Quake’s Dawn of the Machine expansion has a huge number of secrets spread across its levels. Many of them are hidden behind shootable panels, tricky jumps, underwater passages, destructible walls, switches, and environmental puzzles.
There is also an important twist: Runes can change previously completed levels, opening up additional secrets and even secret levels. Because of this, some secrets cannot be collected during your first visit.
This guide covers the known secrets from the opening level through MAP8: The Sacrifice, including the two secret levels The Haunted Tower and The Crooked Village.
Quake Dawn of the Machine Secrets Guide (October 2026)
The expansion is structured differently from a normal Quake episode.
After completing the first part of the campaign, you obtain the Rune of Sacrifice. Returning to earlier maps with the rune can reveal new areas, upgrades, and secret paths that were previously inaccessible.
Keep this in mind while working through the guide. If you cannot reach a particular secret during your first run, you may simply need to return to the level later.
START: The Thirtieth Passing
The opening area does not contain traditional numbered secrets, but there are several hidden areas worth finding.
Extra Secret 1
Cross the bridge at the beginning and find the door marked EA, which takes you toward Easy difficulty.
Go through the door and shoot the explosive crates on the left. Destroying them opens access to a small room containing ammunition.
Reward: 2× ammunition pickups
Extra Secret 2
Return to the bridge and enter the door marked NO for Normal difficulty.
Look to the right for a red X painted on the wall. Shoot it to reveal a hidden area.
Extra Secret 3
Return toward the bridge entrance and jump onto the chain on the right side.
Carefully climb the chain until you reach the platform containing the Silver Keycard.
After dropping back down, use the other chain to reach the nearby platform and enter the Silver Keycard door.
Go through the first HA door. When you reach the dead Ranger, look over the right-hand edge and drop onto the metal platform below.
Find the opening in the wall and follow the beams into the area above the room from Extra Secret 1. Carefully jump between the beams until you reach an opening leading outside.
Drop to the floor and enter the nearby door. Inside you’ll find ammunition and, beyond another door, a Nailgun.
Reward: 2× ammunition pickups and Nailgun
Extra Secret 4 — Nightmare Difficulty
Return to the Silver Keycard area and go through the first HA door again.
Before entering the second HA door, look to the right for a broken pipe. Jump inside it to be launched onto a ledge.
Run off the ledge onto the giant Quake symbol and collect the Biosuit.
Below you is a circular pool of slime. Drop into it and swim through the tunnel until you reach an elevator.
Ride the elevator upward and continue until you find the NM door.
Enter it and carefully pass the red laser trap. Exit the level to unlock Nightmare Difficulty.
Reward: Nightmare Difficulty
MAP1: Through the First Arch
Total: 6 main secrets + additional upgrade secrets
Secret 1
In the first room containing the Health Capacity Upgrade, shoot the computer monitor.
This activates a nearby hidden wall, revealing the secret area.
Secret 2
When you reach the outdoor section with large metal platforms above the water, jump into the water.
Swim underneath the central metal platform and look upward. You’ll find a square opening containing the secret Green Armor.
Secret 3
In the same outdoor water area, locate the underwater opening nearby.
Swim through it and activate the diamond-shaped button to lower an elevator.
Ride the elevator upward, then jump onto the nearby ledge containing several Armor Shards.
Shoot the bloody wall panel to reveal a hidden Megahealth. After collecting it, carefully drop onto the nearby crate to reach another Armor Shard.
Reward: 4× Armor Shards and Megahealth
Secret 4
After passing a Rune of Sacrifice Door, you’ll reach the upper part of a room with shallow water underneath.
Make a running jump onto the two crates sitting in the water. From there, jump onto the nearby platform to collect the secret items.
Extra Secret — Shell Capacity Upgrade
In the room containing the Silver Keycard Door, look for a large bloodstain on the floor in a corner.
Shoot it to reveal a hole leading to a lower section.
