Exploration Checklist (100% Completion) — Assassin's Creed Valhalla Guide

Exploration Checklist (100% Completion)

Achieving 100% completion in Assassin's Creed Valhalla requires a meticulous approach to exploration and a keen eye for every hidden secret across Norway and England. This comprehensive checklist will guide you through every major collectible and activity, ensuring no stone is left unturned. Remember to synchronize all viewpoints in a region first; this will reveal many of the points of interest on your map, making the subsequent cleanup much easier.

Wealth (Gold Icons)

Wealth encompasses several valuable items crucial for Eivor's progression. These are marked by gold icons on your map after synchronizing viewpoints or through exploration with your raven, Synin.

• Gear: These are new weapons (axes, spears, daggers, bows, etc.) and armor pieces (helmets, cloaks, bracers, etc.). Many are found in guarded chests within fortresses or hidden in crypts. For example, the Hrafn Guard set pieces are often found in early game regions like Rygjafylke.
• Ingots: Essential for upgrading your gear at the Blacksmith in Ravensthorpe. There are three types:
  • Carbon Ingots: Found in lower-level regions such as Ledecestrescire and Grantebridgescire.
  • Nickel Ingots: Predominant in mid-level regions like East Anglia and Oxenefordscire.
  • Tungsten Ingots: Located in high-level areas, including Cent and Essexe.

  Strategy: Always prioritize opening chests that contain Ingots, as they are often guarded by tougher enemies or require environmental puzzles to access. Use Odin's Sight (V on PC, L3 on PlayStation, LS on Xbox) frequently to highlight nearby Ingots.

• Ability Books: These grant Eivor new active or passive abilities. They are always found in specific locations, often requiring you to solve a puzzle or defeat a mini-boss to reach. For instance, the Raven Distraction ability book can be found in a hidden chamber within a longhouse in Grantebridgescire.

Mysteries (Blue Icons)

Mysteries are unique encounters and side quests that add flavor and depth to the world. They are marked by blue icons.

• World Events: Short, often humorous or poignant side quests involving various NPCs. These range from helping a farmer find his lost pig to participating in a flyting battle. Completing these often rewards XP and sometimes minor gear or resources.
• Cairns: Stacking stones in specific patterns. These require patience and a good sense of balance. Successfully completing a Cairn grants XP and skill points.
• Standing Stones: Environmental puzzles where you must align symbols by finding the correct vantage point. These are often found in scenic locations and provide lore snippets upon completion.
• Flyting Challenges: Verbal sparring matches where you must choose the rhyming and contextually appropriate response to outwit your opponent. Winning these increases Eivor's Charisma, which can unlock new dialogue options in certain quests. Look for them in settlements like Lunden or major towns.
• Altars: Offerings to the gods, requiring specific resources (e.g., 5 Small Bullheads, 10 Iron Ore). Check the altar's description for the required items.
• Anomalies: Glitches in the Animus, represented by glowing data clusters. These are platforming challenges that reveal more about the modern-day storyline.
• Legendary Animals: Powerful, unique beasts that serve as challenging boss fights. Defeating them rewards unique crafting materials and XP. Examples include the Black Shuck in East Anglia or the Elk of Bloody Peaks in Rygjafylke.
• Daughters of Lerion: Three formidable witch sisters (Goneril, Cordelia, Regan) who are mini-bosses. Defeating each grants a piece of Thor's Armor and a unique dagger. Their locations are typically marked by a large, eerie tree or a ritualistic circle.
• Drengr Encounters: Challenging optional boss fights against powerful Viking warriors. These are often found in remote locations and offer unique gear or resources.

Artifacts (White Icons)

Artifacts are collectibles that contribute to the lore and provide cosmetic or minor gameplay benefits. They are marked by white icons.

• Treasure Hoard Maps: Finding these maps reveals a hidden treasure location on your world map. The treasure is usually a cosmetic item for your longship or settlement.
• Flying Papers: Parkour challenges where you must chase a flying piece of paper to collect a new tattoo design for Eivor. These are often found in urban areas like Lunden or major settlements.
• Roman Artifacts: Collectible items from the Roman Empire, often found in ruins or hidden caches. Bringing these to your settlement's museum curator will unlock cosmetic rewards for Ravensthorpe.
• Cursed Symbols: Destroying these ominous totems removes a negative status effect from the surrounding area. They are often hidden and require careful observation or environmental puzzle-solving to reach.
• Rigsogur Fragments: Pages of a historical saga that provide lore about Norse mythology and history. Collecting all fragments in a region often reveals a larger narrative.

General Exploration Tips

• Use Synin Regularly: Your raven is invaluable for scouting areas, marking points of interest, and identifying enemies. Upgrade Synin's range and detection capabilities at the Aviary in Ravensthorpe.
• Synchronize Viewpoints: Always make the nearest viewpoint your first stop in a new region. This reveals a significant portion of the map and many collectibles.
• Check the Map Legend: Familiarize yourself with the map legend to quickly identify what each icon represents.
• Prioritize Story Missions: While tempting to clear everything, some areas or collectibles may be inaccessible until certain story missions are completed.
• Upgrade Your Settlement: Building structures like the Cartographer or the Seer's Hut can reveal more map icons or provide access to new areas (like the Dream Worlds).
• Return to Ravensthorpe: Periodically check your settlement for new quests, upgrades, and interactions that might unlock further exploration opportunities.