Horizon Zero Dawn - How Do You Get The Most Powerful Armor In The Game?

For those who have played Horizon Zero Dawn, I'm sure you would realize by now how weak your armor is, whether it's the purple one or not.

The most powerful armor can't be acquired by metal shards, but by doing a rather difficult quest. Difficult in the sense that you have to go and fetch five power cells from very diverse locations.

What's good about the armor is that it's totally IMBA. It absorbs so much damage and the armor recharges by itself. You can take a load of damage and it may not even reach your health bar.

The good news is, such armor exists. The bad news is, you'll probably get it closer to the end game.

I first stumbled upon the armor when I fell into a bunker near Mother's Embrace. There are a couple of Striders nearby there. The quest is called "Ancient Armory" and you can begin the quest pretty early in the game.

To unlock the armor, you need to find 5 different power cells. These five are usually related to the main quests, and the last one can only be obtained close to the end of the game.

Here are the five locations:

1. Underground Bunker from the story

When you first start playing Horizon Zero Dawn, you'll play as a small girl and she will fall into one of these bunkers left by the "Old Ones". The first power cell can actually be found there. You need to go back to the old underground bunker and the power cell is there. You will see a green icon on the power cell. In Horizon Zero Dawn, purple is very rare, green is uncommon, blue is rare and white is ordinary.

I won't pinpoint the exact steps to reach the power cell as it's too cumbersome. For this first location, the power cell is blocked by some "stalagmites" or some sort of pointy stuff resembling stalagmites. You can just break them with a melee attack and get the power cell.

2. All-Mother Temple

The second one is actually obtainable in an early quest in the game (Womb of the Mountain). The power cell is in one of the rooms and you have to cross a narrow vent to get it. Sadly for me, I missed the power cell as I didn't explore further during the quest. Furthermore, I didn't have the quest activated at the time so I didn't know about the powerful armor. Most people miss it actually. Luckily, you can come back to this All-Mother Temple nearing the end. There are apparently glitches or ways to get to this temple earlier, but they didn't work for me. Based on some online guides, apparently you can get them if you either:

• Fast travel to the nearest campfire. Walk pass the bridge and turn back, and the gate should be open; or

• Climb the surrounding mountains and actually bypass the gate.

The first one didn't work for me and I didn't attempt the second method. I don't think it's necessary since the last power cell can only be obtained much later.

3. Maker's End

Maker's End is one of the main quests and it's located at the end of the map. You'll have to face a Deathbringer (your first encounter) and climb up the building. Once you reach the peak, you're supposed to find clues on Dr. Elisabeth Sobeck. Once you're done, don't go away. The power cell is located even higher! You need to climb up, right until the very tip of the building and it's located at the tip.

4. The Grave Hoard

The Grave Hoard is also one of the main quests and it's not going to be easy. The power cell is located at a pretty visible place, but the quest itself requires you to defeat a full HP Deathbringer. It's not an easy match unless you've chosen the Easy/Story mode. As long as you explore each location thoroughly, I doubt you'll miss the power cell.

5. Gaia Prime

Gaia Prime is a place you have to go during the quest "The Mountain That Fell". It's one of the last quests. On the way to the top of the mountain, you'll have lots of machines to battle, i.e. Ravagers, Striders, Watchers and Glinthawks, all at the same location. You'll have to defeat a huge Stormbird as well! Use Ropecaster to pin down the Stormbird awhile as it makes the battle much easier.

Once you're done, you'll reach Gaia Prime and it's a long story telling quest. Once it's done, look carefully for the power cell. You may actually miss this one.

Five Power Cells Obtained

Once you have obtained all five power cells, go back to the underground bunker where you started the Ancient Armory quest. Insert the power cells as instructed and solve the easy puzzles. Once they're all done, the armor is unlocked and the game is suddenly so much easier to play!

I used the armor and fought a Thunderjaw without a scratch to my health bar. That's how IMBA this is.

For those who play Horizon Zero Dawn, hopefully this are useful tips!

Thanks for reading!

Sources: 1, 2

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