Looking for every Hard Case in Gears of War: E-Day? This complete Campaign guide covers all 125 Hard Case locations across Acts 2, 3, 4, and 5. Follow chapter-by-chapter directions, discover hidden weapon upgrades, find easily missed cases, and unlock the Relax.
There are 125 Hard Cases across the game's five Campaign Acts.
However, Act 1 contains no Hard Cases.
Your collection begins in Act 2 and continues until the second chapter of Act 5.
Here's the complete distribution:
Act 1 – 0 Hard Cases
You can concentrate on learning the Campaign mechanics and progressing through the story. There are no Hard Cases to collect during this Act.
Act 2 – 36 Hard Cases
Most appear during Hold the Line, with additional cases hidden throughout No Gear Left Behind and Overrun.
Act 3 – 38 Hard Cases
Every chapter contains Hard Cases. Last Foothold has the largest concentration, followed by Enemy Lines.
Act 4 – 46 Hard Cases
This Act contains the most cases in the Campaign. Several large areas require careful exploration, particularly Hope and Ruin and Tough as Nails.
Act 5 – 5 Hard Cases
Only the first two chapters contain Hard Cases. The remaining chapters don't have any.
Finding all 125 Hard Cases unlocks Relax. I'm the Map, worth 15 Gamerscore.
Hard Cases also contribute to the larger Campaign completion requirements connected to For Whom the Bell Tolls and Dead Serious.
Hard Cases are yellow equipment containers scattered around the Campaign.
Opening one unlocks modification options that can help improve your combat equipment.
Depending on the case, the reward may include a weapon modification, additional modification slot, or tactical equipment upgrade.
These unlocks become available through the Campaign's Supply Cache system.
Tac-Com is one of the most useful tools for finding hidden cases.
On an Xbox controller, hold LB to activate Tac-Com.
When a Hard Case is close enough, Tac-Com can display its outline through nearby obstacles.
This is particularly helpful when the case is hidden behind a wall, inside another room, or on a higher floor.
You don't always need to see the container directly to recognize its location.
If you receive a nearby-case notification but can't find the container, activate Tac-Com and inspect the surrounding structures.
Remember that the marker might appear before the case becomes accessible through the story route.
Some Campaign chapters feature larger areas with a map.
In these sections, nearby Hard Cases can appear as markers.
This makes it easier to identify where you should search.
However, the map isn't a substitute for exploring.
Some containers are located above or below your current position, meaning you may need to enter another building or find an alternative route.
Simply seeing a case doesn't count as collecting it.
You must approach and interact with the container.
Once opened, the associated upgrade is recorded through the Campaign progression system.
After collecting several Hard Cases, visit a Supply Cache to review your available modifications.
Important: The numbering below is an ordered checklist created for this guide, not an official set of in-game Hard Case IDs.
Act 1 contains no Hard Cases.
You won't find any during Emergence, Survival of the Fittest, A Gear in Need, or Back in the Fold.
This means you don't need to replay Act 1 when searching for missing Hard Cases.
The actual collection begins in Act 2, Chapter 2.
Act 2 introduces the Hard Case collection system and contains 36 cases.
Most are found in Hold the Line, which takes place across several connected areas.
Several locations are particularly easy to miss because the chapter contains optional routes and story transitions.
Hard Case 1 – Behind the Burned Bus
After leaving the Last Dollar parking area, follow the road used by the enemies and turn left. At the next junction, head right toward a damaged bus. Search behind the vehicle to find the first Hard Case.
Expect an enemy near the container, so clear the area before opening it.
This section contains a large concentration of Hard Cases across streets, shops, parking areas, and buildings.
Hard Case 2 – Construction Site Upper Floor
Enter the construction site and climb to the next floor. Search the accessible upper level instead of remaining on the ground-floor route.
Hard Case 3 – Major Burger Parking Garage
Locate the parking structure beside the Major Burger restaurant near the beginning of the area. Climb to its highest accessible level to find the case.
Hard Case 4 – Canal Walkway
Approach the bridge near the canal, but don't cross immediately. Take the steps leading downward and follow the lower path until it ends.
Hard Case 5 – Amberstone Storage Yard
Travel toward the southern side of Amberstone Storage. Search the yard near the lower-right section of the district map.
Hard Case 6 – Southern Alley
Continue exploring the southern streets and locate the alley extending away from the main road. The container is hidden along this side route.
