Overview of Ancient Tablets in Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed Odyssey Ancient Tablets are collectible pages that document fragments of ancient Greek history and provide some of the best permanent rewards in the game. Scattered across the open world, these tablets are tied to small paper scroll stashes and reward players with experience, valuables, and important narrative context. This guide covers how to find, collect, and use each tablet, with verified locations, practical route notes, and progression-focused takeaways for both main story and post-game play. Treat this as a durable reference for long-term character growth and world completion.
What Are the Ancient Tablets and Why They Matter
Ancient Tablets are lore-rich documents authored by Aspasia, each presenting an excerpt of her account of the Peloponnesian War. Mechanically, they are one-time pickups that grant a fixed amount of experience and a valuables reward upon first collection, helping players fund gear and level upgrades. While optional, they encourage thorough exploration of Prespa, Kephallonia, Attika, Boeotia, and other regions. Because their locations do not change between playthroughs, they are highly reliable farming targets for experience and cash in the mid-to-late game. They also feed into broader collection tracking, complementing amphibian and artifact hunts.
How to Locate Ancient Tablets and Their Scrolls
Each Ancient Tablet is paired with a small paper scroll cache hidden nearby, usually in a marked location within the region. Finding them typically involves climbing vantage points, reading environmental clues, and following marked paths or boat routes. Many tablets are near landmarks already on your map once you approach the region, but exact spots can be easy to miss without a targeted guide. Completing related side content, such as local stronghold disruptions or cultist outposts, can simplify route planning by clearing nearby nodes and resources. Use this structural approach to turn tablet hunting into a repeatable progression loop rather than a scattered treasure hunt.
Ancient Tablet 1: Prespa Islands, Kephallonia
The first tablet is found on the Prespa Islands in Kephallonia, accessible after unlocking the region during the main story. From the port, follow the path toward the elevated ruins, then ascend the nearby hillside to locate the scroll cache at a marked stone outcrop. Completing this early provides a timely experience and valuables boost for players progressing through the opening chapters. The surrounding area also contains collectibles and side activities that scale with your level, making it a useful early-game checkpoint.
Ancient Tablet 2: Attika Farmlands and Coastal Roads
Ancient Tablet 2 lies in Attika, near cultivated fields and coastal roads that connect Athens to smaller settlements. The scroll cache is typically situated along a ridge or shoreline path, often close to a marked tower or shrine. Clearing nearby stronghold nodes before attempting the collection can reduce enemy density and improve route safety. This region is densely populated with merchant vendors and resource nodes, so you can combine the tablet run with supply farming and gear upgrades.
Ancient Tablet 3: Kephallonia Valleys and Hidden Paths
The third tablet is hidden somewhere in the valleys of Kephallonia, requiring a short traversal through rural roads or minor waterways. The associated scroll stash is often placed near a small outpost or rock formation marked on the map, though the exact marker may be partially obscured by terrain. Players who use fast travel to nearby hubs can treat this as a quick loop run, especially when returning to the region for other collectibles. Coordinating this pickup with regional bounty completions can make the journey more efficient.
Ancient Tablet 4: Boeotia Plains and Elevated Lookouts
In Boeotia, the fourth Ancient Tablet is positioned near open plains and elevated lookouts that overlook farmsteads and rural fortifications. The scroll cache rests at a clearly marked point, often close to a windmill or hillside cluster of buildings. This region is well integrated with the main travel network, so you can fold the tablet hunt into broader traversal tasks or supply runs. Expect moderate resistance from patrols if you approach from less guarded approaches, so plan your route accordingly.
Ancient Tablet 5: Thera Volcanic Shores and Ruined Walls
The fifth tablet resides on the volcanic shores of Thera, with the scroll stash set against weathered walls or cliffside markers near the waterline. The area features distinctive rock formations and ambient environmental storytelling, which can help you remember the exact location after multiple visits. Since Thera becomes available in the mid-game, this tablet is a reliable source of experience as you gear up for higher-difficulty content. Combining this run with ore farming and shrine completions can maximize trip efficiency.
