Gears Of War: Reloaded – All COG Tag Locations

TL;DR

  • COG tags unlock exclusive comic pages that expand Gears of War lore
  • Follow chapter-by-chapter progression to avoid backtracking unnecessarily
  • Use environmental cues like white vans and fountain areas as key landmarks
  • Complete collection requires thorough exploration of all combat zones
  • Strategic approach saves 2-3 hours compared to random searching

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Gears of War: Reloaded delivers intense third-person combat against relentless Locust hordes, but hidden throughout the campaign are 33 meaningful collectibles honoring fallen COG soldiers. These dog tags serve as memorials to comrades lost in battle while simultaneously unlocking digital comic pages that significantly deepen your understanding of the Gears universe. For players invested in the franchise’s rich narrative, these collectibles provide crucial backstory and character development.

Whether you’re missing just a few elusive tags or embarking on a comprehensive collection run, this detailed guide provides precise locations with strategic context. Many players overlook these items during intense firefights, making systematic collection essential for completionists. The lore rewards alone justify the effort, offering insights into events preceding the main storyline.

Tag 1 – Act I: 14 Years After E-Day: Located in the initial large chamber’s rear wall during the opening sequence. This area serves as your introduction to the game’s exploration mechanics.

COG Tag 1 - Act I: 14 Years After E-Day

Tag 2 – Act I: 14 Years After E-Day: As the chapter concludes, Locust forces will breach a sealed doorway for extraction purposes. Once outside, ascend the left staircase where the tag rests in the corner position.

COG Tag 2 - Act I: 14 Years After E-Day

Tag 3 – Act I: 14 Years After E-Day: Early in this segment, climb stairs to enter a combat zone featuring abundant cover positions. Inspect one of these cover objects thoroughly to discover this tag.

COG Tag 3 - Act I: 14 Years After E-Day

Tag 4 – Act I: Trial By Fire: When encountering a chamber containing multiple pillars and two emergence holes, examine the wall section immediately left of the exit doorway.

COG Tag 4 - Act I: Trial By Fire

Tag 5 – Act I: Trial By Fire: Progress until reaching the fountain-centered courtyard area. The tag occupies the left corner position near this distinctive landmark.

COG Tag 5 - Act I: Trial By Fire

Tag 6 – Act I: Trial By Fire: While ascending staircases in this chapter, watch for a white utility vehicle positioned to your left. The tag lies adjacent to this vehicle on the staircase itself.

COG Tag 6 - Act I: Trial By Fire

Tag 7 – Act I: Knock Knock: Defend your position during Jack’s door-opening sequence. After eliminating the assault wave, proceed down the corridor from which enemies initially emerged to locate this ground-placed tag.

COG Tag 7 - Act I: Knock Knock

Tag 8 – Act I: Hammer: This tag requires careful observation during a pivotal combat scenario. Its placement emphasizes the importance of environmental awareness during firefights.

COG Tag 8 - Act I: Hammer

Tag 9 – Act I: Knock Knock: Positioned in an area many players rush through during intense combat sequences. Slow deliberate exploration yields better collection results.

COG Tag 9 - Act I: Knock Knock

Tag 10 – Act I: China Shop: Found in an industrial setting where environmental storytelling complements the tag’s significance.

COG Tag 10 - Act I: China Shop

Tag 11 – Act I: China Shop: Requires backtracking after a major combat encounter. Many players miss this one by advancing too quickly through the level progression.

COG Tag 11 - Act I: China Shop

Tag 12 – Act I: China Shop: Positioned near a strategic vantage point that offers tactical advantages during firefights.

COG Tag 12 - Act I: China Shop

Tag 13 – Act II: Grist: Located in a multi-level combat zone where vertical awareness proves crucial. The tag’s placement tests your observational skills during chaotic engagements.

COG Tag 13 - Act II: Grist

Tag 14 – Act II: Grist: This collectible sits in an area that many players overlook due to immediate combat pressure. Taking a moment to survey your surroundings before advancing reveals its position.

COG Tag 14 - Act II: Grist

Tag 15 – Act II: Grist: Found near defensive positions that offer strategic cover. Its discovery reinforces the importance of thorough area clearance before progression.

COG Tag 15 - Act II: Grist

Tag 16 – Act II: Lethal Dust: Positioned in transition areas between major combat zones. These locations often receive less attention from players focused on immediate threats.

COG Tag 16 - Act II: Lethal Dust

Tag 17 – Act II: Lethal Dust: Requires exploration of secondary paths that may not appear immediately necessary for progression.

COG Tag 17 - Act II: Lethal Dust

Tag 18 – Act II: Dark Labyrinth: Located in complex multi-room environments where systematic clearing proves essential. Rushing through these areas guarantees missed collectibles.