Hard Case 7 – Upper Apartment Near the Roadblock
Face the COG roadblock entrance and enter the alley on your right. Climb the nearby ladders, break the accessible window, and enter the upper-floor room.
Hard Case 8 – Kalona Times Building
Find the Kalona Times building and search its first floor above street level. The case is inside rather than on the road outside.
Hard Case 9 – Newspaper Kiosk
Return to the street near the Kalona Times area. Look beside the newspaper kiosk for a container that can easily be overlooked while moving between buildings.
Hard Case 10 – Crashed Truck
Near the riverside parking area, investigate the damaged truck. Enemies protect this location, so deal with the ambush before collecting the case.
Hard Case 11 – Road Above the Construction Site
Return toward the construction site and head to its far-right side. Climb the steps, follow the street, and inspect the left side of the road.
Hard Case 12 – Pharmacy Entrance
From the previous location, cross the main road. Look around the pharmacy entrance on the opposite side to find the next case.
Hard Case 13 – Upper Room Across From the Construction Site
Find the building opposite the construction area. Use the nearby shipping container to reach the elevated opening, then enter the upper room.
Hard Case 14 – Loading Dock Alley
Head toward the area associated with the muster-point objective. Search the loading dock and its nearby alley before moving toward the main objective.
Hard Case 15 – Muster Point Building
Continue toward the muster-point structure. Check the right side of the building, particularly the area behind its pillars.
Hard Case 16 – Amberstone Storage Interior
Follow the main objective through Amberstone Storage. Inspect the interior carefully while progressing through the building.
Hard Case 17 – Underground Riverside Parking Garage
Locate the underground car park near the river. Search inside the parking area rather than limiting your exploration to the nearby road.
Hard Case 18 – Bank of Tyrus Vault
Enter the Bank of Tyrus when the story allows access to its vault. Once inside, look toward the right side of the room.
This case may appear as a map marker before you can actually reach the vault.
Hard Case 19 – Charlie Squad Camp
When your objective becomes linking up with Charlie Squad, head into the newly accessible camp area.
Before triggering the link-up sequence, search the table to the right of the camp.
Important: This is a major point of no return. Collect the Hard Case before triggering the Charlie Squad transition.
Hard Case 20 – Military Camp Shipping Container
As you move through the military camp, inspect the open shipping containers. One contains a Hard Case along the route.
Hard Case 21 – Park Opposite Monroe Library
Locate Monroe Library and look across toward the small gated park. Enter through the gate and inspect the back-left corner.
Hard Case 22 – Kalona Hotel Entrance
Search near the right side of the Kalona Hotel's entrance. Don't rush into the next objective before checking the area around the building.
Hard Case 23 – Balcony Opposite the Hotel
Look across from the hotel for the pale-green balcony. Use the available rope traversal route to reach it and collect the case.
Hard Case 24 – Whiskey Squad Search Area
Enter the search zone associated with finding Whiskey Squad. Head down the steps and take the alley on your right.
The case is tucked into this side passage.
Hard Case 25 – Police Car
Return to the main street within the Whiskey Squad search area. Look behind the police car for the next container.
Hard Case 26 – Fountain Courtyard
Once you reach the courtyard with the fountain, inspect the left-hand side. The container is positioned away from the central fountain.
Hard Case 27 – After Leaving Kalona Hotel
After completing the hotel section, you'll return toward street level.
Before dropping into the park, look to the right of the nearby vehicle.
Collect the case before following the route toward the chapter's ending.
Hard Case 28 – Traffic Tunnel Barricade
Enter the tunnel filled with abandoned vehicles. Search near the central barricade rather than following only the outer road.
Hard Case 29 – Tunnel Incline
Continue through the tunnel and begin climbing the slope. Look along the right-hand side while moving upward.
Hard Case 30 – Golden Gear Statue Plaza
Reach the plaza containing the large golden Gear statue. After dealing with the enemies, search the right side of the plaza.
Hard Case 31 – Scaffolding and Shipping Container
From the statue area, take the route through the scaffolding. Follow the elevated passage toward the shipping container.
Hard Case 32 – After the Scaffolding Drop
Continue toward your objective and drop into the lower area. Inspect the right side immediately after descending.
Hard Case 33 – Building Near Captain Grey
After the major encounter near the end of the chapter, proceed through the building associated with Captain Grey.
