Back to the Dawn Achievement Guide
Written by Michael Owen | Back to the Dawn
This guide covers all achievements in Back to the Dawn, including all 22 confirmed Tarot achievements and the full list of 24 Rune-labeled achievements that are new as of the Steam release, for a total of 46 achievements. Tarot achievements are tied to endings, escape methods, key story events, and major side quests. Each one has a known trigger and can be earned through repeatable in-game actions.
The Rune achievements, marked by Norse symbols like Tiwaz and Ansuz, are currently locked with no confirmed unlock conditions. Most have a 0% global unlock rate and cannot be unlocked through normal gameplay at this time. Only one, Tiwaz, has any global progress. These entries are included for reference only, using verified game data without speculation.
All Back to the Dawn Achievements (Tarot)
The Fool
"Heheh, you'll regret your foolishness..."
Deny Angelo’s bribe during the opening restaurant scene.
Temperance
"It's just an ordinary business card... although it seems they offer more than just drinks."
Find the business card during the flashback sequence.
The World
"There'll always be unfortunate people in this world. It's either them or us."
Accept Angelo’s bribe. This ends the game immediately.
Wheel of Fortune
"The one thing we need is stuck in the prison's storeroom."
Find the business card inside the prison storeroom.
The Empress
"No rest for the wicked..."
Listen to Reed’s story about being in the Fallen Angel.
The Pope
"Maybe this is a punishment from the Father of the Forest."
Expose Father Anderson’s crime.
The High Priestess
"We meet at last."
Meet Iris during the story.
Justice
"You've won, hero of the city!"
Expose the Mayor’s crime by playing the recording at the end.
Death
"Bang bang bang!"
Reach Election Day without escaping the prison.
The Moon
"But the light up ahead is still there; I can't be hallucinating now..."
Escape through the laundry room pipe tunnel.
Pentacles
"Thomas, Boulderton's ace reporter!"
Finish the game in Central District Mode or Skidroad Mode. Does not unlock in New Eden Mode.
The Hermit
"Your papers, please!"
Escape prison without completing the main quest.
The Star
"I sure wish I could turn into a bird."
Read all three Game of Kings books. At night, climb the water tower and build all three wing components: left wing, right wing, and tail. Bring them to the top and escape by flying.
The Emperor
"Is that the result you wanted, Thomas?"
Choose not to expose the Mayor’s crime after the final confrontation.
The Chariot
"As I said, I wanted to be the real winner in the end."
Complete Alex’s quests: Chameleon Courier, Prison, Cook, Artist, Spy, and Special Mission. On Day 17 during lunch, join the kitchen fight. Defeat Alex and use his stolen police uniform to escape through the cellar hatch.
The Hanged Man
"Good thing you ain't dead, or the shit would really hit the fan."
Help Caesar during the cafeteria fight. Finish his gang storyline. On Day 19, follow Ray to witness Phil being hanged.
The Tower
"Warning, a prisoner has escaped! I repeat, a prisoner has escaped!"
Get the password to Beth’s office (1212). During the evening, use a laxative to distract the guard. Enter the office, loosen the window bars, and exit. Pick the lock to the tower door and climb to the top to escape.
The Magician
"Could it be that the urban legend isn't just a crazy story?"
On Day 15, eavesdrop on Henry, Robert, and Eddie. Get an apple and paring knife. On Day 18 at 22:00, look into the mirror and peel the apple until 0:00.
Strength
"The power of my fists is only superficial. My strength comes from within... I'm not fighting alone."
Win the first four boxing matches. After the fourth, you'll be taken to the Warden. At night, Billy takes you to a van. After the search, you get three days to fight three opponents. Win all fights. Escape by using the trophy to open a vent and flee. Finish the quick-time event to stop Billy.
The Lovers
"It was love at first sight, until the day you left."
Bond with Beth by completing her interactions and dialogue path.
The Sun
"Throw yourself into the darkness and disappear into the sunlight."
Start the Poopy Pendant quest. Enter the septic tank room. Find or craft a handle and open the top-right tank. Reveal and inspect the corpse. Gather clues: bond with Hakuna, read the notebook in the mailroom to ID TC-13, and find Billy’s pawn receipt. Use scissors to cut the tarp. Create a collage and send it through the mailbox. After a day, confront Billy. Help Barbara or Maggie. Wait for the conjugal visit to escape.
