Realms Unlock

Many of the toughest challenges in God of War await at two realms, Muspelheim and Niflheim. Muspelheim offers six trials that culminate in a fight against a Valkyrie. Niflheim is overcome by the Cursed Mist that limits the time Kratos can spend in the area. Meanwhile, valuable loot, deadly traps, and dangerous foes abound throughout the realm. Another Valkyrie is located deep inside the realm.

The Realm of Fire

Main Objective	Complete the Muspelheim Language Cipher and travel to Muspelheim
Reward	400 XP, unlock Muspelheim, 25 XP per cipher piece

OBJECTIVE: Complete the Muspelheim Language Cipher

There are seven Cipher Chests that hold a Muspelheim Language Cipher, but only four are required to read the Muspelheim runes and travel to the realm. Once four have been collected, the remaining chests provide a random Enchantment.

Location		How to Find
	Lake of Nine: Cliffs of the Raven	Find the beach with the dead Troll and brazier, which is where you dock at the high-water level. Break out the boards that block the small hole to the north in order for Atreus to drop the nearby chain. Climb up and loot the Cipher Chest.
	Lake of Nine: Forgotten Caverns	From the main beach of Forgotten Caverns, where a Nornir Chest sits to the left and a brazier to the right, climb the chain on the north side to find the Cipher Chest.
	Foothills	Near the start of the foothills, before Sindri’s Shop. At the Scorn Pole that sits next to a Lore Marker, the Cipher Chest rests to the left.
	Alfheim	Travel to Alfheim and cross the bridge, taking care of any Dark Elves and tentacles that block your progress. At the other end of the bridge, the path splits; head right to find the chest.
	The Mountain	After your first trip to the Mountain Summit, where you meet Mimir, descend the steps toward the Mystic Gateway. The Cipher Chest sits just ahead on the left.
	Lake of Nine: Muspelheim Tower (after second water drop)	Though this chest is just behind Muspelheim Tower, the gate is locked, so you must find another way there. Climb Lookout Tower and slide down the zipwire to reach the area behind Muspelheim Tower. Defeat the enemies and climb the boards to find the Cipher Chest.
	The River Pass	Travel to Witch’s Basement and ride the elevator up to the cavern. You must have Shock Arrows to access the Cipher Chest that sits just to the right of the elevator. Use a Shock Arrow on the nearby Shatter Crystal, move into the right room and open the chest to find the cipher. Be sure to grab the cipher before removing the Winds of Hel energy. If you have collected three of the previous ciphers, this one allows you to read the Muspelheim language and travel to the realm.

OBJECTIVE: Use the Realm Table to Travel to Muspelheim

After collecting four Muspelheim Ciphers, use the Realm Table at Týr’s Temple to access Muspelheim. As you climb the volcano, a number of trials test your skills as a fighter. Refer to the Muspelheim section later in this chapter for full details.

The Realm of Fog

Main Objective	Complete the Niflheim Language Cipher and travel to Niflheim
Reward	400 XP, unlock Niflheim, 25 XP per cipher piece

OBJECTIVE: Complete the Niflheim Language Cipher

There are seven Cipher Chests that hold a Niflheim Language Cipher, but only four are required to learn the Niflheim Language and travel to the realm. Once four have been collected, the remaining chests provide a random Enchantment.

Location		How to Find
	Lake of Nine: Beach next to Alfheim Tower	Dock at the beach next to the Alfheim Realm Tower and detonate the Shatter Crystal. Climb the first ledge and run to the right to find the Cipher Chest.
	Lake of Nine: Ruins of the Ancient	Find this beach in the northwest corner of the lake. A Soul Devourer patrols the area, so be careful using your weapon. Loot the chest for a cipher.
	Lake of Nine: Lookout Tower (after second water drop)	Dock at the Lookout Tower beach and eliminate the Nightmares. Look east and spot a paddle contraption that enables and disables the spikes that block the various routes through the area. Hit a paddle four times, and the two sets of spikes to the southwest become disabled, giving you access to the Cipher Chest.
	The Mountain Summit	During the journey, Kratos and Atreus return to the Mountain Summit with the Chisel. After reaching another Sindri Shop, you emerge onto the Summit. The Cipher Chest sits just ahead. If you have collected the three within the Lake of Nine, this one unlocks the Niflheim realm.
	The Hall of Týr	As part of the Journey, Kratos and Atreus must break the two chains in order to flip the Realm Travel Room. Follow the left wing through the traps until you reach the chain. The Cipher Chest sits against the far wall.
	The Hall of Týr	As part of the Journey, Kratos and Atreus must break the two chains in order to flip the Realm Travel Room. Follow the right wing through the traps until you reach the chain. The Cipher Chest sits against the far wall.
	Inside Serpent	This location must be looted during the Journey. Late in the game, you paddle a boat into the World Serpent. After finding the eye, step up to the zip line and look left. Hop over to the adjacent platform and loot the Cipher Chest.

OBJECTIVE: Use the Realm Table to Travel to Niflheim

After collecting four Niflheim Ciphers, use the Realm Table at Týr’s Temple to access Niflheim. This realm offers a new challenge every time you exit the Cursed Mist and re-enter—enemy, trap, and treasure placements all change. Refer to the Niflheim Favors later in this chapter for more information.