Check the left side of the interior before exiting.
Hard Case 34 – Warehouse Breach
Once the warehouse fight ends, a new opening appears in the damaged wall.
Before leaving through it, search the area on the right side of the breach.
Hard Case 35 – Red Crater
After continuing outside, descend into the crater illuminated by red light. The case is located near the bottom.
Hard Case 36 – Point Fairlight Hangar
Inside the hangar, locate the area containing the Point Fairlight Datapad.
The Hard Case is nearby, positioned between the collectible area and the Supply Cache.
Act 2 completion target: 36 of 125 Hard Cases.
Act 3 contains 38 Hard Cases across six chapters.
Unlike Act 2, every chapter has containers to discover.
Expect a mixture of underground routes, open districts, military areas, and interior sections.
Hard Case 37 – Crashed Helicopter
After cutting through the gate and entering the next area, search around the downed helicopter.
Hard Case 38 – Red Shipping Containers
Inside the Fairlight area, look for stacked red shipping containers. The case is positioned near this group of containers.
Hard Case 39 – Substation Entrance
When you enter the substation, immediately check the left side before continuing farther into the building.
Hard Case 40 – Underground Main Route
After the room containing the damaged Gnasher collectible, continue down the main passage.
The case is slightly to the right of the center of the route.
Hard Case 41 – Subway Upper Floor
Inside the underground station, climb to the upper level and inspect the right side near construction materials.
Look behind the wooden planks.
Hard Case 42 – Subway Supply Cache
Remain on the station's upper level and find the central Supply Cache.
The Hard Case is positioned to its left.
Hard Case 43 – Subway Platform
Before crossing the wrecked train cars, search the nearby platform.
The container is toward the far end near a divider.
Hard Case 44 – Beyond the Train Cars
Cross the damaged subway cars to continue through the chapter.
Once on the other side, look to the right of the path.
Hard Case 45 – Collapsed Golden Statue
When you return above ground, locate the fallen golden Gear statue.
Move toward the lower-left area beside the wreckage.
Hard Case 46 – Cliffside Path
Continue toward the next objective. Before the route turns right, inspect the left edge of the accessible path.
Hard Case 47 – Sewer Supply Cache
Later in the chapter, you'll enter the sewers.
Find the Supply Cache and inspect the area immediately beside it.
Last Foothold is the most important Hard Case chapter in Act 3.
It contains a large district with several buildings, an underground parking area, and useful map landmarks.
Hard Case 48 – Pool Hall
At the beginning of the chapter, face Kalona Theatre.
Turn around and head down the left side of the subway entrance.
Search near the pool hall.
Hard Case 49 – Road Near Tracy Moore's Tags
After exploring the building containing Tracy Moore's COG Tags, return to the street.
Continue forward and inspect the left edge of the road.
Hard Case 50 – Road Beyond the Bus
Follow the route past the COG checkpoint and climb over the bus.
Continue along the road and search beside the wall on your left.
Hard Case 51 – Library Briefing Room
Enter the library and reach the room containing the tactical briefing table.
The case is toward the back-left side.
Hard Case 52 – Hospital Entrance Roof
Travel to Landa Memorial Hospital.
Look above the main entrance and find the accessible roof area containing the case.
Hard Case 53 – Road Beside the Hospital
Explore the road on the right side of the hospital.
Look across from the nearby Supply Cache to locate the container.
Hard Case 54 – Underground Parking Garage
Return toward the library area and locate the underpass leading to an underground parking structure.
Enter the garage and inspect its rear-left corner.
Be prepared for enemies inside.
Hard Case 55 – Skytrain Platform
Near the Kalona Police Department crossroads, locate the stairs leading to the elevated Skytrain platform.
Climb up and search the platform.
Hard Case 56 – Supermarket
Find the supermarket near the library steps.
Enter the building and check its back room rather than stopping in the main shopping area.
Hard Case 57 – Pharmacy Near Kalona Hotel
Locate the corner pharmacy near the hotel.
Shoot the accessible windows and enter the building to collect the container.
Hard Case 58 – Roadblock Underpass
Find the area where COG soldiers are fighting near a roadblock.
Take the stairs leading into the underpass and search beneath the blocked road.
Hard Case 59 – Kalona Hotel
Travel to the Kalona Hotel's main entrance and inspect the right-hand side near the sandbags.
