Collectibles (Letters & Dog Tags)

Collectibles: Letters & Dog Tags in Battlefield V War Stories

Beyond the intense firefights and cinematic moments, Battlefield V's single-player War Stories offer a compelling narrative, enriched by a layer of hidden collectibles: Letters and Dog Tags. These elusive items are more than just completionist fodder; they provide invaluable insights into the personal struggles, fears, and hopes of the characters and the broader impact of World War II.

Each War Story features a specific number of these collectibles, cleverly tucked away off the beaten path, in obscure corners, or requiring a slight detour from your primary objective. Finding all of them in a given War Story not only unlocks specific achievements or trophies but also deepens your understanding of the game's lore and the human element of the conflict.

This section serves as a comprehensive introduction to the collectible system. For detailed, step-by-step instructions and exact map locations for every single Letter and Dog Tag, please refer to our dedicated walkthroughs for each individual War Story:

• Under No Flag Collectibles Guide
• Nordlys Collectibles Guide
• Tirailleur Collectibles Guide
• The Last Tiger Collectibles Guide

Below, we provide an overview of what to expect and some general strategies for hunting down these hidden gems.

General Strategies for Finding Collectibles

Success in collecting all Letters and Dog Tags hinges on methodical exploration and attention to detail. Rushing through objectives is the primary reason players miss these crucial lore pieces.

• Thorough Exploration is Key: Collectibles are almost never directly on your main path. After clearing an area of enemies, take your time to scout every building, trench, cave, and hidden corner. Look behind crates, under stairwells, and in seemingly inaccessible areas.
• Listen for Environmental Cues: While there isn't a specific audio cue that screams "collectible!", ambient sounds or character dialogue might subtly hint at an interesting area nearby or a path less traveled.
• use the "Replay Mission" Feature: If you miss a collectible, don't fret! You can always replay any mission from the War Stories menu. Collectibles are saved instantly upon pickup, meaning you don't need to complete the entire mission again after finding one. This is invaluable for cleanup.
• Look for the Shimmering Glow: Once you are close to a collectible, it will often emit a faint, shimmering glow, making it easier to spot against the environment, especially in darker areas. This visual cue is your best friend.
• High Ground Advantage: Often, gaining a higher vantage point can help you spot unusual paths, hidden structures, or areas that might contain collectibles that are otherwise obscured at ground level. Use binoculars if available.
• Check Your Map (Post-Mission): While the in-game map won't pinpoint collectibles directly, after completing a War Story mission, revisiting it can sometimes highlight areas you haven't fully explored, guiding you back to potential hidden spots.
• Clear Enemies First: Attempting to search for collectibles while under fire is inefficient and dangerous. Prioritize clearing out all hostile forces in an area before beginning your meticulous search. This allows for a stress-free exploration.
• Consult Our Guides: For 100% completion, our detailed War Story-specific guides (linked above) provide exact locations, screenshots, and step-by-step instructions for every single collectible.

Collectible Types and Their Significance

Understanding the nature of each collectible type enhances their discovery and appreciation within the game's narrative.

Letters

Letters are personal notes, diary entries, or correspondence from soldiers, civilians, or resistance members. They offer a deeply personal perspective on the war, revealing the emotional toll, the propaganda, and the hopes for the future. Each letter adds a small piece to the narrative puzzle, making the War Stories feel more grounded and impactful.

• Appearance: Typically appear as folded pieces of paper, small notebooks, or tattered documents. They often blend into the environment but are distinguishable by their glow.
• Lore Impact: Provides direct insight into character motivations, historical context, the human cost of the conflict, and often sheds light on the personal stories of those affected by the war, both allied and enemy.
• Achievement/Trophy: Collecting all Letters in a War Story contributes to specific achievements/trophies, such as "A War Story" for collecting all letters in a single War Story.
• Quantity: The number of Letters varies per War Story, generally ranging from 6 to 10.

Dog Tags

Dog Tags are military identification tags, often belonging to fallen soldiers. Finding them serves as a grim reminder of the lives lost and the brutal reality of combat. They sometimes offer brief, poignant details about the soldier they belonged to, adding a somber layer to the game's narrative.

• Appearance: Small, metallic oval or rectangular tags, often found near bodies, in debris, or on personal effects. Their metallic sheen and glow make them noticeable.
• Lore Impact: Emphasizes the scale of casualties and the individual stories behind the statistics. They often represent soldiers from various factions, highlighting the universal tragedy of war.
• Achievement/Trophy: Collecting all Dog Tags in a War Story contributes to specific achievements/trophies, often paired with the Letters for 100% completion of a War Story's collectibles.
• Quantity: Similar to Letters, the number of Dog Tags varies per War Story, typically between 6 and 10.

