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Abilities and Book of Knowledge Locations
In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Eivor will learn to use abilities in a method that is very different than previous titles.
While Eivor can gain experience to unlock new passive and active skills from the Skill Tree, useable abilities that consume Adrenaline cannot be unlocked from the same method.
Instead, Eivor must locate Books of Knowledge hidden across the land. These books contains the wisdom to learn new abilities - both melee and ranged - that can then be equipped and use on your hotbar much as they were utilized in Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
Abilities have two tiers - discovering the first Book of Knowledge for an ability will unlock it for use, while the second Book of Knowledge will upgrade its capabilities beyond its base version. Only four melee abilities and four ranged abilities can be equipped at once, so find and upgrade abilities that suit your playstyle to make use of.
Click the name of an ability in the table below to jump to details for that ability. The abilities are sorted based on the suggested power level for the region in which they are located (Location 1). The suggested power level of Location 1 is lower than Location 2 for each ability. It does not matter which book you collect first. If you progress through the regions based on their suggested power levels, the table represents a likely order in which you will collect the first Books of Knowledge.
List of Abilities and Book of Knowledge Locations
Abilities and Book of Knowledge Locations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ability | Type | Location 1 | Location 2 |
Throwing Axe Fury | Melee | Nottfall, Rygjaffylke | Caustow Castle, Sciropescire |
Thorn of Slumber | Ranged | Gryttirsand, Rygjaffylke | Dover Fortress, Cent |
Rage of Helheim | Melee | Kjotve's Fortress, Rygjaffylke | Archive, Jorvik |
Harpoon Impalement | Melee | Venonis, Ledecestrescire | Colcestre, Essexe |
Raven Distraction | Ranged | Tonnastadir, Ledecestrescire | Belesduna Bandit Camp, Essexe |
Focus of the Nornir | Ranged | Offchurch, Ledecestrescire | Bolingbric Castle, Lincolnscire |
Piercing Shot | Ranged | Templebrough Fort, Ledecestrescire | Lincoln, Lincolnscire |
Man's Best Friend | Ranged | Ravensthorpe | Crepelgate Fort, Oxenefordscire |
Poison Strike | Melee | Ravensthorpe | Ravensthorpe |
Ranged Poison Strike | Ranged | Ravensthorpe | Ravensthorpe |
Mark of Death | Ranged | Meldeburne, Grantebridgescire | Alrekstad, Hordafylke |
Rush and Bash | Melee | Ravensburg, Grantebridgescire | Dunwic, East Anglia |
Incendiary Powder Trap | Ranged | Walden, Grantebridgescire | Briggworth, Suthsexe |
Dive of the Valkyries | Melee | Isle of Ely Monastery, Grantebridgescire | Lolingestone Bandit Camp, Cent |
Fire Strike | Melee | Ravensthorpe | Ravensthorpe |
Ranged Fire Strike | Ranged | Ravensthorpe | Ravensthorpe |
Blinding Rush | Melee | Ruined Tower (Highpoint), East Anglia | Chertsey Abbey Ruins, Suthsexe |
Axe Blizzard | Ranged | An Abandoned Church, East Anglia | Wincestre Garrison, Wincestre |
Feign Death | Melee | Leah Villa Garrison, Oxenefordscire | Aelfwood, Glowecestrescire |
Vengeance of Thor | Melee | Oxeneforda, Oxenefordscire | Thieves Warren, Glowecestrescire |
Poisonous Powder Trap | Ranged | Petuaria Ruins, Eurvicscire | Odin Mine Hideout, Snotinghamscire |
Kick of Tyr | Melee | Threaded Pass, Eurvicscire | Ulkerthorpe Fort, Snotinghamscire |
Shoulder Bash | Melee | Island Monastery, River Severn | |
Battlecry | Melee | Cliffside Monastery, River Dee | |
Berserker Trap | Ranged | Riverside Monastery, River Dee | |
Percussion Arrow | Ranged | Festering Valley, River Berbha | |
Precision Axe Throw | Melee | Stag's End, River Erriff | |
Spinning Harpoon | Melee | Ferrieres Monastery, River Rhine |
For details about the Abilities available in the DLC expansions of AC Valhalla, check out All Wrath of the Druids Abilities and All Siege of Paris Abilities.
Below you will find information on all Abilities, where to find the books, and what the Abilities can do.
Throwing Axe Fury
- Melee Ability: Hurl throwing axes at all enemies in range.
- Upgrade: Any enemy struck will also be staggered.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Nottfall, Rygjafylke
The book is in a cave on the southern edge of town. Climb over the barred door to access it.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Caustow Castle, Sciropescire - after the assault on the castle during the quest King Killer.
The book is in the room to the left of the castle's main hall, behind a destructible stone wall.
Check out the Throwing Axe Fury main page for more details.