This location can be confusing because nearby hotel entrances and adjacent paths are easy to mix up.
Use Tac-Com and the district marker to confirm you're approaching the correct container.
Hard Case 60 – Opening Courtyard
Near the beginning of the chapter, find the small courtyard on the left side of the opening road.
Search its far-right corner.
Hard Case 61 – Military Truck on the Bridge
Reach the upper bridge area and inspect the space beneath the military truck.
Hard Case 62 – Bridge Before the Drop
Continue across the bridge until you're instructed to descend through an opening in the floor.
Before dropping, head toward the left end of the bridge and search near the barricade.
Important: You cannot return to this upper bridge section after the drop.
Hard Case 63 – Vehicles Near the Rope
Later, you'll reach an area where you must use a rope to continue.
Before doing so, search the crates behind the nearby vehicles.
Hard Case 64 – Control Room
After climbing into the control room through its window, inspect the left side of the room.
Hard Case 65 – Room With the Couch
Inside the room containing a couch, inspect the right side for the case.
Hard Case 66 – Chain-Link Fence
After the outdoor battle, look for a climbable ledge on the left.
Move up to the higher section and search beside the chain-link fence.
Hard Case 67 – Crawlspace After the Wretch Fight
After defeating the Wretches indoors, find the opening in the left wall.
Crawl through it to reach the container.
Hard Case 68 – Reaver Courtyard
Once you reach the courtyard featuring a Reaver encounter, clear the immediate danger.
Search beside the stone fencing on the left.
Hard Case 69 – Bridge After the Torque Bow Sequence
Continue past the Torque Bow story sequence.
Before crossing the bridge, check the right side of the route.
Hard Case 70 – Fort Exterior Steps
Follow the left side of the fort area and climb the short staircase.
Search the elevated section.
Hard Case 71 – Long Fort Walkway
Explore the extended walkway to the left of the fort's central area.
The container is near the far end.
Hard Case 72 – Fort Entrance Barrier
Return toward the main fort entrance and inspect the area behind the barrier on its left.
Hard Case 73 – Ledge Near the Torn Flag
After finding the Torn Flag collectible, follow the left wall.
Climb the accessible ledge to reach the case.
Hard Case 74 – Gift Shop Balcony
Explore the gift shop balcony and continue toward its far end.
Important: This case may not trigger the usual nearby Hard Case notification.
Check the balcony manually even if the game doesn't display an alert.
Act 3 completion target: 38 Hard Cases, bringing your overall total to 74.
Act 4 has the highest Hard Case count in Gears of War: E-Day.
There are 46 containers across six chapters.
Large district areas and industrial buildings make thorough exploration especially important.
Hard Case 75 – Opening Staircase
At the start of the chapter, descend the steps on the left.
The case is near the bottom beside a wall.
Hard Case 76 – Cathedral Ruins
Enter the ruined cathedral and locate the remaining red stained-glass windows.
Search the area immediately to their right.
Hard Case 77 – Cemetery
Continue through the cathedral grounds into the cemetery.
Before exiting through the gate during the squad split, explore the back-right corner.
Hard Case 78 – Locked Gate on the Upper Road
After leaving the cemetery area, take the road heading uphill on the left.
Continue toward its end and search beside the locked gate.
Hard Case 79 – Rear Entrance of Regalia Hotel
Travel along the street behind Regalia Hotel.
Enter the right-side doorway and inspect the small entrance area.
Hard Case 80 – Regalia Hotel Interior
Enter the hotel through the main entrance.
Immediately look left to locate the container.
Hard Case 81 – Alley Above the Hotel
From the hotel's front area, follow the road that climbs upward.
Enter the side alley using the steps and search its far-left section.
Hard Case 82 – Hotel Courtyard Fountain
Leave the hotel through its rear route and enter the courtyard.
Search beyond the central fountain toward the back-left area.
Hard Case 83 – Restaurant Near the Crater
Reach the large crater area and locate the restaurant with red signs.
Enter and search the room toward the rear of the building.
Hard Case 84 – Clock-Face Building
Locate the corner building with the clock face northeast of the crater.
Search its accessible interior.
Hard Case 85 – Ruined Building in Kalona Square
Travel toward the lower-left portion of Kalona Square.
Inspect the rear-left section of the damaged building.
