Introduction
Hidden throughout the vast lands and realms of God of War lies a plethora of collectibles that entice players to explore the game and uncover hidden paths. The “Artifacts” collectibles, in particular, offer tangible benefits as players can earn valuable experience points for finding each item, which can be used to unlock new abilities for the protagonist, Kratos. However, the true advantage lies in completing a full set of artifacts, which requires a keen scavenger’s eye.
In this comprehensive guide, we will unveil the precise locations of all the artifacts you’ll encounter in God of War. By following this guide, you can save precious time and effort while reaping the maximum benefits from these collectibles.
Lost and Found
The Wildwoods, the game’s starting area, is where you can find the first set of artifacts, known as “Lost and Found.” By collecting all four artifacts in this area before leaving for the Riverlands, you can avoid backtracking later on.
Toy No. 1
The first artifact, a toy, awaits just in front of Kratos’ house, positioned to the right of the path leading out of the front yard.
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Toy No. 2
Proceed with Atreus as he tracks the deer, and you’ll eventually reach a stone staircase leading up the hill. The second toy can be easily spotted on the left side of the stairs.
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Toy No. 3
Prepare for a battle with a group of Draugr enemies underneath some ruins featuring a large stone ring above and a seal on the ground below. Here, you’ll encounter three different paths. Take the right path, which leads to the edge of a waterfall with a previously discovered chain. Descend and defeat the wolves, then search the body on the right to find the third Lost and Found artifact.
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Toy No. 4
The final artifact of the Lost and Found set rests within the temple ahead. After arriving in a room filled with Draugr, where you must pull a chain to raise an iron gate, turn around to face the wall behind you. You’ll notice a door that can be pushed open, leading you back outside. Eliminate the wolves and check to the right of the door to find the last Lost and Found artifact.
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The Faces of Magic
Nine artifacts make up the collection known as “The Faces of Magic.” These artifacts, in the form of masks, are predominantly found on bodies during your journey through the Riverlands.
Mask No. 1
After battling human Reavers, cross the stone walkway towards the exit. Soon, you’ll encounter a chain. Descend to a grassy ledge that leads to the cliff outside. Traverse the ledge until you find an armored corpse, which houses the first Faces of Magic mask.
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Mask No. 2
Upon your first encounter with Brok, look for a path to the right of his shop. Follow it to the end and drop down to find another body, which possesses the second artifact.
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Mask No. 3
As you progress through a room with a raised spiked ceiling, continue on through a tunnel leading outside. Check the body on the right side of the path to find the third mask.
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Mask No. 4
After a cutscene involving Kratos and Atreus at a cliffside, stick to the edge of the cliff and move to the very end to discover another body with a mask.
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Mask No. 5
Once you complete a spinning runes puzzle, follow the path through the mountain. Watch for a break on the left side, allowing you to climb up and find the fifth Faces of Magic mask in a pool of water.
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Mask No. 6
After battling the fire troll, descend into a burned-out village with several destroyed huts. Proceed to the fourth hut along the path, which is mostly collapsed and still smoldering. Behind the hut, you’ll find a body and the sixth artifact.
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Mask No. 7
To obtain the final Faces of Magic mask, you need access to the Witch’s House and a lowered water level in the Lake of Nine. Once these conditions are met, return to the Witch’s Cave and descend down the path to the left (when facing the door to the house). At the bottom, you’ll find a large stone block that you can move. Push the block over the edge, allowing you to jump to a platform in the middle of the room. There, you’ll find a body sitting with the seventh artifact.
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Mask No. 8
The last two Faces of Magic masks can be found in the vicinity of the Witch’s House. After meeting Mimir and climbing out of the well in the front yard, head down the path towards the Witch’s House. Look for a chain on the left side, facing the turtle. Climb up and follow the path, keeping an eye on the left side for another body and the eighth mask.
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Mask No. 9
In front of the Witch’s House, you’ll notice a climbable chain on the left side when facing the turtle. Climb up, follow the path, and keep an eye on the left side for another body and the final Faces of Magic artifact.
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Abandon Ship
The “Abandon Ship” artifact set consists of nine pieces, making it tied for the largest set with “The Faces of Magic.” Collecting these ship figureheads scattered throughout the Lake of Nine proves to be a challenging endeavor.
Figurehead No. 1: Niflheim Tower
As you enter the lake for the first time, you’ll pass by part of a statue of Thor. Upon returning, head back towards the statue and dock at the nearby tower. Ride the elevator to the top and look to the east to find a shipwreck. On the right edge of the platform, you’ll find the first Abandon Ship artifact on a body.
