Ancient Armory

This quest starts after finding the first power cell or locating the armory itself. This quest is about finding all five power cells and using them to unlock the room where the most powerful armor in the game is hidden. Getting to this armory is entirely optional but since most of the power cells required to unlock the armor are acquired during later main quests, it will be worth the effort. Two of the power cells are needed to unlock the armory while the last three is needed to power-up the mechanical arms and release the armor for you to claim.

The Armor

Even when not modded, the armor is very powerful, capable of nullifying a considerable amount of damage before your health is reduced. You’ll see a regular interval of blue hexagonal layers projected by the armor, which indicates that the protective layer is active. This layer of protection also applies to elemental damage which means you won’t poisoned/damaged by corruption for a while even when stepping on the corruption sludge left by corrupted machines.

Once the shields are down, the hexagon shapes will project red instead of blue. You’ll take normal damage at this point but need to wait for a few seconds for the shields to recharge with the same amount of protection to be applied again. This is very useful especially during the last major battle in the game.

Power Cell Locations

Ruins

This is inside the first ruins that Aloy explored as a kid. Return when Aloy is an adult but this time, mind the drop from the ruin’s opening aboveground. If you dropped down from the side where the metal bar and narrow ledge is located, you’ll start off where Rost rescued young Aloy. If you dropped into the larger hole of the cavern, you’ll start off at the bottom of the cavern.

For this direction, we’ll start off at the ledge. Continue to the barracks where several human remains lie, then go downstairs. After the stairs, you should see the barely opened door.

Pry it open, continue past the “Happy birthday Isaac” corpse, then go upstairs. After reaching the next floor, turn to the right to find a room blocked by stalagmites and stalactites. Destroy them with your spear and pick up the power cell from the table.

Mother’s Heart

You can get this shortly after surviving the massacre at The Proving. However, if you’re like me who missed this the first time around, don’t worry. Fast-travel to Mother’s Watch. Upon arrival, you’ll see that the gate is closed and there’s an invisible wall that will prevent you from going around. Now, turn back and cross the nearby bridge then come back again. The gate should be open which will allow you to reach Mother’s Heart normally.

After entering the bunker, immediately take the first path going to the right then enter the first room to the left. The power cell is found on the floor.

Maker’s End

During the main quest Maker’s End, after climbing the towering building and reaching Faro’s office on the top floor, you’ll find some climbing holds leading to the top. Climb up that part of the building and you’ll find the power cell. (The rappel down is a great experience too)

Grave-Hoard

This is found along the way after restoring power to the ancient door by operating the power nodes. Since this method is necessary to proceed with the exploration of the bunker and the story, you wouldn’t miss this power cell.

Gaia Prime

During the main quest “The Mountain that Fell”, near the end of the quest after seeing the hologram of Ted Faro and the project leads in the conference room, find the climbing holds after the stairs and near the zipline. Make your way across and jump down when its safe to find a lit hallway. Enter it to find the power cell on the shelf.

Unlocking the Armory

The armory is found in the bunker east of Mother’s Rise. There’s a nearby campfire where you can fast-travel to. From there, head towards the rocky hill and find a collapsed radio tower. There are some climbing holds there that you can use to reach the top of the hill.

Continue down the opening in the middle and use another set of climbing holds to go down. Swim along the stream. If you haven’t picked up the Metal Flower in this location yet, you should find it on the left side before reaching the cavern.

Continue to the bunker and to the power nodes on the right side. Approach the empty node and “Repair Fuse” to place the power cell on the nodes. Once powered up, you have to turn them in the right positions. From left to right, turn the following combinations: UP (don’t turn), RIGHT, DOWN, LEFT, UP (don’t turn).

Head inside the armory then exit to the other side to find another set of power nodes. Repair all three fuses with the remaining power cells then from left to right again, do the following combination: RIGHT, LEFT, UP, RIGHT, LEFT.

This should release the clamps holding the armor. Interact with the armor to get the Shield-Weaver Outfit Box and complete the quest. To get the armor, open your inventory and select Treasure Boxes. Open the outfit box, go to your Outfits and equip it. Congratulations!