Hard Case 86 – Police Cars Near the Exit
Before leaving Kalona Square through the exit gate, look around the two nearby police vehicles.
Hard Case 87 – Plaza Above the Slope
Follow the path uphill toward the plaza.
Before reaching the roadblock, search the rear-left part of the area.
Hard Case 88 – Clocktower Defense Alley
Near the area where the Clocktower Defense sequence begins, locate the alley on the left.
Explore its back-left corner before moving onward.
Hard Case 89 – First Wide Room
Follow the opening route until you enter a wider room containing a bench.
Search to the left of the bench.
Hard Case 90 – Room Before the Exit Corridor
While moving toward the exit, you'll reach a corridor that turns left.
Before following it, enter the room directly ahead and collect the case.
Hard Case 91 – Skytrain Platform
After leaving the subway section, reach the elevated yellow Skytrain platform.
Turn right and locate the case across the gap on the platform edge.
Important: Collect all three cases before progressing through the train departure transition.
Hard Case 92 – Beyond Auntie's Gates
After speaking with Auntie and entering the next district, move forward and look to the right.
Climb over the low wall to reach the container.
Hard Case 93 – Warehouse Upper Floor
Locate the large warehouse toward the central-right section of the district.
Explore its upper floor.
Hard Case 94 – Ledge Outside the Warehouse
Near the previous location, find the opening in the wall.
Move through it and use the nearby crates and climbable surfaces to reach the upper ledge.
Hard Case 95 – Warehouse Roof
Continue exploring the same warehouse and reach the roof.
Search the rear section near the small loading dock.
Hard Case 96 – Dumpster Near the Railway Area
Travel toward the far-right side of the district.
Follow the path near the railway tracks and check behind the dumpster.
Hard Case 97 – Special Cargo Helipad
During your exploration of the Special Cargo area, reach the helipad.
Look behind the shipping container associated with the objective.
Hard Case 98 – Trapped Locust Train Carriage
During the Trapped Locust Secondary Objective, enter the accessible train carriage.
The Hard Case is inside the carriage involved in the objective.
Hard Case 99 – Platform Near Seradyne Factory
Locate the rope leading to an elevated platform near the factory.
Climb up and inspect the platform.
Hard Case 100 – Ladder Beside Factory Entrance
Find the ladder on the left side of the Seradyne factory entrance.
Climb it and search the upper landing.
Hard Case 101 – Seradyne Loading Bay
Enter the factory's loading area.
Follow the rising path on the right-hand side to locate the case.
Hard Case 102 – Power Station Truck
At the power station, find the truck and inspect the area beside its driver's cab.
Hard Case 103 – Lower Garage Door
Head toward the lower rear-right garage section.
Deal with the Wretch ambush and search beyond the accessible garage door.
Hard Case 104 – White Van at the Fuel Station
Reach the fuel station and find the white van.
Inspect its open side section.
Hard Case 105 – Fuel Station Roof
Remain at the same fuel station and find the dumpster behind the building.
Use it to climb onto the roof and reach the container.
Hard Case 106 – Power Substation
Enter the guarded power substation.
After handling the enemies, explore the right side of the area.
Hard Case 107 – After the Communications Tower Cutscene
Once the cutscene ends, continue along the next route.
Search against the building on the left before moving farther away.
Hard Case 108 – Shooting Range
Reach the shooting range near the tower.
Look to the right of the tower structure.
Hard Case 109 – Opening Warehouse
Travel down the opening street to reach the warehouse.
Enter the building and explore the rear-right room.
Hard Case 110 – Railway Yard
Descend into the railway yard area.
Search the upper-left corner of the lower section.
Hard Case 111 – Factory Upper Room
Enter the factory and locate the upper room toward the back-left area.
Search along its left side.
Hard Case 112 – Boss Arena
During the section featuring the Brumak and Spore Matron encounter, inspect the arena for the Hard Case.
Make sure to locate it before leaving the encounter area.
Hard Case 113 – TIMGAD Reception Building
Enter the first building at the beginning of the chapter.
Search the left side of the reception area.
Hard Case 114 – Ladder Above the Elevator
After taking the long elevator, exit and turn right.
Locate the ladder along the wall and climb to the upper area.
Hard Case 115 – Exterior Refinery Platform
When your objective directs you into the main building, look for the outside platform extending beyond its entrance.
Search the platform before continuing inside.
