How To Get Power Cells In Horizon Zero Dawn

When traveling in the world of Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy will sometimes come across different sets of armor that provide protection when equipped. These outfits can be rewards for completing quests, looted, purchased from vendors and even crafted. However, there is one outfit in particular that players might come across early on that's just out of reach: the Shield-Weaver.

The Shield-Weaver armor is largely considered the best armor in the game, and many players may stumble upon it early on. However, actually unlocking it can take many players until the late game, as it's a time-consuming and difficult process. However, the reward of earning the Shield-Weaver armor, which can help Aloy survive even the most powerful attacks, is absolutely worth the investment.

Why You Need It

The Shield-Weaver, also known as the Ultra Weave, is an Old-World suit of power armor previously worn by soldiers to combat the Faro Plague. While the armor in its Old-World design can't be used, its components can be combined with tribal materials, making it look like a heavily modified Nora Brave outfit but with armor on the head, chest, shoulders and knees.

The best part about this armor is that it projects a powerful, rechargeable forcefield that absorbs all incoming damage. This armor can save you from normally fatal attacks from powerful enemies like Thunderjaws. When the shield is active, Aloy cannot be staggered by ranged attacks either. While higher difficulties will lower the amount of HP the shield has, this also means the shield will recharge at a faster rate. The only major trade off for this outfit is that it doesn't have any slots that can be modified.

Unlocking the "Ancient Armory" Quest

In the middle of the Sacred Lands is a ruin called the Bunker, and within it is an intact and usable suit of Ultra Weave power armor. The only trouble is that it's locked behind a door that needs to be powered up using five Power Cells found throughout the world. Finding the Bunker (or any of the Power Cells) starts the "Ancient Armory" side-quest. Many of these Power Cells are located in areas where main quests take place.

Finding the Power Cells

One Power Cell is found in the underground facility that Aloy fell into as a child. This location is within The Embrace that players start in, and it can be revisited at any time during the game. Return to the ruins near Mother's Watch and make your way through them. Eventually, you will come to a locked door that must be pried open with your spear. Afterwards, there will be another doorway which is blocked by stalactites. Simply smash these with your spear, and you will find the Power Cell on a table at the back of the room.

The second Power Cell is in All-Mother Mountain. After "The Proving" quest, you will end up here at the beginning of the main quest, "The Womb of the Mountain." Instead of following Teersa to the left, go straight out of the room where you get your equipment back until you find a locked red door. Look to the left, crawl down a tunnel lit with candles, and you will find the Cell in the room at the end.

If this Cell is not obtained during the "Womb of the Mountain" quest, it will not be accessible again until the main quest, "The Heart of the Nora," as the gate to Mother's Watch will be closed and All-Mother cannot be entered until then. However, since one of the cells cannot be obtained until that quest anyway, this doesn't make much difference overall.

The third cell is in the Maker's End ruin, which you will visit as part of the "Maker's End" main quest. Climb all the way to the top of the ruins to Ted Faro's office. Once there, instead of following the quest objective and examining the data storage system, turn around and find the yellow handholds leading up the ruined sky scraper. Follow these to the top and find the Power Cell there. Use the rappel point to return to Ted Faro's office and continue the quest.

The fourth cell is in the Grave-Hoard, where you will go to as part of the "Grave-Hoard" main storyline quest. Once you have restored power to the Ancient Door and gone through it, look around until you spot a green diamond, indicating the hidden Power Cell. You will need to pass this cell to get to the next part of the facility, so it is perhaps the most difficult one to miss.

The final Power Cell can be found during the quest "The Mountain That Fell" at the GAIA Prime ruins. Instead of rappelling down, go to the left of the rappel point and carefully move to the edge of the cliff. There are hidden handholds leading up to a hidden-in-plain-sight area where you will find a purple-lit hallway. The Power Cell sits on a shelf to the right at the very back.

Unlocking the Armor

Once you have all five Power Cells, return to the Bunker in the Sacred Lands and insert them into the vacant slots. You'll then need to solve a puzzle that involves rotating five hologram symbols into a certain position. A display to the right shows five 24-hour codes in military time. Imagine each hologram as a clock and turn them to their respective position.

After opening the first door, you'll find five more holographic locks to the right of the new room. Use the last three Power Cells, and this time, a panel on the left will show different angle measurements. Turn the locks to these positions (from left to right) right, left, up, right, left. This will open the final door and let you claim the game's best armor at long last.

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About The Author

Robert Koumarelas (200 Articles Published)

Robert Koumarelas is a writer, video and photo editor. Graduating from Sheridan College for Journalism, covering and writing about great stories has become as much passion as a career. Video games are not just a fun hobby for him, but a legitimate form of art and story telling that engages fans.