Unlocking Maximilian in Orcs Must Die Deathtrap

Orcs Must Die: Deathtrap features an impressive roster of playable War Mages, each with unique abilities and playstyles. However, many players don’t realize that the game contains a seventh, hidden character waiting to be discovered. Maximilian, commonly referred to as Max, represents a powerful addition to your arsenal that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Unlike the starting War Mages available from the beginning, Max must be earned through a collection quest that takes place entirely within your home base, the Order Fortress.

This secret character isn’t just a cosmetic addition or a minor variant of existing heroes. Players who have unlocked Max consistently report that this character possesses exceptional capabilities that make the effort worthwhile. The unlock process, while straightforward, requires careful exploration and attention to detail as you search for five distinctive mirror shards scattered throughout the Order Fortress.

Understanding the Mirror Shard Collection System

The path to unlocking Maximilian revolves around a simple yet engaging mechanic: locating and collecting five blue, glowing mirror shards. These fragments are distributed across various locations within the Order Fortress, your primary hub area. Each shard represents a piece of a magical mirror that, when reassembled, triggers the unlock event for this secret character.

The brilliant design of this unlock system means you don’t need to complete challenging missions or achieve specific combat objectives. Instead, you can pursue this goal at your own pace during your downtime between actual gameplay sessions. This accessibility makes Maximilian achievable for players of all skill levels, from those just starting their journey to experienced veterans looking to round out their roster.

An important note: the locations of these shards were adjusted in Patch 1.0.7, making the collection process more accessible for newer players. Previously, obtaining one shard required advanced platforming techniques and specific character abilities. The developers recognized this barrier and relocated one shard to a more readily accessible location, ensuring that all players can reasonably obtain Max without excessive frustration.

The Five Shard Locations: A Comprehensive Breakdown

Success in collecting all five shards depends on knowing exactly where to look. While the Order Fortress may seem vast initially, these items are strategically placed in logical locations once you understand the layout. Below is a detailed exploration of each shard’s position:

First Shard: The Bedroom Area

Your first objective takes you directly to Maximilian’s personal quarters, located in the starting area of the Order Fortress. Head to the wooden staircase positioned immediately behind Max’s sleeping area. Ascending these stairs brings you to a landing overlooking his room. The first shard sits prominently on this upper platform, easily visible and accessible without any special abilities or difficult platforming. This initial shard serves as an excellent introduction to the collection quest, requiring nothing more than basic navigation skills.

Second Shard: The Central Area Ledge

From your position after collecting the first shard, descend the wooden stairs and turn right. You’ll notice a secondary staircase constructed of brick material. This passage leads upward to the second floor of the fortress in the central section. Once you’ve climbed these brick stairs and reached the upper level, turn your attention to your left side. The second shard awaits you in this open area, clearly visible against the fortress architecture. This shard continues the trend of accessible collection points, requiring standard movement rather than specialized jumps or character abilities.

Third Shard: The Forge Location

The third shard represents the repositioned fragment mentioned in the patch notes. Previously, this shard required players to use Kalos’s Slam Jump ability to reach an elevated ledge—a significant barrier for players not yet comfortable with advanced movement mechanics. The developer update changed this dramatically. Now, you can find this shard at ground level near the forge area, where you typically purchase and upgrade traps between mission runs.

Navigate to the forge and proceed through the interior space toward the back. Turn left upon exiting, and you’ll discover the third shard waiting in a corner near the door. This relocation exemplifies how the developers listened to community feedback and adjusted difficulty curves to make legendary characters more achievable for all player types.

The Weaver’s Balcony

Continuing your search, make your way to the Thread Weaver’s station within the Order Fortress. This merchant area features an outdoor balcony section on the back side of the building. The fourth shard can be found on this balcony, positioned in the open where you can access it freely. This location provides a nice change of scenery from the more interior fortress spaces, rewarding players with a view of the outer grounds while they complete their collection.

Fifth Shard: The Training Grounds Challenge

The final shard represents the most challenging collection point of the group, though it remains manageable with basic platforming skills. This shard sits on an elevated ledge within the training grounds, specifically in the eastern section of the complex. To reach it, you’ll need to perform a series of jumps across connected pillars. The sequence isn’t overly complex, but it does require some coordination and may take a few attempts to complete successfully.