Hard Case 116 – After Rejoining Reyes
Once Marcus and Reyes reunite, leave through the double doors.
After handling the enemies, take the first accessible right turn.
Hard Case 117 – Walkway Room
Cross the walkway into the next room.
Look near the opening in the floor, then inspect the left side of the room.
Hard Case 118 – Small Side Room
Continue through the interior corridors.
Before following the corridor's left turn, enter the smaller room directly ahead.
Hard Case 119 – Green Schematics Room
Reach the room containing the large green schematics display.
Search the computer console beyond the nearby doorway.
Hard Case 120 – Supply Cache Room
Continue to the next room containing the Supply Cache.
Look opposite the cache for the final Hard Case of the Act.
Act 4 completion target: 46 Hard Cases, bringing your overall total to 120.
Act 5 contains only five Hard Cases.
They're found in the first two chapters, making the final collection much shorter than the earlier Acts.
However, one case is located immediately before a chapter-ending transition.
Hard Case 121 – Railway Yard Fence
After passing through the damaged wall into the railway yard, continue searching for the train that leads toward the city.
When Marcus comments about a train facing the city, inspect the nearby fencing.
Hard Case 122 – Ledge Beside the Train
Before boarding the train that ends the chapter, search the area to its right.
Climb the small ledge near the military boxes to find the case.
Important: Board the train only after collecting this container.
Hard Case 123 – Slope Above the Train Tracks
Follow the railway route until you reach the slope leading upward.
Climb to the top and search near the road.
Hard Case 124 – Road Through the Broken Wall
From the previous location, take the road leading through the cracked wall.
Continue uphill and search near the lamp post on the right.
Hard Case 125 – Crater Beneath the Bridge
After leaving the hospital, continue through the section featuring incoming mortar fire.
Descend into the crater beneath the bridge.
Search near the checkpoint on the right.
This is the final Hard Case in the documented Campaign collection.
Storm Clouds, Resolve, and The Fall of Kalona contain no additional Hard Cases.
If you've collected everything in the earlier Acts, you should now have all 125 cases.
Final collection target: 125 of 125 Hard Cases.
Although every Hard Case can be recovered through replay, some locations are particularly easy to miss during a normal Campaign run.
The following deserve extra attention.
The Hard Case near Charlie Squad is located just before an important transition.
It's easy to focus on the objective and forget to inspect the nearby table.
Make sure you've collected it before triggering the link-up sequence.
The final case in Hold the Line appears near the route leading from the hotel toward the park.
If you move forward without checking the nearby car, you may leave the area before discovering it.
The Hard Case near the bridge's left end can be overlooked because you're instructed to drop through the floor.
Once you descend, you cannot simply return to the upper bridge.
Inspect the area before dropping.
The final case in Desperate Measures deserves special attention.
Some location guides report that it may not display the usual nearby notification.
This means relying exclusively on the game's automatic alerts can leave it undiscovered.
Technical Difficulties contains only three Hard Cases, but the chapter includes a train transition.
Search the platform carefully before leaving.
One Problem at a Time contains a Hard Case beside the train that ends the chapter.
Search the ledge to its right before boarding.
The best habit is to inspect every area before activating an objective that takes you somewhere new.
Relax. I'm the Map is awarded for discovering every Hard Case in the Campaign.
The achievement is worth 15 Gamerscore.
There are no additional combat requirements attached to this particular achievement.
You don't need to defeat a certain boss, reach a specific multiplayer rank, or complete the Campaign on Insane difficulty just to earn it.
Find and open all 125 Hard Cases.
Make sure each discovered container registers in your Campaign progress.
Use Chapter Replay to recover missing cases if necessary.
The achievement is not tied to one mandatory difficulty.
That means players who prefer exploring on Beginner difficulty can collect Hard Cases without making every encounter unnecessarily difficult.
Yes.
Dead Serious includes a 100% Campaign completion requirement, alongside Insane completion and several multiplayer progression objectives.
Hard Cases form part of the Campaign's hidden-item completion content.
Completing Relax. I'm the Map helps satisfy that portion of your larger completion goal.
However, collecting every Hard Case alone does not finish Dead Serious.
You must still complete its other requirements.
Hard Cases are useful because they unlock upgrades rather than simply adding entries to a lore collection.
Their contents can expand the modifications available for your Campaign equipment.
Some Hard Cases unlock weapon-specific modifications.
