The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes

Trophy Guide & Roadmap

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Step 1 - Head decisions playthrough

The most important thing for our first playthrough is that we only pick decisions indicated by a brain. However, if both decisions are heart decisions you can pick whichever you prefer. Those don't void the trophy.

The Sword and the Shield
Kurum and Balathu chose to fight together
At the end of the prologue, we must make the choice between Balathu and Kurum to fight rather than betray one another. This action immediately unlocks the trophy. Be aware that if the relationship between Kurum and Balathu is low, the AI character will betray us automatically, which we want to avoid. Make sure to pick RESPECTFUL: "We help each other".
Illuminating Evidence
Eric discovered the unexpected effects of the UV wand
In a head-only playthrough we need to ensure Eric's survival during "The Truce". Nick initially instructs Salim to hide CAUTIOUS: "Get to cover", but then betrays him by exposing Salim's position INTENSE: "The Iraqi - he's behind me!". This betrayal causes Salim to fire during the standoff, which can result in Eric's death. To keep Eric alive, we prevent him from joining the search party looking for Joey in "After the Fall" by selecting RESISTANT: "It's safer if you stay here." Alternatively, we can let Salim surrender by alerting the vampire, this happens if we fail QTEs and if Jason did not shoot the shepherd in "The Raid." Eric will then discover the effects after interrogating Salim.
Double Tap
Eric and Rachel both died in the same explosion
During the chapter "Bloodbath", we play as Jason and Nick as they plant tripwires in a hallway. It does not matter if we mine the center or the sides. During "The Assault," when controlling Rachel, we choose to RETREAT rather than use the machine gun. The game then switches to Nick, who must direct the group on which path to take in the hallway. We instruct the group to move to where we previously planted the tripwires. This results in Eric, and Rachel being caught in the explosion and dying.
Portents
Found all of the White Framed Pictures
  • Staked - Chapter: After The Fall
    Erik and Rachel face an Iraqi while Jason and Nick flee a monstrous pursuer. When the groups reunite and Jason leaves to restart the generator, we progress down a hallway past a tripwire. In the next room, we find this clay tablet resting on a wooden crate.
  • Surrendered - Chapter: Slayer
    After controlling Nick, we enter a large room with a blood pool. Heading right, we find the tablet beside Randolph's Journal - Part 3 (Secret #14).
  • Daylight - Chapter: Pazuzu
    Playing as Salim, we enter a room with a staircase and a dead American soldier on the ground right. Directly across from the body, on the left side, is a nook where this picture is placed.
  • Ultraviolet - Chapter: The Temple
    Playing as Rachel, we find the picture in a side room separate from the large throne room. We proceed past the generator and stairs, then through the hallway to the side room where the picture lies straight ahead.
  • Disarmed - Chapter: The Raid
    This picture is found in the Shepherds' homes, on top of a crate beneath several pagan effigies.
  • Comrades - Chapter: Enemy of my Enemy
    While playing Jason and Salim after passing through a gate that collapses, Salim digs a path for Jason. Before advancing left, check the right-hand side to find this picture framed on the wall.
Casualties of War
Found all of the Black Framed Pictures
  • Arisen - Chapter: Cursed
    The picture is the first we come across. It is located during the prologue when the men can freely walk around the circular room. We find the picture on top of a pile of bones.
  • Bloodbath - Chapter: Tripwire
    After Rachel falls into the abyss and Eric meets Jason and Nick, they set up cameras around the archaeological site. Jason descends a staircase into a familiar circular room where several secrets and this picture lie on a pile of bones.
  • Thirst - Chapter: The Signal
    After Rachel is rescued by Clarice, we control Nick outside the dig site. The picture lies on a crate in the middle of the area. We find it easily by going to the Expedition Map, turning around, and walking straight ahead.
  • Squeeze - Chapter: Underworld
    When we play as Nick after falling into the caverns, he meets Jason in a large room with a stone hand. Before proceeding through the wooden doors ahead, check the small staircase to the left, which leads to a ruined room containing this picture.
  • Fallen - Chapter: Pazuzu
    The picture is found while playing as Eric during Pazuzu. After Rachel wakes Eric, they dive deeper using ropes. Check a right-hand wall for a side path that leads to a dead-end room where the picture is located.
  • Mauled - Chapter: Brothers
    Just after the elevator ride, we need to thoroughly check the right side. A tiny dead-end path next to a glowing tree trunk holds this picture at its end.
The Statement of Randolph Hodgson
Found every part of Randolph's journal
Please refer to Scratching at the Past.
Vision of the Past
Rachel witnessed the origin of the creatures.
If Rachel becomes infected during "The Horror" but is not killed, we will automatically unlock it in "Strange Aeons". For this to happen, during "The Horror," Salim must shoot the vampire attacking Rachel, not the one attacking him and we must avoid having Rachel save Eric in that same scene.
Let Me Have a Go!
Three characters used the UV wand to attack the creatures
To unlock this trophy, we must have Eric and Nick maintain a neutral or positive relationship until "The Vault"

