyssey challenge quests. Push your combat and strategy skills to their limits in unique, unforeshadowed encounters.

·Multi-source verified (97/97)

Challenge Quests

Beyond the main storyline and numerous side quests, Assassin's Creed Odyssey offers a unique set of "Challenge Quests" that push your combat prowess, exploration skills, and strategic thinking to their limits. These aren't always explicitly marked on your map as traditional quests, but rather emerge from specific interactions, discoveries, or by progressing through certain narrative arcs. Completing them often yields powerful legendary gear, significant XP, and crucial lore insights.

The Gates of Atlantis

One of the most significant and rewarding challenge quest lines is The Gates of Atlantis. This epic journey tasks you with finding four ancient artifacts to unlock the legendary city. This quest line becomes available after you complete the main story quest, "A Family Reunion."

  • Initiation: Travel to the island of Thera. You'll find a massive, glowing portal. Interact with it to begin the quest "A Family's Legacy."
  • First Artifact: The Minotaur
    • Location: Messara, specifically the Minotaur's Labyrinth in the Knossos Palace.
    • Prerequisites: You must complete the quest "Myths and Minotaurs," which starts in Pephka. Speak to Ardos in the city of Gortyn to begin this chain.
    • Walkthrough:
      1. Follow Ardos's questline, which involves several smaller tasks like finding his father's notes and investigating local rumors.
      2. Eventually, you'll gain access to the Minotaur's Labyrinth. This is a complex maze filled with traps and cultists.
      3. Strategy: Navigate carefully, using Ikaros to scout ahead for enemy positions and potential shortcuts. The Minotaur itself is a formidable foe. Focus on dodging its charges and attacks, then counter-attacking its flanks. Abilities like Hero Strike and Ring of Chaos are highly effective.
      4. Reward: Upon defeating the Minotaur, you'll acquire the First Artifact.
  • Second Artifact: The Cyclops
    • Location: Kythera Island, in the Cave of the Ancient One.
    • Prerequisites: Begin the quest "A God Among Men" on Kythera Island. You'll find a group of villagers discussing a monstrous presence.
    • Walkthrough:
      1. Investigate the rumors and follow the quest markers. You'll encounter several individuals who have had dealings with the Cyclops.
      2. Eventually, you'll confront the Cyclops in its lair.
      3. Strategy: The Cyclops is slow but hits incredibly hard. Maintain distance and use ranged attacks (bow and arrow) when possible. When up close, dodge through its legs to get behind it and land a few hits. Be wary of its ground slam attack.
      4. Reward: Defeating the Cyclops grants you the Second Artifact.
  • Third Artifact: The Sphinx
    • Location: Boeotia, near the Lake Kopais.
    • Prerequisites: Start the quest "A Great Escape" in Boeotia, which is given by Gorgias.
    • Walkthrough:
      1. Gorgias will lead you to a hidden chamber where the Sphinx resides.
      2. Strategy: The Sphinx does not engage in direct combat. Instead, it presents you with three riddles. You must answer them correctly by interacting with the corresponding symbols in the chamber.
        • Riddle Example 1: "What is always in front of you but can't be seen?" (Answer: The Future)
        • Riddle Example 2: "I have cities, but no houses; forests, but no trees; and water, but no fish. What am I?" (Answer: A Map)
        • Riddle Example 3: "I am born of fire and water, yet I fear both. What am I?" (Answer: Ice)

        The riddles are randomized, so pay close attention to the Sphinx's dialogue. If you answer incorrectly three times, you will be attacked and must restart the encounter.

      3. Reward: Successfully answering all riddles yields the Third Artifact.
  • Fourth Artifact: Medusa
    • Location: Lesbos, in the Petrified Temple.
    • Prerequisites: Begin the quest "Romancing the Stone Garden" on Lesbos. You'll meet a woman named Bryce who needs help with her lover.
    • Walkthrough:
      1. This questline is extensive, involving several sub-quests to gather information and items to confront Medusa. You'll need to find a way to break the petrification curse.
      2. Eventually, you'll enter the Petrified Temple to face Medusa.
      3. Strategy: Medusa is arguably the toughest of the mythical beasts. She has several phases:
        • Phase 1: She will summon petrified soldiers. Clear these quickly to avoid being overwhelmed.
        • Phase 2: Medusa will teleport around the arena and unleash powerful gaze attacks. Hide behind pillars to avoid her petrifying gaze. Use ranged attacks when she's vulnerable after a gaze.
        • Phase 3: As her health dwindles, she becomes more aggressive and summons more soldiers. Focus fire on Medusa whenever possible, using high damage abilities like Hero Strike and Overpower Attacks.

        Equip gear that boosts your warrior damage and critical chance. Having a strong bow for ranged attacks is crucial.

      4. Reward: Defeating Medusa grants you the Fourth Artifact.
  • Completion: Return to Thera with all four artifacts to unlock the Gates of Atlantis and progress the overarching Isu storyline.

The Daughters of Artemis

This challenge quest line involves hunting down legendary animals across Greece, culminating in a confrontation with the mythical Kalydonian Boar. These hunts are initiated by speaking with Daphnae, a huntress located in the Sacred Lands of Apollo in Phokis.

  • Initiation: Find Daphnae in Phokis. She will task you with hunting the first legendary animal.
  • Legendary Animals:
    • Kalydonian Boar (Phokis): Your first hunt. This boar is incredibly aggressive and summons smaller boars. Focus on the main boar, using abilities like Ring of Chaos to clear the smaller ones.
    • Nemean Lion (Argolis): A powerful lion that often charges. Dodge and counter.
    • Krokottas Hyena (Lemnos): A swift and elusive hyena. Use ranged attacks and quick melee combos.
    • Lykanaon Wolf (Arkadia): A large wolf that leads a pack. Prioritize the main wolf.
    • Hind of Keryneia (Euboea): A fast deer. Use stealth and ranged attacks for this one.
    • Erymanthian Boar (Elis): Similar to the Kalydonian Boar, but it emits a poisonous gas. Stay out of the gas clouds.
    • Kallisto Bear (Arkadia): A massive bear that hits hard. Dodge its swipes and go for its back.
  • Rewards: Each legendary animal grants a unique legendary item (e.g., the Nemean Lion Pelt for crafting), significant XP, and drachmae. Completing all hunts and returning to Daphnae will conclude the quest line and offer a choice that impacts her fate.

Arena Challenges

For those seeking pure combat challenges, the Arena in Pephka offers a series of increasingly difficult fights against powerful mercenaries and unique champions. This is an excellent way to test your build and earn legendary gear.

  • Location: The Arena is located on the island of Pephka, in the Grand Arena of Pephka.
  • Initiation: Simply travel to the Arena and speak with the Arena Master.
  • Structure: You'll face waves of enemies, culminating in a fight against a specific champion. There are five tiers of champions, each more challenging than the last.
  • Strategy:
    • Preparation: Ensure your gear is fully upgraded and engraved. Consider a build focused on warrior damage and survivability.
    • Crowd Control: Abilities like Ring of Chaos and Spartan Kick are invaluable for managing multiple opponents.
    • Healing: Keep an eye on your adrenaline for Second Wind.
    • Champions: Each champion has unique attack patterns and weaknesses. Learn to dodge their heavy attacks and exploit openings.
  • Rewards: Defeating each champion rewards you with a piece of legendary armor or a legendary weapon (e.g., the Dagger of Kronus from the first champion). Completing all champions also grants a substantial amount of XP and drachmae.