Are you befuddled by all the Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes in Ghost of Yotei? These items present quite a curiosity. They come from various locations in Teshio Ridge, with clues pointing you to the correct path. That said, there are a few brain teasers that you need to solve as well. We’re going to discuss all of these details in our guide, but be forewarned that there are minor spoilers ahead.
All Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes in Ghost of Yotei
There are 12 Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes in the game. All of them can be found in Teshio Ridge, which is more of a mid-game region. You can reach it by heading to Tokachi Range, followed by Nayoro Wilds. Then, if you keep going north, you’ll arrive at the frigid zone, which is also where you have to hunt down the Kitsune member of the Yotei Six.
Note: You learn about the Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes automatically while tackling “The Way of the Shamisen” main quest. The term “Nine Tails” actually refers to the nefarious shinobi that the Kitsune is leading. As for the little contraptions themselves, you can collect these at your leisure even after you’ve completed the main objectives.
Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes: Sources and mechanics
The Ghost of Yotei Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes come from the following sources:
- Kitsune Altars – These are found in open areas while exploring. The Puzzle Box is right in front of the altar itself.
- Yotei Camps – Certain bases held by Yotei Six goons have these containers, too. They should be right next to the Altar of Reflection in that outpost.
- Nine Tails Hideouts – These are the Nine Tails’ well-hidden training camps. Initially, you have to solve mini-puzzles by using the clues from the cipher that you discover during the main quest. These usually involve lightning braziers and rotating fox statues based on their symbols. You then need to clear out the entire base of hostiles. Doing so grants you access to the camp’s Altar of Reflection, which means you’d be able to pick up the Puzzle Box, too.
Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes: Locations map
The map above shows the locations of the 12 Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes in Ghost of Yotei. You’ll notice that we’ve numbered them going clockwise from the southwest. But there’s actually an important caveat:
- The type/name of the Puzzle Box that you receive depends on the order in which you picked it up.
- For example, if you picked up the item marked #1 on the map above, then you’ll see that it’s called the “Interesting Box.”
- However, if you’ve been exploring and you grabbed something else first, say, the one from location #10 on the map, then it will still be called the “Interesting Box.”
- The item names follow this sequence: Interesting Box, Peculiar Box, Fascinating Box, Curious Box, Intricate Box, Manageable Box, Perplexing Box, Devious Box, Challenging Box, Elaborate Box, Surprising Box, and Epic Box.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #1
- Activity: Kitsune Altar
- Location: On a ridge due west of the Old Graveyard.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #2
- Activity: Special
- Location: Found in Sakuru Woods. It’s just below a rock formation that has an Ainu collectible. This is the only Ghost of Yotei Nine Tails Puzzle Box that doesn’t come from any of the aforementioned activities. Instead, you pick it up from a Nine Tails shinobi that was killed by his brethren.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #3
- Activity: Yotei Six Camp
- Location: Defeat all the enemies in Crossroads Trading Post.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #4
- Activity: Nine Tails Hideout
- Location: This Ghost of Yotei Nine Tails Puzzle Box is inside a secret training camp near a Hot Spring in the southwest corner of Teshio Ridge. Here’s the gist:
- The main objective here is to light the correct lantern based on the fox statue.
- At the entrance, look at the fox statues in each set. Then, take a look at the pose of the fox statue on the rock in the middle of each pool. Use the torch to ignite only the correct lanterns.
- Later, once you’ve dealt with the enemies in the Snow Drift Springs Hideout, you need to light the lantern in the middle. That’s because it’s the one that has a fox statue that’s lying flat.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #5
- Activity: Kitsune Altar
- Location: Along the cliffside area in Teshio Coast.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #6
- Activity: Nine Tails Hideout
- Location: This particular lair has a few brain teasers, but the most notable are at the entrance:
- Left-hand side – Light only the lanterns that are the farthest off to the sides.
- Right-hand side – From the hidden opening/kitsune symbol, rotate the fox statues so each one faces in the respective directions: Left, forward, right, and back.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #7
- Activity: Kitsune Altar
- Location: Found in Sarobetsu Forest near an Altar of Reflection and the establishment that’s part of Ran the Bowyer’s side quest. Note that there’s a bounty target here named Snowstorm Katagiri. True to his moniker, a snowstorm will occur in this area, which can cause problems with visibility, while also affecting your maximum health.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #8
- Activity: Nine Tails Hideout
- Location: Found in the Nakajima Ice Cave Hideout, which is due northwest of the sake place in the middle of the frozen lake. It’s also fairly close to the Reliquary of Compassion if you plan on undertaking that activity.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #9
- Activity: Yotei Six Camp
- Location: Defeat all enemies in the Deserted Village, which is in the upper-central section of the zone.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #10
- Activity: Kitsune Altar
- Location: At the base of a ridge in Shipwreck Shoal.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #11
- Activity: Yotei Six Camp
- Location: Just a stone’s throw away from the previous Ghost of Yotei Nine Tails Puzzle Box location, you’ll come across a settlement called Soya Port. Defeat the enemies and free the weaponsmith to obtain a bunch of rewards, including a new charm/accessory.
Nine Tails Puzzle Box location #12
- Activity: Nine Tails Hideout
- Location: This particular hidden camp actually has the most straightforward mechanic. Basically, you just need to light the lanterns that have the “Engage” symbol. Do not interact with those that have the “Death” symbol or your character will take damage.
That does it for our guide on how to find all Nine Tails Puzzle Boxes in Ghost of Yotei. If you’re eager to try other brain teasers, then we encourage you to look for the Reliquary Rock Puzzles in various regions.
From lush and fertile valleys to fortresses guarded by dozens of samurai, you’ve got your work cut out for you as Atsu. Don’t fret, though, because we have a Ghost of Yotei guides hub to help you every step of the way.