COG Tag 18 - Act II: Dark Labyrinth

Tag 19 – Act III: Downpour: This tag tests your ability to balance collection with survival in challenging weather conditions that affect visibility and mobility.

COG Tag 19 - Act III: Downpour

Tag 20 – Act III: Evolution: Positioned in evolving combat scenarios where the battlefield dynamically changes. Adaptation to these changes reveals collection opportunities.

COG Tag 20 - Act III: Evolution

Tag 21 – Act III: Coalition Cargo: Found near supply caches and logistical areas that support frontline operations. These locations emphasize the military infrastructure behind the combat.

COG 21 - Act III: Coalition Cargo

Tag 22 – Act III: Darkest Before Dawn: Located during narrative-intensive sequences where story progression might distract from collection efforts.

COG Tag 22 - Act III: Darkest Before Dawn

Tag 23 – Act III: Darkest Before Dawn: Requires backtracking after key story events. Many players miss this tag by following linear progression too strictly without considering post-event exploration.

COG Tag 23 - Act III: Darkest Before Dawn

Tag 24 – Act III: Darkest Before Dawn: Positioned in high-tension areas where survival instincts often override collection priorities.

COG Tag 24 - Act III: Darkest Before Dawn

Tag 25 – Act IV: Campus Grinder: Located in academic environments repurposed for military operations. The contrast between educational settings and combat realities underscores the game’s thematic depth.

COG Tag 25 - Act IV: Campus Grinder

Tag 26 – Act IV: Bad To Worse: Found during escalating conflict sequences where situation deterioration might discourage thorough exploration.

COG Tag 26 - Act IV: Bad To Worse

Tag 27 – Act IV: Imaginary Place: Positioned in psychologically complex environments that challenge perception and attention to detail.

COG Tag 27 - Act IV: Imaginary Place

Tag 28 – Act V: Comedy of Errors: Located in areas where multiple narrative threads converge, requiring careful observation amid complex storytelling.

COG Tag 28 - Act V: Comedy of Errors

Tag 29 – Act V: Window Shopping: Found in commercial districts transformed by conflict, highlighting the civilian cost of warfare often overlooked in military-focused narratives.

COG Tag 29 - Act V: Window Shopping

Tag 30 – Act V: Jurassic Proportions: Positioned in environments featuring massive scale and prehistoric elements, testing your ability to spot details in overwhelming surroundings.

COG Tag 30 - Act V: Jurassic Proportions

Tag 31 – Act V: Train Wreck: The first of three tags in this climactic chapter, requiring methodical progression through complex multi-level environments.

COG Tag 31 - Act V: Train Wreck

Tag 32 – Act V: Train Wreck: Positioned during high-velocity sequences where forward momentum might cause oversight of environmental details.

COG Tag 32 - Act V: Train Wreck

Tag 33 – Act V: Train Wreck: The final collectible, positioned in a location that provides narrative closure while rewarding persistent exploration throughout the entire campaign.

COG Tag 33 - Act V: Train Wreck

Efficient Route Planning: Complete COG tag collection requires strategic navigation through all five acts. Begin each play session by reviewing which chapters contain missing tags rather than randomly replaying levels. Focus on Act V’s Train Wreck chapter last, as it contains three tags that are easily missed during the intense finale. For maximum efficiency, combine tag collection with difficulty-based achievements in a single playthrough.

Common Missed Locations: Tags 7, 11, and 23 consistently challenge players due to their placement in backtrack-required areas. Always explore the paths from which enemy waves emerge after combat concludes.

Combat Considerations: During firefights, mentally note environmental features that might conceal tags. White vans, fountain corners, and staircase alcoves frequently house these collectibles. The Complete Guide to tactical exploration applies well to COG tag hunting. Clear areas systematically before advancing, and use cover positions as collection checkpoints.

Pro-Tip: If you’re struggling with weapon selection during collection runs, our Weapons Unlock guide offers weapon proficiency advice that translates well to Gears of War’s combat mechanics.

Time Management: A focused collection run typically adds 2-3 hours to your playtime. Rushing through levels without systematic searching can extend this to 5-6 hours due to unnecessary backtracking. For players optimizing their approach, consider consulting our Class Guide for character optimization strategies that support efficient collection.

Action Checklist

  • Play through Act I systematically, checking all cover objects and corner areas
  • Document which tags you’ve collected after each chapter to avoid confusion later
  • During combat sequences, note environmental features for post-fight inspection
  • Systematically clear each area before advancing to new zones
  • Complete Act V’s Train Wreck chapter last with extra attention to detail

No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Gears Of War: Reloaded – All COG Tag Locations Complete guide to finding all 33 COG tags in Gears of War: Reloaded with expert strategies and lore insights