diff --git a/apps/api/src/data/bosses.ts b/apps/api/src/data/bosses.ts
index dde3398..f8b089a 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/data/bosses.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/data/bosses.ts
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 100,
     upgradeRewards: ["click_3"],
     equipmentRewards: ["vorpal_sword", "dragon_scale"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 1,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "shattered_ruins",
   },
   // ── Shadow Marshes ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 150,
     upgradeRewards: ["arcane_scholar_1"],
     equipmentRewards: ["crystal_shard"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 1,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "shadow_marshes",
   },
   // ── Frozen Peaks ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 100,
     upgradeRewards: ["dragon_rider_1"],
     equipmentRewards: [],
-    prestigeRequirement: 1,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "frozen_peaks",
   },
   {
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 250,
     upgradeRewards: ["void_walker_1"],
     equipmentRewards: ["frost_crystal"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 2,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "frozen_peaks",
   },
   {
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 500,
     upgradeRewards: [],
     equipmentRewards: ["philosophers_stone"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 3,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "frozen_peaks",
   },
   // ── Volcanic Depths ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 150,
     upgradeRewards: ["celestial_guard_1"],
     equipmentRewards: ["flame_lance"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 2,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "volcanic_depths",
   },
   {
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 400,
     upgradeRewards: ["crystal_resonance"],
     equipmentRewards: ["volcanic_plate"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 3,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "volcanic_depths",
   },
   {
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 800,
     upgradeRewards: ["crystal_mastery"],
     equipmentRewards: ["eternal_flame"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 4,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "volcanic_depths",
   },
   // ── Astral Void (original) ────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 1_000,
     upgradeRewards: ["divine_champion_1"],
     equipmentRewards: ["astral_robe"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 4,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "astral_void",
   },
   {
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 2_500,
     upgradeRewards: ["crystal_focus"],
     equipmentRewards: ["celestial_blade"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 5,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "astral_void",
   },
   {
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ export const DEFAULT_BOSSES: Boss[] = [
     crystalReward: 10_000,
     upgradeRewards: [],
     equipmentRewards: ["infinity_gem"],
-    prestigeRequirement: 6,
+    prestigeRequirement: 0,
     zoneId: "astral_void",
   },
   // ── Celestial Reaches ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/apps/web/src/components/game/QuestPanel.tsx b/apps/web/src/components/game/QuestPanel.tsx
index 71460a7..247e602 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/components/game/QuestPanel.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/components/game/QuestPanel.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import type { Quest } from "@elysium/types";
 import { useState } from "react";
 import { useGame } from "../../context/GameContext.js";
+import { formatNumber } from "../../utils/format.js";
 import { LockToggle } from "../ui/LockToggle.js";
 import { ZoneSelector } from "./ZoneSelector.js";
 
@@ -19,9 +20,10 @@ const questTimeRemaining = (quest: Quest): number => {
 interface QuestCardProps {
   quest: Quest;
   unlockHint?: string | undefined;
+  zoneHint?: string | undefined;
 }
 
-const QuestCard = ({ quest, unlockHint }: QuestCardProps): React.JSX.Element => {
+const QuestCard = ({ quest, unlockHint, zoneHint }: QuestCardProps): React.JSX.Element => {
   const { startQuest } = useGame();
 
   return (
@@ -33,9 +35,9 @@ const QuestCard = ({ quest, unlockHint }: QuestCardProps): React.JSX.Element =>
           {quest.rewards.map((reward, index) => (
             // eslint-disable-next-line react/no-array-index-key -- rewards have no unique id
             <span key={index} className="reward-tag">
-              {reward.type === "gold" && `🪙 ${reward.amount?.toLocaleString()}`}
-              {reward.type === "essence" && `✨ ${reward.amount?.toLocaleString()}`}
-              {reward.type === "crystals" && `💎 ${reward.amount?.toLocaleString()}`}
+              {reward.type === "gold" && `🪙 ${formatNumber(reward.amount ?? 0)}`}
+              {reward.type === "essence" && `✨ ${formatNumber(reward.amount ?? 0)}`}
+              {reward.type === "crystals" && `💎 ${formatNumber(reward.amount ?? 0)}`}
               {reward.type === "upgrade" && "🔓 Upgrade"}
               {reward.type === "adventurer" && "👥 New Adventurer"}
             </span>
@@ -46,7 +48,8 @@ const QuestCard = ({ quest, unlockHint }: QuestCardProps): React.JSX.Element =>
         {quest.status === "locked" && (
           <>
             <span className="quest-badge locked">🔒 Locked</span>
-            {unlockHint && <p className="unlock-hint">📜 Complete: {unlockHint}</p>}
+            {zoneHint && <p className="unlock-hint">🗺️ Unlock zone: {zoneHint}</p>}
+            {!zoneHint && unlockHint && <p className="unlock-hint">📜 Complete: {unlockHint}</p>}
           </>
         )}
         {quest.status === "available" && (
@@ -84,9 +87,15 @@ export const QuestPanel = (): React.JSX.Element => {
     : zoneQuests.filter((q) => q.status !== "locked");
 
   const questNameById = new Map(state.quests.map((q) => [q.id, q.name]));
+  const zoneById = new Map(zones.map((z) => [z.id, z]));
   const questUnlockHints = new Map<string, string>();
+  const questZoneHints = new Map<string, string>();
   for (const quest of state.quests) {
-    if (quest.status === "locked" && quest.prerequisiteIds.length > 0) {
+    if (quest.status !== "locked") continue;
+    const zone = zoneById.get(quest.zoneId);
+    if (zone?.status === "locked") {
+      questZoneHints.set(quest.id, zone.name);
+    } else if (quest.prerequisiteIds.length > 0) {
       const prereqId = quest.prerequisiteIds[0];
       if (prereqId) {
         const prereqName = questNameById.get(prereqId);
@@ -116,7 +125,7 @@ export const QuestPanel = (): React.JSX.Element => {
 
       <div className="quest-list">
         {visibleQuests.map((quest) => (
-          <QuestCard key={quest.id} quest={quest} unlockHint={questUnlockHints.get(quest.id)} />
+          <QuestCard key={quest.id} quest={quest} unlockHint={questUnlockHints.get(quest.id)} zoneHint={questZoneHints.get(quest.id)} />
         ))}
         {visibleQuests.length === 0 && (
           <p className="empty-zone">No quests to show in this zone.</p>