Secrets & Hidden Items Guide

Complete guide to all treasure chests, hidden items, secret equipment, and Trial keys throughout Vandal Hearts.

Table of contents

  1. How to Find Hidden Items
    1. Visual Clues
    2. Search Method
  2. Act 1: A Premonition of War
    1. 1.0 - Valley of Thieves
    2. 1.1 - Dover District, Capital Shumeria
    3. 1.2 - Palace Ruins
    4. 1.3 - Rhine Bridge
    5. 1.4 - Sand Dunes of Sea
    6. 1.5 - Minato Port City
    7. 1.6 - Shrine Ruins
  3. Act 2: Island of Madness
    1. 2.1 - Gillbaris Village
    2. 2.2 - Gillbaris Falls
    3. 2.3 - Cliffside
    4. 2.4 - Irusu Mountain Hideout
    5. 2.5 - Yuzu Village Defense
    6. 2.6 - Castle Ruins (Confrontation)
    7. 2.7 - Beach Escape
  4. Act 3: Escape to Tomorrow
    1. 3.1 - Plain of Sorrow
    2. 3.2 - Roiling Waters
    3. 3.3 - Wastelands
    4. 3.4 - Pyre Peak
    5. 3.5 - Prison Fortress (Assault)
    6. 3.6 - Underground Prison
    7. 3.7 - Prison Fortress (Escape)
  5. Act 4: The Successor
    1. 4.1 - Donan Woods
    2. 4.2 - Ruhald Village
    3. 4.3 - Sacred Forest
    4. 4.4 - Donan Chapel
    5. 4.5 - Kerachi Warehouse
    6. 4.6 - Kerachi Docks
  6. Act 5: The Legacy
    1. 5.1 - Crimson Hills
    2. 5.2 - Smoking Bones Cave
    3. 5.3 - Northern Ruins
    4. 5.4 - Bastion Mountain
    5. 5.5 - Frozen Caverns
    6. 5.6 - Liberia Fortress
  7. Act 6: A Fool’s Epitaph
    1. 6.1 - Capital Assault
    2. 6.2 - Royal Palace
    3. 6.3 - Throne Room
    4. 6.4 - Final Confrontation
  8. Trials of Toroah - Key Acquisition
    1. Complete Key Guide
    2. Collector’s Treasures (for Chaos Key)
  9. Special Equipment (Non-Purchasable)
    1. Boss Drop Equipment
    2. Secret Find Equipment
    3. Vandal Series (Ash/Vandalier Only)
  10. Money Items (Sell for Gold)
    1. High-Value Sellables
  11. Missable Items Checklist
    1. Critical Items (Don’t Miss!)
  12. Treasure Hunting Tips
    1. During Battle
    2. After Battle
  13. Completionist Checklist
    1. 100% Item Collection
  14. Next Steps

How to Find Hidden Items

Visual Clues

Look For:

  • Dirt holes - Small dark spots on ground
  • Cracked tiles - Damaged floor texture
  • Grass circles - Unusual vegetation patterns
  • Splotches of color - Discolored tiles
  • Corner positions - Check all four corners
  • Unusual textures - Anything that looks different

Search Method

During Battle:

  1. Walk character over suspicious tile
  2. Press X button to search
  3. Item revealed if present
  4. Pick up item (added to inventory)

After Battle:

  • Hidden items cannot be collected post-battle
  • Must find during combat
  • Miss it = gone forever

Critical: Hidden items are ONE-TIME ONLY! If you miss them during battle, they’re lost permanently!

Act 1: A Premonition of War

1.0 - Valley of Thieves

Treasure Chests: None

Hidden Items:

Coordinates Item Location
(14,15) Mad Book NE corner, dirt hole
(15,1) Long Sword SE corner, tile with color splotch

Gold: 700G

1.1 - Dover District, Capital Shumeria

Treasure Chests:

Coordinates Item Location
(1,1) Herb SW corner chest
(22,10) Herb NE corner chest

Hidden Items:

Coordinates Item Location
(4,3) Light Bow SW region, grass circle
(12,0) Mushroom SE of southern house, cracked tile

Gold: 660G

1.2 - Palace Ruins

Treasure Chests:

Coordinates Item Location
(8,1) Elixir South chest
(15,16) Herb NE chest

Hidden Items:

Coordinates Item Location
(14,0) Fire Gem SE corner, dirt hole

Gold: 810G

1.3 - Rhine Bridge

Treasure Chests: None

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 1,560G

Note: Kira joins as reinforcement after 2 rounds

1.4 - Sand Dunes of Sea

Treasure Chests:

Location Item
Various Herb ×2

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 1,000G

Boss: Death Ant (defeat for Nova Key quest)

1.5 - Minato Port City

Treasure Chests:

Location Item
Various Herb, Elixir

Hidden Items:

Location Item Clue
NW area Light Staff Dirt hole near water

Gold: 1,200G

IMPORTANT: After battle, talk to Woman at Minato Bar → receive NOVA KEY (Trial #1)

1.6 - Shrine Ruins

Treasure Chests: Multiple (Herbs, Elixirs)

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 1,400G

Act 2: Island of Madness

2.1 - Gillbaris Village

Treasure Chests: Various healing items

Hidden Items:

Location Item Clue
East side Moonpie Cracked tile

Gold: 1,500G

Do NOT kill villagers! Reduces total gold reward. Protect them for maximum earnings.

2.2 - Gillbaris Falls

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items:

Location Item Clue
North area Mad Book Dirt hole
South region MACROMAN Hidden tile

Gold: 1,800G

MACROMAN is 1 of 3 Collector’s Treasures needed for Chaos Key! Don’t miss it!

2.3 - Cliffside

Treasure Chests: Healing items

Hidden Items:

Location Item Clue
Middle area BANANA Special tile

Gold: 1,600G

BANANA - Trade to Young Man at Yuzu Bar for EARTH KEY (Trial #2)!

2.4 - Irusu Mountain Hideout

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item
West side Ironboot

Gold: 2,000G

2.5 - Yuzu Village Defense

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 2,200G

2.6 - Castle Ruins (Confrontation)

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 2,500G

Story Event: Time warp occurs, Ash disappears for 3 years

2.7 - Beach Escape

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 2,000G

Note: Grog joins party

Act 3: Escape to Tomorrow

3.1 - Plain of Sorrow

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 3,000G

Note: Zohar joins party

3.2 - Roiling Waters

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 3,200G

3.3 - Wastelands

Treasure Chests: Multiple chests

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Center Unicorn
North Bag of Coin (1,000G)

Gold: 3,500G + Bag of Coin

3.4 - Pyre Peak

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Peak area TAROT
East side Ironboot

Gold: 3,800G

TAROT is 2 of 3 Collector’s Treasures for Chaos Key! Critical item!

3.5 - Prison Fortress (Assault)

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 4,000G

Note: Darius joins after this battle

3.6 - Underground Prison

Treasure Chests: Multiple

Hidden Items:

Location Item Value
Deep area Spirit Staff +10 ATK staff
Hidden chamber Grimhelm +15 DEF helm

Gold: 4,200G

Spirit Staff and Grimhelm are secret equipment - better than purchasable gear!

3.7 - Prison Fortress (Escape)

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Prison area MANA KEY
North region Bag of Coin (1,000G)

Gold: 4,500G + Bag of Coin

Boss: Dumas (drops Zen Robe +20 DEF)

MANA KEY - Unlocks Trial #3 (Mana Trial)!

Act 4: The Successor

4.1 - Donan Woods

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Forest area Gold Axe (4,000G)

Gold: 5,000G + Gold Axe

4.2 - Ruhald Village

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Village area Kingfoil

Gold: 5,500G

4.3 - Sacred Forest

Treasure Chests: Multiple

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 6,000G

4.4 - Donan Chapel

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Chapel area RAMEN

Gold: 6,500G

RAMEN is 3 of 3 Collector’s Treasures! Now have all 3 for Chaos Key!

4.5 - Kerachi Warehouse

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item Value
Warehouse Leather Mask +11 DEF helm
Back area Mithril 5,000G sell value

Gold: 7,000G + Mithril

4.6 - Kerachi Docks

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 7,500G

Act 5: The Legacy

5.1 - Crimson Hills

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item Value
Hills area Plate Armor +32 DEF armor

Gold: 8,000G

Plate Armor (+32 DEF) better than purchasable Scale Mail (+26)!

5.2 - Smoking Bones Cave

Treasure Chests: Multiple

Hidden Items:

Location Item Value
Cave depths Helstone Attack item
Hidden chamber Mithril 5,000G

Gold: 8,500G + Mithril

Boss: Kurtz (drops Panzer Claws +20 ATK)

5.3 - Northern Ruins

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 9,000G

5.4 - Bastion Mountain

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item Value
Mountain peak LOGOS KEY Trial #5 key
Hidden path Dragon Spear +14 ATK spear

Gold: 9,500G

LOGOS KEY - Unlocks Trial #5 (Logos Trial)!