Inside you’ll find a Shell Capacity Upgrade.
Secret 5
After collecting the Silver Keycard from the top of the large dam, drop into the water on the left side.
Look for pipes in the corner and swim behind them to enter the hidden area.
Extra Secret — Nail Capacity Upgrade
Return to the top of the dam and go through the door.
Turn right and look for a square opening on the left wall. Enter it to drop into an earlier section.
From there you can reach the Nail Capacity Upgrade that may have been visible earlier.
Secret 6
Near the level exit you’ll encounter a large group of Enforcers.
Look inside the far-left room where some of them emerged. Find the square opening in the wall and enter it.
Follow the thin ledge along the wall until you reach another opening. Continue through it to reach the final secret.
MAP2: Dawn of the All Mother
12 secrets
Secret 1
After jumping from the window into the ocean, swim left along the wall.
Find the underwater pipe and follow it back into the castle.
Continue through the nearby entrance and climb the stairs.
You’ll see a Grenade Launcher. Just beside it is a blocked alcove. Shoot the obstruction to reveal the secret.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 2
Return to the ocean and locate the castle entrance that requires you to swim underneath.
Immediately look to the right for a small opening leading into a large pipe.
Swim upward through the pipe to find a room containing a Biosuit.
Return to the pipe and swim all the way toward the bottom. Continue through it while watching for an opening above you.
Surface inside the secret area.
Don’t continue toward the four-rune door, or you’ve gone too far.
Reward: 2× pickups and Nail Capacity Upgrade
Secret 3
Return to the ocean section and enter the next part of the castle.
While climbing the stairs toward the Silver Key, look for a pile of crates on the left.
Jump onto the crates and move behind the staircase to find the secret.
Secret 4
After collecting the Gold Key and surviving the arena encounter, you’ll enter a large room containing a huge funnel.
Take the first door on the left and climb the stairs to reach the secret.
Secret 5
Return to the large funnel room.
Instead of following the normal route, make a running jump directly into the funnel.
An underwater tunnel inside leads to the secret.
Secret 6
After leaving Secret 5, return to the funnel room.
Follow the corridor toward the elevator where you originally found the Gold Key.
The elevator has been replaced by a small corridor leading to a new secret area.
Secret 7
After opening the Gold Key Door, you’ll enter a flooded section containing numerous Zombies.
A Green Armor is visible behind metal bars.
Instead of approaching it directly, go around the structure and enter the water. Follow the route around the corner to reach the back entrance.
Secret 8
Eventually you’ll reach a large outdoor village with a stone angel statue.
To the right of the statue is a door covered in red marks.
Shoot the door to reveal the hidden room.
Secret 9
After climbing the stairs, you’ll reach a platform behind the angel statue.
Look at the wall on the left for a red pentagram.
Shoot it to open access to a hidden outdoor ledge.
Reward: 5× pickups
Extra Secret — Rocket Capacity Upgrade
While passing several windows, look outside and you’ll notice a Rocket Capacity Upgrade sitting on a roof.
Make the required jump from the window to reach the roof and collect it.
Secret 10
On the outer battlements, you’ll see a Super Nailgun sitting on a crumbling wall.
Shoot the nearby bloody door to open access to it.
Secret 11
Look for a large pile of crates covering a staircase.
Use the crooked floor section to jump onto the nearby brazier, then onto the first crate.
From there, jump across the crates and climb to the top to reach the secret.
Secret 12
Before dropping into the large arena filled with dead bodies, look for stacked crates beside a closed double door.
Jump over the crates from the stairs, then continue through the windows to reach an exterior ledge.
Reward: 2× pickups
MAP2B: Into the Abyss of Time
13 secrets
This map introduces several puzzles involving time-shifting mechanics.
Secret 1
Before entering the elevator with the orange button, look along the wall for a thin platform.
Shoot the faint red switch and quickly cross the narrow platform before the door closes.
Secret 2
Find the large overhead crusher.
