- Needle In A Haystack chest locations are inside three enemy camps in the Foothills.
- Each camp contains three chests: two beneath canopies and one beside a tent.
- Clear enemies first so you can search the camps without being overwhelmed.
- Collect three Temple Keys from Blackbeard Crew Chests before entering the boss temple.
- Prepare for Israel Hands with healing items, ranged attacks, and a nearby respawn point.
Needle In A Haystack Chest Locations
Needle In A Haystack chest locations are tied to three enemy camps in the Foothills. The quest unlocks after completing Revenge is Best Served Cold and reporting back to Dr. Galen. Once the objective begins, follow the quest marker to the Foothills island and search each marked pirate camp.
Exact coordinates can change because the Windrose map is procedurally generated. Instead of searching for fixed map numbers, use the camp layout as your guide. At every camp, look for two chests positioned beneath canopies and a third chest beside a tent.
For a reliable route, clear the camp perimeter first. After the enemies are defeated, walk through the camp slowly and check each canopy before moving toward the tents.
| Camp feature | Chest location clue | Search priority |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy chest one | Beneath a camp canopy | High |
| Canopy chest two | Beneath another canopy | High |
| Tent chest | Beside a tent | High |
| Camp entrance | Enemy guards and patrols | Clear first |
Do not rely on fixed coordinates. Mark the three camps on your map, then use the canopy-and-tent pattern to locate all nine quest chests.
Foothills Camp
Follow the quest marker and prepare for stronger enemies than those in the Coastal Jungle.
Three Chests
Search two canopy areas and the space beside a tent in every camp.
Quest Progress
Open all three chests in each camp to unlock the next objective, Board the Unsinkable.
The same Foothills island also features locations connected to The Bitter Pill and Sacrificial Lamb, so completing nearby objectives during one trip can reduce backtracking. However, the chest requirement for this quest remains focused on the three pirate camps.
Foothills Preparation and Camp Route
The Foothills are more dangerous than the Coastal Jungle. Wolves and Goats can deal heavy damage, while regular enemies in the camps are also tougher. Prepare before sailing to the island, and create a respawn point there if possible.
Healing items are especially useful because the chest search requires entering enemy-held areas. A ranged weapon also helps you pull enemies away from a group instead of fighting the entire camp at once.
Restock Before Sailing
Carry healing items and make sure your combat equipment is ready. The Foothills wildlife and camp guards can punish an unprepared approach.
Create a Respawn Point
Establish a nearby respawn point on the island when possible. This shortens the recovery route if you fall during exploration.
Reach the Marked Camp
Follow the quest marker to the closest pirate camp. Avoid sprinting directly into the center while enemies are grouped together.
Pull Enemies Apart
Use a long-range weapon to attract one, two, or three enemies at a time. Defeat them outside the main cluster before searching.
Search All Three Chests
Check both canopy positions and the area beside the tent. Repeat the process at the other two camps.
| Preparation | Why it matters | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Healing items | Foothills enemies hit harder | Restock before departure |
| Respawn point | Reduces recovery time | Create one on the island |
| Long-range weapon | Controls enemy groups | Pull targets out individually |
| Map marker | Helps track camps | Follow the active objective |
| Safe camp route | Prevents missed chests | Search canopies, then tent |
Rushing into a camp can attract guards and nearby wildlife together. Separate enemies first, then loot the chests after the area is under control.
Board the Unsinkable and Find the Temple Keys
Opening the camp chests advances the quest to Board the Unsinkable. The ship is somewhere on the Windrose map, most likely around the Foothills. Visit your Wharf before sailing and carry enough Combat Repair Kits for a naval encounter.
The Unsinkable is not expected to be alone. High-level ships may patrol the same waters, so watch your ship’s HP and avoid wasting repair resources before the boarding sequence.
| Objective | Location clue | Completion requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Board the Unsinkable | Foothills waters or nearby map area | Reduce its HP and board successfully |
| Search the camp near ruins | Camp above the Ancient Fire Sanctuary | Interact with the table between a tent and barrels |
| Collect Temple Keys | Three camps on one island | Loot the chests containing Ritual Keys |
| Open the temple | Underground temple beneath an enemy base | Use all three keys at the stone door |
After boarding the ship, return to the Foothills and search the camp near the ruins. The Ancient Fire Sanctuary puzzle is optional for the quest. To advance, interact with the table between a tent and several barrels and collect the crumpled paper.
