Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia Achievement Guide & Road Map

Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia
Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia Achievement Guide

Overview:
- Estimated achievement difficulty: 3/10 [Achievement Difficulty Rating]
- Offline: 29 [1000]
- Online: 0
- Approximate amount of time to 1000

: ~8 hours [Estimated Time to 100%]
- Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 2 [difficulties don't stack]
- Missable achievements: 14 [refer to roadmap for more information] - A Stinky Collection (20G), A Stinky Collection Complete (75G), Gnome Place to Hide (75G), Gnome Up! (20G), Horngazel Hunter (50G), Hocking Up a Luug (20G), Serving Up Sushi (20G), You Gnome What to Do (15G), Fine Gifts (10G), Daylight Armory (10G), Daylight Complete (75G), Hisirdoux Helps (15G), New and Improved (10G), Quest Bester (10G)
- Does difficulty affect achievements: Yes, for Fleshbag in the Bag (40G) and Here Come Troll-ble (100G), and difficulty achievements don't stack
- Unobtainable/glitched achievements: None

Introduction:
Welcome to Trollhunters: Defenders of Arcadia; a 2D action platformer by Outright Games. If you've played Paw Patrol: On a Roll or either of the PJ Masks games, the side scrolling nature of this game will feel very familiar. The main difference here is that this game actually involves enemies, health, bosses, and you can die, making it harder (relatively) than those games. You'll unlock new abilities as you progress, you have the ability to buy new armors to help out, there are shops that give useful items, and there are side quests you can complete to increase your max health. All in all it's a more thorough gaming experience than some other kids' games. Sadly, the difficulties don't stack, so you're forced to do two playthroughs. See the important note below on missable achievements, and let's get started.

NOTE ON MISSABLES:
After beating the game and being back in Trollmarket, you'll be given a quest to talk to Merlin to reset the timeline. Doing so unlocks the final story achievement, A Por-GONE Conclusion (80G), but be aware that it also starts your playthrough all over again, and it is NOT a New Game Plus. It just resets your playthrough to no benefit to you. This means that if you didn't buy all the armors, do three side quests, or any miscellaneous achievements listed in the overview above, you'll have to play a new playthrough. So, make sure to do all achievements on your playthrough before resetting the timeline with Merlin in the Library at the very end of the game.

Normal Playthrough:
On this playthrough, you're going to be collecting all Dirty Socks and catching all Gnomes in every level, as well as buying all armors, completing side quests, and playing each minigame. Every single one of these things can be mopped up after beating the final boss (but before resetting the timeline) if you choose, but to save time I recommend doing them all as you progress. The Socks and Gnomes are very easy to find with only some precursory exploration of the "wrong" paths before proceeding forward. Also refer to Quest Bester (10G) to knock out those side quests as you progress. The only other thing to note is to collect as much money as possible as you progress and to avoid wasting any money on stuff in Bagdwella's shop, because you'll need it all to buy the armors. Work through all the levels and beat the game, which shouldn't pose any real issues, then refer to the guide for any achievements you're missing. You'll want to do every single achievement before resetting the timeline for A Por-GONE Conclusion (80G). Your only achievements left should be that one and Here Come Troll-ble (100G) for Hard mode when you reset the timeline.

Hard Playthrough:
At this point, your only achievement left should be Here Come Troll-ble (100G) for beating the game on Hard. Start a new game from the main menu and pick Hard. With all other achievements done, you can essentially speed run through the game to beat it on Hard. The only real difference I noticed on Hard is that enemies do more damage to you. I didn't notice any increase in their health except for a couple bosses that took longer to kill, and had a more varied moveset. Everything else was the same.

While you're running through the game, I recommend doing a few things even on Hard to make it easier:

Grab the gnomes in the first couple levels so you have three and can play the gnome-throwing minigame for extra money the first time you get to Trollmarket. Also do each of Luug's coin challenges for extra money as well.
Collect money as you go so that, by the time you finish Canal Bridge, you can afford the first armor, for 2500, which gives you three extra hearts. This is extremely helpful for Hard mode
Complete the side quests that give extra heart containers (noted in Quest Bester (10G)) to again give you some extra health
Use your excess money to buy some health items from Bagdwella near the end of the game in case you need them

Personally, I only died once in my entire time with this game, and it was against the final boss, and only because I didn't buy any consumables and because your health doesn't refill after each level you beat. So, your lives you get naturally while progressing should be more than enough to finish Hard mode. I have some additional tips in Here Come Troll-ble (100G), but you shouldn't have any real problems finishing up this mode, since it is only barely harder than Normal mode.

