What is the Order in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla? A Comprehensive Guide

The Order of the Ancients in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a powerful and shadowy organization serving as a primary antagonist, mirroring the Cult of Kosmos from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. It is a secondary objective that runs parallel to the main storyline, requiring players to hunt down and assassinate 45 targets scattered across England and beyond. This network of influential figures operates secretly, pulling strings from behind the scenes to achieve their goals of control and dominance. Think of them as the historical predecessors to the Templars. Unlike the Templars, however, the Order are not yet united under a single philosophical banner, and their motivations are more disparate and less clearly defined. Understanding their structure and motivations is key to conquering this significant side quest in Valhalla.

Understanding the Order’s Structure

The Order isn’t a monolithic entity but rather a collection of powerful individuals across different sectors of society. They have a hierarchical structure, with each member holding a specific role and influence. They are not all necessarily evil or aware of their roles within the grander scheme. The Grand Maegester, known as ‘The Father’, stands at the very top, the elusive mastermind orchestrating the Order’s activities. Beneath the Father are several branches, each with its own leader and unique set of targets.

Branches and Their Targets

The Order’s targets are divided into several branches:

• Wardens of Faith: This branch focuses on religious figures and those wielding influence in the Church.
• Wardens of War: As the name suggests, these are military leaders and influential figures within the war machine.
• Wardens of Wealth: This branch targets those in positions of economic power who manipulate finances and resources.
• Wardens of Law: This group infiltrates law enforcement and the judicial system, corrupting it for their own gain.
• Zealots: These are powerful, roaming warriors who are fiercely loyal to the Order. They pose a significant combat challenge.
• The Inner Circle: This is a small group of individuals more closely connected to the Father.

Each member is initially hidden, requiring the player to gather clues from defeated Order members and the surrounding world in order to unveil their identities and locations. The Zealots do not require clues to be revealed. They are found patrolling on specific routes. It is important to note that the clues for the main branch of the Order are not the same as for the other branches. Players are required to hunt for these clues within the environment.

The Order’s Goal and Impact on the Story

The Order of the Ancients, as a whole, seeks to establish control over England through manipulation, infiltration, and violence. They believe in order through domination, a stark contrast to the free will sought by the Hidden Ones (the precursors to the Assassins). By unraveling their network, players not only complete a significant side objective but also gain a deeper understanding of the Templar’s origins and their methods.

King Aelfred: The Father, and His Complex Motivation

Perhaps the most interesting element of the Order in Valhalla is its leadership. King Aelfred of Wessex, a historical figure, is revealed to be The Father, the head of the Order. However, this is not a traditional “evil overlord” scenario. Aelfred’s goal is to dismantle the Order from within, working alongside the Hidden Ones to achieve this. His complex motivations make him a compelling character, challenging the player’s understanding of right and wrong. He manipulates the Order, intending to have them eliminated by Eivor, furthering the goal of a new order of England he wants to see, a Christian England.

Gameplay Mechanics Related to the Order

Hunting the Order is a core component of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. It involves a mix of investigation, combat, and stealth. Players must use their Eagle Vision to spot clues, gather information from letters and documents, and then engage targets in combat or employ stealth tactics for silent assassinations. It’s important to note that some order members are only revealed once all the members of the specific branch are killed.

Essential Tips for Hunting the Order

• Use your bow: Aiming your bow at a person will reveal whether or not they are a regular civilian or an order member. This is particularly useful before engaging in combat.
• Prioritize collecting clues: Clues lead you to further locations and members, making them crucial for unraveling the entire network.
• Engage in strategic combat: Zealots are strong, and require proper planning and skill to defeat. Use all the tools and skills at your disposal.
• Plan your routes: Some members roam specific locations, making the tracking of routes an important aspect of the quest.
• Check your codex: The codex in the game is where you track your targets and manage their clues.
• Investigate the areas around known order members: Clues are often left lying nearby, and can help lead you to other members.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are the Order of the Ancients the same as the Templars?

Yes, the Order of the Ancients is the historical predecessor to the Templar Order. The Templars, as we know them in the franchise, evolved from this earlier organization.

2. How many members are there in the Order of the Ancients in AC Valhalla?

There are 45 targets in total, spread across various branches and the Zealots.

3. Who is the Father of the Order in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

The Father is King Aelfred of Wessex.

4. Is King Aelfred truly evil?

Not entirely. While he leads the Order, his goal is to dismantle it from within, working in collaboration with The Hidden Ones. He is motivated by complex reasons, including his personal belief in an ideal England.

5. What are Zealots?

Zealots are powerful, roaming warriors within the Order who are fiercely loyal. They are challenging combat encounters.

6. Do I need clues to find all members of the Order?

You need clues to find most of the Order members, but not the Zealots. These appear in areas across the world. Clues are found on killed members, and the surrounding environment.

7. What happens when I eliminate all members of the Order?

Once you eliminate all members, Hytham will mention that he has an informant with crucial information about The Father, the final step of the quest.

8. Is the Order of the Ancients present in other Assassin’s Creed games?

Yes, the Order of the Ancients features prominently in Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, serving as the main antagonists.

9. How important is the Order of the Ancients quest to the main story?

While it is a secondary objective, it’s a significant questline that enriches the game’s narrative and reveals crucial information about the history of the Templar Order.

10. Can I complete the Order quest after finishing the main storyline?

Yes, you can complete the Order quest at any time during or after completing the main storyline.

11. What is “The Rake” in AC Valhalla?

“The Rake” is the final member of the Wardens of Faith Branch, revealed after the other members are eliminated. She is Sister Blaeswith.

12. Is it necessary to take down the Order of the Ancients for the best ending?

No, it is not required for a specific ending. However, completing this storyline does provide additional narrative context.

13. How do I know if someone is a member of the Order?

You can use your bow to aim at the NPC to see if they are part of the order or a civilian. Additionally, members are often guarded or engage in suspicious behavior.

14. What is the recommended power level for tackling Zealots?

It is recommended to be at least power level 200 before engaging Zealots. They are powerful and require skill and good equipment.

15. Is there any reward for completing the Order of the Ancients quest?

Yes, you will receive valuable weapons, armor, resources, and, more importantly, an understanding of the origin of the Templar order. You also get a final confrontation with The Father.