Ys IX: Monstrum Nox — All Secret Area Locations in Balduq

In Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, there are several hidden areas in Balduq that require certain Gifts to access. You’ll want to access them because these secret areas contain some useful treasure. They are also required for the trophies or achievements associated with 100% map completion and opening all treasure chests.

The brief walkthrough guide below shows you all of the secret areas in Balduq so you don’t have to uncover them yourself. I’ve included in-game screenshots, as well as maps to make things easier. 

Every Secret Area Location in Balduq

Hidden Medicine Stash

This first secret area is in the Central District, and you’ll need the Doll’s Third Eye Gift in order to activate the green button and reveal the hidden room.

Concealed Stockroom

The second secret area is in Shantytown and also requires the Doll’s Third Eye Gift to access. It’s located in one of the higher places in the area, near a graffiti collectible.

Waterfall Storeroom

The third secret area is in the Main Square near the waterfall. Simply go through the waterfall, and you’ll enter a new area to find the hidden location.

Blocked Path

Another secret area is located in the Main Square as well, but you’ll need Raging Bull’s Valkyrie Hammer in order to break open the door leading to it. This area is noticeably longer than the others and includes enemies. But at the end, you’ll find a Thrust Grimoire that teaches Hawk a new Skill.

The last three secret areas require Renegade’s Gift, Shadow Dive. They involve going through small openings in the ground and appearing on the other side.

Waterway Vault

The first of the secret areas that uses Renegade’s Gift, Shadow Dive is found at the Main Gates. Go to the sewer-like area near the bridge (shown in the map below), and use Shadow Dive near the opening to get through.

Forgotten Armory

The next hidden location that uses this gift is is in Artisan Lane. Jump down into the lower area next to the road to find another sewer intake vent in the wall supporting the road. 

Vacant Ritual Room

Finally, the last hidden location can be found at the Cultural Heritage Site. It looks like a large gate, and you can use Shadow Dive to get under it. Here, you’ll find the Bash Grimoire that teaches a Skill to Raging Bull.

And that’s that for all seven Ys IX: Monstrum Nox secret areas and hidden locations in Balduq! For more tips, tricks, and walkthroughs, consider heading over to our Monstrum Nox guides page. There you’ll find our help articles for presents and affinity events, journal entries and character notes, and sacramentals and apocryphal books.