Example Walkthrough: Collectibles in "Under No Flag" (Mission 1: Prologue)

To illustrate the process, let's look at a couple of early examples from the "Under No Flag" War Story, specifically during the prologue mission where you play as Billy Bridger. This mission has 6 Letters and 6 Dog Tags.

Dog Tag 1: "The Desert Rat"

• Location: Found in the first major German encampment, after the initial stealth section.
• Step-by-step:
  1. Proceed through the mission until you've eliminated all enemies in the first large German camp (the one with multiple tents, a few vehicles, and a watchtower). This is the area you infiltrate after the initial desert trek.
  2. Once the area is secure, head towards the large, two-story building located on the western side of this camp. This building often has a German sniper positioned on its roof.
  3. Enter the building through the main entrance or a side door.
  4. Ascend to the second floor.
  5. In one of the rooms on the second floor, specifically the one facing east, you will find the Dog Tag lying on a wooden crate or a small table near a window. It will have a distinct, shimmering glow.
• Significance: This tag belonged to a British soldier, likely captured or killed during an earlier skirmish, highlighting the constant back-and-forth of the North African campaign and the dangers faced by the Long Range Desert Group.
• Common Pitfall: Players often clear the camp and immediately move to the next objective without checking the interior of this building, as it's not directly on the path to the main objective marker.

Letter 1: "A Mother's Plea"

• Location: During the section where you are tasked with destroying the anti-aircraft guns.
• Step-by-step:
  1. After destroying the first anti-aircraft gun (the one closest to the initial camp), you'll be directed towards the second AA gun.
  2. Before approaching the second AA gun directly, look for a small, partially destroyed stone building or bunker. This structure is located to the north-east of the second AA gun's position, slightly elevated on a rocky outcrop.
  3. This building is often easy to overlook as it's slightly off the main, obvious path to the objective and can be obscured by terrain.
  4. Enter this small, ruined structure. Inside, on a makeshift desk or a pile of rubble, you will find the letter. It will emit the characteristic collectible glow.
• Significance: This letter might be from a German mother to her son, expressing concerns about the war and longing for his safe return, offering a glimpse into the enemy's human side and the universal anxieties of wartime families.
• Strategy Tip: Use your binoculars (if available) from a distance to scan the area around the second AA gun before engaging. The ruined building might become visible.

Example Walkthrough: Collectibles in "Nordlys" (Mission 1: Still and Silent)

The "Nordlys" War Story, set in occupied Norway, features 6 Letters and 6 Dog Tags, often hidden in the snowy, treacherous terrain or within enemy strongholds.

Dog Tag 1: "Frozen Sentinel"

• Location: Near the first enemy outpost you encounter after the initial stealth section, overlooking the valley.
• Step-by-step:
  1. After the initial cutscene and skiing sequence, you'll approach a small enemy outpost with a few guards and a campfire. This outpost is typically on a ridge overlooking a larger valley.
  2. Eliminate the enemies in this outpost silently or with a direct assault.
  3. Once the area is clear, locate the small wooden watchtower or guard post at the very edge of the cliff, offering a panoramic view.
  4. The Dog Tag is found inside this watchtower, often on a small table or shelf near the window, amidst some supplies.
• Significance: This tag likely belonged to a German soldier tasked with guarding the remote Norwegian landscape, highlighting the isolation and harsh conditions faced by occupation forces.
• Recommended Loadout: For this early section, a silenced pistol is ideal for stealth takedowns, allowing you to clear the outpost without alerting distant patrols.

Letter 1: "Resistance's Hope"

• Location: Within the first major enemy base you infiltrate, specifically in the command building.
• Step-by-step:
  1. Proceed through the mission until you reach the larger enemy base, which typically has multiple buildings, patrols, and possibly a vehicle. This is often the objective after the initial outposts.
  2. Infiltrate the base, focusing on the largest building, which usually serves as the command center or barracks. It's often identifiable by a radio antenna or more significant fortifications.
  3. Once inside this main building, navigate to the office or command room, which might contain maps or communication equipment.
  4. The Letter will be found on a desk or a filing cabinet in this room. It can be subtly placed, so look carefully at all surfaces.
• Significance: This letter could be a coded message or a personal note from a Norwegian resistance fighter, detailing their struggles, plans, or hopes for liberation, providing insight into the local resistance movement.
• Common Pitfall: This base can be heavily guarded. Players often rush through to the objective, missing the opportunity to thoroughly search the buildings. Consider using distractions or stealth to clear the building before searching.

Remember, these are just a few examples. Each War Story has its own unique set of collectibles, strategically placed to encourage exploration and reward observant players. use our dedicated War Story guides for precise locations and visual aids to ensure you don't miss a single one!