Horizon Forbidden West sees players returning to the post-apocalyptic world of the United States, with deadly machines running rampant and humanity thriving in an ever-changing world. While the main story provides thrilling missions and an in-depth narrative, players may also want to take part in the game’s various side-quests — some of which will reward you with exciting new rewards.
Drowned Hopes is just one of the many side-quests within Horizon Forbidden West, tasking players with searching three locations to uncover various Vault Keys, in order to access a Mobile Cover System. Completing this side-quest is recommended for players, as by doing so you will be rewarded with the Guardian Tripcaster. Here is your guide to completing the Drowned Hopes quest in Horizon Forbidden West.
Updated by Nathan Round on 17th January 2023: We have updated this guides formatting to remain consistent with the current formatting standards here at DualShockers. We have also provided added details to aid you in completing the Drowned Hopes side-quest in Horizon Forbidden West.
Starting The Drowned Hopes Quest
To activate the Drowned Hopes side-quest, you must talk to the Carja Scholars: Rushavid and Gendas at the Carja Camp, located near the Stone’s Echo on the map. Here Aloy will find the Scholars arguing about returning to a dig site, which holds valuable artifacts such as the data disk one of the Scholars is holding. After scanning the hard disk, Aloy agrees to head to the dig site on their behalf, in order to uncover an alleged Mobile Cover System. You can also start the quest by listening to the Rumor about the Carja Expedition by talking to Corend at Camp Nowhere.
Heading To The Jagged Deep Delve Dig Site
Once you have either talked to the Carja Scholars or listened to the rumor, you will need to head to the dig site located at Jagged Deep Delve, which is south of the Carja Camp. Here, you will encounter multiple hostile machines in the area, who were responsible for deterring Rushavid and Gendas in the first place. Make sure to eliminate them before venturing further.
Once you have taken care of the surrounding enemies, you will have to investigate the submerged ruins located in the river. Dive underwater, follow the marker, and you will eventually locate a Security Console. Examining the Security Console and searching the Ancient Trunk beside it will give you access to a Vault Key. Now you will be tasked with searching for an additional two Vault Keys located in separate ruins.
Locating The Dread Bluff Vault Key
To begin the next stage of your quest, head to Dread Bluff located south of the Outpost. Here you will come across some flooded ruins, which you will need to enter by climbing up to the center building, and then dropping down the shaft.
You will land in a pool of water (where an Ancient Valuables Box is located), breaking your fall. From here, climb the ladder, following the marker all the way to a ledge that leads into a room with a Security Console. Examining the console will open the Ancient Trunk next to it, where you will find the second Vault Key.
Locating The Devil’s Slide Vault Key
The next Vault key is located at Devil’s Slide, within another set of submerged ruins. Once you arrive at the location, dive under the water and follow the marker, before prying open a set of doors to proceed.
Follow the marker, taking your first left, and then pry open the next set of doors to enter a room. Here you will find another Security Console. Examining the console will open the nearby Ancient Trunk, which contains the third Vault Key.
Heading To The Vault
With all the Vault Keys now found, you will be given a set of coordinates leading to a vault in Drowned Gullet. Follow the marker, dive underwater, and navigate your way south through the passageway until you find a wall you have to pry open.
Head through the opening, ascend to the surface and follow the marker all the way to the ruins. You will encounter numerous enemies in the area, but you can ignore them entirely if you wish. Continue following the marker, reaching a room blocked off by a machine. Duck under the machine, enter the room, and you will find a locked door with three locks. Interact with each lock to use the Vault Keys and unlock the door. Now head inside, locate the Ancient Trunk, and pry it open to get the Mobile Cover System Prototype.
All that is left now is to return to the Carja Scholars at the Carja Camp, where you will Craft the Guardian Tripcaster to wrap up the quest. By completing this side -uest, you’ll also receive 7,150 XP and 2 Skill Points.