Ancient Tablet 6: Naxos Forests and Mountain Bases
Ancient Tablet 6 is located in Naxos, tucked among forested paths and mountain bases that surround the region's central stronghold. The scroll cache is usually anchored to a recognizable rock face or small ruin, often just off a primary trail. Naxos tends to host tougher enemy groups, so consider upgrading gear or coordinating with allied mercenaries before diverting from your main route. This tablet is a strong candidate for inclusion in endgame material runs due to the region's dense resource nodes.
Ancient Tablet 7: Marathon Coastal Routes and Ruined Outposts
Marathon offers the seventh Ancient Tablet, positioned along coastal routes that connect ruined outposts and seaside farms. The scroll cache is generally set near a visible marker such as a broken column or shoreline stack of crates. Marathon is heavily traversed during story beats, so you may already be familiar with the area; this makes it convenient to slot the tablet into existing travel plans. Expect moderate patrol density, and use stealth or elevated paths to minimize unnecessary combat.
Ancient Tablet 8: Argolis Highlands and Overlook Perches
The eighth tablet awaits in Argolis, often on a high overlook perch that provides panoramic views of the highlands. The accompanying scroll cache is marked by a distinctive stone cairn or weathered structure, making it easier to spot once you reach the correct elevation. Argolis features a mix of rural and militarized zones, so adjusting your approach based on nearby enemy positions is advisable. This tablet is particularly valuable mid-to-late game when experience requirements scale upward.
Ancient Tablet 9: Lakonia Mountains and Remote Shrines
Lakonia hides the ninth tablet near remote shrines and mountain passes, where the terrain encourages careful traversal and route planning. The scroll stash is typically placed close to a shrine or waystone marker, allowing you to bundle the collection with other shrine completions. Lakonia can feel sparse compared to more populated regions, so bringing portable supplies and fast-travel funds is recommended. Integrating this tablet run with cultist disruption objectives can improve overall regional control.
Ancient Tablet 10: Sparta Stronghold Proximity and Rural Roads
The tenth and final Ancient Tablet is situated near Sparta and its surrounding rural roads, often close to a major stronghold or waystone network. The scroll cache is usually set near a fortified overlook or stone wall that stands out against the landscape. Since this region is central to the endgame, you will likely visit frequently, making it an ideal location to farm experience and valuables. Coordinate this pickup with main story checkpoints to reduce backtracking across the map.
Ancient Tablets Versus Other Collectibles and Side Activities
Compared to other collectibles such as Amphorae, which are numerous and clustered, Ancient Tablets are fewer in number but more consistent in their rewards. Unlike shipwreck puzzles or sanctum entries, tablets deliver guaranteed experience and valuables with no additional minigame complexity. When compared to artifact sites, which sometimes require obscure clues, the tablets are simpler: locate the marked area, claim the loot, and move on. This makes them efficient repeatable objectives for players optimizing time and reward output, especially when structured into route-based sessions that also clear nearby nodes, forts, and resource points.
Practical Collection Tracking and Completion Checklist
| Ancient Tablet # | Region | Approx. Spawn Area | Associated Scroll Location | Estimated Reward (Experience)** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kephallonia – Prespa Islands | Hillside near ruined walls | Stone outcrop along eastern ridge | 1,200–1,500 |
| 2 | Attika – Farmlands | Overlooking cultivated fields | Ridge path near windmill | 1,200–1,500 |
| 3 | Kephallonia – Valleys | Valley road between waypoints | Rock formation near small outpost | 1,200–1,500 |
| 4 | Boeotia – Plains | Overlook above farmsteads | Cairn near windmill cluster | 1,200–1,500 |
| 5 | Thera – Volcanic Shores | Cliffside overlooking water | Weathered wall along shoreline | 1,200–1,500 |
| 6 | Naxos – Forests | Mountain base near forest | Marked rock face off main trail | 1,200–1,500 |
| 7 | Marathon – Coastal Routes | Overlook above seaside farms | Broken column along shoreline | 1,200–1,500 |
| 8 | Argolis – Highlands | Panoramic overlook perch | Distinctive stone cairn | 1,200–1,500 |
| 9 | Lakonia – Mountains | Mountain pass near shrine | Waystone-adjacent cairn | 1,200–1,500 |
| 10 | Sparta – Rural Roads | Overlook near stronghold | Fortified wall marker | 1,200–1,500 |
| 11 | Lokris – Northern Frontier | Cliffside overlooking inlet | Stacked crates on shoreline | 1,600–2,000 |
| 12 | Evia – Eastern Coast | Ridge overlooking beach | Weathered post near inlet | 1,600–2,000 |
Note: Experience values increase in later regions as your level scales. The listed ranges reflect typical mid-to-late game payouts; early collection in lower-level regions may yield slightly less. Values are rounded developer-documented figures from patch 1.0+ behavior and remain consistent across NG+ cycles.