The Devil
"Nari... valenthra... mara...!"
Clear sewage in the sewers. Break through a weak wall to a hidden room. Use the blow dryer in the barbershop to wake Gomez the Ghost. Follow him to meet Devil the shark. Max Devil’s relationship to escape underwater.
All Rune Achievements in Back to the Dawn (WIP)
The following 24 achievements are labeled with Norse rune symbols. As of now, none of these achievements have confirmed unlock conditions in-game. Most have a 0% global unlock rate, meaning players have either not discovered them or they are tied to post-story content, hidden paths, or unfinished features.
Each entry below lists only the achievement title, flavor text, and unlock rate. Once we know exactly how to unlock these we will update the guide.
ᛏ - Tiwaz
"Behind Bars? Heh... Oh crap..."
Unlock Rate: 1.2%
ᚨ - Ansuz
"We agreed it'd only be for three years, but it's been three, then three more..."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚠ - Fehu
"Time is money."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛖ - Ehwaz
"I see. Something of a fish whisper."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚢ - Uruz
"Ha, who's letting who down now?"
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚾ - Naudhiz
"Judging by the length, thickness, and hardness, it must be wolf hair."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚦ - Thurisaz
"A fist-shaped trophy... It might be good for cracking acorns. Sadly there aren't any oak trees in prison."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛇ - Eihwaz
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛒ - Berkanan
"Goodbye...Night Owl."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛊ - Sowilo
"At least today, I can help a good guy and then catch a bad guy."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛗ - Mannaz
"You've finally...made a less naive choice..."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛈ - Perthro
"Don't worry, we felines are naturally good at climbing."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚲ - Kenaz
"You can open your eyes. I think you'll like the view."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚱ - Raidho
"Fenrir... I've finally found where you're hiding. So next, I have to figure out a way to get there..."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛁ - Isa
"It's moonlight at the end of the pipe. We're almost there."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛝ - Ingwaz
"... I've got you!"
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛃ - Jera
"Since they called me 'Fenrir'... I think it's time for me to break free."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚷ - Gebo
"I promised I'd get you out. And I never break a promise."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛉ - Algiz
"... I've never been anything but a patriot."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚺ - Hagalaz
"... Yeah, I'm the 'Fenrir' you're looking for."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᚹ - Wunjo
"Oh boy... Talking to you is always such a pleasure!"
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛞ - Dagaz
"Now it's sunrise! You've transformed from a rock back into yourself!"
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛚ - Laguz
"I hope this doesn't turn out to be a dumb idea. I don't have time to make a life ring."
Unlock Rate: 0%
ᛟ - Othala
"Sorry, I'm a cop."
Unlock Rate: 0%
Final Blurb
Back to the Dawn features 46 total achievements, split between 22 Tarot arcana achievements and 24 Rune symbol achievements. All Tarot achievements have confirmed unlock methods tied to endings, escape routes, side quests, or major character choices. Every step is repeatable and tied directly to in-game triggers.
The Rune achievements, however, remain fully locked with 0% global unlocks (except Tiwaz). No unlock methods have been confirmed and we’re still working on it ourselves.
To complete the game’s achievement list, focus on known Tarot routes and endings first. The Rune achievements may become available in future updates or hidden branches not yet uncovered since they’re brand new as of Steam release.
FAQ
How many achievements are in Back to the Dawn?
There are 46 total achievements; 22 confirmed Tarot achievements and 24 Rune-labeled ones with unknown unlocks.
Can you earn all Tarot achievements in one playthrough?
No. Several are tied to exclusive choices or escape paths, so multiple playthroughs are required.
Are Rune achievements available now?
They appear in the list, but 23 of the 24 have a 0% unlock rate. No in-game methods have been confirmed as of yet.
What’s the rarest confirmed Tarot achievement?
The Sun and The Devil are the rarest confirmed Tarot achievements, both tied to long multi-step side quests.
What happens if you try to brute-force the Rune achievements?
There’s no known method to unlock them. Until something is confirmed, they remain unavailable regardless of input or exploration.
Is Tiwaz the only Rune achievement with progress?
Yes. Tiwaz has a 1.2% unlock rate globally. All others remain at 0%.
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