On the right side are two thin windows containing shootable switches.
Activate the crusher and retreat. When it rises, quickly move underneath it and shoot one of the targets.
A nearby door will open, allowing you to enter the secret room.
Defeating the enemies inside disables the crusher.
Secret 3
Stand underneath the inactive crusher and look over the edge.
You’ll see a metal platform below.
Drop onto it, then jump across to the second platform to reach the secret.
Reward: 4× pickups
Secret 4
You’ll eventually encounter a large double-wall crusher.
Thin platforms along its sides allow you to climb upward.
The Silver Key is located on the left side, but for the secret you need to climb quickly and reach the top of the right side.
Activate the floor switch there.
Drop back down and look for a gargoyle panel that moves aside, revealing the secret.
Secret 5
After opening the Silver Key Door, immediately enter the door on the left.
Climb the stairs to find a Health Capacity Upgrade.
Secret 6
Return to the Silver Key Door and look nearby for a bloody gargoyle face.
Shoot it to open the hidden area.
Secret 7
Shortly after passing another Rune of Sacrifice Door, look for a second bloody gargoyle face.
Shoot it to reveal a Quad Damage pickup.
This is particularly useful for the arena encounter ahead.
Secret 8
After the arena, you’ll ride a pillar upward.
Nearby you’ll see a Rocket Capacity Upgrade behind bars.
The wall contains two groups of three targets. Shoot the middle target in the first group to reveal the other two, then quickly shoot all three.
Repeat the process with the second group.
The bars will open.
Reward: Rocket Capacity Upgrade
Secret 9
After using the ring to travel to the future, immediately turn around.
Return toward the area associated with Secret 8.
Drop down behind the room into the water to discover another hidden area.
Secret 10
Return to the overhead crusher from Secrets 2 and 3.
In the future, the crusher is supported by metal beams.
Look over the edge and drop toward the location where the metal platform from Secret 3 was found.
The lava is now water, allowing you to reach the old secret location and collect the new item.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 11
Return to the double-wall crusher from Secret 4.
In the future it is broken and blocked by metal bars.
Climb to the top and move toward the left side.
Drop into the water below instead of taking the normal entrance to find additional items.
Secret 12
After returning to the past, you’ll face two bridges.
The Gold Key is on the right bridge, but take the left bridge instead.
A gargoyle panel will lower as you approach, giving access to a room containing a floor switch.
This resets the nearby lava arena.
The stairs also provide a route back to the Time Ring: Future.
Reward: 4× pickups
Secret 13
After defeating the miniboss and shifting into the future again, you’ll reach the end of the map.
Don’t enter the red Slipgate immediately.
Instead, climb the stairs on the right to find a Nail Capacity Upgrade.
MAP3: Veils of the Old Ones
13 secrets
Secret 1
After entering the facility, take the left route near the Yellow Armor.
You’ll see what appears to be lava flowing around a small corridor.
The lava is actually a hologram. Walk through it to discover the secret.
Reward: 4× pickups
Secret 2
After passing through the damaged wall and reaching the room with bunk beds, find the shower area.
Press the unusual button to move a section of the wall behind the Double-barrelled Shotgun.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 3
Find the small lift with a crate on it.
Ride the lift upward and step off.
Turn around and shoot the grey panel at the top of the elevator shaft.
Jump onto the crate while the lift is positioned correctly, then use it to reach the opening.
Secret 4
Ride the same lift upward and continue to the end of the corridor.
Look upward for a red shootable button.
Shoot it to move the wall and reveal a large secret room.
Extra Secret
Near the Rune of Sacrifice Door, activate the red diamond button to reveal a large teleporter.
Enter it to reach a hidden enemy encounter containing an upgrade.
Reward: Nail Capacity Upgrade
Secret 5
Return to the teleporter from the previous secret.
This time, go around the back before entering it.
You’ll be transported to a mysterious island containing enemies and several items.