Conclusion:
I found this to be surprisingly decent game considering it's for kids. The "combat" is mainly just mashing one button, but the game itself was way more involved and enjoyable than other side scrollers from Outright Games. Like all their games, this one will barely pose any challenge for average gamers. Two playthroughs is a little tedious, but it isn't too bad. Congrats on the completion!

[XBA would like to thank Necrophage33 for this Roadmap]

Subterranean Metropolis

10
Visit Heartstone Trollmarket.
Story-related; cannot be missed.
Waka Chaka!!

50
Slay 50 Goblins.
This is cumulative, and while it technically isn't story related, it's not only virtually impossible to avoid, it'll also be one of your first achievements unless you manage to actively avoid all the enemies you come across.
Below Arcadia

10
Successfully traverse the tunnels below Arcadia.
Story-related; cannot be missed.
Geode Journey

15
Successfully get through the Geode Caverns.
Story-related; cannot be missed.
A Dark Time

20
Survive the Darklands.
Story-related; cannot be missed.
Subfold Spaceman

30
Successfully complete Akiridion-5.
Story-related; cannot be missed.

Note that, to access this area after completing The Darklands, you need to fast travel to Arcadia City (not the tunnels), then proceed through the level again for a minute or two until you come across two human NPCs to talk to. They'll enable you to travel to this new location.
A Dangerous Time

40
Successfully survive the Time-pocalypse.
Story-related; cannot be missed.
Every Villain a Castle

60
Successfully reach Morgana's Castle.
Story-related; cannot be missed.
A Por-GONE Conclusion

80
Reach the end and reset the Timeline.
WARNING: Fulfilling this achievement's requirements will reset your save file, and you have no way to go back. Do all miscellaneous achievements on your save before proceeding.

After beating the game and being back at Trollmarket, post surprise, talk to Merlin (he's left of center initially, but then inside the Library if you fast travel away and then back). He'll give you an option to reset the timeline. Do so to unlock this achievement.
A Stinky Collection

20
Gather all Dirty Socks in any stage.
Refer to A Stinky Collection Complete (75G) for more information.
A Stinky Collection Complete

75
Gather every Dirty Sock in the game.
Aside from the approach to the castle at the end of the game, every level in the game has four Dirty Socks to find. The vast majority aren't really hidden. They're either just off screen in a very obvious side path, or they're just out of reach on the main path (meaning you need to jump to them, for example). Just make sure to check the "wrong" way before proceeding through the level, and keep your eyes out for any indications of when it's safe to drop down below the ground to find a hidden collectible. Also note that there are two levels where you can go left at the start of the stage to find a collectible. Aside from that, a guide isn't really necessary here since these Dirty Socks are not well hidden at all (it's a kid game, after all).

Each stage can be replayed via your map, and each one shows how many Socks you've collected there, making mop up very simple if you miss any. Once you've collected all Socks, you'll unlock this achievement.
Trollhunter's Return

75
Defeat every Boss in the game.
Story-related; cannot be missed.

There are no optional bosses, so you'll unlock this achievement when you defeat the final boss of the game.
Gnome Up!

20
Catch all Gnomes in any stage.
Refer to Gnome Place to Hide (75G) for more information.
Gnome Place to Hide

75
Catch every Gnome in the game.
Aside from the first level in Arcadia and the approach to the castle at the end of the game, every level has three Gnomes to find and catch. They are basically all in a small side path. The gnomes are small and will run away from you within their little set area, and you need to catch them. The easiest way to do this is to run them toward a wall and then jump right as you get close so they also jump, right into you.

As for finding them, the vast majority aren't really hidden. They're always just off screen in a very obvious side path. Just make sure to check the "wrong" way before proceeding through the level, and keep your eyes out for any indications of when it's safe to drop down below the ground to find a hidden collectible. Also note that there are two levels where you can go left at the start of the stage to find a collectible. Aside from that, a guide isn't really necessary here since these Gnomes are not well hidden at all (it's a kid game, after all).

Each stage can be replayed via your map, and each one shows how many Gnomes you've collected there, making mop up very simple if you miss any. Once you've collected all Gnomes, you'll unlock this achievement.
Horngazel Hunter

50
Collect the Horngazel and get the Treasure in a stage.
Aside from the intro stage and the approach to the castle at the end, every level in the game has a Horngazel to find (it looks like an orange crystal). You then need to use it on the blue treasure slab. These blue treasure slabs are always right on the main path and not hidden. In most levels, the Horngazel isn't really hidden either. It usually involves just going slightly out of your way or putting yourself slightly at risk to get it. Once you collect it, interact with the treasure slab in that level to get some money and unlock this achievement.

