Exploration in Horizon Zero Dawn offers players a fascinating look into the relics of a fallen civilization, with Ancient Vessels standing out as some of the most intriguing collectibles. Scattered across ruins and overgrown landscapes, these relics give Aloy a unique glimpse into the daily life of the Old Ones. Understanding where to find them and what purpose they serve helps players complete their collections and earn valuable in-game rewards.
What Are Ancient Vessels in Horizon Zero Dawn
Despite their mysterious classification by post-apocalyptic tribes, Ancient Vessels are simply everyday coffee mugs preserved from the past civilization. Each vessel features distinct logos and slogans from pre-cataclysm corporations and events. These artifacts offer a humorous contrast between how ancient humans lived and how modern tribal societies interpret mundane objects.
There are twelve Ancient Vessels in total hidden across the game world. They are divided into three distinct sets, with each set containing four specific mugs. Collecting every item within a set allows players to unlock special trader rewards in Meridian.
Where to Find Ancient Vessel Locations
Ancient Vessels are primarily located near ruined structures, ancient campsites, and former urban centers like Devil's Thirst, Devil's Grief, and Maker's End. Players can spot them by scanning areas with Aloy's Focus, which highlights ancient debris piles with a purple loot indicator. Purchasing a specialty collectible map from merchants in Carja territory also adds search zones directly to your map.
Key locations include the Arches vessel south of Devil's Thirst, the Metallurgic vessel near the entrance of Maker's End, and the Sterling-Malkeet vessel inside the Shattered Kiln bandit camp. Certain vessels require progressing through main story missions or navigating carefully past high-level machines guarding the ruins. Checking campsites and major quest paths guarantees you will not miss them during your journey.
The Practical Purpose and Rewards of Ancient Vessels
Beyond providing rich world-building lore, Ancient Vessels serve a direct gameplay function through trading. In the central city of Meridian, a merchant named Studious Palas actively seeks out these Old World items. Exchanging complete sets with him yields specialized reward boxes packed with valuable crafting materials, modification coils, and shards.
Gathering all twelve Ancient Vessels is also essential for completionists pursuing full trophy progress. Securing the entire collection awards the All Ancient Vessels Found trophy, marking a major milestone in Aloy's exploration efforts. The combination of practical loot and achievement progress makes hunting down every cup worthwhile.
Tips for Collecting Ancient Vessels Efficiently
To speed up your hunt, always buy the specialty maps from merchants early in your journey to reveal broad search regions. Activating your Focus frequently when exploring ruined buildings will instantly locate hidden debris piles through walls. Additionally, marking map waypoints allows you to track elevation levels, helping you determine whether a vessel is situated underground or on elevated terrain.
