Exploring the realms in God of War 2018 offers players a rich mix of intense combat, deep Norse lore, and rewarding side activities. Among these optional endeavors, tracking down treasure maps stands out as one of the most satisfying ways to upgrade Kratos's equipment and accumulate valuable resources. Finding each parchment scroll requires a keen eye, as Atreus must decipher the visual clues and written riddles to point you toward hidden mounds scattered across Midgard.
Understanding How Treasure Maps Work in Midgard
Treasure hunting in God of War is a two-step process that encourages thorough exploration throughout the Lake of Nine and surrounding regions. First, Kratos must discover a scroll containing a sketch and a riddle, which Atreus adds directly to your codex. Once the map is in your inventory, you can visit the depicted location to dig up buried loot marked by a subtle mound of earth.
It is generally recommended to pursue these hidden caches after the water levels of the Lake of Nine have dropped twice during the main story. Waiting until later in the game ensures that all regions are fully accessible and prevents unneeded backtracking. Furthermore, late-game exploration guarantees that Kratos can handle high-level enemies guarding certain coastal docks.
Key Map Locations and Deciphering the Clues
Several prominent maps are located in heavily visited areas, making them relatively easy to collect as you progress. For instance, the Hunter's Kingdom map is found along the shore in Lookout Tower, leading adventurers to a buried mound in front of the giant temple doors in Veithurgard. Another popular scroll, The Boat Captain's Key, is hidden near Stone Falls and points toward a sunken vessel on the Isle of Death.
Other maps require exploring specialized dungeons or completing side quests for Brok and Sindri. The Historian map rests on the shore at the Ruins of the Ancient and directs players to Fafnir's Storeroom near a circular cavern door. Meanwhile, scrolls like Dead and Bloated take players toward the Cliffs of the Raven to dig near the rotting corpse of a fallen troll.
Valuable Rewards and Upgrades Earned
Unearthing buried treasure yields significant rewards that directly bolster Kratos's offensive and defensive capabilities. Dig spots consistently reward high amounts of Hacksilver alongside rare crafting materials like Soft Svartalfheim Steel or Aegir's Gold. These components are crucial for upgrading armor sets, talisman effects, and weapon attachments at Sindri and Brok's shop.
In addition to basic crafting materials, completing all twelve treasure maps rewards unique rare enchantments that grant specialized passive bonuses. Socketing these enchantments into your armor enhances stats such as Runic power, Strength, and Cooldown rates. Fully resolving every map riddle is also required to unlock the coveted Treasure Hunter trophy, making it an essential pursuit for completionists.