Reward: Multiple pickups and Health Capacity Upgrade
Secret 6
After removing the large chain plug from the floor, drop to the lower level.
Behind you is a dark corridor filled with boxes.
Move up the left side of the boxes to find the hidden item.
Reward: Rocket Capacity Upgrade
Secret 7
Near the Gold Keycard Door, look right for an open vent.
Enter it and follow the passage.
Shoot the dark wall behind the Nails to open the secret.
Secret 8
In the room with slime in the center, move around the room toward the upper corner near the Large Shells.
Look upward for a square opening containing a red shootable button.
Shoot it to move the nearby wall and reveal a Biosuit.
Secret 9
After collecting the Biosuit, quickly enter the slime.
Swim through it and surface inside a small room containing the secret.
Secret 10
After opening the Silver Keycard Door, look over the side of the bridge.
Drop onto the metal platform underneath to find the secret.
Reward: 4× pickups
Secret 11
While descending the stairs into the ruins, look for a stained-glass window on the left.
Across from it is a red shootable button.
Shoot it to move the window and open the secret.
Reward: Cell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 12
At the bottom of the ruins, after collecting the Gold Keycard, search for three red shootable buttons.
Shoot the first two, then move around the corner and activate the third.
A teleporter will appear in the center of the floor.
Enter it to be transported to a grave.
Shoot your way out of the grave and you’ll emerge outside a strange castle filled with enemies and items.
Reward: Multiple ammunition and item pickups
Secret 13
Remain in the secret area from Secret 12.
Shoot the nearby grave to uncover additional health.
Reward: 2× health pickups
MAP4: Of Shattered Minds
13 secrets
Secret 1
At the starting area, drop down toward the Yellow Armor.
Turn around and shoot the red button behind you.
Enter the teleporter, then drop through the nearby hole to land on the secret.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 2
Take the left door from the starting area.
You’ll eventually reach a room containing four stained-glass windows, one of which is broken.
Clear the explosive crates with grenades, then use the nearby crates to jump through the broken window.
Reward: 3× pickups, 3× pickups and Rocket Capacity Upgrade
Extra Secret 1
While inside Secret 2, look in the corner opposite the orange button.
You’ll find a small underwater tunnel.
Swim through it to collect the hidden items.
Reward: 6× pickups
Secret 3
Find the small staircase with several crates beside it.
A narrow gap between the top of the stairs and the crates leads downward.
Drop through it to find the secret.
Secret 4
After climbing the large stairs containing nail traps, look for a bloody gargoyle face beside a Quad Damage pickup.
Shoot it to open the secret.
Secret 5
The second gargoyle face in this area can also be opened.
Stand in front of it and look upward for the red shootable button.
Shoot it to move the gargoyle panel.
Secret 6
After passing through the first moving-wall section, look upward.
Shoot the bloody panel to drop a Quad Damage pickup.
Secret 7
Ignore the lava raft initially.
Instead, climb the stairs and activate the floor switch.
This raises the bars and allows you to return to the upper platform.
Cross the platforms above the lava and carefully jump through the holes in the moving walls.
The secret is beyond them.
Reward: 5× pickups and Health Capacity Upgrade
Secret 8
Return to the pillars above the lava.
This time, jump through the translucent stained-glass window on the left.
Secret 9
While riding the lava raft, look to the upper-left for a red shootable button.
Shoot it and climb the stairs around the side.
Use the rising lava rafts to reach the platform containing the secret.
You can also jump to nearby crates to collect the Red Armor.
Secret 10
Return to the starting room and take the other path.
Near the Silver Keycard you’ll find a broken bridge.
Drop onto the stones protruding from the lava beneath it.
Shoot the nearby red button to move the wall and open the secret.
Extra Secret 2
Continue until you reach a dark room filled with crates.
A Cell Capacity Upgrade can be seen on an upper ledge.
Jump across the crates to reach it.
Reward: Cell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 11
After opening the Gold & Silver Key Door, cross the thin wooden planks.