Encounter #1:
We ensure Eric learns about the UV wand by investigating the vampire corpse or interrogating Salim. In "Bloodbath" Eric will automatically use the UV wand if Jason does not use the stake on Joey. If Jason picks up the stake, we must either ignore it, stick to the rifle, or fail QTEs to ensure Eric uses the UV wand, updating the Ultraviolet bearing.

Encounter #2:
In "The Horror" Salim must shoot the vampire attacking Rachel, sacrificing his own safety. Rachel should then save Eric by completing the QTE to pick up the UV wand and use it to kill the attacking vampire, even though she becomes infected.

Encounter #3:
When "The Vault" begins, Eric gives Nick the UV wand if their relationship is neutral or positive. We then fail the Keep Calm QTEs or send Nick left from the cocoon area to trigger the Keep Calm event. After retreating, Nick will be attacked by a vampire. We fail the QTE and Nick uses the UV wand, earning the trophy.
Slayer
Salim killed five creatures using his spear
Over the course of the story Salim gets opportunities to kill 6 different vampires. Here are the chapters you need to keep an eye on:
  • Pazuzu - We first encounter a vampire here. It can than be killed in the following chapter, called "Slayer".
  • The Truce - Nick and Salim team up to kill the second vampire. In the Theatrical Cut, Salim may suggest sneaking, but if we killed the first vampire, he will assist in killing the second. In Curator’s Cut, we can choose Salim’s actions directly.
  • Enemy of My Enemy - Jason and Salim are attacked by a vampire in the chapter’s middle section. It doesn’t matter if Salim ambushes Jason or switches weapons, Salim can still kill the vampire in this sequence.
  • The Vault - If Nick advances and we succeed at the Keep Calm QTEs, he is attacked by the Ancient One. If we haven’t triggered Ghost Signal and Salim, Jason, and Eric are uninjured, then Salim can save Nick by killing the Ancient One.
  • Semper Fi - While Salim makes his way to the elevator, he can kill two vampires. Jason’s actions do not affect Salim’s opportunity to kill both vampires in this section.
There Is Always Hope
Completed the Solo Story
Story-related. Unlocks automatically after finishing the solo story
Final Girl
Only one character survived the finale
At the very end of the game, in the abandoned house, we have to make sure that only one character succeeds their QTEs while the others fail. If the Ancient One appears, we must ensure he is killed as soon as possible. If the Ancient One is left alive, all protagonists will automatically die during the final sequence. The lone survivor can be anyone, not just Rachel. However, if we put Rachel in a cocoon, the trophy won't unlock.
Start Thinking Like a Marine
Chose only Head decisions
Throughout an entire playthrough we are not allowed to pick any Heart decision. Unless there are two of them and no Head decisions are present. You can check your progress in Chapter Select. If there is only a brain displayed in the lower right corner, you were successful in the related chapter.

Step 2 - Chapter Select Cleanup

A lot of the remaining trophies can be earned by slightly changing some decisions we made in our head-only playthrough.