For the purposes of achievements, you only need to do this once for this achievement. However, on your Normal playthrough where you're doing all achievements, do this on every level to get the extra money for buying armors.
Hocking Up a Luug

20
Catch Luug in Trollmarket.
Luug is the doglike NPC in the hub, Trollmarket. This achievement implies it runs away from you and you need to catch it, but it literally just stands there and slowly walks around. Simply interact with it to unlock this achievement.

As a side note, Luug gives you coin challenges throughout the game, and the reward is money. These are worth doing on the playthrough where you're buying all armors.
Serving Up Sushi

20
Complete a game of Go-Go Sushi.
In Trollmarket, speak to Toby near the center and he'll ask if you want to play this minigame. Do so, and simply finish the 30-second game to unlock this achievement. You don't even need to score any points. Just finish a game and you'll unlock this.
You Gnome What to Do

15
Hit every target without losing a gnome in Omelrug's Gnome Challenge.
Note: Each round you finish successfully (even if you miss a target) makes you advance to the next round next time you play, which is harder. You should therefore go for this achievement right away, on the first round. If you miss a target, throw away your remaining gnomes so you lose and stay on the current round. Repeat attempts until you get this.

This minigame is accessible once you've collected at least three total gnomes. To access it, in Trollmarket head into the Pub on the right and talk to the owner inside. With at least three gnomes, you can play the first round of this minigame. You can't move or aim, you just need to wait for the target to be lined up in the center with where your gnome shoots. The goal to winning is to hit every target, and you have three gnomes, losing one if you miss. However, for this achievement, you need to finish a round without missing any targets. As noted above, this is easiest on the first round, since difficulty gets progressively harder and you can't replay earlier rounds. Therefore, if you miss a target, intentionally miss with your remaining gnomes so you can start the current round over again. The first round isn't difficult, you'll just need to practice the timing a bit of when you need to shoot to lead your targets. It'll likely take a few attempts, but once you beat a round without missing, you'll unlock this achievement.
Fine Gifts

10
Purchase an item from Bagdwella in Trollmarket.
This achievement requires you to buy anything from Bagdwella in her shop of fine gifts in Trollmarket. And no, the mask you get at the beginning of the game doesn't count.

The items she sells are incredibly expensive, so I don't recommend wasting your money on any consumables. Instead, pair this achievement with New and Improved (10G) for buying an Assist upgrade, which will be available later once you get Assists as part of the story. Upgrade any of those (they all cost the same and none of the upgrades will really matter for your gameplay) and you'll unlock both this achievement and New and Improved (10G).
Daylight Armory

10
Purchase any Armor Upgrade from Vendel.
Refer to Daylight Complete (75G) for more information.
Daylight Complete

75
Purchase all Armor Upgrades from Vendel.
Vendel is the very large NPC patrolling around the left side of Trollmarket, and he sells three different armors: one for 2500, one for 4500, and one for 6500. For this achievement, you need to buy all three in a single playthrough.

Note: Do NOT waste money on anything in Bagdwella's shop, other than the single purchase for New and Improved (10G). Any additional money you spend there is more grinding you potentially have to do for this achievement.

This requires a ton of money, way more than you'll collect from just completing all the levels. Thankfully, there are things you can do to get money quickly to avoid needing to grind level replays to collect money:
- Grab the Horngazel and its associated treasure in each level as you progress, since it's easy free money
- Each time you get a new ability or Assist (such as the Glaive, Dash, and each of the first three Assists), you'll be able to interact with Luug (the dog in the hub) to do a new challenge. Each of these is short and simple, providing you with an extra 120-150 coins per challenge you do.
- Play and complete all of the gnome-throwing minigame rounds in the Pub. Make sure you unlock You Gnome What to Do (15G) on the first round to make it easiest, but then continue to play and complete all rounds. Considering this will be your 100% playthrough where you collect all gnomes, you'll have access to all five rounds. Each round gives you around 500 coins, and I believe you can continually replay the final round for more coins. Do this to round out whatever you need for buying the rest of the armors
Awesome Sauce!

15
Have an Assist deliver a powerful smash!
Story-related; cannot be missed.

You'll get Toby's assist early in the game and will have to use it continually to progress throughout the story.
Rise Trollhunter!

15
Reach new heights with an Assist!
Story-related; cannot be missed.

You'll get Angor Rot's assist after defeating him early on in the game and will have to use it to continually progress throughout the story.
Aja VOOM!