You’ll enter a room containing several wall-mounted nail traps.
Look between the traps for a grey square on the floor.
Stand on it and shoot it to raise yourself to the upper ledge containing the secret.
Secret 12
At the upper battlements, locate the large stack of crates.
Make the difficult jump from the battlements behind the crates to reach the hidden area.
Reward: Nail Capacity Upgrade
Secret 13 — Secret Level
Return to the upper battlements and go around the corner.
Look down through the broken section of wall.
A ledge below leads to a hidden passage containing the secret exit.
This takes you to Secret Level 6: The Haunted Tower.
SECRET6: The Haunted Tower
3 secrets
This secret level uses four shifting versions of the same environment:
- Bright
- Toxic
- Hellish
- Arcane
Secret 1
After navigating the tower maze, you’ll enter a bridge room where moving around changes the current dimension.
Move toward the middle of the bridge to enter the Toxic version.
Don’t continue forward, or you’ll shift into the Hellish version.
Instead, jump across the crates on the right and reach the opposite corner.
From there, jump to the crates and collect the Shell Capacity Upgrade.
Shoot the center vent panel and enter it to reach the actual secret.
When you leave, you’ll shift into the Arcane version and can collect a Megahealth.
Reward: 2× pickups, Shell Capacity Upgrade and Megahealth
Secret 2
Remain in the bridge room and continue until you enter the Hellish dimension.
A Yellow Armor is nearby, but approaching it causes another dimension shift.
Instead, head toward the exit to return to the Bright dimension.
Turn around and return to the corner.
Jump onto the nearby crate and shoot the vent on the right.
Enter the hidden area to collect ammunition.
When leaving, you’ll shift back into the Hellish dimension, placing you near the Yellow Armor.
Extra Secret
In the next section, begin in the Bright dimension.
Don’t walk across the central staircase platform yet.
Instead, walk around it to find a Health Capacity Upgrade behind it.
After collecting it, cross the stairs to shift into the Toxic dimension.
You’ll find a Nail Capacity Upgrade in the next corridor.
Secret 3
In the final room, you’ll see the large exit portal.
Every time you approach it, the room shifts into another version with additional enemies.
After the third shift, don’t enter the portal.
Turn around and try to leave through the door you originally entered from.
The door will now open into a new room containing the final secret.
MAP5: Requiem
13 secrets
Secret 1
When you see an arrow pointing downward, don’t drop down immediately.
Shoot the wall beside the red pentagram crate to reveal a hidden area.
Secret 2
After swimming into the next building, find the large orange button.
Just to its right is a small brick sticking out of the wall.
Push or shoot the brick to move the nearby wall.
Secret 3
After reaching the upper outdoor walkway, follow the path left of the leafy ruined building.
Go underneath the blue beam and climb the stairs into the building.
You’ll find a secret upgrade and a shortcut back toward the beginning.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 4
Return to the stairs leading to Secret 3.
Look for another red pentagram crate on a ledge.
Jump over to it and climb the wall behind it.
At the top you’ll find the secret items.
Secret 5
Remain on the roof from Secret 4.
Drop onto the blue beam and jump toward the leafy wall.
Continue across the roof and onto another blue beam.
The Quad Damage is hidden behind the leaves.
Secret 6
After emerging from the water onto the top of the dam, look down for a wooden elevator.
Drop down and ride it upward.
Follow the wall to the left and jump across the different sections until you reach a window.
Jump through the window to enter the secret room.
Secret 7
Return to the elevator and ride it upward again.
This time follow the wall in the opposite direction.
You’ll find the secret items around the corner.
Reward: Rocket Capacity Upgrade
Secret 8
Continue until you find the Gold Key beside the Silver Key Door.
A red pentagram crate is nearby.
Use the wall to jump onto it and activate the nearby wall mechanism.
Secret 9
In the same area, collect the nearby Nail Capacity Upgrade.
