You've finally reached Midgard's center. The water is receding, the World Serpent is grumbling in your ear, and Kratos is probably grunting about something unimportant. If you're a completionist playing God of War (2018), you know the drill. The Lake of Nine artifacts aren't just shiny trinkets; they’re the "Abandoned Ship" set. Finding them is basically a massive nautical scavenger hunt that rewards you with Hacksilver and a much-needed boost to your completion percentage.
Honestly, some of these are a pain. You’ll sail right past them because they’re tucked behind a barrel or hidden under a layer of frost you didn't notice. It’s not just about looking; it’s about timing. Some areas only open up once the water level drops for the second time. If you’re pulling your hair out wondering why a certain dock isn't accessible yet, just keep playing the main story. Mimir will tell you when the big guy moves again.
The Abandoned Ship Set: What You're Actually Looking For
Let's be real: Kratos isn't exactly an archaeologist. But these artifacts tell a story of a crew that didn't have a great time on the lake. There are nine pieces in total. They look like small, ornate figureheads from ships. They glow with a soft purple light when you're nearby, which helps, but the Lake of Nine is huge. It’s easy to get turned around.
The first one most people stumble upon is near the Tyr’s Temple area, but the others are scattered across the various peripheral beaches. You’ve got locations like the Forgotten Caverns, Cliffs of the Raven, and the Isle of Death. Each spot has its own vibe. Some require a bit of light puzzling, while others just require you to have eyes in your head.
The Lookout Tower and the Spike Traps
This one is a classic. You head to the Lookout Tower, which is Southeast on your map. It’s a tiny little beach. You’ll see those annoying spikes coming out of the ground. Basically, you have to hit the spinning signpost to lower the spikes. It’s a rhythmic thing. Once you clear the path, look near the chest. The artifact is just sitting there in the sand. Simple. If you can’t see it, you’re likely standing on it.
Why People Miss the Cliffs of the Raven Piece
The Cliffs of the Raven is a bit more vertical. You’ll land your boat and see a giant dead troll (don't worry, he's stayin' dead). You need to use Atreus here. There’s a small hole he can crawl through to drop a chain for you. Once you’ve climbed up, you’ll find the artifact tucked away near a corpse. It’s easy to miss because the environment is so busy with loot and pathing options.
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People always ask: "Do I need these for the Platinum?" Yes. You do.
Beyond the trophy, selling these to Brok or Sindri is one of the fastest ways to fund your armor upgrades early on. They pay a decent chunk of Hacksilver for the full set. Don't hoard them. Kratos doesn't need a collection of wooden boat parts in his pockets. Sell them as soon as you find them.
The Isle of Death and Iron Cove Connection
These two islands are basically neighbors. On the Isle of Death, you’re looking for a spot behind some breakable rocks. This is where the game teaches you that your Leviathan Axe is basically a glorified wrecking ball. Smash everything. If it looks like a crate, it should be splinters.
- Land at the Isle of Death.
- Climb the crane/pulley system.
- Look for the shipwreck debris.
- The artifact is sitting inside the hull of a ruined boat.
Iron Cove is similar. It’s rugged. It’s gray. It’s full of things that want to kill you. The artifact here is often missed because it’s tucked behind a Nornir chest puzzle. Most players solve the chest and then sprint back to the boat. Stop. Look left. It’s right there by the rocks.
Forgotten Caverns: The Two-Step Drop
The Forgotten Caverns is one of those places that changes based on the water level. If you go too early, you can't reach the upper ledge. Once the water drops a second time, you can access the back area. Follow the path up the chain, and you’ll find the artifact near a dead end. It’s almost like the developers wanted to reward you for just being curious enough to walk into a dark corner.
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The Helheim Connection (Sorta)
Wait, we’re talking about the Lake of Nine artifacts, right? Well, sort of. While the Abandoned Ship set is strictly in Midgard, the lore behind these items hints at the struggle of the mortals before the Fimbulwinter started kicking in. You see it in the architecture. You see it in the way the ships are shattered. The Lake isn't just a hub; it’s a graveyard.
Tyr’s Temple: The Easy Ones
Don’t forget the ones literally right under your nose. There are pieces located on the exterior walkways of Tyr’s Temple itself. Walk the circular perimeter. Look behind the massive statues. One of them is just lying on the ground near the stairs leading down to the docks. It’s so obvious it’s actually easy to overlook while you’re busy staring at the massive World Serpent.
The Strategy for Efficient Hunting
If you want to knock this out fast, don't do it one by one. Do it in a circuit. Start at the Lookout Tower and move counter-clockwise around the lake.
- Lookout Tower: Check the spikes.
- Niflheim Tower: Check the surrounding debris.
- Isle of Death: Use the ziplines.
- Iron Cove: Look behind the exploding jars.
- Forgotten Caverns: Climb the back wall.
- Stone Falls: Near the top of the waterfall area.
- Cliffs of the Raven: Send Atreus through the wall.
Honestly, the hardest part is just the boat travel. The boat is slow. Kratos's arms must be tired. But the dialogue between Mimir and Atreus makes the rowing tolerable. Listen to the stories. They actually provide context for why these ships were abandoned in the first place. It wasn't just a storm; it was the rising tide of the Desolation.
What Most People Get Wrong About Artifacts
A common misconception is that you can lose these or "fail" the quest. You can't. You can come back at the very end of the game—even after the main story is over—and pick them up. Nothing is missable. If you feel like you've explored everywhere and you're still 8/9, check the map. Each sub-region of the lake (like "Stone Falls" or "Forgotten Caverns") has its own checklist. Hover over the name on the map, and it will tell you exactly which area is missing an artifact.
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Also, keep in mind that the "Lake of Nine" region on your map is separate from the specific beaches. If the map says "Lake of Nine: 1/4 Artifacts," that usually means the ones on the actual temple structure or the docks that aren't tied to a specific named island.
Actionable Next Steps for Completionists
If you're sitting at 95% completion and these boat pieces are the only thing standing in your way, here is how you finish it.
First, check your "Goals" tab in the menu. Look at the "Abandoned Ship" collection. It will show you silhouettes of the ones you're missing. If you're missing the third one in the list, you can look up that specific one's location online. It saves you from re-visiting all seven islands.
Second, make sure you have the "Light of Alfheim" for your lamp if you’re exploring the darker caves. It makes the purple glow of the artifacts pop much more clearly against the muddy ground.
Finally, once you have all nine, head straight to Brok’s shop at the center of the lake. Sell the set. It clears your inventory and gives you the XP bonus. Use that XP to upgrade your Runic attacks. You're going to need them for the Valkyries anyway.
The Lake of Nine is a giant puzzle box. Treat it like one. Don't rush. The artifacts are just an excuse to see every beautiful, ruined corner of Santa Monica Studio’s masterpiece. Go get 'em.