Chekhov's Gun
Rachel used the machine gun
Chapter: The Assault
During this chapter we have to choose between retreating or using the machine gun. Select to use the machine gun and succeed all QTEs.
Oorah
Eric and Nick shared a moment in the elevator
First of all, we need Eric and Nick to be the only survivors at the start of "Daylight" with a neutral or positive relationship. If Rachel is infected, we let her commit suicide via the white phosphorous shell or allow Jason to shoot her. If she isn’t infected, you have to restart from "The Assault" or "The Horror" to infect her.
We need to make Jason attempt to rescue Salim, then fail all QTEs regarding both Jason and Salim to ensure their deaths and leave only Eric and Nick. Thr trophy pops during the elevator cutscene in "Daylight".
Old Dog
Balathu made two kills with his spear
We have three opportunities throughout the game for a spear kill, all related to Balathu:
  1. Prologue - We can always trigger this by making Balathu throw his spear at the Gutian woman, regardless of dialogue choices. This sequence always happens automatically in the Curator's Cut.
  2. Assault - Eric needs to understand the UV wand. During "The Horror" as Salim, we shoot the vampire attacking Rachel. Then, as Rachel, we choose to save Eric and succeed in the QTE to grab the UV wand. Shortly afterward, Balathu throws a spear at Rachel. Fail the QTE.
  3. Strange Aeons - In "The Vault" when Nick is planting explosives, we have him choose to retreat. Jason on the other hand must go back to rescue Salim in "Semper Fi" and we must succeed in all QTEs to keep both alive. Finally, Balathu appears and throws a spear at Jason, simply fail the QTE.
We Are Not Alone
Finished the prologue in Movie Night
Movie Night is designed for a Co-Op experience. However, we only need one controller for this. Simply play the first chapter in Movie Night until its conclusion.
The Thing
Eric helped Rachel purge her infection
First we need to have Rachel infected. At the end of "Strange Aeons," Rachel will then show signs of succumbing to the infection and have a vision of the ship crashing. After that we must not stab the white phosphorus round if brought along. Not have Jason shoot Rachel and agree with Salim's suggestion to put Rachel in the cocoon. During the following cutscene, Eric uses the UV wand to purge the parasite from Rachel's body, which awards this trophy.
Scratching at the Past
Found all of the Secrets
We have to find all 50 secrets but it doesn't have to happen in a single playthrough. The order below represents the respective numbers in-game.
  1. At the start, just after the prologue, we find the Bandit Briefing on a table (Eric).
  2. In the Raid, we find the Mythology Book on Zain’s desk (Salim). We need to open and flip through the pages for the secret.
  3. At The Signal, we discover the Expedition Map on a desk outside the dig site (Nick).
  4. In Brothers, after descending the Well, we find the Pocket Watch near moss under a cocoon (Jason).
  5. Bloodbath begins with the Staked Woman iron peg in a corpse’s chest (Jason), found in the familiar circular room.
  6. Nearby on the circular room’s exterior, we find the Bloodless Corpse leaning against a wall (Jason).
  7. During the Raid, we explore the second house’s first left room and find the Gas Mask at the back (Jason).
  8. As Rachel in Bloodbath, we find Science Notes on the left wall near a crack emitting a green glow.
  9. At The Signal, Nick discovers Vampire Speculations on a crate near the ledge.
  10. The Cocoon is spotted in Brothers right after descending the Well, straight ahead on the right (Jason).
  11. Right after waking as Rachel in Bloodbath, we find the Plastic ID Card near piles of debris.
  12. In The Temple, behind the tent opposite the generator, we find the Cuneiform Tablet on a wooden crate (Rachel).
  13. In After The Fall, after an Iraqi attack, Jason finds Randolph’s Journal Part 2, lying loose on the floor.
  14. During Slayer, Nick finds Randolph’s Journal Part 3 beside a blood pool in a large room.
  15. In Brothers, Jason finds Randolph’s Journal Part 9 along a path near large stone blocks.
  16. In Enemy Of My Enemy, Jason finds Randolph’s Journal Part 7 on the floor just after sneaking under a heavy door.
  17. The Pagan Effigy is handled by Jason during the Raid by being “Curious” about an altar with Shepards.
  18. Pazuzu features an idol discovered early in the caves, prompting a cutscene (Eric).
  19. In Strange Aeons, Rachel finds the Creature Life Cycle pinned on a board during a regroup.
  20. The Temple’s Creature Features sketch is found past the throne in a side hallway room (Rachel).
  21. After The Fall, Jason finds a Star Map clay tablet on a desk beyond a tripwire.
  22. Nick finds the Finds Catalogue atop a crate near a ledge at The Signal.