Continue around the balcony and look over the edge.
Drop onto the wall below and follow it around to find the secret.
Reward: Nail Capacity Upgrade
Secret 10
Return to the balcony.
Drop onto the leafy roof near the metal chain.
Run along the chain and make the difficult jump onto the corner of another leafy building.
Jump through the nearby tower window to reach the secret.
Secret 11
After opening the Gold Key Door, descend the stairs into the water.
Turn right and follow the green ledge around the corner to reach the secret.
Secret 12
After climbing several ramps, you’ll reach a double door underneath dead trees.
Drop from the left side onto the platform below.
Jump across to the nearby ledge to find the secret.
Reward: Cell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 13
After opening the Silver Key Door, stop before climbing the wooden planks.
Look at the stone wall on the left.
A slightly offset section can be shot to reveal the final secret.
MAP6: The Matriarch of Decay
13 secrets
Secret 1
Enter the large jail area and turn right.
Shoot the bricked-up alcove to open the room behind it.
Reward: 2× two types of pickups
Secret 2
In the outdoor water area, swim toward the far corner.
Find the sunken structure and look inside for a red shootable button.
Shoot it, then follow the chain outside toward another structure.
The bars blocking this structure will have moved, allowing access to the secret.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 3
After climbing the side of the cliff, head left.
Drop down near the staircase beside the building.
At the top, look behind the crates for leaves covering a hidden entrance.
Secret 4
After reaching the long bridge with crenellations, find the damaged section.
A destroyed tower nearby can be used as a platform.
Jump onto the broken stonework and cross the damaged flying buttress.
This takes you back into the upper section of the starting jail.
Activate the orange button to open the bars below.
One of the rooms contains the secret.
Reward: 2× pickups
Secret 5
After crossing the long bridge, take the right-hand path through the leaf-covered cave.
Enter the building through the hole on the right.
Inside you’ll find a Megahealth and activate a shortcut lift.
Extra Secret — Ring of Shadows
From Secret 5, go outside onto the roof.
Carefully move around the roof and look behind one of the supports.
A hidden Ring of Shadows is waiting there.
Secret 6
Return to the area outside Secret 5.
Find the circular window and move to its left.
Pass through the leaves to enter the secret room.
Secret 7
Inside the room from Secret 6, look upward for a red shootable button.
Shoot it to shift the floor, causing you to fall into another secret.
Reward: 2× pickups and Rocket Capacity Upgrade
Secret 8 — Secret Level
To the left of the main castle entrance is a small passage.
When you see a circular window, look outside for a red button behind another circular window.
Shoot it to open the double doors far below.
Go down and enter the newly opened route to reach the secret exit for Secret Level 4: The Crooked Village.
Secret 9
In the underground red dungeon, activate the floor button to lower the central platform.
Stand on it and look upward for a red shootable button.
Shoot it to open one of the cells.
Secret 10
Inside the cell from Secret 9, look upward for another red button.
Shoot it to reach a strange secret area containing a Rottweiler.
Collect the Health Capacity Upgrade to complete the secret.
There is also a hidden consequence here: killing the dog adds an additional trap later, where you can be attacked by several Grenade Rottweilers.
Reward: 2× pickups and Health Capacity Upgrade
Secret 11
Near the red dungeon is a large cargo lift carrying three crates.
Ride it to the top and step off.
Allow it to return to its lower position.
On the upper floor, activate the orange button and quickly jump onto the stack of crates.
The crates will raise you high enough to reach the upper ledge containing the secret.
Secret 12
After entering the main castle, you’ll see a huge staircase.
Jump over its side to reach the hidden area behind it.
Take the elevator upward to find the secret.
Secret 13
Near the normal exit portal, go outside onto the nearby balcony.
Look across the level for three red shootable buttons:
- One is embedded in a building on the right.
- One is on the floor below.
- One is underneath a large window on the left.
Shoot all three.
