You're rowing the boat around the Lake of Nine, Kratos is brooding in the back, and Atreus won't stop talking about world serpents. Suddenly, you see a glowing scroll tucked behind a rock. You pick it up. It’s a God of War treasure map. Now you’ve got a cryptic sketch and a riddle that sounds like it was written by a giant with a headache.
Most players just ignore them. Big mistake.
If you want the best gear upgrades—specifically that sweet, sweet Legendary enchantment or the rare crafting materials like Leiptr Alloy and Glacial Catalyst—you actually have to hunt these down. It’s not just about the loot, though. It’s about the satisfaction of standing on a specific cliffside and realizing, "Wait, that rock looks exactly like the drawing."
Honestly, the 2018 God of War reboot (and Ragnarök too) treats exploration as a core mechanic rather than filler. These maps force you to look at the environment, not just the mini-map.
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Why God of War Treasure Maps are More Than Just Collectibles
The thing about the God of War treasure maps is that they bridge the gap between "I'm playing an action game" and "I'm an explorer in a living Norse myth." You aren't just checking boxes. You’re looking for landmarks.
Take the "Hunter’s Kingdom" map. It’s found early on at Lookout Tower. Most people grab it and forget it exists until they’re 20 hours deep into the story. But if you actually follow it to Veithurgard, you find a cache that gives you a massive boost to your stats. The rewards scale, but the early-game stuff is what keeps you alive when those first few Valkyries start kicking your teeth in.
Santa Monica Studio designed these to be subtle. There’s no waypoint. No golden path. Just your eyes and a piece of parchment. It’s a bit old school. I kind of love that. It reminds me of the days before every game had a glowing "go here" marker burnt into the HUD.
The Frustration of the "Dead and Bloated" Map
Let's talk about one of the most annoying ones: Dead and Bloated. You find the map in the Volunder Mines while doing a favor for Brok. The riddle talks about a corpse that isn't breathing.
You’d think it’s near a graveyard, right? Nope.
It’s near the remains of a giant. Specifically, at the Cliffs of the Raven. You have to navigate Kratos through some tight platforming, deal with a few pesky Hel-walkers, and then find the literal stomach of a dead giant. It’s morbid. It’s very God of War.
The reward is a Rare Enchantment and some Hacksilver. Is it worth it? If you're trying to hit Level 8 or 9 before the endgame, absolutely. Every bit of Solid Svartalfheim Steel helps.
Tracking Down the Hardest Finds
Some maps are just mean.
Take "The Turtle's Tribute." You find it in the basement of the Witch’s Woods (Freya’s house). The drawing shows the massive turtle you saw earlier. Most players run back to the turtle and start digging like crazy near the front legs.
Wrong.
You actually have to go to the specific spot where the turtle's head is facing. It’s a nuance that rewards paying attention to the lore. Freya’s home is one of the most beautiful spots in the game, so spending an extra five minutes there isn't exactly a chore.
Then there’s "Njord’s Oarsmen." You find the scroll in the Northri Stronghold. The treasure itself is back at the Lake of Nine, near the statues of the oarsmen. It’s a long trek if you haven't unlocked all the fast travel points yet.
Don't Ignore the "Finder's Fee"
This one is tucked away in the Caves of the Forgotten. It’s easy to miss because the Lake of Nine changes water levels throughout the game. If you go there too early, you can't reach certain ledges. If you go too late, you might have forgotten it exists.
The treasure is at the Northri Stronghold, right near a waterwheel. Finding it gives you an Unyielding Cinder. If you’re trying to max out your pommels, you need this.
- Pro Tip: Always check your "Goals" tab in the menu. The maps are listed there, and you can re-read the riddles at any time. You don't need to keep the scroll "equipped" or anything weird like that.
The Ragnarök Shift
In the sequel, God of War Ragnarök, the developers doubled down on this. The maps are still there, but the world is more vertical. You’re dealing with the Svartalfheim wetlands and the deserts of Alfheim.
