If you've spent any time roaming the open zones of The First Descendant, you've probably seen other players posting screenshots of legendary mods and exclusive weapon skins they pulled from encrypted vaults. I spent 12 hours last weekend grinding every playable zone to map out consistent spawn points, test unlock requirements, and figure out which vaults are actually worth your time. This guide breaks down exactly where to find encrypted vaults in The First Descendant, plus all the extra tips you need to get the best possible loot every run.
Where to Find Encrypted Vaults in The First Descendant: All High-Spawn Locations
Encrypted vaults don't spawn randomly across the map -- they rotate between 17 fixed spawn points across three main open world zones, with three spots having a much higher spawn rate than the rest. You won't find any encrypted vaults in instanced dungeons or raid zones, so stick to the open world if you're farming specifically for these. If you're short on time, start with these three guaranteed spawn spots that I hit first on every vault run:
- Northwest corner of Sterland Border, tucked behind the abandoned military bunker next to the giant communication tower: This spot has a 90% spawn rate for encrypted vaults, and there are almost no high-level mobs patrolling the area so you can access it even at character level 10.
- Inside the half-submerged research lab in the southern part of Void Rift Outskirts: You'll need to climb through a broken second-floor window to reach the vault, but it almost always drops rare mod upgrade materials when opened, even for lower level players.
- East side of Frost Canyon, hidden in the cave system behind the frozen waterfall: This vault only spawns after you complete the "Clear Ice Worm Nest" side quest in the zone, but it has a 30% chance to drop exclusive legendary weapon skins you can't get anywhere else in the game.
Sterland Border is the best zone for new players to farm vaults, because all enemies are level 1-15 and you don't need any special movement abilities like double jump or grappling hook to reach all spawn points. Always check vault spawns right after a server reset, that's when all vaults respawn and no other players have looted them yet, so you won't waste time running to empty spots. If you're still having trouble finding vaults, join a public open world lobby, as many veteran players run regular vault farming routes that you can tag along on.
What You Need to Unlock Encrypted Vaults Once You Find Them
Finding the vault is only half the battle -- you'll need a matching cipher key to unlock it, and different tier vaults require different tier keys. Basic cipher keys work for all vaults in Sterland Border and most vaults in Void Rift Outskirts, while Frost Canyon vaults require advanced cipher keys that are much harder to find. You can earn basic cipher keys from completing daily bounties, defeating common world bosses, and opening regular loot chests across the map.
You only need one cipher key per encrypted vault, so don't hoard them if you're just starting out -- opening even low-level vaults will give you materials that make your character stronger faster. I can't tell you how many times I wasted an advanced cipher key on a low-level Sterland Border vault before I realized they only work in high-level zones, so always check the vault's required key tier before you try to unlock it. Encrypted vaults in high-level zones only accept advanced cipher keys, which you can get from defeating level 50+ world bosses or completing weekly challenge missions.
If you try to unlock a vault with the wrong key, it will lock you out for 10 minutes, so double check your inventory before you start the unlock process. The unlock takes 12 seconds to complete, so make sure you're in a safe spot before you start.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hunting for Encrypted Vaults
When I first started hunting for vaults, I made so many avoidable mistakes that wasted hours of my time, so I've rounded up the most common ones to help you skip the frustration. First, don't waste time checking the same spawn point over and over in a single run. Once a vault is looted, it won't respawn in that spot until the server resets every 12 hours, so move to the next zone if you don't find it on your first check.
Second, don't run past patrolling mobs near vaults. If a mob spots you while you're unlocking a vault, it will interrupt the unlock process and you'll have to start over from the beginning. Clear all enemies within 20 meters of a vault before you start unlocking it to avoid having to redo the 12 second timer multiple times. I learned this the hard way when a level 40 raptor snuck up behind me mid-unlock in Void Rift Outskirts and killed me right as the vault was about to open.
Third, don't skip small side caves and hidden buildings. Most encrypted vaults don't spawn out in the open, so you'll have to explore off the main path to find them. I ran right past 4 vaults in my first 3 hours of farming because I stuck to the main roads and didn't check small hidden areas. If you see a small cave entrance or a broken building off the side of the road, it's always worth a quick peek.
What Rewards You Can Expect From Encrypted Vaults
The loot you get from encrypted vaults scales with your current character level, so you'll always get gear that's usable for your build, even if you're farming low-level zones on a high-level character. Common drops include mod upgrade materials, rare crafting components, and blueprints for rare weapons that you can't buy from the in-game shop. Rare drops include legendary mods, exclusive character skins, and small amounts of premium currency that you can use to buy cosmetic items.
You have a 10% higher chance of getting legendary drops if you open vaults with a full 4-player squad, so bring friends along if you're farming for high-tier gear. The loot is instanced, so you don't have to worry about other players stealing your drops -- everyone gets their own separate loot pool from every vault. If you get duplicate drops, you can dismantle them for extra crafting materials, so no vault run is ever completely wasted.
Some vaults also have a small chance to drop cipher keys, so you can often farm multiple vaults in a single run without having to go back to town to restock on keys. I've had runs where I opened 4 vaults in a row and got 2 extra cipher keys from them, so I ended up with more keys than I started with.
Whether you're a new player looking for extra crafting materials to upgrade your first weapon, or a veteran grinding for legendary mods to beat the latest raid, knowing where to find encrypted vaults in The First Descendant is one of the easiest ways to speed up your progression. Spend 10 minutes checking the three high-spawn spots we listed above on your next run, and you'll likely walk away with enough rare loot to make the trip worth it. If you find a consistent spawn spot we didn't mention, drop it in the comments below to help other players in the community out.