You're rowing around Midgard, the water is cold, the World Serpent is looming over everything, and you’re probably wondering why you’re bothering to pick up old, water-logged trinkets. Honestly? It’s for the Hacksilver. But also, if you’re a completionist playing God of War (2018), grabbing every Lake of the Nine artifacts set is basically mandatory if you want that Platinum trophy or just enough resources to upgrade your gear before hitting the endgame.
Most people think these are just random collectibles tossed around the map to pad the runtime. They aren't. Each set tells a story about the world before everything went to hell in Helheim. There are 45 artifacts total in the game, but the ones scattered specifically around the Lake of the Nine are part of the "Abandoned Ship" and "Tributes to Freya" sets, among others.
The lake is the hub of the entire game. It changes. It shifts. When the water level drops for the second time after you talk to Jörmungandr, the entire geography of the lake evolves. This is where most players get tripped up. They look for a boat or a figurehead where the map says it should be, but they’re standing forty feet above it or it’s buried under a new coastline.
The Abandoned Ship Set: Hidden in Plain Sight
This is the big one for the Lake of the Nine. These are figureheads from ships that didn’t make it. You’re looking for nine of them.
First off, head to the Forgotten Caverns. It’s on the northwest side of the lake. You’ve probably been there to hit the Nornir chest bells, but the artifact is tucked away near the spirit who gives you a side quest. Look for the corpse near the cave entrance. It’s right there. Simple.
Then there’s the Isle of Death. This place is a vertical nightmare if you aren't paying attention. You have to climb. Most of the artifacts here are hidden behind those red explosive pots or require you to use the zip lines. There’s a figurehead at the very top, near the brazier. If you miss the timing on the zip line, you’re hiking all the way back up. It's annoying, but the Hacksilver payout from Brok and Sindri makes it worth the sweat.
Why Your Map Might Be Lying to You
Here is the thing about the Lake of the Nine. The game tracks artifacts by region, but the "Lake of the Nine" region on your map is actually quite specific. If you're standing on the Helheim tower, you're technically in the Lake of the Nine region. If you move ten feet toward the Cliffs of the Raven, you're in a new zone.
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I’ve seen dozens of forum posts from people swearing their game is glitched because they have 8/9 figureheads. Usually, they missed the one on the Stone Falls. You have to go past the gate, climb up the chain, and it’s sitting right there by a chest. It isn't hidden behind a complex puzzle; it’s just in a spot where you’re usually too busy looking at the scenery to notice the glow on the ground.
Tributes to Freya and the Southern Shores
While the figureheads are the primary focus of the lake itself, the surrounding shores hold the "Tributes to Freya" set. These are mostly found in the Foothills and around the entrance to the Mountain, but a couple are technically reachable from the lake's edge.
Look, Freya’s story is tragic, and these artifacts—mostly jewelry and charms—reflect that. You’ll find one right near the Vanaheim tower. It’s tucked into a corner where the light barely hits it. If you’re rushing to get to the next story beat, you will walk right past it. Kratos isn't exactly a guy who stops to smell the roses, so you have to be the one to make him stop and dig through the dirt.
The Mechanics of Selling
Don't hoard these things. There is zero reason to keep them in your inventory. Once you collect a full set, the bonus Hacksilver you get from selling them to the Huldra brothers is significant. It’s the difference between being able to afford that Level 4 Pauldron or going into a boss fight with under-leveled armor.
Basically, as soon as you clear a beach, check your "Goals" tab. If it says the set is complete, find a shop. Brok doesn't care about the history; he just wants the loot.
The Tricky Ones: Cliffs of the Raven and Lookout Tower
The Cliffs of the Raven artifact is a classic "interact with the environment" puzzle. You have to drop a chain for Atreus, have him climb up, and then he kicks down a ladder for you. It’s basic stuff, but if you haven't upgraded your "look up" skills, you'll miss the prompt. The artifact is on a corpse at the very back of the area.
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Over at the Lookout Tower, it's all about the spikes. You have to hit the spinning boards with your axe to lower the spikes. It's a rhythm thing. Once the spikes are down, the artifact—another figurehead—is sitting there waiting.
People forget that the Lake of the Nine is a 3D space. It’s not a flat map. Use the elevators. Use the chains. If you’re at 98% completion and can’t find that last Lake of the Nine artifact, it is almost certainly on one of the towers. Check the Niflheim tower. Check the Alfheim tower. They all look the same after a while, but each one has unique loot.
High-Level Strategy for Collectors
If you want to be efficient, wait until the water has dropped twice. Don't waste your time scouring every inch of the coast the first time you get the boat. You literally cannot reach half the items yet.
- Follow the main quest until the World Serpent moves for the second time.
- Start at the Tyrs Temple dock and move clockwise around the lake.
- Hit every tower first. They are the easiest to clear and offer the best vantage points.
- Use Atreus. He often barks dialogue when you’re near something "interesting." If he says "Look, Father!", stop moving.
- Watch the ravens. Often, the developers put an Odin's Raven near an artifact to draw your eye to the area.
The "Abandoned Ship" set is particularly lucrative. Selling the whole set gets you a massive boost to your currency, which you'll need for the Niflheim or Muspelheim armor sets later on.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't confuse "Lake of the Nine" artifacts with the "Bottoms Up" set or the "Family Heirloom" set. Those are in the Mountain and Helheim, respectively. If you are looking at your checklist and see a gap under the Lake of the Nine header, you are looking for figureheads. Period.
Also, check the area around the Muspelheim tower. There’s a hidden path there that many people miss because they think the tower is the end of the road. There’s a climbable wall that leads to a small plateau with a view of the lake—and, you guessed it, a collectible.
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Moving Toward Completion
Once you have these, your map completion percentage for Midgard will jump significantly. It’s a grind, sure, but God of War 2018 is one of those rare games where the grind feels connected to the lore. These aren't just glowing pixels; they are the remnants of people who lived in this world before the Aesir ruined everything.
Go to the Stone Falls. This is usually the "missing" piece. It’s the area with the water wheel puzzle. Most players solve the puzzle, grab the chest, and leave. The artifact is actually tucked behind some breakable wood near the top of the area. If you’re standing by the gate that leads to the Veithurgard region, you’ve gone too far.
Your Final Checklist
To make sure you’re actually done, open your menu and navigate to the "Collections" tab. You should see "Abandoned Ship" with a 9/9 count. If it’s 8/9, go back to the Isle of Death. That’s the most common place to miss one because of the multiple levels and hidden caves.
After you’ve cleared the lake, your next step is to head toward the mountain or explore the optional realms. But honestly, take a second to just row. The Lake of the Nine is the heart of the game for a reason.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check your map for the "Stone Falls" and "Forgotten Caverns" sub-regions to see if they are at 100%.
- Visit Brok or Sindri to sell your completed sets; never leave them in your inventory.
- Make sure you’ve visited every one of the eight towers surrounding the lake, as each contains unique loot or lore markers.
- If a shore looks empty, look up—many paths are only accessible by hitting a legal target with the Leviathan Axe to drop a climbing chain.