Start by jumping onto the first pillar, then proceed sequentially across the remaining platforms. The spacing between pillars is forgiving, and the falls won’t result in damage—they simply reset your position. Take your time with each jump, and you’ll soon reach the upper ledge where the final shard rests. This capstone collection point provides just enough challenge to make the overall unlock feel earned without being prohibitively difficult.

Recommended Characters for Collection

While you can technically collect all five shards using any available War Mage, strategic character selection streamlines the process significantly. Two characters deserve particular attention for their mobility advantages:

Kalos: The Superior Choice

Kalos, the War Mage specialist in ranged combat, possesses a secondary ability called Slam Jump that provides exceptional vertical mobility. This leap ability makes reaching elevated platforms considerably easier and faster than attempting the same jumps with other characters. If you’re concerned about the platforming sections or simply want to optimize your collection speed, switching to Kalos before attempting the higher-altitude shards eliminates much of the difficulty. His ability extends your effective jump range and height, allowing you to reach areas that might otherwise require multiple attempts.

Alternative Options

While Kalos is optimal, other characters in your roster can successfully navigate the collection points. The important factor is understanding each character’s movement capabilities and selecting the tool best suited for each task. With practice, experienced players can complete the full collection using any character without frustration.

Maximilian’s Capabilities and Combat Effectiveness

After collecting all five shards and triggering the unlock sequence, you gain access to Maximilian as a playable War Mage. Community feedback consistently highlights that this character possesses exceptional balance and power, making the collection effort genuinely worthwhile from a gameplay perspective.

Maximilian doesn’t function as a gimmick or novelty character. Instead, he represents a legitimate strategic choice that competitive and casual players alike will find valuable. His inclusion in your available roster expands your tactical options, allowing you to select the optimal character for different mission types and challenge levels.

Achievement Integration

The unlock process ties directly to an in-game achievement titled “Daddy’s Home,” further motivating completion. Achievement hunters will appreciate this recognition, and the title’s connection to Maximilian adds a layer of narrative context to the unlock sequence. Pursuing this achievement provides a sense of accomplishment beyond simply gaining access to a new playable character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to complete any missions to unlock Max?

No. The entire collection process occurs within the Order Fortress during your downtime. No mission completion is required, making this achievable regardless of your progress through the main gameplay content.

Will the shards respawn if I miss them?

The shards remain in their locations permanently until collected. If you leave the Order Fortress without gathering all five, they’ll still be there when you return, allowing you to resume your search at any time.

How long does the complete collection typically take?

Most players can locate and collect all five shards within 15-20 minutes once they know the locations. Your first attempt may take longer as you explore and discover each position, but subsequent playthroughs move much faster.

Can I use any character to collect the shards?

Yes, though using Kalos significantly reduces the difficulty of the platforming sections. Other characters can complete the collection, but you may need more attempts on the final shard location.

What happens after I collect all five shards?

Upon collecting the final shard, the game displays an unlock notification for Maximilian. You can immediately select him as your active War Mage from the character selection screen, and you’ll notice the reassembled mirror appears in the training room as a visual confirmation of your accomplishment.

Strategic Timing and Optimization

Many players wonder whether they should unlock Max immediately or wait until later in their gameplay progression. The general recommendation is to pursue this unlock early, as Maximilian’s capabilities provide advantages across all mission types and difficulty levels. Early access to this character expands your strategic options and can make challenging content more manageable.

The collection process itself requires minimal time investment, so there’s no significant downside to completing it soon after starting the game. You can pursue this objective between mission runs without disrupting your primary progression through the campaign content.

Conclusion

Maximilian represents Orcs Must Die: Deathtrap’s primary hidden collectible achievement, rewarding exploratory players with a powerful character addition. The five-shard collection system balances accessibility with a satisfying sense of discovery, ensuring that all players can reasonably obtain this secret War Mage. Whether you’re an achievement hunter, a completionist, or simply looking to expand your tactical options, pursuing Maximilian’s unlock should rank high on your Order Fortress checklist. With this comprehensive guide, you now possess all the information needed to locate every shard and bring this legendary character into your active roster.