Turn around and enter the newly opened secret area.
Reward: Nail Capacity Upgrade
Important: At this point, you can either use the normal level exit or return to Secret 8 and take the secret exit to The Crooked Village.
SECRET4: The Crooked Village
The Crooked Village contains several upgrades that are relatively easy to find during normal exploration.
Extra Upgrades
Make your way toward the central tower with the spiral staircase.
You’ll find the Nail Capacity Upgrade there.
Cross the small curved bridge connected to the spiral tower to find the Shell Capacity Upgrade.
Reach the upper room to find the Health Capacity Upgrade near the Silver Key.
After entering the Silver Key Door, descend into the lower levels to find the Rocket Capacity Upgrade near the Rocket Launcher.
Available upgrades:
- Shell Capacity Upgrade
- Nail Capacity Upgrade
- Rocket Capacity Upgrade
- Health Capacity Upgrade
Secret 1
Near the end of the level, you’ll jump over lava toward the exit portal.
Before leaving, turn around and look beneath the broken bridge.
You’ll see a red shootable button.
Shoot it to activate a nearby wall and reveal a teleporter.
Use the teleporter and you’ll be presented with three choices:
- Ring of Shadows
- Pentagram
- Quad Damage
Choose one.
You’ll then be transported to the top of a tower containing numerous items, followed by a major enemy encounter.
MAP7: Revelation of the Arcane
15 secrets
Secret 1
After descending the spiral staircase, shoot the picture of the castle above the bookcase.
This moves a nearby wall and reveals the secret.
While inside, make sure you also shoot the red button behind the bars. This is required for a later secret.
Secret 2
In the large entrance hall, go down the left side of the main staircase.
Look for a rectangular wall panel and shoot it to open the secret.
Secret 3
From Secret 2, use the Axe on the bloody door.
If you activated the red button in Secret 1, the bars will also lower, giving you access to another room.
Reward: Health Capacity Upgrade
Secret 4
After climbing the entrance hall stairs, turn left and follow the corridor.
You’ll see an Ogre above a brick wall.
Look for a protruding brick and strike it with the Axe to move the wall.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 5
After falling into the blood water beneath the dead Ranger, escape through the small vent.
Immediately strike the panel on the left side of the vent to reveal the secret.
Secret 6
In the outdoor bridge area, drop into the water.
Find the entrance covered with leaves and enter it.
Shoot the cog panel beside the orange button to access the secret.
Reward: Nail Capacity Upgrade
Secret 7
In the room featuring the large woman-with-sword decoration, strike the decoration with the Axe.
This reveals the secret.
Reward: 4× pickups
Secret 8
After riding the elevator upward, look left.
You’ll see a small waterfall.
Walk directly through it to find the hidden area.
Secret 9
Immediately after reaching the outside area, look down to the lower-left.
You’ll see bubbles in the water.
Swim down to discover a small underwater cache.
Secret 10
Near the Gold Key is an outdoor crypt.
Look through the crack in its wall and shoot the red button.
This opens the way forward.
After leaving the crypt, a distant door will explode and Zombies will attack.
Continue past the destroyed door to find additional Rockets.
Reward: 2× pickups and Rocket Capacity Upgrade
Secret 11
Continue upward toward the upper section.
Jump onto the stack of crates, turn around and run along the wall.
From there, jump to the small ledge beside the building.
The entrance will open automatically.
Secret 12
After climbing through the window, you’ll enter a room containing a fireplace.
Use the Axe on the wall behind the fireplace.
This reveals a secret and creates a shortcut back toward the starting area.
Secret 13
After collecting the Silver Key in the library, climb the stairs.
Jump onto the nearby bookshelf and then across to the next one.
Use the stack of books to reach the upper ledge.
Activate the bloody panel to move the nearby wall.
Secret 14
After opening the Silver Key Door, interact with the purple book on the left bookshelf.
Enter the hidden room and shoot the vent panel.