For example, the first Hard Case behind the burned bus in Act 2 has been documented as providing:
Spreadshot Burst for the Hammerburst
A named modification associated with the Hammerburst's available customization options.
Mobile Stabilizer for the Lancer Mk1
Another named upgrade connected to the Campaign weapon modification system.
Not every case provides the same number or type of upgrades.
The complete contents of all 125 cases haven't been consistently documented in an official public reward list, so it's better to verify individual unlocks in your own Supply Cache.
Some cases expand the number of modifications available for particular equipment.
Additional slots provide more room to customize your loadout with the upgrades you've collected.
This can be especially valuable as more modifications become available during the Campaign.
Hard Cases can also provide tactical equipment options.
Community-documented examples include a Pulse Drone unlock associated with the subway area in Enemy Lines and a Stim Vaporizer unlock associated with the Last Foothold area.
These rewards make exploration useful even when you're not aiming for every achievement.
Difficult Campaign encounters reward players who prepare their equipment.
Having more modification choices can help you adapt your loadout to different situations.
However, collecting an upgrade doesn't automatically mean it will be equipped.
Visit a Supply Cache and review your available options.
Finding the case unlocks the option. Using the Supply Cache lets you take advantage of it.
One of the most frustrating situations is finishing the Campaign with nearly every Hard Case collected but no achievement.
Fortunately, the War Journal helps you narrow down where to search.
Your War Journal records Campaign completion information, including Hard Case totals by Act.
Compare your current totals with the required amounts:
Act 2: 36
Act 3: 38
Act 4: 46
Act 5: 5
For example, if you have 36 Hard Cases in Act 2, 37 in Act 3, 46 in Act 4, and 5 in Act 5, then you know the missing container belongs to Act 3.
That immediately reduces the area you need to inspect.
Community guides document an important behavior with Chapter Replay.
When replaying a chapter, the local discovery display may appear to have reset.
However, your overall Hard Case total recorded by Act can remain intact.
This means the replay interface doesn't necessarily indicate that you've permanently lost your previous collection.
Use the overall Act total in the War Journal to understand your saved progress.
Yes.
Hard Cases are not permanently missable for achievement completion.
If you pass a one-way story transition, you can return through Chapter Replay.
However, you may need to explore the chapter again to find the missing container.
This is why keeping track of the chapter you're replaying can save considerable time.
The Coalition addressed several War Journal and achievement tracking issues in its October 14, 2026 patch.
The update also explained that certain missing collectibles could not be restored automatically.
If your progress appears incomplete:
Verify that your game has the latest available updates.
Check the War Journal for the missing Act progress.
Replay the relevant chapter if necessary.
Open the missing container again.
Confirm the overall total has increased.
If the issue continues after following these steps, use the official game support options rather than resetting your entire Campaign without knowing the cause.
A few simple habits can make the collection much easier.
Many containers sit close to the objective path but outside your direct view.
When entering a new district, inspect nearby corners, entrances, and accessible side passages.
You don't need to search every distant object randomly.
Focus on areas that Tac-Com and the nearby notification identify as relevant.
A Hard Case marker doesn't always mean the container is on the same floor.
Some appear in rooftop areas, upper rooms, or underground garages.
If you can see a marker but can't reach the case, look for ladders, stairs, windows, and alternative entrances.
Some locations become accessible only after a particular story event.
The Bank of Tyrus vault in Hold the Line is an example.
You may see the approximate location before the required story access becomes available.
Don't assume an inaccessible marker means your game is broken.
Continue the relevant objective and return when the path opens.
Community walkthroughs report that opening a Hard Case shortly before dying may require you to collect it again if you haven't reached a checkpoint.
After respawning, check whether the container remains registered.
If it has returned to its unopened state, interact with it again before moving on.
Relax. I'm the Map does not require Insane difficulty.
If your main goal is recovering missed Hard Cases, a lower difficulty can make exploration less stressful.
You can focus on navigation instead of repeatedly restarting difficult encounters.
Don't forget that Hard Cases unlock modification options.
Visit Supply Caches and examine the new equipment available to you.
Collecting upgrades can provide practical benefits while you're still finishing the story.
Here are several mistakes that can make finding all 125 Hard Cases unnecessarily difficult.
The Campaign contains 140 standard collectibles and 125 Hard Cases.
These are separate completion categories.
