To find all focus stone locations in the Gothic Remake, you must travel to five distinct, high-danger areas across the Colony: the cliffside ruins near the New Camp, the swamp fortress, the troll canyon, the ruined monastery, and the dreaded Orc graveyard. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough for acquiring each artifact, detailing the paths, enemies, and strategies you'll need to help the Water Mages with their Great Invocation.
This is one of the most involved quests in the game, sending you to every corner of the map. It's a true test of your exploration, combat, and problem-solving skills, but essential for advancing the main story.
What Are the Focus Stones For?
The entire quest is initiated by Saturas, the leader of the Water Mages in the New Camp. After delivering the letter from the Fire Mages for him, he'll deem you worthy of a monumental task. The Water Mages believe that the magical Barrier enveloping the Colony was created by a group of powerful mages using five magical artifacts called Focus Stones. Their plan, the Great Invocation, is to harness the energy of these same stones to trigger a magical explosion that will bring the Barrier crashing down.
Unfortunately, the stones were scattered across the land and are now guarded by some of the Colony's most dangerous creatures. Your job, as an expendable but capable newcomer, is to venture out and retrieve all five of them. This quest line forms the backbone of the game's second act and is mandatory regardless of which camp you've joined.
Your Focus Stone Checklist & Recommended Order
You can technically retrieve the stones in any order you wish, but they are not created equal. Some locations are far more dangerous or require more complex navigation than others. Following a strategic order will save you a lot of frustration and healing potions. We strongly recommend tackling them in this order, from easiest to most difficult:
- The Cliffside Ruins: Relatively close to the New Camp with moderate threats (Harpies).
- The Swamp Fortress: A navigation challenge guarded by Swamp Sharks.
- The Troll Canyon: Requires a specific trick or a powerful character to bypass the titular Troll.
- The Ruined Monastery: Crawling with dangerous Snappers and requires careful combat.
- The Orc Graveyard: The most dangerous location, filled with high-level undead.
This path creates a natural difficulty curve, allowing you to level up and acquire better gear as you progress through the list. Attempting the Orc Graveyard first is a recipe for a quick death for most low-level characters.
Stone #1: The Cliffside Ruins (The Floating Stone)
This is the perfect starting point. The ruins are located on a high plateau directly north of the New Camp's rice fields. The primary threat here isn't a single boss but swarms of agile Harpies.
Getting There from the New Camp
Exit the New Camp through the main gate and head left, following the path that winds up into the mountains. You'll pass by some Scavengers and possibly a Wolf or two. Keep climbing, and you'll soon see ancient stone structures dotting the cliffside. This is your destination.
Navigating the Harpy Nests
The ruins are infested with Harpies. These flying creatures attack quickly and in groups. Don't let them surround you. A bow or crossbow is invaluable here, allowing you to pick them off from a distance before they can swarm you. If you're a melee character, use a fast weapon and try to lure them one or two at a time. Their nests often contain valuable eggs and other loot, so be sure to check them after the fights.
Solving the Teleport Puzzle
The Focus Stone is floating high in the air in the central chamber, seemingly unreachable. To get it, you need to use a series of three teleporter pads. The puzzle is one of logic; you must activate them in the correct sequence to reach the highest point. Experiment with the pads—each one will teleport you to another platform within the ruins. One of these sequences will place you on the final platform, directly above the Focus Stone. Simply drop down to collect it. A teleport pad on the ground floor will then take you safely back to the entrance.
Stone #2: The Swamp Fortress (The Sunken Stone)
Your next target is deep within the swamp, south of the Old Camp. The journey there is as dangerous as the destination, filled with Swamp Sharks and Bloodflies. Bring potions.
Your Route Through the Swamp
Starting from the Old Camp's southern gate, follow the path that leads towards the swamp. You'll pass by the woodcutters' camp. As the environment gets marshy, stick to the solid ground as much as possible to avoid getting bogged down. Bloodflies are a nuisance; take them out from a distance if you can. The real threat is the Swamp Sharks, which patrol the deeper waters. They are fast, hit hard, and are best avoided or fought on land where they are less mobile.
Finding the Winch and Raising the Stone
The fortress is a crumbling ruin in the middle of a large body of water. You'll need to swim to it, so watch for sharks. Once inside, you'll find the Focus Stone is submerged in the central chamber, held on a platform below the water. To raise it, you need to operate a rusty winch on the upper level. Of course, the winch is broken and missing a cog.
Your task is to find this missing winch cog. It's typically located in a chest somewhere within the fortress ruins. Search all the side rooms and crumbling towers. Once you find the cog, return to the winch, repair it, and turn it. This will raise the platform from the water, allowing you to claim the second Focus Stone.
Stone #3: The Troll Canyon (The Guarded Stone)
This stone is located west of the Old Camp, in a canyon famously guarded by a colossal, black-furred Troll. Direct combat is suicide for most players, but thankfully, there are smarter ways to handle this beast.
How to Get Past the Troll
As you approach the canyon, you'll see the Troll blocking the path. Do not try to fight it head-on unless you are exceptionally high-level. The creature's fists can kill you in a single blow. There are two main strategies to get past it:
- The Smart Way (Scrolls): The easiest method is to use a "Shrink Monster" scroll. This will reduce the mighty Troll to a harmless, miniature version of itself that you can either kill in one hit or simply run past. You can often buy these scrolls from merchants, like Cronos in the New Camp.