Then shoot the target button behind it.
This opens a nearby hole containing the secret.
Secret 15
After teleporting into the high-tech area with the forcefield and containment unit, look for three target buttons.
Shoot:
- The button in the center opposite the forcefield.
- The button in the corner left of the containment unit.
- The button in the opposite corner to the right of the containment unit.
The containment unit opens, releasing the Vores while also allowing you to collect the secret.
Reward: Cell Upgrade Pack
MAP8: The Sacrifice
7 secrets + extra secrets
This is an important map because completing it ultimately gives you the Rune of Sacrifice, which changes what you can discover when revisiting earlier maps.
Extra Secret 1
In the second room, shoot the middle window.
This reveals extra Nails.
Jump from the top of the nearby stairs to collect them.
Secret 1
Reach the large shallow pool of blood water and descend the winding staircase.
You’ll find an elevator activated by an Axe button.
Strike the button and immediately move away. The elevator will rise without you.
A hole in the elevator allows you to enter it.
Strike the Axe button again to send the elevator underground and access the secret.
Reward: Rocket Capacity Upgrade
Extra Secret 2
While underground, repeat the elevator trick.
Strike the Axe button and move away to send the lift upward.
You’ll find another Axe button.
Activating it drops you into a trap that effectively punishes you for trying to take more than you should.
Reward: 2× pickups
Secret 2
You’ll enter a large room with several panels overhead.
Most are covered with leaves, while one is blue.
Shoot the blue panel to begin a timed shooting challenge.
Quickly shoot the targets as they appear.
If you complete the challenge, the wall on the right moves and opens the secret.
Secret 3
At the bottom of the large room, find the tortured-face panel.
Shoot it to lower the nearby stairs and descend.
An Axe button will appear on the left.
Strike it to move the stairs you just used, revealing a hidden room behind them.
Secret 4
Continue through the tunnel from Secret 3.
You’ll encounter a difficult jumping section over slime.
The square platforms sink when you stand on them, so move quickly.
Reach the end of the challenge to collect the secret and a Nail Capacity Upgrade.
Reward: Multiple ammunition pickups and Nail Capacity Upgrade
Secret 5
Later, after taking an elevator downward, you’ll enter an arena containing Vores and Shamblers around a lava pit.
Defeat the enemies.
Then look at the sides of the pillars rising from the lava.
Shoot the two runic decorations.
A bridge will rise and a wall will move, opening the secret area.
Reward: Cell Capacity Upgrade
Secret 6
You’ll eventually see a Green Armor above a pool of blood water.
Don’t try to grab it immediately because doing so drops you into the room below.
Instead, look nearby for a crooked brick wall.
Shoot the wall to move it and enter the hidden room.
Extra Secret 3
Remain inside the room from Secret 6.
Wait for the crooked wall to reset.
Look inside the nook where the door moved to reveal a red shootable button.
Shoot it to activate an Axe-button elevator.
Ride it downward and you’ll eventually find a Health Capacity Upgrade sitting on an unusual altar.
Take the upgrade, but be prepared for an ambush.
Reward: 3× pickups and Health Capacity Upgrade
Secret 7
Return to the fake blood-water pool where the Green Armor was located.
Drop into the lower room and defeat the enemies.
Look for a nearby bloody gargoyle face.
Shoot it to reveal the final secret.
Reward: Shell Capacity Upgrade
Rune of Sacrifice
At the end of MAP8: The Sacrifice, you’ll finally obtain the Rune of Sacrifice.
This is an important progression point for Dawn of the Machine.
The rune allows you to return to previously completed levels and access areas that were previously blocked. These revisits can lead to:
- New secrets
- Additional weapon upgrades
- New paths
- Bonus areas
- Secret levels
- Further progression through the expansion’s rune system
So don’t assume you’ve completely cleared the earlier maps after your first playthrough. Revisit them after obtaining the Rune of Sacrifice and check previously inaccessible doors and routes.