You’re trekking through the snow in Resident Evil Village, Ethan Winters is breathing like he just ran a marathon in lead boots, and suddenly you hear it. That wooden, rhythmic tock-tock-tock. It’s a sound that haunts completionists. Those little wooden Goats of Warding are everywhere, and honestly, some of them are just plain mean. Capcom hid these things in spots that feel almost spiteful, tucked away on rafters or bobbing in the murky waters of a reservoir. If you're trying to snag that "Cynic" or "Heretic" achievement, you've got twenty of these suckers to find.
Smashing them isn't just about the trophy, though. It’s about that weirdly satisfying splintering sound and the knowledge that you’ve finally cleared an area. But let’s be real: missing just one means you’re replaying the whole game or scouring a guide while a Lycan tries to chew your face off.
The Village Proper: Where It All Starts
The first one is basically a freebie. You’ll find it in a small shrine in the Maiden of War square. It’s right there. You can’t miss it unless you’re playing with your eyes shut. But don't get cocky. The game is just lulling you into a false sense of security before it starts hiding them in the literal stratosphere.
Once you have the Knife, head over to the Church. Check the roof. Not the main part, but the lower section of the roofline. There's a goat just chilling up there, watching you struggle.
There's another one tucked away near the Fallow Plot. You’ll be heading toward Luiza’s house, feeling that creeping dread as the tall grass rustles. Don't just run for your life. Look at the top of the stone wall near the stairs. It’s perched there, mocking the concept of safety. This is a recurring theme with the goats of warding locations; they love high ground.
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The Lone Goat by the Vineyard
Before you enter Castle Dimitrescu, you’ll walk through a vineyard. It’s snowy, it’s bleak, and there’s a scarecrow that looks way too much like a person. To the right of the path, nestled in the snow near the rocks, sits a goat. It’s easy to walk right past it because you’re probably distracted by the giant gothic castle looming over you.
Survival Tips for the Castle and Beyond
Inside Castle Dimitrescu, things get vertical. After you survive the initial encounter with the daughters and find yourself in the Attic, look behind you. Specifically, look behind the ladder you just climbed. There’s a goat just sitting in the dark. It’s a classic Resident Evil move—hiding things exactly where the player’s camera won't naturally point.
The Distillery is another pain. It’s the flooded basement area where Lady Dimitrescu likes to stalk you. In the room with the hanging bodies and the blood-red water, there’s a goat tucked into a corner behind some crates. You have to wade through the muck to get it. It’s gross. Ethan deserves a raise.
The Sniper’s Goat
Once you get onto the rooftops of the Castle (the Ramparts), you’ll find yourself dodging flying gargoyles. Near the elevator that takes you back down, there’s a small nook. Look toward the shadows. If you don't find it here, you’re going to have to backtrack, and nobody wants to do that when there’s a nine-foot vampire lady roaming the halls.
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The Absolute Worst Goats in the Reservoir and Factory
Look, Moreau’s area is a mess. It’s green, it’s slimy, and the platforming is stressful. But the goats here are uniquely annoying. When you’re at the Windmill, before you start the frantic race against the giant fish, look out toward the water. There's a goat sitting on a lone wooden pile sticking out of the lake. You’ll likely need a handgun or rifle for this one.
Then there’s the Bottom of the Reservoir. After you drain the water and you’re chasing Moreau through the mud, check under the derelict windmill. It’s hidden under the floorboards in a spot that feels like the developers were laughing when they placed it.
Heisenberg’s Industrial Nightmare
The Factory is a maze of rust and spinning blades. It’s easy to get lost, and it’s even easier to miss the goats. One of the most frequently missed ones is in the Ventilation Shaft. You know that part where the massive fan is trying to suck you in and turn you into Ethan-flavored jam? Once you shoot the core and stop the fan, walk toward the edge. It’s sitting right on the rim.
Another one is tucked away in the B5 level, near the elevator. You have to look through a tiny gap in the fence. It’s barely visible. Honestly, without the sound cue, you’d never find it. That’s the trick to finding all goats of warding locations: stop running. Stand still. Listen for the wooden clack.
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The Final Stretch: Chris Redfield’s Path
When the game shifts gears and you’re playing as Chris, the pace picks up. You’re decked out with an assault rifle and thermal tech, feeling like a god compared to Ethan. But don't get distracted by the explosions.
There’s a goat near the Large Flask area after the boss fight. It’s hidden in the dark, near the base of a massive tree. Since you can’t backtrack as Chris, if you miss this, you’re starting the whole chapter over. It’s the final test of your observation skills.
Why You Should Care About the "Cynic" Achievement
Look, I get it. You’ve got a daughter to save and a village full of monsters to kill. Why stop to break wooden toys?
- It unlocks CP (Challenge Points).
- You need CP for the Infinite Ammo cheats.
- Infinite ammo makes "Village of Shadows" difficulty actually playable.
- It’s the only way to get the Platinum Trophy or 100% completion.
Basically, if you want the "STAKE" Magnum with infinite bullets (which turns the game into a point-and-click adventure), you need these goats.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Run
If you’re missing just one or two, don't just wander around aimlessly. The game tracks which ones you’ve broken across all save files. This means you can load an old save, smash the missing goat, and it counts forever.
- Check your "Challenges" menu. It tells you exactly how many you have left.
- Use a headset. The spatial audio in Village is actually great; you can hear the goat's wooden rattling getting louder as you turn toward it.
- Save before the Point of No Return. Once you leave the Village for the final time or enter the Factory, certain areas are locked off forever. Keep a "Master Save" at the Altar with Duke.
- Don't waste ammo. Use the knife whenever possible. Save your sniper rounds for the goats that are literally 500 yards away in the reservoir or on the mountain peaks.
Finding every goat is a rite of passage for RE fans. It forces you to look at the environment, to appreciate the terrifying detail Capcom shoved into every corner of this game. Go get 'em. Just watch your back for the Lycans.