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Figurehead No. 2: Forgotten Caverns
Land on the beach and locate a green brazier, where a Wayward Spirit awaits to ask for a favor. Nearby, a chain can be found that leads to a higher area. At the top, look for a body seated against a rocky wall on the left side—the second artifact is in front of it.
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Figurehead No. 3: Svartalfheim Tower
Head north from Forgotten Caverns and land at the next tower along the way. Approach the tower from the south side to find an elevator leading to the top. On the other side of the platform, near the northern elevator, you’ll find another body with the third figurehead artifact.
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Figurehead No. 4: Helheim Tower
Dock at the northernmost tower, which you can reach by using the east-side dock if it’s your first visit to the Lake of Nine. Take the elevator to the top and immediately check the body to your right to find the next artifact.
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Figurehead No. 5: Stone Falls
Located on the east side of the lake, just south and east of the Alfheim Tower, you’ll encounter Stone Falls. After landing on the beach and defeating the enemies, you’ll notice an iron gate with a chain beside it. Additionally, a drawbridge can be found on your right that you can cut down. Pass through the iron gate, proceed to the east end of the island, and turn right towards a ledge you can climb. On top of the ledge, you’ll find two bodies—one of them carries the fifth Faces of Magic mask.
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Figurehead No. 6: Cliffs of the Raven
Head south of Stone Falls to reach the Cliffs of the Raven, situated on the eastern coast of the Lake of Nine. After landing on the beach, make your way around the back of the dead troll corpse and locate a spot where Atreus can climb up and drop down a chain. Follow the path at the top, past a purple chest, until you reach a body at the end with the sixth figurehead artifact.
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Figurehead No. 7: Lookout Tower Beach
Visit the beach just southwest of the bridge and find a rune-covered Nornir chest next to a chain you can climb. Hit the yellow wooden gear control above the Nornir Chest with your axe to lower the spikes, allowing access to the artifact impaled on a bed of spikes.
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Figurehead No. 8: Tyr’s Temple Bridge
On either side of the long bridge crossing the Lake of Nine, you’ll find boat landings. Dock at the one on the north side, or take the stairs down from the bridge. Check the body next to the boat landing, and you’ll find the eighth figurehead artifact.
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Figurehead No. 9: Isle of Death
Return to the Isle of Death in the southwest corner of the Lake of Nine. Climb to the top of the island, near the wooden machinery, and locate a barrier made of goldish rocks. Destroy the red bottle behind the barrier with your axe, and proceed past the barrier. Loop around some rocks on the left to find the final artifact.
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Horns of Veithurgard
Venture to Veithurgard, an optional area in Midgard that can be accessed by passing through some icebergs on the east side of the Lake of Nine. There, you’ll find a dragon and a new set of six artifacts, known as the “Horns of Veithurgard.”
Horn No. 1
Upon entering the lake of Veithurgard, head towards a small island to the left, featuring a statue of Thor. Alternatively, you can choose to go to the mainland on the right. Land on the mainland beach next to a long dock, and before exploring further, walk to the end of the dock to find a body holding the first Horn of Veithurgard.
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Horn No. 2
Heading to the right along the coast from the beach, you’ll encounter an iron gate. Continue past it to find a chain that can be pulled to raise the gate. Freeze the gear in place to keep the gate open, then head behind it and climb up to reach an overlook with a Realm Tear directly in front of you. Move past the tear to the right and drop down to find an opening in the wall. Destroy the wooden barrier and discover a body with the second horn.
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Horn No. 3
While navigating through the area, you’ll reach a room with a spiked ceiling that needs to be raised in order to pass underneath. Just beyond this room, you’ll find a tunnel that leads back outside. Check the body on the right side of the path to find the third mask.
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Horn No. 4
As you progress up the hill, you’ll encounter a bridge leading to the Veithurgard castle, which is currently blocked by rocks. At the front of the bridge, on the near side of the gap, you’ll find a body with the fourth horn.
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Horn No. 5
Inside the castle, you’ll enter a large hall with a Jotnar Shrine in front of you. The path splits, with stairs leading up on the left and a hallway to the right, although both paths eventually merge. Take the left path, and you’ll reach a ruined wall where a body leans with the fifth horn.
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Horn No. 6
Continuing through the hallways, you’ll eventually arrive in a great hall, most of which is flooded. As you enter the room, you’ll notice a control that drains the water. Head to the left and drop down, finding a body against the wall beside the doorway forward. The sixth horn is located in front of this body.