  23. Randolph’s Journal Part 4 is found in Bloodbath near a familiar circular bone-filled room (Jason).
  24. Randolph’s Journal Part 1 lies inside the temple’s archeologists’ site near a tent (Rachel).
  25. Randolph’s Journal Part 6 is found on a desk in an isolated spot at The Signal (Nick).
  26. Randolph’s Journal Part 8 is discovered on the floor during Enemy Of My Enemy (Salim).
  27. Fossilized Lifeforms skeletons are found in The City near a large platform (Jason).
  28. Parasite Notes on a clipboard found in Enemy Of My Enemy during team-up (Salim).
  29. The Holed Stone clay tablet appears during Slayer along a dark tunnel (Salim).
  30. The Black Onyx is found off-path in Enemy Of My Enemy after a creature attack (Salim).
  31. The Cylinder Seal, a necklace, lies atop a crate in Bloodbath’s circular bone room (Jason).
  32. The Curse of Akkad paper is on a table near the burning fuse in The Temple (Rachel).
  33. Randolph’s Journal Part 5 is on the left-hand path in Bloodbath’s underground cavern (Rachel).
  34. Expedition Members photo appears in The Temple’s archeologist tent (Rachel).
  35. Aline’s Letter rests on a desk beside the generator in The Temple (Rachel).
  36. Randolph’s Journal Part 10 is found behind a circular statue in Strange Aeons (Rachel).
  37. The Ruptured Skull lies at the base of a chair in The City after the Vault (Jason).
  38. The Alien Parasite can be discovered in Strange Aeons after curing Rachel’s infection.
  39. Infection Symptoms notes are on a clipboard near a ledge at The Signal (Nick).
  40. Finds Ledger is found immediately after descending the Well in Brothers (Jason).
  41. The Mysterious Artifact shell is found near the ledge in The City (Jason).
  42. Reference Book lies on a desk near a temple wall hole in After The Fall (Jason).
  43. Mary’s Notes lie on a crate by the team’s weapons in Strange Aeons (Rachel).
  44. Dynamite explosives and detonator are found near columns and machine gun in The Temple (Rachel).
  45. Van Huyten’s Confession is on a crate near moss in Strange Aeons (Rachel).
  46. Autopsy Notes are found on a desk after a creature encounter in Enemy Of My Enemy (Salim).
  47. Punctured Skull lies under a large stone hand in Underworld (Nick).
  48. Ancient Helmet is found on the right wall in Bloodbath’s bloody cavern (Rachel).
  49. Battle Tablet lies on a crate near archeological dig site ledge at The Signal (Nick).
  50. Ritual Tablet is retrieved from a stone slab after a cave collapse in Enemy Of My Enemy (Salim).
Heart to Heart
Nick killed the ancient warrior with a stake
After a head-only playthrough, just reload "The Vault". There we have Nick choose to ADVANCE and succeed in the three Keep Calm sequences, causing an encounter where he is attacked by the Ancient One. It is critical to maintain a neutral or better relationship between Eric and Nick. Otherwise, Eric may ignore Nick's calls leading to failure.
Semper Fi
Jason went back for Salim and they both made it to the elevator
Chapter: Semper Fi
As Jason we must return to Salim instead of waiting for him. To unlock the trophy we have to complete all QTEs to ensure both survive.
Climbing out of Hell
Rachel survived after rejecting both her lovers
This pops automatically while going for Golden Path based on a head-only playthrough.
Golden Path
Five characters survived the finale
For this trophy and Six Minutes of Night, we need to get every character to the finale. This means Rachel cannot be left in the cocoon. She must either avoid infection in "The Horror" or be cured by Eric using the UV wand in "Strange Aeons". Here are the key decisions to ensure everyone survives:
  • "The Raid" - We don't shoot the shepherd.
  • "The Temple" - We choose to cut the rope letting Rachel fall, enabling her survival.
  • "After The Fall" - We succeed in the QTE with Salim to learn about the monster's sunlight weakness.
  • "The Slayer" - Pick up the medkit to heal Salim late-game.
  • "The Truce" - Choose supportive options and succeed QTEs to kill the monster.
  • "Bloodbath" - Abandon Clarice to prevent Eric’s death.
  • "The Signal" - Choose the fire option with Rachel for safety.
  • "The Assault" - Use the crucifix on Balathu, shoot the monster attacking Rachel as Salim, and save Eric as Rachel.
  • In "Strange Aeons" - Don't stab the white phosphorous round, don’t have Jason shoot Rachel, succeed Nick's QTEs, save Salim, and survive attacks.
  • Finally, successfully perform all QTEs in the final stand at the end.
Using accessibility features or the lowest difficulty can assist in completing QTEs. If Rachel is infected and left cocooned, we will not get this trophy. Following this guide will help maintain everyone's survival up to the end and earn the Golden Path trophy
Six Minutes of Night
Everyone died in the finale
In contrast to Golden Path we need to fail the final step which means messing up every QTE in the final battle.

