You've probably spent a dozen hours chasing down Order of the Ancients members or just wandering around Ravensthorpe wondering when the "real" Viking stuff starts. Then Vagn shows up. He brings this whole new mechanic called River Raids, and suddenly you're staring at a map of the River Exe. It’s the first real test of the mode. Honestly, the River Exe AC Valhalla map is more than just a tutorial. It’s where most people realize their crew is actually kinda fragile and their rations aren't going to last ten minutes if they just charge in blindly.
Don't make the mistake of thinking this is just another raid like the ones in the main game. It isn't.
If you go in expecting a cakewalk, you’ll end up with a boat full of wounded Jomsviking and zero Foreign Supplies to show for it. The River Exe is tucked away in Western Saxon territory, specifically Devonshire. In the real world, the Exe flows through Exeter, but in Ubisoft’s version of the 9th century, it's a gauntlet of military fortifications and tiny civilian settlements that you have to navigate to upgrade your settlement.
The River Exe AC Valhalla Map Layout and Why It Matters
The map is basically a long, winding corridor. You start at the south and work your way up. It’s divided by several different types of locations, and knowing the difference is the only way you’re going to survive the higher alert levels.
Civilians live in the small hamlets. You’ll find things like Lowesby or Twitchen along the banks. These are vital for one reason: Rations. Your Jomsviking are not invincible. When they take a spear to the gut, they need you to revive them using a ration. If you run out of rations, your crew starts "dying" (they actually just go home to recover), and once your crew is gone, the raid is over. You can’t solo these fortresses easily because many of the chests require two people to force open.
Then you have the military locations. These are the ones that actually give you the Foreign Supplies needed to upgrade the Jomsviking Hall or your cargo ship. Places like the Western Fortification or the Eastern Fortification are the meat of the River Exe. They are much harder. They have palisades, archer towers, and those annoying banner-men who buff the surrounding troops.
Finding the Saint George Gear
Most people are on the River Exe for one specific reason: the Saint George’s Cape and the Saint George’s Tower Shield.
Finding these isn't guaranteed in a specific chest, which drives some players crazy. The loot is randomized across the military locations on the map. You might find the Cape at the Western Fortification, or it might be tucked away in the Fortification of the Exe at the very northern tip of the river.
The gear is heavy. It’s part of the Bear set. If you like playing a tanky Eivor, this is the set you want. But don't expect to find the whole set on one river. The River Exe only holds two pieces. To get the rest, you have to complete the "A River to Raid" quest and unlock the River Severn.
Strategies That Actually Work (And Some That Don't)
Here is a hard truth: the "River Alert" mechanic is your biggest enemy.
Every time you hit a location, the alert level for the river goes up. If the bar at the top of your screen fills up, the river becomes "Highly Alerted." This means more chains across the water, more reinforcements at the forts, and tougher enemies.
I’ve seen a lot of players try to hit every single spot on the map in one go. That’s a mistake. You’ll get overwhelmed. Instead, hit two or three military camps, grab your supplies, and get out. Returning to Ravensthorpe resets the alert level. It’s a bit of a grind, but it’s better than losing all your progress because your last Jomsviking went down and you had no rations left to pick them up.
- Stealth first, raid second. You can actually jump off the boat before starting the raid. Swim to shore, take out the bell-ringers and the archers, and then blow your horn to call in the crew. This keeps your Jomsviking from taking unnecessary damage during the initial breach.
- Watch the River Map icons. If an icon is grayed out, it means you’ve recently raided it and it hasn't recovered yet. Locations "rebuild" after you complete raids on other rivers.
- Upgrade your Cargo first. Don't spend your first batch of Foreign Supplies on the Jomsviking Hall. Spend it on the ship’s cargo hold. If you can only carry 200 supplies, you’re making way too many trips back and forth.
The "Map Clue" Mystery
You’ll hear Vagn talk about a map clue. On the River Exe, this clue is located at Escanceaster Monastery.
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Monasteries are different from forts. They are full of monks (obviously) and usually have a lot of Book of Knowledge locations or clues, but fewer "Foreign Supplies" than the heavy military bases. The clue is usually inside the main church area. You’ll need to smash some wooden crates or find a hidden door to get to it.
Once you get this clue, it opens up the quest for the River Dee, which is where the high-level gear starts appearing. Honestly, the River Exe is just the appetizer. The real challenge comes later, but if you don't master the mechanics here, the River Dee will absolutely wreck you.
Why Your Jomsviking Keep Dying
It’s annoying, right? You’re in the middle of a fight, and you see that red "revive" icon.
The Jomsviking AI isn't always the smartest. They will stand in fire. They will ignore the elite enemy with the massive greataxe to go break a pot. You have to be their babysitter.
The level of your Jomsviking matters. In the beginning, you’re likely using Level 1 recruits. They have very little health. By building the Jomsviking Hall in Ravensthorpe and upgrading it using those supplies you found on the Exe, you can start recruiting Level 2 and Level 3 warriors. These guys can actually take a hit.
Also, check your crew's gear. You can't directly change it, but as you recruit higher-level Jomsviking from the hall, they come with better armor and weapons. It makes a massive difference when you’re trying to take the Fortification of the Exe at the north end of the map, which is crawling with defenders.
Handling the River Exe Boss
There isn't a traditional "boss" in the way the main story has them, but the commanders at the larger fortifications function as mini-bosses. They usually have heavy shields or reach weapons.
The trick here? Parrying.
AC Valhalla rewards aggressive parrying. Most of these commanders have telegraphed attacks. If you can break their stamina bar, you can perform a stun attack that deals massive damage. Don't just spam light attacks against a shielded commander; you’ll just bounce off and get countered. Use your abilities. The Dive of the Valkyries is great for breaking through a shield wall when your crew is struggling.
Common Misconceptions About the River Exe
People often think you can find "regular" silver or gear from the main game here. You can't.
The River Raids are a self-contained economy. You are there for Foreign Supplies, Saint George gear, and unique abilities. If you’re looking for Tungsten or Nickel ingots to upgrade your Raven Clan armor, you’re in the wrong place. Stick to the main England map for that.
Another big one: "The river never changes."
Actually, the more you raid, the more the river "evolves." You might notice more wooden towers popping up or more chains blocking the river paths. The game tries to stop you from just sailing full speed to the end. You’ll eventually need to stop the boat, hop out, and break the chain locks from the land side.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Raid
To make the most of your time on the River Exe, follow this specific flow. It saves time and prevents frustration.
- Preparation: Before you leave Ravensthorpe, make sure your own rations are full. Even though your crew uses their own system, you need to stay alive to lead them.
- The Silent Start: Don't trigger the raid immediately. Park the longship a hundred meters away. Sneak into the target fortification and assassinate the archers on the walls. This prevents your crew from being turned into pincushions the moment they jump off the boat.
- Target the Monasteries First: If you are low on crew rations, hit a monastery or a small village. These have a higher chance of containing food chests rather than supply chests.
- Prioritize the Gear: If you find a piece of Saint George gear, consider ending the raid early. If you die or your boat is destroyed before you return to Ravensthorpe, you lose a significant chunk of what you gathered. It’s not worth the risk.
- Upgrade the Ship: Use your first 450 Foreign Supplies specifically to upgrade the Cargo Hold. This is the single most important upgrade in the River Raids mode.
The River Exe is a learning curve. It feels repetitive at first, but once you start seeing the Saint George set come together and your Jomsviking actually holding their own in a fight, the rhythm of the game changes. Just remember that the river is a resource to be managed, not just a map to be cleared. Focus on the supplies, get your gear, and move on to the Severn as soon as you're strong enough.