How to Get a Map in Gothic 1 Remake Without Getting Ripped Off
Stepping into the Colony without any sense of direction is a fantastic way to end up as scavenger food.
Games usually hand you a compass and a minimap before you even finish the tutorial. Gothic 1 Remake takes a much harsher route. You get absolutely nothing. Figuring out where you're going requires finding a physical map and paying for it with your own hard-earned ore nuggets. It's a rough welcome to the valley. The good news is you can grab one very early on. You just need to know exactly who to talk to so you don't drain your wallet before your adventure even begins.
Surviving the Walk to the Old Camp
Before you can go shopping, you need to actually reach the town in one piece. Start by exhausting every single dialogue option with Diego right after your intro. He dumps a lot of useful lore on you. Once he's done talking, head downhill following the dirt road. You'll spot a few Scavengers wandering around. If you need some early cash, go ahead and beat them down for loot to sell later. If you're already hurting for health, just run right past them.
Keep your eyes peeled for a bridge on the left side of the path. You'll see two guards posted up there. Walk across it and keep following the road straight to the main entrance of the Old Camp. The guards at the gate will stop you. Just drop Diego's name and tell them you want to enter. They'll wave you right through without any extra hassle.
Where to Find the Map Sellers
Once you're inside the walls, you have a choice to make. There are two different guys selling maps. One of them is the official cartographer, and the other is a market vendor who completely undercuts him. I highly suggest taking the extra walk to save your ore.
Tracking Down Dexter
Dexter is your best bet for getting the lay of the land cheaply. To find him, start at the north gate where you just came in. Look toward the castle entrance and take a right. Follow that path past the water and Gravo's shack. Keep hugging the exterior wall of the castle until you see the market area marked by hanging cloth coverings. Dexter usually hangs out on the right side by the pelt racks during the day. Hand him 24 ore nuggets and the Colony map is yours.
Dealing with Graham
Graham is the official map maker, but his pricing is an absolute joke. He hangs out right near the north gate. Look for a guy in basic digger clothes with a short black beard who's usually stirring a cooking pot. He wants 44 ore for the exact same Colony map Dexter sells. Unless you enjoy throwing your currency away, ignore him entirely.
Which Maps Are Actually Worth Buying
Getting the main Colony map is practically mandatory, but you can safely ignore the rest of the inventory. Graham tries to sell a map specifically for the Old Camp. Save your 35 ore. The camp is just a ring of wooden shacks built around a central castle. You'll memorize the entire layout in about ten minutes of walking around.
Later on, you'll see vendors selling specialized maps with quest markers drawn on them. A good example is the map showing the old mine for Diego's Test of Faith quest. I strongly advise against buying these. The base Colony map gives you a great overhead view, and the game lets you drop your own custom markers anywhere you want. Use those free custom pins to remember important spots instead of paying locals for information you can track yourself. If you're coming up short on ore for that first purchase, just spend a few minutes cracking open chests or farming Scavengers outside the walls.