Step 3 - Ghost signal playthrough

To gather the remaining trophies it's recommended to start a new playthrough beginning at "The Briefing".

So You're My Technician
Merwin fixed the radio
To unlock this trophy, we must ensure that Merwin survives the chapters "Underworld" and "The Temple." If he makes it through, he will automatically repair the radio in "The Signal"
  • Theatrical Cut: When Jason injects Merwin with morphine, Nick tries to silence him. Three button-mash QTEs will appear. We must fail at least one; completing all three will cause Merwin to suffocate.
  • Later, we face a choice: move around or through rubble. Both paths are valid. However, if we choose to go around, a Keep Calm sequence is triggered. Failing it results in Merwin’s death. Regardless of the chosen path, we must succeed in the upcoming monster fight QTEs to keep him alive.
  • Eventually, Merwin asks Jason and Nick to leave him. We must refuse. Choose COMMANDING – "I won't leave a man behind!" as Jason.
Full Clearance
Clarice killed Eric after becoming infected
We must have Rachel bring Clarice along in "Bloodbath" and then always act in ways that keep Clarice with the group. Although Clarice will eventually succumb to her infection, her scripted fate ensures she kills Eric at the end of "The Horror".
  • Bloodbath: Rachel must stay with Clarice. When they approach the chasm, choose the REASSURING dialogue. If Rachel admits the truth about Clarice’s chances, she will give up and refuse to cross. We must also succeed in the rope-swing QTE. Failure causes Clarice to fall when attempting her own swing.
  • The Assault: At the start of this chapter, Rachel and Clarice rejoin the group. Jason attempts to shoot Clarice, and Rachel must calm him. Choose WORRIED both times to prevent Jason from killing her.
  • The Horror: At the beginning of this chapter, we must stop the group from abandoning Clarice. As Eric, choose the OPTIMISTIC dialogue. From here, Clarice soon dies of infection but later reappears as a vampire. Continue playing, and at the chapter’s end she ambushes and kills Eric, granting the trophy.
Ghost Signal
Eric ignored Nick's radio signal
In the Theatrical Cut, we can earn up to four negative interactions between Eric and the others. These moments reduce relationships if we select the right dialogue choices.
  • The Briefing: – Refuse to call in air support. Choose CONFIDENT – "We keep this small." After the briefing, have Eric examine the white phosphorous round and reject its use. Choose DISAPPROVING – "These are unauthorized."
  • After the Fall / Slayer: – Eric must join Jason/Nick to look for Joey. If Merwin is alive, choose COMPLIANT – "Right you are, colonel.". If Merwin is dead, choose ASSERTIVE – "I'll take the lead.". Later in "Slayer," during Eric’s talk with Nick, first select DISAPPROVING – "Keep it down, colonel", then follow with FOREBODING – "You keep thinking that." Eric will point a gun at Nick, lowering their relationship.
  • The Ancient One: If Rachel is dead, Eric and Nick will argue. Choose BITTER – "Her death is your fault." This is the only variation that decreases their relationship in this chapter.
Lost in Time
Rachel was not rescued from her cocoon
Rachel must be infected during "The Horror" and later agree to be placed inside the cocoon in "Strange Aeons". From there, we must ensure that no one survives to rescue her. Rachel remains trapped indefinitely inside the cocoon.
Ain't Got Time to Bleed
Escaped the vault without any lingering injuries
We must make sure that only Nick is ever injured during the playthrough. In general by avoiding to fail any QTEs. Nick will always take damage in "The Horror," but he can later use Joey's medical kit to heal himself. At the end of "Slayer", just before the short firefight with Dar, we can find Joey’s medical kit. It is placed in the dark cavern to the left, near Secret #14 and the picture "Surrendered".
  • The Raid: Do not have Jason shoot the shepherd. If he does, Salim automatically shoots Jason in the arm.
  • The Truce: Ensure Salim surrenders if Jason is present. If Salim refuses, he will wound Jason.
  • The Horror: As Salim, when faced with two vampires, shoot the one leaping toward him, not the one on Rachel. This prevents Salim’s injury and also ensures Rachel is infected.
In "Strange Aeons" Nick will use Joey’s medical kit. As long as he survives into "The Vault" he will treat his wound, and we unlock the trophy.
Until Death Do Us Part
Rachel became infected and killed Eric, or Eric killed her
There are multiple ways to achieve this:
Chapter: The Ancient One
If Rachel died early, she reappears as a vampire and hunts Eric and Nick. Nick shuts a door, triggering a Keep Calm event. If we fail the Keep Calm, Rachel attacks Nick. Choosing to save Nick causes Eric to fall into a pit and die.

Chapter: Daylight
If Rachel died early or refused the cocoon in "Strange Aeons," she shows up as a vampire again. She fights two protagonists and will always prioritize Eric if he is alive. Fail the QTEs: Rachel kills Eric. Succeed in the QTEs: Rachel is killed instead.

If only two protagonists remain at the start of "Daylight," the fight scene is skipped entirely. This sequence seems to always trigger the trophy, even if Eric is already dead.
Into the Sunset
Salim returned home to his son
To unlock this trophy, it is not enough for Salim to simply survive the ending. We must also complete two key requirements earlier in the game.
  • The Briefing: As Eric, refuse air support. Choose CONFIDENT – "We keep this small."
  • Underworld / The Temple: Ensure Merwin dies early so that he never repairs the radio in "The Signal."
  • Ending: Keep Salim alive through to the conclusion of the story.
Full House!
Collect all Trophies