To complete a full walkthrough of the Golden Armor Cave, now known as the Ancient Armor cave, you must first acquire the Rebreather, then locate the cave on the southwestern side of the mountain, and finally navigate its linear, flooded passages, following golden markings and audio cues to reach a crashed spaceship where the armor is found.
Preparing for the Golden Armor Cave
Before attempting to enter the cave containing the Ancient Armor, previously known as the Golden Armor, it is crucial to gather specific items to ensure your survival and successful navigation. The most critical item is the Rebreather, as much of the cave system is flooded and requires underwater breathing. The Rebreather can be found in a smaller cave located near the northern beach spawn points, which should be marked on your GPS. While the cave itself may contain some air tanks, it is highly recommended to stock up on additional air tanks beforehand to avoid running out of oxygen during extended underwater sections.
Beyond the Rebreather and air tanks, consider bringing tarps to establish save points within the long dungeon crawl, allowing you to respawn closer to your progress if you encounter difficulties. The cave is populated with dangerous enemies, so equipping yourself with powerful weapons such as the Shotgun and Pistol, along with ample ammunition, is advisable. Healing items like food and medicine will also be essential for managing combat encounters and general health during your exploration.
Locating the Golden Armor Cave
As of the v1.0 update, the Ancient Armor’s location was moved to a large cultist cave situated on the southwestern side of the mountain. This cave is near two prominent lakes visible on your GPS. There are two entrances to this cave system. The eastern entrance is slightly more convenient if you have already opened the luxury bunker, which is located across the lake from the resident bunker on the eastern shoreline.
The cave entrance itself is typically boarded up. You will find two dead cultists dressed in white clothing near the entrance. Use an axe or another suitable weapon to break through these wooden boards to gain access. Once inside, the cave might initially appear overwhelming due to its size, but it is surprisingly linear, making navigation straightforward if you follow the correct path.
Navigating the Golden Armor Cave
Upon entering the cave, proceed forward. You’ll find an Air Tank to the right of the water. Collect this, then dive into the water. Swim through the flooded tunnel until you resurface, where another Air Tank can be found on the right. Expect mutant encounters in this area; you can choose to fight them or bypass them. Continue along the path until you reach a rock with a blood-like drawing on its left side. Progressing further will lead you to slide down into another flooded section. Swim straight ahead to emerge near some life jackets.
Advance until you reach a large open area littered with dead cultists. This area offers numerous resources and ammunition. Look for a cultist under a light, near a yellow-painted mural on the wall. A path branches off to the left here; follow it to another open area featuring a large body of water. A red light illuminates a path leading to the right. Follow this path, crouching when the ceiling lowers. Continue past golden beams in the rock on your right. You’ll pass a waterfall on the right and a golden grate on the left. Keep going past the waterfall towards a light on the opposite side of the cave.
You’ll pass two dead cultists on a nearby rock. Follow the golden structures on either side, heading towards the light. You’ll start to see more crosses and another boarded-up area. Break through these boards to enter a corridor with suspended crosses. Drop down onto the ledge below and navigate a tight corridor, which leads to a fork. The left path is a dead end but contains breakable boxes with loot. After collecting any desired items, take the right path. You’ll find an Air Tank just before a body in a Space Suit. Enter the water and swim right through another flooded tunnel.
Upon resurfacing, a gold light will be visible in the distance. Dive down when you reach it to swim through another flooded part of the cave. When you encounter a gold panel underwater, dive deeper and turn left. As you emerge, head towards the golden glow, then turn right when you reach the ore in the wall. You’ll see another body in a Space Suit. This leads into a darkened corridor where you’ll hear electrical sounds. Follow these sounds to the left to enter a room with pulsing electricity and multiple Space Suit bodies. Go behind the spacecraft, break the wooden planks at its rear, and enter. Inside the cockpit, you will find one piece of the Artifact and the Ancient Armor.
Exiting the Golden Armor Cave
To exit the cave after obtaining the Ancient Armor, follow the sloping path located behind the spacecraft. Ascend this path until you are close to the electricity. You will find a body with a rope hanging down; climb this rope, then climb a second one. At the top, take the path to the left and proceed towards the back of the cave, where hanging skeletons are visible. Here, you’ll find another rope to climb.
Continue along this path, eventually turning right. You will be able to pick up another Air Tank just before a small hole that leads into water. Utilize your Rebreather to swim through this underwater cave and then through the golden tunnel underwater. Once you emerge, continue straight, past any crawling mutants you encounter. At the end of this path, there will be another rope; use it to continue your escape.
At the top of this rope, move forward again to reach another rope. This time, you will need to climb down. This descent will lead you to slide down a steep path into a small body of water. Continue along the path, past more mutants and hanging skeletons, until you come across another set of boards that need to be broken. Smash through these to reveal another tunnel adorned with crosses, and then immediately break through a second door. As you advance, you will reach a body of water with the glow of a tunnel ahead. This tunnel is where the next Artifact piece is located.
FAQ
What is the Golden Armor called now? As of the 1.0 update, the Golden Armor is now officially called the Ancient Armor.
Is the Ancient Armor necessary for game progression? Yes, the Ancient Armor is a mandatory progression item required to reach the endgame and escape the island.
Do I need the Rebreather to get the Ancient Armor? Yes, the Rebreather is an essential item because much of the cave system where the Ancient Armor is located is flooded, and you cannot proceed without the ability to breathe underwater.
Where is the Ancient Armor cave located? The Ancient Armor cave is located on the southwestern side of the mountain, near two large lakes visible on your GPS.
How do I upgrade the Ancient Armor? To upgrade the Ancient Armor, you need to find the Sofalite Upgrader blueprint in the Luxury Bunker, near the entrance to the Hell Cave. Build the upgrader, place the Ancient Armor on it, and load the vat with Sofalite ore. This process will also summon a wave of mutants you must fight.