Next, collect three Temple Keys. Each key is inside an enemy camp chest and is labeled Ritual Key for the Temple Gates. All three keys are located on the same island, although the exact map position can vary.
The Ancient Fire Sanctuary puzzle is not required to finish this quest objective. You can solve it for experience and rewards, but the clue comes from the table near the tent and barrels.
Quest Progress Checklist:
- Search all three Foothills pirate camps
- Open two canopy chests and one tent chest in each camp
- Board the Unsinkable
- Read the clue at the camp near the ruins
- Collect all three Ritual Keys for the Temple Gates
Israel Hands Boss Fight Preparation
Once all three Temple Keys are collected, the map reveals the route to Israel Hands. His arena is in an underground temple beneath an enemy base. Clear the guards carefully, open the large stone door with the keys, and activate the fast travel point inside.
The fast travel point is valuable because Israel Hands is a difficult boss. If you fall, it provides a shorter route back to the arena than traveling from your original camp.
| Attack | Warning sign | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Sword combo | One, two, or three swings | Wait for the combo to end, then counter |
| Spirit skulls | Hands rises and releases floating skulls | Sprint sideways until the spirits pass |
| Charge | Skeleton rises and Hands recoils | Dodge left or right; blocking does not work |
| Poison trail | Charge leaves poison behind | Avoid the trail and reposition |
| Gunshot | Skeleton figure draws a gun | Dodge sideways immediately |
| Whirlwind | Skeleton appears at close range | Keep space and recover after the knockback |
The safest rhythm is defensive. Let Hands approach, identify the attack, and avoid the larger moves before committing to damage. His sword swing is the clearest counter opportunity: after the combo ends, move in for one or two hits and retreat.
A charge cannot be blocked, so save your stamina for a sideways dodge. The poison left behind can continue damaging you after the attack, making it important to move away rather than counter directly on the trail.
The Rapier of a Thousand Cuts can be useful if you already own it because its bleed effect stacks, but it is a random loot drop rather than a guaranteed quest reward.
Prioritize survival over constant damage. Dodge the charge, spirits, and gunshot, then punish the recovery window after Hands finishes a sword combo.
Quest Rewards, Completion, and FAQ
After defeating Israel Hands, open the chest at the back of the arena to obtain the Soul Eater sword. Then release the chained character to the left of the chest and return to camp.
Speak with the freed character and Dr. Galen to receive Charon’s Obol. Completing this sequence ends Needle in a Haystack and unlocks the next quest, Forgotten Relics.
| Completion point | Reward or result |
|---|---|
| Open the boss chest | Soul Eater sword |
| Release the chained character | Unlocks the return route |
| Speak with the character and Dr. Galen | Receive Charon’s Obol |
| Finish the quest | Progress to Forgotten Relics |
Before leaving the island, confirm that all three camp chests, the ruins clue, and all three Ritual Keys have been collected. This prevents unnecessary travel between objectives.
Q: Where are the Needle In A Haystack chest locations?
The required chests are inside three enemy camps in the Foothills. Each camp has three chests: two beneath canopies and one beside a tent. Exact coordinates vary with the procedural map.
Q: How many chests must I open in the Foothills camps?
You must search three chests in each of three camps, for nine camp chests total. Opening them advances the quest to Board the Unsinkable.
Q: Do I need to solve the Ancient Fire Sanctuary puzzle?
No. The puzzle is optional for Needle in a Haystack. To advance that objective, interact with the table between a tent and barrels and collect the crumpled paper.
Q: Where do I get the three Temple Keys?
All three keys are on the same Foothills island, with one key hidden in an enemy camp chest. Loot the Blackbeard Crew Chests for items labeled Ritual Key for the Temple Gates.
Read the related quest walkthrough on IGN for the full objective sequence and boss details.