Exploring the world of *Horizon Zero Dawn* reveals many hidden treasures, and one of the most elusive yet rewarding collectibles is the Power Cell. Among the five Power Cells required to unlock the Shield-Weaver armor, the one located at the Grave-Hoard stands out due to the complexity of the area and the puzzle-solving involved. Players diving deep into the Grave-Hoard will not only face numerous enemies and environmental challenges but must also carefully explore and solve power source puzzles to access this hidden treasure. Understanding how to find the Power Cell at the Grave-Hoard can significantly impact your overall gameplay progression.
What Is the Grave-Hoard?
The Grave-Hoard is an ancient, derelict Old World military facility buried deep in the northeastern mountains of the game’s map. This location becomes accessible during the main quest titled The Grave-Hoard, where Aloy uncovers details about Project: Zero Dawn. The area is loaded with Old World technology, including holo-lock puzzles, dead machines, and audio logs revealing important lore.
More importantly for gear collectors, the Grave-Hoard also holds one of the five Power Cells needed to unlock the powerful Shield-Weaver armor. This armor provides near-invulnerability, making it one of the most valuable unlockables in the game.
Prerequisites Before Entering the Grave-Hoard
- You must progress far enough in the main story to unlock the quest The Grave-Hoard.
- Be well-equipped with weapons, traps, and healing items as the area contains multiple enemy encounters, including corrupted machines.
- Prepare to solve environmental puzzles involving power circuits and holo-lock mechanisms.
Locating the Power Cell in the Grave-Hoard
The Power Cell in the Grave-Hoard is hidden within a locked side room that requires activating a series of power circuits. To reach this location, players must first descend into the lower level of the facility and interact with a series of ancient tech puzzles. Here’s how you can do it step-by-step:
Step 1: Complete the Main Circuit Puzzle
After entering the Grave-Hoard, you’ll come across a power room that controls much of the facility’s systems. In this room, there are three power node puzzles with rotating dials. These dials must be aligned correctly to activate a nearby door. Each dial has a specific orientation (e.g., up, down, left, right), and you can determine the correct configuration by scanning a nearby datapoint or viewing nearby wires connected to them.
Step 2: Solve the Secondary Holo-Lock Puzzle
Once the first puzzle is solved, a door will open leading deeper into the ruins. Proceed until you reach a room with a locked door on the left. Nearby, you’ll find another holo-lock puzzle. This one often causes confusion because it doesn’t offer direct visual hints. However, the trick is to activate the power switches in a specific sequence to unlock the door.
Step 3: Enter the Side Room to Find the Power Cell
Once both puzzles are solved, head into the newly opened side chamber. Inside, you’ll find a small crate next to some Old World technology. The Power Cell will be lying on the ground, glowing with its distinct blue energy. Approach and collect it to add it to your inventory. This is one of five Power Cells you need to find in the game to unlock the Shield-Weaver armor back at the Ancient Armory.
Tips for Successfully Retrieving the Grave-Hoard Power Cell
The Power Cell isn’t too difficult to retrieve if you follow the correct steps. However, a few additional tips can help make the process smoother:
- Use Aloy’s Focus frequently to scan the environment. It highlights power lines and active nodes that provide clues for puzzles.
- Take your time to solve puzzles. If you align all the nodes incorrectly, you won’t progress, so rotate slowly and carefully.
- Save your game before attempting the puzzles. This allows you to reload quickly if you make a mistake or get overwhelmed by enemies.
- Explore every room and look carefully for hidden passages. The Power Cell is easy to miss if you’re rushing through the area.
Importance of Power Cells in Horizon Zero Dawn
The Power Cells in Horizon Zero Dawn serve a unique function. They are not used for crafting or upgrading gear in the traditional sense but are required to unlock a special armor set: the Shield-Weaver. This armor is hidden in the Ancient Armory and requires five Power Cells to open a series of doors leading to the suit. The armor makes Aloy nearly invincible, absorbing all incoming damage until its energy is depleted and then slowly recharging.
Collecting the Power Cell from the Grave-Hoard is a critical step toward obtaining this armor. Missing even one of the five Power Cells means you won’t be able to unlock the final reward. That’s why exploring locations like the Grave-Hoard thoroughly is so important.
All Power Cell Locations (For Context)
To give you an idea of how the Grave-Hoard Power Cell fits into the bigger picture, here is a list of all five locations:
- Ruins: The very first Power Cell is found in the ruins Aloy falls into as a child. You can return there later using a climbing path to retrieve it.
- All-Mother Temple: Found after completing the main quest The Womb of the Mountain. It’s hidden in one of the side rooms inside the temple.
- Maker’s End: Located at the top of the skyscraper where Aloy learns about Elisabet Sobeck. Found at the very end of the quest Maker’s End.
- The Grave-Hoard: The focus of this topic found by solving power puzzles in the Old World military base.
- GAIA Prime: Discovered during the The Mountain That Fell quest. It’s hidden near the final mission area.
Why the Grave-Hoard Power Cell Matters
The Power Cell at the Grave-Hoard may seem like just another collectible at first glance, but it plays a vital role in acquiring one of Horizon Zero Dawn’s most powerful armor sets. Not only does it offer practical value in terms of gameplay, but its placement within one of the most lore-rich areas also adds narrative weight. The Grave-Hoard is not just another ruin; it represents the broken past and the remnants of a civilization that once wielded incredible technology.
For completionists and power-seekers alike, retrieving this Power Cell is a must. Between solving intricate puzzles, facing off against corrupted machines, and uncovering deeper mysteries of the world, this journey to the Grave-Hoard exemplifies what makes Horizon Zero Dawn’s world so immersive. With the Shield-Weaver armor in reach, players will find that all the effort and problem-solving were absolutely worth it.