So, you’re wandering through the dusty, golden-hued streets of 9th-century Baghdad and you find a scrap of paper. It’s got a cryptic drawing on it. Or maybe a weirdly rhythmic poem that sounds like something Basim’s mentor, Roshan, would mutter in her sleep. These are the Assassin’s Creed Mirage enigmas, and honestly, they’re one of the coolest—and most frustrating—parts of the game. They don’t just give you a waypoint. They don’t hold your hand. They expect you to actually look at the world Ubisoft built.
I’ve spent dozens of hours parkouring over the Round City and the surrounding Wilderness. I've found the treasures. I’ve also stared at my screen for twenty minutes wondering why a drawing of a palm tree looks like every other palm tree in Iraq. If you're stuck, it’s usually because you’re overthinking it. The game wants you to be a detective, but sometimes the clues are literally right under your nose, hidden by a bit of tall grass or a shallow pond.
Why Assassin's Creed Mirage Enigmas Are Different This Time
In previous games like Valhalla or Odyssey, collectibles were often just icons on a map. You go there, you kill a guy, you loot a chest. Done. Mirage takes a step back toward the "Old School" feel. These enigmas are physical items located in your inventory under the "Bag" tab. When you click on one, it opens a high-resolution image or a text document.
The rewards? They aren't game-breaking weapons. Don't expect a flaming sword. Instead, you get "Treasures," which are usually Outfit Dyes or Talismans. It’s all about the drip. If you want Basim to look like a desert ghost or a wealthy scholar, you have to solve these puzzles.
The Problem With the "Find What I Stole" Enigma
Let’s talk about a specific one that trips everyone up: "Find What I Stole." You find the note near the Qutrabbul Gate. The text is written from the perspective of someone who's basically bragging about their heist. It mentions a soap boiler’s district.
The soap boilers are in the Shari' district, which is fine, but the treasure isn't just sitting on a table. It’s tucked away in a small gazebo-like structure near the water. The trick here is looking for the "glimmer." In Mirage, treasure spots for enigmas have a very subtle white particle effect. If you’re running too fast, you’ll miss it. Use Enkidu. Your eagle can’t see the treasure itself, but he can help you spot the landmarks described in the notes.
Decoding the Visual Clues
Some enigmas don’t use words at all. They use sketches. Take "A Holy Hoard," for example. The drawing shows a map of a shoreline with a large building and a tree. If you look at the map of the Wilderness (South), you’ll see a place called the Nestorian Monastery.
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The sketch is actually surprisingly accurate to the overhead map view. You need to head to the northern coast of the monastery area. There’s a large tree near some boats. Most people look inside the monastery. Don't do that. It’s outside, tucked near the water's edge.
- Check your map zoom levels. Sometimes the sketch matches the "mid-zoom" map layout perfectly.
- Look for "L" shapes in the geography.
- Notice the sun. If a sketch shows a shadow pointing a certain way, it might be a hint about the cardinal directions.
The Left Behind Enigma is a Trap
This one is located in the Harbiyah district. The drawing is crude. It looks like a child drew it. It depicts a house, some water, and a collapsed bridge. The bridge is the key. In the Wilderness, west of the city, there’s a derelict abandoned village.
The treasure is near the water where the reeds are thick. I spent ages looking near the actual standing buildings, but the "Left Behind" part refers to the fact that the treasure is literally discarded near the shore. It’s the "Horned Lion" Talisman. It looks cool, but man, the hike out there is a trek if you don't have a fast-travel point nearby.
Dealing With the Round City Puzzles
The Round City is the high-security heart of Baghdad. Doing anything here is a pain because the guards are everywhere and they have zero chill. The Assassin’s Creed Mirage enigmas located here, like "A Gift For You," are particularly tricky because of the verticality.
"A Gift For You" is a poem found in a house in the Residential District. It talks about "the man who sings of the desert" and "the place where the river meets the walls." It’s actually pointing you toward the Mazra'at District, specifically near the Pomegranate Gate.
You’re looking for a small fountain. The treasure is inside the fountain's basin. The difficulty isn't the puzzle; it's getting to the fountain without a guard shoving a spear through your ribs. I recommend using the "Noisemaker" tool to distract the nearby patrols while you scoop up the loot.
The Frustration of "Surrender"
One of the most annoying enigmas is "Surrender." You find the note in the Wilderness, and it talks about a village that gave up. This refers to Tomb of the Prophet area. The clue mentions a "sea of sand" and a "lonely house."
The village is actually the "Abandoned Village" on the far western edge of the map. If you go to the southernmost point of this village, near the water, there’s a tiny little mound of dirt. That’s it. That’s the treasure. It gives you the Rebel’s Dye for the Zanj Uprising outfit.
Honestly, the map in Mirage is smaller than Valhalla, but it’s much denser. You can walk past these locations ten times and never notice them. You have to slow down.
Common Misconceptions
People think you need a high level or specific skills to solve these. You don't. You can find almost all of them as soon as the world opens up after the prologue in Alamut.
Another mistake? Thinking the treasure is always in a chest. It never is. It’s always a glowing spot on the ground. If you’re looking for a box, you’re going to be looking forever.
Actionable Tips for Completionists
If you want to clear every enigma in the game, follow this workflow. It saves time.
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First, sync all the Viewpoints. This sounds obvious, but the fog of war on the map makes it impossible to recognize landmarks from the enigma sketches.
Second, don't hunt them one by one. Collect all the enigma scrolls in a single district first. Then, set a custom marker for where you think the treasure is.
Third, use the "Eagle Vision" (V on PC, D-pad Up on consoles) constantly. While it doesn't highlight the enigma treasure from a mile away, it makes that white "glimmer" much more obvious when you get within ten meters.
Finally, pay attention to the names of the outfits you already have. Many enigma rewards are specific dyes. If you really love the "Hidden One" outfit, look for the enigmas that provide those specific colors first.
Solving these is about the journey. It's about feeling like a local who knows the secret nooks of Baghdad. Take your time. Look at the trees. Look at the ruins. The treasure is usually right where the story says it should be.
If you're still stuck on the "Joy Beneath Weeping Trees" enigma, just head south of the city to the Pomegranate Gate and look for the literal "weeping" willow trees near the canal. The treasure is under the one that looks the most isolated. Happy hunting. This isn't just about the loot; it's about mastering the map. Keep your eyes sharp and your hidden blade sharper.
Once you've cleared the Wilderness enigmas, your next move should be focusing on the Lost Books for Al-Jahiz. Those provide skill points, which are arguably more valuable than the cosmetic dyes you get from the scrolls. Get to it. Baghdad isn't going to map itself.