5.5 - Frozen Caverns

Treasure Chests: Multiple

Hidden Items:

Location Item Value
Ice chamber Shivbook Attack item
Deep cavern Mithril 5,000G

Gold: 10,000G + Mithril

Boss: Sabrina (drops Rune Bow +25 ATK - best bow!)

Rune Bow is BEST archer weapon in game! Give to primary archer (Diego or Kira).

5.6 - Liberia Fortress

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Fortress area Gold Axe (4,000G)

Gold: 10,500G + Gold Axe

Story: Receive VANDAL HEART sword (+40 ATK) at end of Act 5

VANDAL HEART strongest weapon in game! Only Ash can equip.

Act 6: A Fool’s Epitaph

6.1 - Capital Assault

Treasure Chests: Multiple

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Capital area Necklace

Gold: 12,000G

Boss: Kane (drops Caliburn +28 ATK sword)

Caliburn second-best sword (after Vandal Heart). Give to Ash or top fighter.

6.2 - Royal Palace

Treasure Chests: Various

Hidden Items:

Location Item Value
Palace chamber Ragnarok +39 ATK axe (best axe!)

Gold: 13,000G

Ragnarok (+39 ATK) strongest axe in game! Better than purchasable Great Axe (+27).

6.3 - Throne Room

Treasure Chests: Standard items

Hidden Items:

Location Item
Throne area Gold Axe (4,000G)

Gold: 14,000G + Gold Axe

Boss: Xeno (drops Runewand +14 ATK staff - best for mages)

Runewand best mage weapon! Give to Eleni or Zohar.

6.4 - Final Confrontation

Treasure Chests: None

Hidden Items: None

Gold: 15,000G

Final Boss Battle

Trials of Toroah - Key Acquisition

Complete Key Guide

Trial # Key Name How to Obtain Unlocks
1 Nova Key Talk to Woman at Minato Bar (after killing Death Ant in 1.4) Nova Trial
2 Earth Key Trade BANANA to Young Man at Yuzu Bar (Banana found in 2.3) Earth Trial
3 Mana Key Hidden item in Prison Fortress (2) battle 3.7 Mana Trial
4 Key of Chaos Trade 3 Collector’s Treasures to Man at Kerachi Tavern Chaos Trial
5 Logos Key Hidden item in Bastion Mountain battle 5.4 Logos Trial
6 Key of Heaven Talk to Weird Man at Glasgow City Tavern (need first 5 Prisms) Heaven Trial

Collector’s Treasures (for Chaos Key)

All 3 required! Missing even ONE means you cannot get Chaos Key!

Item Found In Battle Chapter
MACROMAN Gillbaris Falls 2.2 Act 2
TAROT Pyre Peak 3.4 Act 3
RAMEN Donan Chapel 4.4 Act 4

Trade Location: Kerachi Tavern Result: Key of Chaos (Trial #4)

Special Equipment (Non-Purchasable)

Boss Drop Equipment

Boss Battle Equipment Type Stats Who Gets It
Dumas 3.7 Zen Robe Robe +20 DEF Eleni/Zohar
Kurtz 5.2 Panzer Claws Claw +20 ATK Monks only
Sabrina 5.5 Rune Bow Bow +25 ATK Diego/Kira
Kane 6.1 Caliburn Sword +28 ATK Ash
Xeno 6.3 Runewand Staff +14 ATK Eleni/Zohar

Rune Bow, Caliburn, and Runewand are BEST weapons for their classes. Prioritize these bosses!

Secret Find Equipment

Battle Equipment Type Stats Better Than
3.6 Spirit Staff Staff +10 ATK Magic Staff (+9)
3.6 Grimhelm Helm +15 DEF Steel Mask (+12)
4.5 Leather Mask Helm +11 DEF Good mid-game helm
5.1 Plate Armor Armor +32 DEF Scale Mail (+26)
5.4 Dragon Spear Spear +14 ATK Steel Lance (+9)
6.2 Ragnarok Axe +39 ATK Great Axe (+27)

Vandal Series (Ash/Vandalier Only)

Equipment When Obtained Stats Notes
Vandal Heart End of Act 5 (automatic) +40 ATK Strongest weapon in game
Vandal Helm Vandalier class advancement Highest DEF Ash exclusive
Vandal Armor Vandalier class advancement Highest DEF Ash exclusive

Vandal Heart (+40 ATK) is 12 points stronger than Mastersword (+26). Huge upgrade!