15
Take a ride on an Akiridion Hoverboard.
Story-related; cannot be missed.

You'll get the hoverboard assist when you get to Akiridion-5 later in the story but will still need to use it regularly to progress.
Hisirdoux Helps

15
Call for a healing Assist!
This one isn't story related, since you don't necessarily need to get it to my knowledge, nor do you need to use it. At the end of the game before going in the portal to approach the castle, you'll find Douxie on your way in the hub, with black hair and a human. Talk to him to get his assist. Now you need to actually use it during the measly two levels you have him available to heal you to unlock this achievement. It can also be done post-game completion too, after beating the final boss but before resetting the timeline.
New and Improved

10
Upgrade any Assist.
At any point after getting your first Assist from Toby early on in the game, you can talk to Bagdwella in her shop to upgrade the Assists you have, and it isn't too expensive. For this achievement, upgrade any one. It doesn't matter which you upgrade since you're never sitting there waiting on them to recharge to progress through a level, so pick whichever you want to knock out this achievement.
Fleshbag in the Bag

40
Complete the game in Human (Normal) Mode.
Refer to Here Come Troll-ble (100G) for more information.
Here Come Troll-ble

100
Complete the game in Troll (Hard) Mode.
Note: The difficulty achievements DO NOT STACK. You will need to do two separate playthroughs to unlock both of these achievements. The roadmap goes into more detail, but basically do a 100% run on Normal to get all Socks and Gnomes and armors, then do a speed run on Hard just to beat the game.

As noted in the roadmap, despite your Hard run being one you can just speed through, there are a few things you should still make it a point to do. The main reason is because the only real difference with Hard mode is that enemies do more damage to you. I also noticed a couple bosses move faster and/or have extra moves, but in general it's the extra damage you'll be dealing with. As a result, health is paramount, and considering your health doesn't refill when you finish a stage, you'll want as much as possible. Therefore, even though you'll want to get through Hard mode as fast as possible to wrap up this completion, do the following things to make it easier:
- Get money early on to spend on the first armor for 2500 coins, which gives you three extra hearts, since it helps a ton. You can easily do this by the time you finish Canal Bridge as long as you're grabbing money on the way, doing Luug's challenges, and picking up at least three gnomes so you can play the Pub minigame at least once. Buy the 2500 armor ASAP to give yourself the extra three hearts
- Do the side quests that give you extra heart containers. Refer to Quest Bester (10G) for which to do, but all of them are incredibly fast and easy (literally a minute or two, each), and having the extra hearts is really helpful for later levels when a single enemy hit can do at least two hearts of damage
Aside from that, after your experience on Normal mode, you shouldn't struggle at all on Hard. One last thing you can take advantage of is farming extra lives, if you decide you need it. Replaying levels lets you recollect extra lives that spawn in the same place every time. The fastest farming is to fast travel to The Darklands I. The extra life is right next to you when you spawn. Grab it then fast travel right back and repeat. This can allow you to quickly gain a ton of lives. I wouldn't bother with this unless you need it though. I only died once on Hard, and it was on the final boss. I had over 10 lives going into that fight just from natural progression and collection, so I was glad I didn't waste any time farming extra lives.
Quest Bester

10
Complete 3 side quests in the game.
As far as I could find, there are five side quests in the game. You are given no indication whatsoever that they exist, and only will find them if you decide to talk to various NPCs in the hub throughout your playthrough. I have listed all five below, along with their reward in front, for your reference. All five are incredibly fast and easy to complete, so feel free to complete all of them for the heart containers (especially on Hard) and the money (especially on Normal for buying the armors).
1. (Coins) After beating Geode Caverns, talk to Bagdwella in her shop and accept her quest to get her Tubbleblix. Leave, then head right and enter the Pub. Talk to the owner to get it, then return to Bagdwella to turn it in
2. (Heart Container) After beating Geode Caverns, talk to Claire. She'll ask you to find Petunia. Fast travel to Arcadia Caves I with your map. Progress through the level, and after around a minute you'll come across an obvious goblin right on your path to interact with. Do so, then fast travel back to the hub and talk to Claire to turn it in.
3. (Heart Container) After beating Darklands, talk to Bagdwella again. She'll give you a quest to deliver a mystery box to her sister. Fast travel to Canal Bridge I and about a minute or two into the level you'll come across her sister, impossible to miss. Talk to her to turn in the box and complete the quest.
4. (Coins) After beating Darklands, talk to Blinky in the Library to the left in the market. Leave and head into the gift shop and talk to the little guy, NotEnrique, to turn it in and complete the quest.
5. (Heart Container) After completing the Time-pocalypse, talk to Wumpa in the market (green woman creature outside the pub). You'll need to beat the game to get your Time Map back, then fast travel to Akiridion City I, and head forward. About 30 seconds into the level you'll find the two NPCs to talk to, right on your path. Do so to get the autograph, then fast travel back to the market and talk to Wumpa to turn it in and complete the quest.