River Raids Guide

River Raids Guide

River Raids offer a unique and challenging experience in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, providing a repeatable source of valuable resources, new gear, and the opportunity to test your raiding prowess. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to become a master river raider.

Unlocking River Raids

Before you can embark on your first river raid, you must complete the introductory quest, "A River to Raid."

1. Meet Vagn: Travel to your settlement, Ravensthorpe, and locate the new dock area. You'll find a new character named Vagn, a seasoned Viking raider.
2. Initial Conversation: Speak with Vagn. He will introduce you to the concept of River Raids and the Jomsviking Hall.
3. Recruit Jomsvikings: Vagn will prompt you to recruit your first Jomsvikings. These are specialized Viking warriors who will accompany you on your raids. You can recruit them from the Jomsviking Hall, located near Vagn's dock.
4. First Raid: Vagn will then send you on your first introductory raid down the River Exe. This serves as a tutorial, teaching you the basic mechanics of river raiding.

Understanding River Raid Mechanics

River Raids differ significantly from traditional raids in Valhalla. Here's what you need to know:

• Dedicated Crew: You'll use a dedicated River Raid crew of Jomsvikings, not your regular longship crew. These Jomsvikings have their own health bars and can be revived if downed.
• No Saving: River Raids are a single, continuous run. There are no save points within a raid. If your longship is destroyed or all your Jomsvikings are incapacitated, the raid ends, and you return to Ravensthorpe.
• Adrenaline Management: Adrenaline is crucial. Use it for powerful abilities and to revive downed Jomsvikings.
• Supplies are Key: You'll be collecting River Raid Supplies, which are a unique currency used to upgrade the Jomsviking Hall and purchase new gear from Vagn.
• Raid Progression: As you successfully complete raids and collect supplies, you'll unlock new rivers and more challenging encounters.

Preparing for a Raid

Before setting sail, ensure you're adequately prepared:

• Upgrade Jomsviking Hall: Invest your River Raid Supplies into upgrading the Jomsviking Hall. This allows you to recruit higher-tier Jomsvikings with better stats and unlock more slots for your crew.
• Recruit Strong Jomsvikings: Always fill your crew slots with the strongest Jomsvikings available. Pay attention to their power level and any unique perks they might have.
• Check Your Gear: While your Jomsvikings have their own stats, your personal gear and abilities still matter. Ensure Eivor is well-equipped and has a suitable build for combat.
• Stock Up on Rations: Rations are vital for healing Eivor during combat.
• Understand the River: Each river has different types of encampments and potential rewards. Familiarize yourself with the river layout before committing.

During the Raid: Strategies for Success

Once you've launched your longship, here's how to maximize your success:

Targeting Locations

• Prioritize Monasteries: Monasteries typically hold the largest caches of River Raid Supplies and Foreign Cargo, essential for Vagn's shop.
• Military Camps: These often contain valuable gear, weapons, and sometimes even new Jomsviking recruits. Be prepared for tougher resistance.
• Small Camps: While offering fewer rewards, small camps can provide a quick boost of supplies and a chance to replenish your Jomsvikings' health.

Combat Encounters

• Use Your Jomsvikings: Don't be a lone wolf. Your Jomsvikings are there to fight alongside you. Direct them to specific targets if needed.
• Revive Downed Allies: If a Jomsviking falls, immediately revive them using your Adrenaline. A full crew is a strong crew.
• Exploit Weaknesses: use your bow to target enemy weak points for quick kills and stun opportunities.
• Environmental Hazards: Be aware of archers on towers, explosive barrels, and other environmental elements that can be used to your advantage or disadvantage.
• Longship Combat: When approaching fortified locations, use your longship's archers to thin out enemy numbers before disembarking.

Looting and Exploration

• Open All Chests: Every chest, big or small, can contain valuable River Raid Supplies, Foreign Cargo, or even new gear.
• Search for Keys: Some chests are locked and require a key, often held by a specific enemy within the encampment.
• Foreign Cargo: This special resource is found in large chests and is used to purchase unique items from Vagn.
• Hidden Areas: Keep an eye out for hidden passages, underwater entrances, or climbable sections that might lead to secret caches.

River Raid Rewards

Successful river raids yield several valuable rewards:

• River Raid Supplies: The primary currency for upgrading the Jomsviking Hall and purchasing items from Vagn.
• Foreign Cargo: Used to acquire unique armor sets, weapons, and longship cosmetics from Vagn's shop. Examples include the Saint George's Set and the Reaper Set.
• New Gear: You can find powerful new weapons and armor pieces directly within raid chests.
• Jomsviking Recruits: Occasionally, you'll encounter new Jomsvikings to recruit during raids, expanding your pool of available warriors.

Specific River Guides

As you progress, new rivers will become available:

River Exe

• Difficulty: Easy (Introductory)
• Key Features: Good for learning the ropes. Contains basic encampments and monasteries.
• Notable Loot: Generally lower-tier River Raid Supplies and Foreign Cargo.

River Severn

• Difficulty: Medium
• Key Features: Introduces more fortified locations and tougher enemies.
• Notable Loot: Increased River Raid Supplies and Foreign Cargo. Potential for early unique gear.

River Dee

• Difficulty: Hard
• Key Features: Expect heavily defended strongholds, elite enemies, and potentially multiple champions.
• Notable Loot: Highest yield of River Raid Supplies and Foreign Cargo. Crucial for completing the Saint George's Set and other high-tier rewards.

Vagn's Shop

Vagn's shop is where you'll spend your hard-earned River Raid Supplies and Foreign Cargo. Here's a glimpse of what you can find:

Remember to regularly check Vagn's inventory as new items become available with your raid progression.