Money Items (Sell for Gold)

High-Value Sellables

Item Sell Value Found In Purpose
Mithril 5,000G 4.5, 5.2, 5.5 Pure money item
Gold Axe 4,000G 4.1, 5.6, 6.3 Equippable but +0 ATK (sell it!)
Bag of Coin 1,000G 3.3, 3.7 Pure money item

Total from Money Items: ~20,000G

Gold Axe is technically a weapon but has +0 ATK. Just sell it for 4,000G!

Missable Items Checklist

Critical Items (Don’t Miss!)

Collector’s Treasures (for Chaos Key):

  • ✓ MACROMAN (2.2 - Gillbaris Falls)
  • ✓ TAROT (3.4 - Pyre Peak)
  • ✓ RAMEN (4.4 - Donan Chapel)

Trial Keys:

  • ✓ BANANA (2.3 - trade for Earth Key)
  • ✓ MANA KEY (3.7 - Prison Fortress)
  • ✓ LOGOS KEY (5.4 - Bastion Mountain)

Best Equipment:

  • ✓ Spirit Staff (3.6)
  • ✓ Grimhelm (3.6)
  • ✓ Plate Armor (5.1)
  • ✓ Dragon Spear (5.4)
  • ✓ Ragnarok (6.2)

Boss Drops:

  • ✓ Zen Robe (defeat Dumas, 3.7)
  • ✓ Rune Bow (defeat Sabrina, 5.5)
  • ✓ Caliburn (defeat Kane, 6.1)
  • ✓ Runewand (defeat Xeno, 6.3)

Treasure Hunting Tips

During Battle

Search Systematically:

  1. Check all four corners (common hiding spots)
  2. Examine unusual textures (cracks, holes, splotches)
  3. Search near edges of map
  4. Look for visual anomalies

Don’t Rush:

  • Hidden items only findable during battle
  • Take time to explore map
  • Once battle ends, items are lost

After Battle

Treasure Chests:

  • Visible on map (easier to find)
  • Can be opened after defeating enemies
  • Mark on map for later collection
  • Airmen cannot open chests (need ground unit)

Completionist Checklist

100% Item Collection

By Act:

Act 1:

  • ✓ All chests collected
  • ✓ Mad Book, Long Sword, Light Bow, Mushroom, Fire Gem, Light Staff
  • ✓ Nova Key obtained (Minato Bar)

Act 2:

  • ✓ All chests collected
  • ✓ Moonpie, Mad Book, MACROMAN, BANANA, Ironboot
  • ✓ Banana traded for Earth Key

Act 3:

  • ✓ All chests collected
  • ✓ Unicorn, Bag of Coin, TAROT, Ironboot, MANA KEY
  • ✓ Spirit Staff, Grimhelm (3.6 secrets)
  • ✓ Zen Robe (Dumas boss drop)

Act 4:

  • ✓ All chests collected
  • ✓ Gold Axe, Kingfoil, RAMEN, Leather Mask, Mithril
  • ✓ All 3 Collector’s Treasures → Trade for Chaos Key

Act 5:

  • ✓ All chests collected
  • ✓ Plate Armor, Helstone, Mithril ×2, LOGOS KEY, Dragon Spear, Shivbook, Gold Axe
  • ✓ Panzer Claws (Kurtz), Rune Bow (Sabrina)
  • ✓ Vandal Heart (end of Act 5)

Act 6:

  • ✓ All chests collected
  • ✓ Necklace, Ragnarok, Gold Axe
  • ✓ Caliburn (Kane), Runewand (Xeno)
  • ✓ Heaven Key (Glasgow Tavern, after 5 Prisms)

Trials:

  • ✓ All 6 Trials completed
  • ✓ All 6 Prisms obtained
  • ✓ Ash advanced to Vandalier

Next Steps

  • Review Shop Guide for purchasable equipment
  • Review Trials Guide for using Trial keys
  • Check Walkthrough for battle-specific locations
  • Plan item collection route for optimal play

“Every secret found is power gained.”

Complete Secrets & Hidden Items Guide

Copyright © Konami Co., Ltd. | Guide compiled from FAQs by Jeff Chan, Lancel0t, Shotgunnova, Syonyx, Richard Uyeyama, and Wolverine Inc.