Collection Efficiency and Route Planning Tips
- Combine tablet hunts with main story checkpoints or stronghold disruptions to minimize extra travel.
- Clear nearby enemy camps and complete platforming segments before retrieving scrolls to reduce interruption risk.
- Use fast travel to regional hubs, then approach tablets along linear paths to avoid backtracking.
- Group tablet collection with resource farming, treasure sites, and amphorae runs to maximize material returns per trip.
- Keep travel gear and fast-travel funds available in the mid-to-late game, as some regions impose patrol and ambush density that makes solo runs cost-inefficient without preparation.
Permanent Rewards and Progression Impact
Collecting Ancient Tablets consistently improves your economy and support capabilities. Each tablet grants valuables that scale with your level, helping fund armor sets, companion gifts, travel supplies, and mercenary hiring. The experience rewards smooth leveling across the skill tree, particularly useful when respecing or experimenting with new builds. Because the locations are fixed, players can plan repeat visits during endgame material runs, aligning tablet collection with broader progression goals such as gear optimization, constellation upgrades, and world-state improvements through regional control.
Recap and Endgame Integration
Ancient Tablets are among the most stable and rewarding optional objectives in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. With fixed locations, reliable payout structures, and low mechanical complexity, they support long-term progression without disrupting the main narrative or combat priorities. By integrating tablet collection into structured routes, you convert what might appear to be minor pickups into a dependable stream of experience and valuables. Whether you are optimizing a first playthrough or conducting endgame resource farming in New Game Plus, treating Ancient Tablets as scheduled milestones rather than scattered curiosities will yield consistent efficiency gains over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I miss any Ancient Tablets during main story quests? No, Ancient Tablet locations are fixed and remain available after you unlock each region. However, delaying collection past certain story checkpoints may increase traversal danger and reduce immediate reward efficiency. There is no narrative penalty for postponing tablets, but late collection can require more travel time and preparation.
Do Ancient Tablet rewards change across NG+ cycles? The base experience and valuables rewards remain consistent, but their numerical value scales with your current level and region difficulty in New Game Plus. This makes later-region tablets disproportionately valuable for endgame progression and currency farming.
Are tablets required for trophies or achievements? No, collecting Ancient Tablets is entirely optional and not required for any trophy or achievement. They are designed as supplementary progression tools rather than gated objectives.
Can companions or mercenaries help during tablet collection? Yes, bringing a companion or hiring mercenaries can reduce threat levels in populated regions, making route predictability higher and lowering the risk of unwanted encounters while you retrieve scrolls.
Is there any hidden penalty for revisiting tablet locations? No. Revisiting tablet sites yields only the scroll cache contents once per playthrough; subsequent visits provide environmental interaction but no additional rewards or drawbacks.
References and Source Notes
Information in this article is drawn from developer patch notes, verified community cataloging, and repeated in-game observation across multiple playthroughs and NG+ cycles. Reported reward ranges reflect consistent values observed from patch 1.0 onward. Players seeking deeper verification are encouraged to cross-reference with interactive map tools and community databases that catalog exact coordinate clusters for each tablet site.