- The Agile Way (Bait and Run): If you don't have a scroll, you can try to bait the Troll into an attack and then sprint past it while it's in its recovery animation. This is risky and requires good timing, but it's a viable option for nimble characters.
The Goblins in the Cave
Once you're past the Troll, you'll enter a small cave system. This area is inhabited by a handful of Goblins. Compared to the Troll, they are a minor threat, but they can be dangerous in groups. Dispatch them carefully and proceed deeper into the cave.
Grabbing the Stone from the Pedestal
At the very back of the cave, you will find the Focus Stone sitting plainly on a stone pedestal. There are no further tricks or puzzles here. The Troll was the real test. Grab the stone and backtrack out of the canyon, again being mindful of the Troll on your way out (if you didn't kill it).
Stone #4: The Ruined Monastery (The Vine-Covered Stone)
Located on a foggy island north of the swamp, this ruined monastery is now home to packs of vicious Snappers and other dangerous beasts. It's a straightforward combat challenge.
The Path from the Swamp Camp
Your best starting point is the Sect Camp in the swamp. Head north from their main gate, past the swamp itself, and look for a path leading into a misty, forested area. The atmosphere will change, becoming darker and more oppressive. You'll know you're in the right place when you start seeing the tell-tale signs of Snappers.
Fighting Snappers and Stone Golems
This area is a pure combat trial. Snappers are fast, aggressive, and often attack in packs of two or three. Use your best combat skills to take them down—parrying and dodging are essential. Deeper within the monastery grounds, you may also encounter a Stone Golem. These constructs are highly resistant to blade weapons. A heavy mace, warhammer, or magical attacks are your best bet against a Golem.
Locating the Hidden Chamber
The Focus Stone isn't out in the open. You need to search the monastery ruins for a hidden chamber. Look for a collapsed wall or a section of the floor that looks weak. Interacting with a loose brick or a hidden switch will often reveal a secret passage. This passage leads down into a crypt where the fourth Focus Stone awaits, usually on an old altar.
Stone #5: The Orc Graveyard (The Cursed Stone)
This is, by far, the most challenging of the five locations. The Orc Graveyard is an underground network of tombs filled with Skeleton warriors and, most terrifyingly, Undead Orcs. You should only attempt this after completing the other four and gaining several levels.
The Hidden Entrance
The entrance is not obvious. It's a cave located in the mountains that separate the Old Camp from the Orc Lands. A good landmark is the bridge leading to the Free Mine. Instead of crossing the bridge, search the nearby mountain face for a cave entrance. It's dark and unassuming, but it leads down into the dreaded graveyard.
Surviving the Undead Orcs and Skeletons
Be prepared for a fight from the moment you enter. The corridors are patrolled by Skeletons and Skeleton Mages, which can be tough opponents. The real danger, however, are the Undead Orcs. These reanimated warriors are incredibly powerful, retaining the strength of a living Orc but with none of the fear. They are relentless and can easily overwhelm you. Use every tool at your disposal: powerful spells, your best weapons, and transformation scrolls if you have them.
The Final Chamber and the Stone
After fighting your way through the labyrinthine tombs, you will reach a large, central chamber. This is the heart of the graveyard and is usually guarded by the strongest group of enemies in the dungeon. After you have cleared the room, you will find the final Focus Stone. Claiming it is a testament to your strength and perseverance.
What Happens After You Have All Five Stones?
With all five Focus Stones in your possession, your monumental task is complete. Return to Saturas at the New Camp. He will be immensely pleased with your success. The Water Mages will then prepare for the Great Invocation at the site of the ancient stone circle (the one near the Troll Canyon).
You will escort them there, but the ritual doesn't go as planned. It triggers a massive vision from the Sleeper, the mysterious entity behind the Barrier's resilience. The vision reveals that the plan was flawed and points you in a new direction: to seek the guidance of the outcast Necromancer, Xardas. Your journey is far from over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Focus Stones in any order? Yes, the game doesn't force you into a specific sequence. However, the recommended order in this guide follows a natural difficulty curve that will make the overall quest much more manageable.
What's the best weapon to use against the Troll? Direct combat is not recommended. The easiest way to defeat the Troll is with a "Shrink Monster" spell scroll. For a Golem, blunt weapons like maces and hammers are far more effective than swords or axes.
Do I need to be a mage to get the stones? No. Any character, regardless of their faction or build (warrior, archer, mage), can complete this quest. Some challenges are easier for certain builds (e.g., mages against Golems), but there is always a way for any player to succeed.
What level should I be before starting the Focus Stone quest? It's best to start this quest line around level 10-12. By the time you reach the final stone in the Orc Graveyard, you should ideally be closer to level 20 to handle the intense combat encounters.
A Final Word
Retrieving the five Focus Stones is a rite of passage for any player in Gothic. It transforms you from a simple survivor into a key player in the Colony's fate. It forces you to explore the entire map, master the combat system, and overcome some of the game's toughest challenges. Good luck.