Finding every COG Tag and lore item doesn't automatically complete the Hard Case achievement.
Likewise, collecting every Hard Case doesn't unlock Memories From E-Day by itself.
The nearby notification is useful, but it doesn't always reveal how to reach a case.
Tac-Com can show outlines through nearby obstacles.
Use it when a marker appears but the container isn't immediately visible.
Several Hard Cases are located inside elevated buildings and warehouses.
Searching only at ground level can leave multiple containers undiscovered.
Always inspect accessible stairs, ladders, and upper rooms when a marker appears.
Some chapters include drops, train departures, and story sequences that prevent immediate backtracking.
The Convoy bridge and the final train in One Problem at a Time are particularly important examples.
Finish exploring before committing to the transition.
Seeing a yellow case isn't the same as opening it.
Make sure you've actually interacted with the container and that the discovery registers.
If you finish with 124 of 125 cases, you probably don't need a completely new playthrough.
Check your War Journal, identify which Act is missing progress, and use the chapter locations in this guide to narrow the search.
There are 125 Hard Cases across the Campaign.
Act 1 has none, Act 2 has 36, Act 3 has 38, Act 4 has 46, and Act 5 has 5.
The first Hard Case appears in Act 2, Chapter 2, Hold the Line.
It is located behind a burned bus near the beginning of the chapter's first section.
Act 4 contains the most Hard Cases, with 46.
Hope and Ruin contains 14, while Tough as Nails contains another 12.
Hold the Line in Act 2 contains 27 documented Hard Cases across its three sections.
This makes it the chapter with the largest concentration.
Yes.
Hard Cases contribute to the Campaign's hidden-item completion requirements.
They are tracked separately from standard collectibles and Secondary Objectives.
Collecting all 125 unlocks Relax. I'm the Map, worth 15 Gamerscore.
Yes.
The achievement doesn't specify a particular difficulty.
You can collect the cases on a lower difficulty and complete other Campaign requirements separately.
Yes.
Chapter Replay allows you to return for missed containers.
Your overall War Journal progress should be used to check what has already registered.
Previously collected Hard Cases can remain counted toward your overall achievement progression, although Chapter Replay may display a fresh local chapter count.
Check the Act totals in your War Journal.
Yes.
They can unlock weapon modifications, extra modification slots, and tactical equipment upgrades for Campaign use.
Visit a Supply Cache and review the available modification options.
Opening a Hard Case unlocks the reward, but it doesn't necessarily equip the upgrade automatically.
In Campaign areas with a district map, nearby Hard Cases can appear as markers.
Tac-Com also helps reveal cases through obstacles.
Yes.
They're part of the Campaign completion content relevant to Dead Serious.
However, the achievement also includes Insane completion and substantial multiplayer requirements.
You may be unable to return immediately if the cutscene moves you into another area.
Use Chapter Replay to recover the missing container afterward.
Some community guides report that the local replay count may reset even though your overall Act progress remains recorded.
Check the War Journal's Act-level totals before assuming your collection has disappeared.
No.
Hard Cases unlock equipment modification options.
Supply Caches allow you to access and manage available equipment and upgrades.
They serve different purposes.
Finding every Hard Case in Gears of War: E-Day takes patience, but it becomes much easier when you know where to look.
The Campaign contains 125 Hard Cases, and every one of them appears between Act 2 and the early chapters of Act 5.
Most are located in optional rooms, alleys, rooftops, parking structures, and other areas that reward careful exploration.
The biggest challenge isn't necessarily reaching these locations.
It's remembering to check them before moving into the next story section.
Use Tac-Com to reveal nearby containers, watch your district map, and inspect buildings that appear to have accessible upper or lower areas.
Most importantly, keep checking your War Journal.
If you finish the Campaign without every Hard Case, compare your recorded totals with the required Act counts before deciding what to replay.
Remember that collecting these containers also provides useful modifications for your Campaign equipment, making the collection worthwhile even if you're not interested in every achievement.
Once you open the final case, you'll complete Relax. I'm the Map and move closer to full Campaign completion.
The key is simple: explore carefully, verify your progress, and never leave a major area without checking for nearby Hard Cases.
For more helpful gaming guides, services, and player-focused content, visit BoostRoom.
Keep exploring Kalona, collect those missing upgrades, and finish your Hard Case collection with all 125 discovered.
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