Thorn of Slumber
- Ranged Ability: An arrow marked with the Svefnthorn symbol puts targets to sleep almost instantly.
- Upgrade: On impact, arrows expel a cloud of poison, putting anyone nearby to sleep.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Gryttirsand, Rygjafylke
This book is below a central tower in an enemy camp. Climb the tower and enter through the top.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Dover Fortress, Cent
The book is located inside the tall damaged tower at the back of Dover Fortress. Find the key to the front door by climbing all the way to the top of the tower.
Check out the Thorn of Slumber main page for more details.
Rage of Helheim
- Melee Ability: Enter a fit of rage and slam your enemy to the ground, leaving them helpless in the face of a barrage of hits. Alternate quickly between left and right attacks to avoid losing balance.
- Upgrade: Land more blows with faster taps.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: East of Kjotve's Fortress, Rygjafylke
The book is in a cave behind the waterfall east of the fortress. Follow the cave and smash any ice walls along the way to find the book.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Archives, Jorvik
Climb to the second story outside the church and shoot through a narrow window to drop something on the wall blocking the ceiling inside. Then, head back inside and climb up through the ceiling gap. Here you'll find the Book of Knowledge.
Check out the Rage of Helheim main page for more details.
Harpoon Impalement
- Melee Ability: Impale an enemy with your harpoon and throw them in any direction using your directional movement keys. Enemies who strike objects or other enemies will suffer massive damage.
- Upgrade: Eivor can finish by pulling the enemy close and killing them in style!
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Venonis, Ledecestrescire
The book is in an underground chamber behind a destructible wall, on the western side of the Venonis ruins.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Colcestre, Essexe
The book is in Sancta Helena’s Church, on the top floor of the church’s main tower.
Check out the Harpoon Impalement main page for more details.
Raven Distraction
- Ranged Ability: Use your raven, Synin, to briefly distract your enemies.
- Upgrade: Synin attacks the target to begin the distraction. During combat, Synin stuns the target.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Tonnastadir, Ledecestrescire
The book is in an underground vault, through a crevice. It can also be accessed from Tonna's house through a trap door, or using a key found in the longhouse.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Belesduna Bandit Camp, Essexe
The book is in the ruined church behind a barred door.
Check out the Raven Distraction main page for more details.
Focus of the Nornir
- Ranged Ability: Use the power of the Nornir to aim and shoot at your enemies with fateful speed
- Upgrade: Each killed enemy increases damage dealt.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Offchurch, Ledecestrescire
The book is in the crypt. Search the first crypt hall for a small crevice on the right side to slip through to find the book.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Bolingbroc Castle, Lincolnscire
The book is inside the castle, with several guards nearby.
Check out the Focus of the Nornir main page for more details.
Piercing Shot
- Ranged Ability: Shoot an arrow with enough force to pierce through nearly any obstacle.
- Upgrade: Multiply damage for each enemy the arrow passes through.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Templebrough Fort, Ledecestrescire
The book is inside the barracks hall in Templebrough Fort ruins - a level below the top level.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Lincoln, Lincolnscire
The book is in a building on the northern side of town, behind a destuctible wall and a locked door. Enter through a breakable wooden barrier on the roof and find the key inside.
Check out the Piercing Shot main page for more details.
Man's Best Friend
- Ranged Ability: Sic your wolf on an enemy.
- Upgrade: Your wolf will stay to fight by your side.
Location 1: Ravensthorpe
Complete the side quest A Little Problem to obtain this ability.
Location 2 Book of Knowledge: Crepelgate Fort, Oxenefordscire
Collect the Book of Knowledge at Crepelgate Fort to upgrade this ability.
Check out the Man's Best Friend main page for more details.
Poison Strike
- Melee Ability: Applies a poisonous concoction to your right-hand melee weapon. Poisoned enemies suffer additional damage over time.
- Upgrade: The concoction spashes in an arc in front of you, instantly poisoning enemies caught in the arc.
Location 1: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive this Ability and Ranged Poison Strike by eliminating four members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 1-4).
Location 2: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive the upgrade for this Ability and Ranged Poison Strike by eliminating nine members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 11-19).
Check out the Poison Strike main page for more details.
Ranged Poison Strike
- Ranged Ability: Applies a poisonous concoction to the tip of your arrows.
- Upgrade: Applied poison splashes in an arc in the flight of the arrow, poisoning all enemies caught in the arc.
Location 1: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive this Ability and Poison Strike by eliminating four members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 1-4).
Location 2: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive the upgrade for this Ability and Poison Strike by eliminating nine members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 11-19).
Check out the Ranged Poison Strike main page for more details.
Mark of Death
- Ranged Ability: Hold the ranged shoot key to mark sighted enemies. Release to let fly a deadly volley of arrows.
