Can You Get Excalibur Before Beating the Game in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
The short answer is yes, you can get Excalibur in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla before completing the main story. However, the path to wielding this legendary sword is not straightforward and presents a significant challenge, especially for players who aren’t adequately prepared. While it’s an obtainable weapon well before the final credits roll, its acquisition is designed to be a mid-to-late game endeavor. This article will delve into the specifics of how early you can acquire Excalibur and what you need to do to get your hands on the iconic blade.
The Challenge of Early Excalibur Acquisition
Excalibur in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is not simply lying around in a chest waiting to be picked up. Its acquisition involves a series of tasks that require exploration, puzzle-solving, and most significantly, combat. The main hurdle to early acquisition isn’t the puzzles or exploration but rather the strength of the enemies guarding the required tablets.
Treasures of Britain and the Zealot Threat
The quest to obtain Excalibur begins with collecting the Treasures of Britain tablets. These tablets are scattered across 9th century England and are found in locations that present parkour challenges, and that are not particularly difficult to reach. However, to collect all the required tablets to find Excalibur, players must defeat three powerful Zealots. These Zealots are high-level enemies designed to challenge players later in the game. This makes early acquisition possible, but very risky. Although you can find 8 of the 11 necessary tablets by just exploring the map and doing the parkour associated with them, the last three are guarded by the formidable Zealots, thus creating the significant difficulty hurdle.
Recommended Power Level
While it is possible to grab Excalibur at a power level of around 220, you’ll likely find the Zealot encounters extremely difficult and frustrating. The game itself recommends a power level of 300 or higher to comfortably tackle these fights. Attempting it with a lower power level means you must be very skilled at the game’s combat mechanics and be willing to employ unconventional and often tedious strategies. Remember, it’s not just the Zealots’ high health and damage output; their attack patterns can be hard to anticipate without practice. The lower your power level, the higher the odds of frustration and death.
The Excalibur Questline
The process of getting Excalibur is a quest in itself. It’s not part of the main story; it’s an optional side activity you can embark on at any time. The first steps involve simply exploring the world.
Beginning the Search
There’s no specific quest marker to start your hunt for the Treasures of Britain tablets. You simply need to stumble upon them while exploring. The key is to keep an eye out for locations that look like they have an entry into some ancient crypt or cave. These are where the tablets are hidden, usually after a bit of parkour. Once you find a few tablets, you’ll realize they are part of a greater whole. This is when the true Excalibur quest begins.
Collecting the Tablets
Eight of the eleven tablets are found in relatively accessible locations across the map, usually at the end of minor parkour sections. These sections are not overly difficult, though some require some spatial awareness and practice with Eivor’s movement controls. You will need to traverse some ruins or caves to find these, but the main difficulty of this part is just travelling around the map to each location. The real challenge begins when you target the other three.
Defeating the Zealots
The final three tablets are where your preparation is tested. Each of these is guarded by a Zealot, and these aren’t your ordinary enemies. Zealots are elite foes with unique combat abilities, high health, and heavy damage output. They are also significantly more powerful than most standard enemies you encounter in the world. Without the power, skills, or gear, defeating them at a low level will prove highly difficult. Fighting them early often requires kiting and hit-and-run tactics, which are not always the most engaging way to play the game.
Claiming Excalibur
Once all eleven tablets are collected, you need to find the specific location in the game world, which is in the cave of Myrdinn in Hamtunscire. Place each of the tablets in the correct location, and the mythical sword will be revealed. Once all eleven tablets are correctly placed, Excalibur becomes yours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Excalibur in Valhalla
1. Is Excalibur the strongest sword in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Yes, Excalibur is generally considered the strongest sword in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. It boasts high attack, stun, and critical chance stats, and it possesses a powerful perk that blinds enemies on heavy finishers and critical hits.
2. Do I need a specific DLC or season pass to get Excalibur?
No, Excalibur is part of the base game and does not require any DLC or season pass to obtain.
3. Can I get Excalibur at the start of the game?
While technically possible, it’s highly improbable and not recommended. The challenges of the zealots are designed for a player with high level and skill and would be very difficult, if not impossible to tackle at the start of the game.
4. Are the parkour challenges required to get the tablets difficult?
The parkour sections associated with the first 8 tablets are generally not too difficult but may require some experimentation and practice with Eivor’s movement. The difficulty comes mostly from the Zealots.
5. What level do I need to be to comfortably get Excalibur?
It’s recommended to be at least power level 300, but you may be able to acquire it with a lower power level, provided you’re willing to take on the high-level Zealots early.
6. Can you get Mjolnir before Excalibur?
Yes, it is possible to obtain Mjolnir before Excalibur, though acquiring Mjolnir also requires specific steps and completion of other side quests related to Thor’s armor.
7. How many Treasures of Britain tablets are there?
There are a total of 11 Treasures of Britain tablets that must be collected to get Excalibur.
8. What are the locations of the Treasures of Britain tablets?
The locations are spread across England; they are located within caves and ruins that have parkour sections, as well as those guarded by Zealots. For a detailed guide, searching online for “Treasures of Britain locations Valhalla” will provide detailed maps.
9. What are Zealots, and why are they hard?
Zealots are elite members of the Order of Ancients, who are very high level and with heavy combat capabilities. They possess unique attacks, high health, and deal considerable damage.
10. Is it worth getting Excalibur early?
While it’s possible, it might not be “worth” the trouble early on. The effort and frustration of defeating the Zealots at low levels could be avoided by waiting until later in the game, which makes the fights much less of a chore.
11. Does Excalibur have unique abilities?
Yes, Excalibur’s special perk blinds enemies on heavy finishers and critical hits, making it extremely powerful in combat, and quite fun to use.
12. Is there a specific order I should collect the tablets in?
No, there isn’t a specific order. You can collect the first eight in any order, but the three Zealot-guarded tablets do require combat that may benefit from gaining experience and levels.
13. Can I upgrade Excalibur?
Yes, like all weapons in Valhalla, Excalibur can be upgraded at the blacksmith to enhance its stats.
14. Is Excalibur related to the main story?
No, it is an optional side quest, though the blade is certainly worth the effort.
15. Can I get Excalibur again in a New Game Plus?
Yes, you can attempt to get Excalibur again in New Game Plus, if you desire to replay this part of the game.
Conclusion
While getting Excalibur early in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is achievable, it’s a significant undertaking that demands both skill and preparation. Understanding the challenges, especially the Zealot encounters, is key to deciding whether to pursue this iconic sword before tackling the main game objectives. If you are prepared for a challenge, the effort and satisfaction of wielding Excalibur earlier will provide a unique and rewarding experience. However, if you are new to the game, or would like a more consistent gameplay experience, consider waiting till later in the game to attempt this quest. The sword itself is worth acquiring for its unique properties, but only you can decide when you want to take the effort and time required.