The Ancient Armor, previously known as the Golden Armor, is located deep within a boarded-up cave on the western side of the Sons Of The Forest map, near a large lake and the snowy mountains. This armor is a mandatory progression item required to reach the endgame and escape the island.
Ancient Armor Location
The Ancient Armor is found in a large cultist cave situated on the southwestern side of the mountain, close to two prominent lakes visible on your GPS. The cave has two entrances, with the eastern one being slightly more convenient if you have already unlocked the luxury bunker across the lake from the resident bunker on the eastern shoreline. The entrance is marked by two dead cultists dressed in white clothing.
Preparing for the Cave
Before attempting to retrieve the Ancient Armor, it is crucial to gather specific items to ensure your survival through the challenging cave system. The cave is flooded in many sections and filled with dangerous enemies.
| Item | Importance | Location/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rebreather | Essential for underwater breathing in flooded sections. | Found in a smaller cave near the north beach spawn points, marked on your GPS. |
| Air Tanks | Provides additional oxygen for extended underwater travel. | The cave contains some, but bringing a supply is recommended. |
| Powerful Weapons | For defending against numerous mutants. | Bring your strongest combat gear. |
| Food & Meds | For healing and sustaining yourself throughout the long cave. | Stock up on consumables. |
| Tarps | Allows you to set up save points within the cave. | Useful for long dungeon crawls. |
Without the Rebreather, you will not be able to navigate the flooded sections of the cave and will not make it to the armor. Ensure you have a solid supply of air tanks, as the journey is extensive.
Cave Walkthrough to the Ancient Armor
Upon reaching the boarded-up cave entrance, use an axe or other weapon to break through the wooden boards. The cave system is largely linear, so following the only available path will guide you.
- Initial Entry: Once inside, proceed forward and pick up an Air Tank located to the right of the water.
- First Dive: Enter the water and dive down. Swim through the flooded tunnel until you resurface.
- Resurface and Continue: Another Air Tank can be found on the right after resurfacing. Continue following the path, past mutants, until you reach a rock with a blood-drawn image on the left.
- Slide and Swim: Move forward to slide down into another flooded area. Swim straight ahead to emerge near some life jackets.
- Large Open Area: Continue forward into a large open area filled with dead cultists. Loot the area for resources and ammunition.
- Yellow Mural Path: Locate a cultist under a light and a yellow mural on the wall. Take the path to the left of this cultist.
- Red Lit Water: Follow this path to an open area with a large body of water, illuminated by a red light. Take the path leading right.
- Crouch and Golden Beams: Follow this path, crouching when the ceiling lowers. Pass the golden beams in the rock on the right and continue along the corridor.
- Waterfall and Grate: You’ll encounter a waterfall on the right and a golden grate on the left. Continue past the waterfall towards the light on the other side of the cave.
- Golden Structures: Pass two dead cultists on a rock and follow the golden structures on either side, aiming for the light on the opposite cave side.
- Suspended Crosses: You will see more crosses and another boarded-up area. Break through this and proceed through the corridor with suspended crosses.
- Ledge and Fork: Drop down onto a ledge and navigate a tight corridor. This leads to a fork:
- Left: A dead end with breakable boxes containing loot. Collect items here if desired.
- Right: The correct path forward.
- Space Suit Body: You’ll find an Air Tank just before a body in a Space Suit.
- Second Dive: Enter the water and swim right through another flooded tunnel.
- Golden Light and Panel: 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 reach a gold panel underwater, dive further down and go left.
- Golden Glow and Ore: As you emerge, head towards the golden glow. Turn right when you reach the ore in the wall, where you’ll see another body in a Space Suit.
- Electrical Corridor: This leads into a darkened corridor where you can hear electricity. Follow this to the left to enter a room with pulsing electricity and multiple Space Suit bodies.
- Crashed Spacecraft: Go behind the crashed spacecraft. Break down the wooden planks at the back to access it.
- Ancient Armor: Inside the spacecraft, you will find one piece of the Artifact and the Ancient Armor from the body within.
Escaping the Cave
To exit the cave after obtaining the Ancient Armor:
- Sloping Path: Follow the sloping path behind the spacecraft until you reach the top, near the electricity.
- Rope Climbs: Find a body with a rope hanging down and climb it. Climb a second rope.
- Left Path: At the top, take the path to the left and head to the back of the cave with hanging skeletons to find another rope.
- Air Tank and Hole: Stick to this path, eventually turning right, where you can pick up another Air Tank before a small hole leading into water.
- Underwater Tunnel: Use your Rebreather to swim through the underwater cave and the golden tunnel underwater.
- Crawling Mutants: Emerge and continue straight, past crawling mutants.
- Rope to Exit: Use the rope found at the end of the path to continue escaping the cave.
- Final Descent: At the top, continue forward to another rope. Climb down this rope, sliding down a steep path into a small body of water.
- Final Boards: Continue along the path past mutants and hanging skeletons until you reach more boards to break. Smash through these to find a tunnel covered in crosses.
- Second Door: Break through the second door immediately after.
- Glow of Tunnel: As you head forward, you’ll reach a body of water and the glow of a tunnel ahead, which is where the next Artifact piece is located.
FAQ
What is the Golden Armor called now? The Golden Armor is now officially called the Ancient Armor as of the 1.0 update.
Do I need any special items before entering the cave? Yes, you absolutely need the Rebreather to navigate the flooded sections of the cave. It’s also recommended to bring extra Air Tanks, powerful weapons, food, meds, and tarps.
Is the Ancient Armor essential for the game? Yes, the Ancient Armor is a mandatory progression item for the game’s ending.
Has the location of the Ancient Armor changed? Yes, the location of the Ancient Armor was changed with Update 02. It is no longer found with the Golden Mask but in a large cultist cave on the western side of the map.
Are there enemies in the cave? Yes, the cave is filled with dangerous enemies, including mutants, so prepare for combat.