- Upgrade: Increase maximum number of targets.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Meldeburne, Grantebridgescire
The book is in the circular stone tower behind a locked door. A near-by soldier has the key.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Alrekstad, Hordafylke
The book is in a locked cave beneath the pig farm on the east side of town. Find the key with Odin's Sight or your raven, shoot down the hanging cargo, drop into the hole, and unlock the door to collect the book.
Check out the Mark of Death main page for more details.
Rush and Bash
- Melee Ability: Use ability button to rush continuously. While rushing, make contact with any enemy to grab and pick them up. Throw enemies you've grabbed off ledges or slam them into walls for extra damage.
- Upgrade: Eivor takes advantage of enemies stunned from a wall slam to finish with an extra punishing attack.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Ravensburg, Grantebridgescire
The book is inside a locked house on the southern side of the fort. A soldier nearby has the key.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Dunwic, East Anglia
The book is inside a locked, hidden room in the ruined tower. Use Odin's Sight to find and grab the key. Destroy a destructable floor and drop into the hole. Move the shelf on the wall to reveal the locked door. Use the key to open the door and collect the book inside.
Check out the Rush and Bash main page for more details.
Incendiary Powder Trap
- Ranged Ability: Attaches a small pouch to your arrow that spreads a volatile powder wherever the arrow strikes. Any nearby movement causes the powder to burst into flames. Surprise clueless passersby!
- Upgrade: The powder can be detonated a second time.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Walden, Grantebridgescire
The book is inside the Eastern Church, behind the altar.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Briggworth, Suthsexe
The book is in the tall tower, behind a barred door. Enter the room above by pulling aside a shelf, then drop down to collect the book.
Check out the Incendiary Powder Trap main page for more details.
Dive of the Valkyries
- Melee Ability: Launch yourself into the air and come crashing down onto your enemies.
- Upgrade: Inflict stun damage within a large radius of impact.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Isle of Ely Monastery, Grantebridgescire
The book is in an underground room, behind some breakable wooden partitions. Enter through the hidden entrance, or take the stairs down from the courtyard above.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Lolingestone Bandit Camp, Cent
The book is on a suspended platform inside the main building. This area has many roaming enemies and boars that will attack on sight.
Check out the Dive of the Valkyries main page for more details.
Fire Strike
- Melee Ability: Applies fire to your right-hand melee weapon. Enemies that catch fire will suffer additional damage over time.
- Upgrade: The fire blazes in an arc in front of you, instantly setting enemies caught in the arc ablaze.
Location 1: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive this Ability and Ranged Fire Strike by eliminating six members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 5-10).
Location 2: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive the upgrade for this Ability and Ranged Fire Strike by eliminating 11 members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 20-30).
Check out the Fire Strike main page for more details.
Ranged Fire Strike
- Ranged Ability: Set the tip of your arrow aflame. Anything it hits will catch fire.
- Upgrade: The fire blazes in an arc in front of you, instantly setting enemies caught in the arc ablaze.
Location 1: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive this Ability and Fire Strike by eliminating six members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 5-10).
Location 2: Hidden Ones Bureau, Ravensthorpe
Receive the upgrade for this Ability and Fire Strike by eliminating 11 members of the Order of the Ancients and returning their medallions to Hytham (medallions 20-30).
Check out the Ranged Fire Strike main page for more details.
Blinding Rush
- Melee Ability: Use stamina to move undetected. Aborts on enemy contact.
- Upgrade: Successful Assassination doesn't interrupt the ability.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Ruined Tower (Highpoint), East Anglia
The book is in an underground chamber. Destroy the wooden plank floor at the base of the tower. Go down the hole and use the oil jars to destroy the wall and collect the book.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Chertsey Abbey Ruins, Suthsexe
The book is on the top floor of the tower. Enter the tower and climb to the second floor. Use Odin’s Sight to find the clamp holding the ladder and the one holding the large sack of rocks. Shoot them both to access the top floor and get the book.
Check out the Blinding Rush main page for more details.
Axe Blizzard
- Ranged Ability: Aim and throw a davastating barrage of axes.
- Upgrade: Completing the full series of Axe Blizzard by adding a bloody finishing combo of extra throws.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Church Ruins southwest of Northwic, East Anglia
The book is in the loft of the abandoned church. Climb to the roof of the church, then drop down to the second floor loft to access the book.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Wincestre Garrison, Wincestre
The book is inside the locked keep within the Wincestre Garrison. Collect the Garrison Keep Key from the two-story building on the western side of the garrison, then enter the keep through the front door and sneak your way past any of the guards. The book is on the middle floor of the large building, in a room with all the doors barred. Shoot through a window to break the bar, then enter the room and collect the book.
Check out the Axe Blizzard main page for more details.
Feign Death
- Melee Ability: Fool enemies by playing dead.