The "Fruits of Virtue" map is a classic example. You find it in the Bay of Bounty. It points you toward the Alberich Hollow. The environmental storytelling here is top-tier. You see the remnants of the Dwarven mining operations, and the treasure feels like a lost relic of that era.
One thing I noticed? The rewards in Ragnarök feel a bit more substantial for the late-game grind. You're getting Petrified Bone and Luminous Alloy—things you desperately need to upgrade the Draupnir Spear.
The Complexity of Alfheim's "Vulture’s Gold"
Alfheim is a nightmare to navigate if you hate sandstorms. The Vulture’s Gold map is found right at the start of the Barrens. The drawing shows a giant skeleton.
Guess what? There are multiple giant skeletons in the Barrens.
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You’re looking for the one that looks like a massive bird (the vulture). It’s in the northeast. You have to climb inside the ribcage. It’s a cool moment, standing inside the bones of a beast that died centuries ago while the sand howls outside. It’s peak atmosphere.
Breaking Down the Loot Table
Is it just Hacksilver? Mostly, no.
While you do get a decent chunk of currency, the real prize is the Enchantments. These are randomized to an extent, but they often provide buffs that you can't get from standard chests. We're talking about "Increase damage of all Runic Attacks by 10%" or "High Perk chance to grant a burst of Strength on any successful hit."
When you’re fighting the Queen of the Valkyries, Sigrun, those small percentages are the difference between a win and a controller-shaped hole in your wall.
A Quick List of Locations to Double Check:
- Lookout Tower: Usually where people find their first map.
- The Mountain: Don't miss the one near the summit; it's easy to walk past during the main story.
- Iron Cove: Accessible only after the water drops a second time.
- Fafnir’s Storeroom: Check the entrance area, not just the main chamber.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
People think you can just go to the treasure spot without finding the map.
You can’t.
The "dig spot" (that little mound of dirt with the golden glow) literally does not spawn until the map is in your inventory. I’ve seen people spend hours looking at YouTube guides, standing in the exact right spot, wondering why they can't find the treasure. You have to find the scroll first. Period.
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Another thing: the maps don't count toward your 100% completion of a region until you find the treasure, not just the map. If your map says 98% and you’re losing your mind, check your treasure map tab.
Moving Toward the Platinum Trophy
If you're going for the Platinum, you need the "Treasure Hunter" trophy. This requires you to find and dig up all the treasures on the map. It's one of the more relaxing trophies to get compared to, say, killing all of Odin’s ravens (which is a total pain).
My advice? Don't do them all at once at the end of the game. It becomes a repetitive chore of fast-traveling and rowing.
Instead, whenever you finish a major story beat and the Lake of Nine changes, take 20 minutes to clear out the maps you've found. It keeps the pacing feeling natural. Plus, the gear you get will actually be useful for the next mission, rather than being obsolete by the time you've beaten the final boss.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
- Don't Rush the Boat: When Atreus says "Look over there," actually look. Most maps are placed near docks or at the start of "Favors" (side quests).
- Screenshot the Drawing: The in-game menu is great, but sometimes having the image on your phone while you're walking around the world makes it easier to match the horizon lines.
- Check the "Undiscovered" Tab: If you're missing a map, the region list will show "Treasure Map" as an undiscovered item. This tells you which area to scour.
- Prioritize the Lake of Nine: The majority of the maps and treasures in the first game are concentrated here. Use the boat's mobility to your advantage.
- Upgrade your Luck Stat: Higher Luck often results in better yields from these caches, especially regarding the amount of Hacksilver you pull out of the ground.
The God of War treasure maps are a love letter to the world-building of Norse mythology. They aren't just loot drops; they're small stories about people who lived, died, and hid their wealth in a world that was constantly changing. Grab your axe, find those scrolls, and start digging. Your gear—and your completionist ego—will thank you.