Ancient Armory Walkthrough and Power Cell Locations

This guide will show you how to complete the Ancient Armory, a side quest in Horizon Zero Dawn. Read on to learn the quest objectives, strategies, power cell locations, and rewards for the Ancient Armory side quest.

Ancient Armory Quest Information

General Info

Quest Giver	None. This quest triggers immediately after finding a Power Cell or entering the location of the Ancient Armory.
Description	An ancient suit of armor lies in a ruin of the Old Ones, visible but out of reach.
Rewards	8330 XP +1 Shield-Weaver Outfit Box
Recommended Level	28

Quest Location

Map Location

World Location

The Ancient Armory can be found in an undergrond bunker east of Mother's Rise, the entrance of which is next to what seems to be the ruins of an old radio tower. It's a short jump in and a quick swim before making it ot the armory itself.

Ancient Armory Walkthrough

How to Complete

	Objectives
1	Locate The Ancient Armory or Find A Power Cell Head east of Mother's Rise to find the underground bunker. This will automatically trigger the beginning of the quest. After scanning and looking around, Aloy will notice that there are power cells missing. Alternatively, you can begin the quest early by obtaining the Power Cell in All-Mother Mountain after the Proving.
2	Locate The 5 Power Cells 5 Power Cells are hidden all over the world, though a few are tied to areas that require certain quests to unlock. These 5 Power Cells are Located at: Ruins where Aloy fell as a child in A Gift From the Past, All-Mother Mountain, Maker's End, Grave-Hoard, and GAIA Prime.
3	Unlock the Door You only need 2 Power Cells to open the door and enter the armory, but will need all 5 to acquire the armor set. Repair the Fuses and using the Code Nexus on the right, turn the Holo Locks to match the "times" given (i.e. 1200 means North for 12:00).
4	Repair the Fuses to Restore Power The remaining 3 Power Cells will be used to repair the fuses in the room on the far end of the armory. Like the first door, you'll need to solve the puzzle to continue forward.
5	Restore Power to Unlock the Mechanism Scan the Code Nexus on the left for clues. Each value represents an angle (i.e. 90 means East like a 90 degree angle).. Using this, turn the Holo Locks accordingly.
6	Collect the Armor Once power is restored, head back to the main room and take your reward of a brand new armor set!

Puzzle Solutions

Door Puzzle

Power Mechanism

Power Cell Locations

Ruins Where Aloy Fell as a Child

Acquired at any time after the Proving.

Recommended Level: N/A

Returning to the ruins from A Gift From the Past, there are 2 areas blocked by stalagtites and stalagmites. While they could not be broken while Aloy was a child, you can now use your spear to open up the path. The Power Cell is located deeper in this ruin.

On the table at the back of this room is the Power Cell, marked with a greet diamond.

All-Mother Mountain

Acquired before leaving All-Mother Mountain after the Proving or after The Heart of The Nora.

Recommended Level: 25 (If After The Heart of The Nora)

The second powercell is actually available early in the game if you choose to stray off from Teersa before exiting the mountain to find it. If you miss it though, you can always wait till after The Heart of The Nora to acquire it.

To find it, head down the hall and veer off into what seems like a dead end hallway. The door will remain locked even after inspecting it. To the right, lit by candles is a small crawlspace that you can crouch in and follow.

Once you exit this space, you'll find the Power Cell just waiting outside!

Maker's End

Acquired during the Maker's End Quest.

Recommended Level: 14

During the Maker's End Quest, you'll be making your way up Faro Automated Solutions. When you've reached the top, instead of scanning the datapoint, turn around and head up the footholds that go all the way to the tip of the tower.

It's not too far a climb, but the views are breathtaking and you'll be led around the back of the tower.

Careful not to fall as it's a long way down, but here at the top of the world, you'll find one Power Cell waiting for you!

Grave-Hoard

Acquired during the Grave-Hoard Quest.

Recommended Level: 18

The 4th Power Cell is one of the easiest to find, as it's a part of the Grave-Hoard Quest and is barely hidden!

Before entering a large room of enemies, Aloy will come down a small hallway, and in an alcove is a green diamond that marks the Power Cell here.

GAIA Prime

Acquired during The Mountain That Fell Quest.

Recommended Level: 28

Before quest triggers

After quest triggers

This Power Cell can only be attained during The Mountain That Fell Quest as any time before it is triggered, the way up is impassable. It is only when the quest is triggered that a ladder will become available. It is reccomended to wait until you're at a high enough level to overcome the Bitter Climb to get to GAIA Prime and trigger the quest before attempting to climb up here.

Follow the quest markers until after you rapell down into GAIA Prime.

At this point, turn left and you'll see handholds that go up into a space with purple light.

Map Location

World Location

At the top, head inwards and follow the light.

Map Location

World Location

The Power Cell will be on a shelf at the back. Once that's done you're ready to head back and grab your new armor!

In case you need to head back up, there's are spaces you climb between the landing area and the Power Cell's area.

Tips and Strategies

Take Your Time

Almost all of the quests involved in gathering the Power Cells are related to the main story, so there's no need to rush, especially when the last one can't be unlocked until The Mountain That Fell Quest. Gain skills and experience and pursue these items as you go through the story.

Keep an Eye Out

While you can always return to these locations after their related quests, some Power Cells are deep within large buildings and ruins and it can be time consuming to run in again just to grab it. So if you're planning to do the quest, take note of Power Cell Locations ahead of time!

Prepare for Enemies

All Power Cells, except Power Cell 1 have a multitude of enemies to face and combat. Power Cell 5 in particular involves a long and difficult journey through multiple areas infested with machines. Always come prepared for a fight so that you can take enemies down with ease!

Horizon Zero Dawn Quests

List of All Quests

Side Quests

Horizon Zero Dawn Side Quests
In her Mother's Footsteps	The Forgotten	Insult to Injury
Underquipped	A Daughter's Vengeance	A Moment's Peace
Heap of Trouble	Death from the Skies	Blood on Stone
Fatal Inheritance	Sun and Shadow	Sunstone Rock
Acquired Taste	Robbing the Rich	Hunters' Blind
Honor the Fallen	Redmaw	Weapons of the Lodge
Ancient Armory	Traitor's Bounty	Queen's Gambit
Cause for Concern - Farewell	-	-
Frozen Wilds Side Quests (DLC)
Waterlogged	The Hunters Three	The Survivor
Frontier Justice	-	-

Other Quests

Main Quests	Side Quests	Cauldron
Tallnecks	Hunting Grounds	Errands
Corrupted Zone	Tutorial Quests	Bandit Camps