Marathon has just released the long-awaited map, Cryo Archive. The map takes place aboard the Marathon, a derelict ship hovering just above Tau Ceti IV. It features gameplay similar to Bungie’s previous titles, like Destiny 1 and 2, showcasing a raid-like structure with a boss fight and extensive side content.
Cryo Archive Vault Requirements
Cryo Archive has 7 vaults, with each vault requiring more steps than the last but offering greater rewards. Most of these vaults follow a similar pattern, so before getting into vault cracking, it's important to remember this quick checklist of items:
- Empty Cryo Coolant Container (Found in Preservation)
- Batteries (at least 48)
- Security Level 3-4
Once you have secured all these items, you can then proceed to the center of the map in Control. Jump down into the icy mists below the bridge and insert batteries into the receptacle. It will then allow you to refill your empty cryo coolant container. Once it's full, you can proceed to the first vault. It's important to remember you must do this step before proceeding to each vault. The first 6 loot vaults will require you to interact with terminals that display a certain symbol. Remember the symbol, as you will need to find and interact with 3 terminals displaying it.
How to open each Vault
Vault 1 Location and Guide
- Location: Index
- Keycard: Cryo Maintenance [Cryo Archive 01]
Bring your batteries and cryo coolant to the terminal outside the vault. Once inside the vault, on the right-hand side near a set of stairs, there is a screen displaying a specific symbol. Make sure to remember that symbol, since you will need to interact with 3 terminals displaying it. After interacting with all the terminals, the vault will open. Inside, make sure to pick up the Gold-rarity AI Subroutine. Vaults 1-6 will each contain an AI Subroutine item and are required to access the final vault, which houses the final map boss.
Vault 2 Location and Guide
- Location: On the Left of Biostock
- Keycard: Generator Room [Cryo Archive 02]
Just like the previous vault, you need batteries and cryo coolant to open the door. Once the door opens, the symbol you need for the 3 terminals is on the left side above a massive pipe. Just do the same thing, find the terminals displaying the symbol, then loot the vault and make sure to loot the AI Subroutine.
Vault 3 Location and Guide
- Location: Preservation
- Keycard: Pump Station [Cryo Archive 03]
Other than needing batteries and cryo coolant, Vault 3 has an extra step. On the Keycard, it says Requires: UESC Pump Credentials. This key can be found in one of the rooms marked with the mini boss on the map, near Steerage. Once the key has been picked up, the doors of the room will automatically shut, requiring you to either fight or hack your way out. After escaping, the vault is located around Preservation. Bring the credentials, battery, and cryo coolant to the vault. Once inside, the symbol you need is above a doorframe. Loot the Pinnacle Boxes and the AI Subroutine, then proceed to the next vault.
Vault 4 Location and Guide
- Location: Top left of Control, near Steerage
- Keycard: Cryo Monitoring [Cryo Archive 04]
Just like Vault 3, this vault has an extra step that you need to do before getting access to the loot. To find the Colonist Credentials, you first need to go to the center of the map, just a bit south of Control, close to the Panopticon area called Cold Storage. Once here, you then need to shoot down some of the drones flying around the area, one of which will contain the item: Colonist's DNA Vial. Bring the vial to the upper level of the Panopticon area. This room will have the terminal for your vial. It will need a few batteries to operate. Once the vial is inserted, the room will go into lockdown, and your team will need to deal with waves of UESC forces. Once it's complete, you can claim the credentials and return to the vault. As with the previous vault,s you need to interact with 3 terminals. The symbol for this vault is on the right, above a set of stairs leading down. Don't forget the AI Subroutine before proceeding to the next vault.
Vault 5 Location and Guide
- Location: Left of Control, Above Index
- Keycard: Secret Cargo [Cryo Archive 05]
In line with the previous vaults, you need to find a vault-specific key to open this vault; it requires the Tranquility Credentials. There will be 2 rooms that may contain the key. Both rooms are called Tranquility (Tranquility Dormant, Tranquility Derelict); search both, and once you pick up the key, another lockdown starts. You can either fight or hack your way out; either way, proceed to Vault 5 and complete the terminal puzzle. The symbol is directly to your right once you are inside the vault.
Vault 6 Location and Guide
- Location: Labs
- Keycard: Labs [Cryo Archive 06]
Before even starting this vault, make sure you have security clearance level 4 and Anti-Virus Packs. This vault is the most difficult to complete, aside from Vault 7. Its location is not shown on the map, and your team must coordinate to unlock the door. For the first step, head into the Secret Lab above Preservation. Inside one of the rooms, you will find 3 monitors, each displaying a different symbol. Memorize these symbols as you will need them for the final part of the vault. Once you have memorized the symbols, head over to the Tranquility [Dormant] room and enter the room that has ‘Good Morning’ written above it. Entering this room will give you access to the Labs area, and once you are in the elevator, your map will be disabled. In this area, there will be numerous enemies, including an enemy with Gold-tier shields, which your team must eliminate to proceed. After dealing with the enemies, your next task is to locate 3 terminals with the corresponding symbols you needed to memorize earlier. The order of input matters: Left, Top, Right. Just like the previous vaults, you need to interact with 3 terminals and loot the AI Subroutine.
How to get into Vault 7
- Location: Labs
- Keycard: DNA Network Keycard
Vault 7 is not like the previous Vaults. This one houses The Compiler, a boss fight with Destiny raid mechanics. To get to it, you need all 6 AI Subroutines from the previous vaults and the DNA Network Keycard, which can be found inside the 6 vaults. Also, it would be best to have at least 11 Batteries and at least a security clearance level 4, but reaching level 5 would be ideal to get bonus loot after the boss fight. Once you have these items, your first task is to locate and interact with a DNA Network Machine. These machines are found all over the map, and any of those machines can be used. The person carrying the DNA Network Keycard has to insert it into the machine. After inserting the keycard, a 45-second timer starts, where hordes of enemies will spawn and attempt to eliminate your team. After the timer, pick up the DNA Sequence from the left side of the machine and remember the sequence of letters on the item, i.e., DNA Sequence: AGCT.
Once your team has the DNA Sequence, head over to any other DNA Network Machine on the map. Insert the DNA Sequence into the receptacle on the left side of the machine. After inserting the item, your team will need to interact with 4 terminals scattered around the room, each displaying 1 letter from your sequence. Your team then needs to interact with each terminal in the order of your DNA Sequence. After interacting with all 4 terminals in the correct order, head back to the machine to claim the Command DNA Vial.
Bring the Command DNA Vial to the Labs area, near Vault 6. Make your way upstairs through the vents and enter the center lab room. In this room, the player carrying the vial must insert it into the centrifuge-like machine, where it will be converted into Command Credentials. The second your team grabs the code, the whole area turns green, the screen starts to shake, and green floor lasers appear. Make your way to the back of the floor where a large door is marked by ‘07’. Insert the command credentials and batteries. Once it opens, you are on your way to fighting The Compiler.