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Spoils of War
While on your quest, Kratos and Atreus will journey to Alfheim, one of the realms connected to Midgard. During your time in Alfheim, you can collect six artifacts related to the war between the Light and Dark elves, aptly named “Spoils of War.”
Spoil No. 1: Lake of Light Southern Beach
Upon reaching the Lake of Light area, row out and head east and south. You’ll soon encounter a beach where you can land. After clearing out any enemies, you’ll find a control that opens an iron gate ahead. Sprint through the gate before it closes to access a cave on your right. Inside the cave, a body holds the first Spoils of War artifact.
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Spoil No. 2: Lake of Light Northern Beach
Head north from the beach to find a second beach where you can land your boat. Upon disembarking, turn right and locate a short stone path. In the middle of the path, you’ll find a body with the second artifact.
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Spoil No. 3: Ringed Temple Trench
As you reach the far end of the trench, you’ll encounter a Stone Ancient standing on a large round platform. After defeating it, you’ll use one of the Alfheim Light crystals to restore a light bridge leading out of the area. Instead of following Atreus, head left and activate another bridge. At the far end of this bridge, you’ll find a body holding the third artifact.
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Spoil No. 4: Ringed Temple Trench Elevator
After completing your work inside the Ringed Temple, you’ll return to the Ringed Temple Trench. Upon descending via the elevator, you’ll find yourself in a chamber with several jail cells that were previously inaccessible. Check the westernmost cell to discover a body with the fourth artifact.
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Spoil No. 5: Darkened Ringed Temple Trench
With Atreus’ newfound lightning arrows, return to the Ringed Temple after some time. Progress through the mountain until you reach the area with the icy floor drop, where you’ll utilize a small stone pillar as a step to reach a climbable part of the wall. Ascend the wall and continue through the icy tunnel until you emerge into a larger space. Look up at the wall for another bramble barrier, which you can burn down to reveal a body with the fifth artifact.
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Spoil No. 6: End of the Ringed Temple Trench
Follow the trench back to the far end, where you previously lowered the floor to reveal a path forward. Lower the floor again, traverse the opened tunnel, and reach another round room with multiple, formerly locked cells. The sixth and final artifact can be found in the northwest cell.
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Bottoms Up
The Bottoms Up artifact set is comprised of six ornate cups found within the Mountain, after clearing the Black Breath. Although the low light level makes these artifacts somewhat challenging to locate, acquiring them all is well worth the effort.
Cup No. 1: Waterfall Cavern
As you make your way through the tunnels, you’ll eventually cross a wooden bridge into a large room where you’ll encounter several enemies. Look ahead to find rune-marked spinners, which open a Nornir chest, and beyond that, a cliff with water cascading into the depths. Stick to the left wall and search for a wooden barrier. Break it down and clear the debris inside. You’ll discover a body with the first cup artifact.
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Cup No. 2: Claw Room
In due course, you’ll reach a colossal room with a giant claw that Kratos and Atreus intend to use to ascend the mountain. As you search for a way to reach the claw’s rope and free it, you’ll exit into a large room with a massive deceased beast of burden. Within this room, you’ll find a wooden barrier near the wall. Destroy it to reveal a body with the second cup artifact.
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Cup No. 3: Heart of the Mountain
After raising the claw, you’ll gain access to new arrows for Atreus that can ignite shards of red World Tree Sap scattered throughout the world. Journey back inside the mountain and descend to the left when presented with the choice. In this section, you’ll find wooden scaffolding alongside a Sap barrier that can be burned to reveal a Hidden Chamber. Just beyond the barrier, on the right side, you’ll find a cup artifact.
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Cup No. 4: Summit
Once again, Kratos and Atreus venture outside. As you progress toward the mountain summit, you’ll encounter a door covered in brambles. To the left, a path becomes accessible. Follow this new path to the end, where a body leans against a large rock. Behind the body, you’ll find the fourth cup artifact.
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STOP! Story spoilers beyond this point. Do not proceed until you’ve reached Helheim!
Cup No. 5: Return to the Claw Room
As the story progresses, you’ll return to the mountain with Atreus and his lightning arrows. Upon entering the mountain’s mouth, hug the left side of the bridge, bypassing a large pile of ice. Here, you’ll discover the fifth cup artifact.
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Cup No. 6: Path to the Summit
With the claw eradicated, a new path to the summit awaits. Travel through the brambles blocking the door and walk onto the wooden scaffolding surrounding the room. There, you’ll come across a body leaning against a large rock. Behind this body, you’ll find the final cup artifact.
