You’re staring at the screen, Kratos is brooding in the background, and you can hear that distinct, metallic screech. That shimmering green light is mocking you. You’ve scoured every inch of the Forbidden Sands in Alfheim, yet Odin’s spies remain elusive. Honestly, the Forbidden Sands Ravens are some of the most frustrating collectibles in God of War Ragnarök because they aren't just about aim; they’re about perspective.
Most players get stuck here. It’s not a lack of skill. It’s that Sony Santa Monica decided to hide these birds behind environmental puzzles that require more than just a quick axe throw. You’re dealing with verticality, hidden cave entrances, and the ever-annoying "invisible" flight paths. If you’re trying to hit 100% completion in the Elven Barrens, these four specific ravens are likely the only thing standing between you and that Platinum trophy.
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The Reality of Hunting Ravens in the Forbidden Sands
Let’s be real for a second. Alfheim is a nightmare for completionists. The glare from the sand is blinding, the map is multi-layered, and the Ravens here don't behave like the ones in Midgard or Svartalfheim. They hide in the shadows of the massive Elven structures. One of them isn't even visible until you’ve completed a specific side quest. That’s the kind of design that makes you want to throw the Leviathan Axe at your own TV.
The Forbidden Sands is the northern region of the Wastes, unlocked only after you get the side quest "The Desert Door" or simply venture north after gaining the right tools. It’s an open-world playground, which is great for exploration but terrible for finding a small, translucent bird.
The Raven Near the Freyr Statue
This one is a classic bait-and-switch. You’ll find it flying in a large figure-eight pattern in front of the massive Freyr statue. You can hear it from a mile away. It circles the area with a rhythmic flapping that feels easy to time. It isn't.
If you stand directly under it, you’ll miss every time. The trick here is to find the elevated rock platform to the left of the statue. Kratos needs the high ground. From there, you have a much better angle to lead your shot. Throw the axe where the bird will be, not where it is. It sounds simple, but the arc of the Leviathan Axe is tricky over long distances. Most people waste ten minutes here just because they’re standing five feet too far to the right.
The Hidden One Behind the Library
Then there’s the library. The Sanctum. This area is dense with lore, but the Raven is tucked away in a spot that feels almost unfair. You have to head to the northeast section of the Forbidden Sands. There’s a giant rock formation that looks like a dead end.
Look for a small crawl space or a gap in the rocks near the base of the cliffs. Once you’re inside this little "sub-area," the Raven is perched on a ledge. It isn’t flying. It’s just sitting there, watching you. It’s easy to miss because the lighting in this cave is intentionally dim. If you haven't cleared the "Song of the Sands" Favor, the sandstorm makes visibility even worse. Seriously, clear the storm first. It makes life so much easier.
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Why the "Invisible" Raven Frustrates Everyone
There is one Raven in particular that feels like a glitch. It’s not, but it feels like it.
Near the center of the Forbidden Sands, there’s a large rock outcrop. If you look up, you might see a faint green glimmer, but you can’t hit it from the ground. This bird requires you to use the grapple points to reach a higher ledge. Even then, the bird is often obscured by the architecture of the ruins.
I’ve seen people spend hours circling this rock. The secret? It’s all about the sound. The audio design in Ragnarök is incredible, and the Raven’s caw is directional. If you have decent headphones, use them. They’ll tell you exactly which side of the pillar the bird is on before you even see it.
The One You Can't Get Yet
One major point of confusion involves the Raven tucked behind the breakable wall. In the northern part of the map, there’s a section of rock that looks suspiciously weak. You can’t just punch through it. You need to use the sonic arrows or the Draupnir Spear, depending on the specific environmental trigger.
A lot of players try to find these birds before they have the full toolkit. If you’re early in the game and you’ve managed to sneak into the Forbidden Sands, stop. You’re wasting your time. You need the Spear. Without it, at least one of these Ravens is physically impossible to reach. It’s a gear-check masquerading as a hidden secret.
The Strategy for 100% Completion
If you're serious about clearing the Forbidden Sands Ravens, don't do it piecemeal. It's a waste of energy.
- Finish the "Song of the Sands" quest. This clears the sandstorm and gives you perfect visibility. You cannot overstate how much this helps.
- Use the Draupnir Spear. It travels faster and flatter than the axe. For the flying Ravens, the spear is a godsend.
- Check the "Holes" in the Map. Alfheim is full of vertical gaps. Always look down into pits and up at the highest peaks.
- Listen for the metallic chirp. It’s a very specific sound. Once you hear it, stay still and rotate your camera 360 degrees.
The reward for all this? It's not just the XP. Clearing Odin’s Ravens is the only way to open the chests at Niflheim. Those chests contain some of the best armor sets in the game, including the Raven Tears set, which significantly boosts your healing. If you're playing on "Give Me God of War" difficulty, that extra healing isn't a luxury—it's a requirement.
Expert Insight: The Lore Behind the Birds
Odin isn't just being a jerk by hiding these birds (though he is a jerk). From a lore perspective, the Ravens are his eyes. In the Forbidden Sands, they are specifically placed to monitor the Light and Dark Elves’ tenuous peace. By destroying them, Kratos isn't just checking off a list; he's actively blinding the All-Father in a realm Odin desperately wants to control.
The difficulty of the Forbidden Sands Ravens reflects the "Forbidden" nature of the area. It’s a place meant to be secluded. The Elves didn't want anyone there, and Odin had to work harder to get his spies into position. That’s why they’re tucked into deeper crevices and higher peaks than the ones in the Lake of Nine.
Actionable Next Steps for Completionists
If you are currently stuck at 47/48 Ravens and the Forbidden Sands is your last stop, here is exactly what to do:
- Fast Travel to the Alfheim Mystic Gateway (the one specifically labeled Forbidden Sands, not the Barrens).
- Mount the Gulon Sled and head immediately to the North-East. Check the back of the "Library" rock formation first; it's the one most people overlook because it requires finding a hidden entrance at ground level.
- Look for the "hidden" Raven inside the heart of the large rock structure in the center of the desert. You'll need to use the grapple points to get inside the hollowed-out center.
- Check your map screen. Hover over the Forbidden Sands region. If it says 4/4 Ravens, but your overall Alfheim count is still off, you're likely missing the one in the Temple of Light, which is a completely different area.
- Visit the Raven Tree in Niflheim every time you hit a milestone (6, 12, 18, etc.). The rewards scale, and the later armor pieces will help you survive the "Berserker" fights often found near these Raven locations.
Stop running in circles. Clear the storm, grab your spears, and look for the glimmer. Those birds don't stand a chance once you stop looking at the sand and start looking at the shadows.