- Upgrade: Trigger a surprise assassination from a prone position.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Leah Villa Garrison, Oxenefordscire
The book is behind a locked door. Use Odin's Sight to find the key in a church nearby.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Aelfwood, Glowecestrescire
The book is inside one of the caves that is guarded by enemies.
Check out the Feign Death main page for more details.
Vengeance of Thor
- Melee Ability: Use ability button to concentrate all your strength into an unstoppable attack. The longer you keep it prepared, the more powerful the attack will become.
- Upgrade: You can charge-up twice for the ultimate attack.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Oxeneforda, Oxenefordscire
This Book of Knowledge is inside a small building behind a locked door. The key is in the nearby church tower.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Thieves Warren, Oxenefordscire
The book is in one of the buildings, guarded by a bandit. Infiltrate the enemy camp by entering through the waterways. Follow the waterway inside the camp to the central building where the book is located. Eliminate the bandit and collect the book.
Check out the Vengeance of Thor main page for more details.
Poisonous Powder Trap
- Ranged Ability: Attaches a small pouch to your arrow that spreads a volatile powder wherever the arrow strikes. Any nearby movement causes the powder to burst into a poisonous mist. Anyone who walks near is in for an unpleasant surprise!
- Upgrade: Your trap can now be triggered twice.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Petuaria Ruins, Eurvicscire
The book is is underground, behind a breakable wooden floor, a destructible stone wall, and a moveable shelf, surrounded by poisonous gas.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Odin Mine Hideout, Snotinghamscire
The book is hidden behind a destructible stone wall and an ice wall in this occupied bandit hideout.
Check out the Poisonous Powder Trap main page for more details.
Kick of Tyr
- Melee Ability: A ferocious kick that send enemies flying backwards. Enemies who strike objects or other enemies will suffer additional damage.
- Upgrade: Kicked enemies will remain down and at your mercy.
Book of Knowledge Location 1: Threaded Pass, Eurvicscire
The book is behind a locked door in the basement of one of the buildings. The key is on top of a tower that can only be accessed by a zipline. Grab the key, head to the basement, and collect the book.
Book of Knowledge Location 2: Ulkerthorpe Fort, Snotinghamscire
Climb in through an open window on the side of the building where the map marker is. The window is on the southwestern side.
Check out the Kick of Tyr main page for more details.
Shoulder Bash
- Melee Ability: Eivor performs a shoulder bash that pushes back enemies and destroys objects.
Book of Knowledge Location: Island Monastery, River Severn - River Raids
The book is in an underground chamber below the church. At the back of the large archway on the lower level of the monastery grounds is a crevice in the wall. Slide through the crevice to access the chamber and collect the book.
Check out the Shoulder Bash main page for more details.
Battlecry
- Melee Ability: In a fit of rage, Eivor lets out a blood curdling scream, gaining strength and causing enemies around to stumble backwards in fear, interrupting their attacks.
Book of Knowledge Location: Cliffside Monastery, River Dee - River Raids
The book is hidden behind a cart of hay and a platform. Duck underneath the platform through an opening to the left of the cart, then slide through a crevice in the wall to access an underground room containing the book.
Check out the Battlecry main page for more details.
Berserker Trap
- Ranged Ability: Attaches a trap to your arrow that spreads hallucinatory powder. Any nearby movement causes the trap to trigger. Surprise clueless passersby!
Book of Knowledge Location: Riverside Monastery, River Dee - River Raids
The book is in a hidden chamber under the church. Slide through a crevice in the wall in front of the church to access the chamber containing the book.
Check out the Berserker Trap main page for more details.
Percussion Arrow
- Ranged Ability: Hit an enemy's Shield to create a shockwave that staggers and damages nearby enemies.
Book of Knowledge Location: Festering Valley, River Berbha - River Raids
The book is behind a two-man door near the center of the large Druid camp of Festering Valley. Force the door open, drop into the hole beyond it, and follow the tunnel to an underground chamber, where you will find the book.
Check out the Percussion Arrow main page for more details.
Precision Axe Throw
- Melee Ability: Eivor performs a devastating axe throw that targets an enemy's weak point.
Book of Knowledge Location: Stag's End, River Erriff - River Raids
The book is behind a two-man door near the center of Stag's End Druid camp. Force the door open, drop into the hole beyond it, and follow the tunnel to an underground chamber. The book is on a pedestal here.
Check out the Precision Axe Throw main page for more details.
Spinning Harpoon
- Melee Ability: Eivor performs a spinning attack which then connects into a powerful finisher. Enemies caught in the spin are knocked back.
Book of Knowledge Location: Ferrieres, River Rhine - River Raids
The book is at the top of the church tower at the monastery in Ferrieres. Use the wooden scaffolding on the side of the church to access it.
Check out the Spinning Harpoon main page for more details.