Collectibles

Locate every Anima Essence and Vial in Steelrising to upgrade Aegis. This guide details where to find every significant collectible to maximize your power.

Steelrising is rich with hidden treasures and vital resources that will aid Aegis on her quest to quell the automaton uprising. From crucial upgrade materials to lore-rich notes, diligent exploration is key to maximizing your power and understanding the world of 18th-century Paris. This section will guide you through locating every significant collectible.

Anima Essence & Vials

Anima Essence is the lifeblood of Steelrising, serving as both experience points for leveling up and currency for purchasing items from the Vestal. While enemies drop small amounts, larger caches are often found in chests or as glowing pickups in the environment.

• Lesser Anima Essence: Commonly dropped by standard automatons. Always pick these up.
• Ordinary Anima Essence: Found in slightly tougher enemies or as small environmental pickups.
• Grand Anima Essence: Reserved for mini-bosses, main bosses, and significant hidden chests. These are crucial for rapid leveling.
• Anima Vials: These consumable items grant a burst of Anima Essence upon use. They are excellent for topping off your essence before a Vestal visit or for a quick boost if you're close to a level-up. Look for them in hidden corners and behind destructible objects.

Upgrade Materials

Upgrading your weapons and modules is paramount to surviving the increasingly difficult challenges. These materials are often found in chests, dropped by specific automatons, or purchased from the Vestal.

Weapon Upgrade Materials

• Bronze Ingots: Used for early-game weapon upgrades (+1 to +3). Often found in the opening areas like Saint-Cloud and Les Invalides. Check side paths and defeated automatons.
• Silver Ingots: Required for mid-game upgrades (+4 to +6). You'll start finding these more frequently in areas like La Cité and Luxembourg. Keep an eye out for larger, more resilient automatons, as they often drop these.
• Gold Ingots: Essential for late-game upgrades (+7 and beyond). These are much rarer and typically found in high-level zones such as Montmartre and the Tuileries, or as rewards for defeating powerful enemies.
• Module Keys: These special keys are needed to unlock additional module slots on your weapons. They are extremely rare and usually found in well-hidden chests or as rewards for completing specific side quests.

Module Upgrade Materials

• Common Module Components: Used for upgrading basic modules. Plentiful throughout the game.
• Uncommon Module Components: For more advanced module upgrades. Found in mid-game areas.
• Rare Module Components: For maxing out powerful modules. Scarce and often guarded by strong enemies.

Tools & Key Modules

Certain areas in Steelrising are inaccessible without specific tools or modules. These are not optional; they are critical path items that unlock new traversal options and secrets.

• Alchemist's Ram: This tool allows Aegis to break through weakened walls and certain barricades.
  • Location: Acquired during the main questline in Les Invalides after defeating the first major boss.
  • Action: Look for cracked walls or wooden barriers with a distinct glow. Approach and interact to use the Ram.
• Bishop's Hook: Grants Aegis the ability to grapple to designated points, usually marked by glowing anchors.
  • Location: Obtained during the main quest in La Cité, typically after navigating the sewers.
  • Action: When you see a glowing grapple point above, press the indicated button to launch Aegis upwards.
• Squire's Dash: Allows Aegis to perform an air dash, extending her jump distance and enabling access to previously unreachable platforms.
  • Location: Found in Luxembourg, often after a significant encounter or puzzle.
  • Action: While in mid-air, press the dodge button to perform a quick dash. Useful for crossing wide gaps.

Vestal Caches & Chests

Beyond the standard pickups, numerous chests and hidden Vestal Caches are scattered across Paris. These often contain significant amounts of Anima Essence, rare upgrade materials, or even new weapons and armor pieces.

• Standard Chests: Usually found off the beaten path, behind destructible objects, or guarded by a few automatons. They contain a mix of Anima Essence and common upgrade materials.
• Ornate Chests: These larger, more elaborate chests often contain rarer items like Silver Ingots, unique modules, or even a new weapon. They are typically found in more challenging areas or as rewards for solving environmental puzzles.
• Vestal Caches: These are not chests but rather hidden stashes often marked by a faint glow or a subtle environmental cue near a Vestal. They usually contain a large amount of Anima Essence or a valuable consumable. Always thoroughly search the area around each Vestal.

Lore Documents & Notes

Scattered throughout the game are various documents, letters, and notes that flesh out the rich lore of Steelrising. While not directly impacting gameplay, they provide invaluable insight into the characters, the political climate, and the origins of the automaton uprising.

• Letters: Personal correspondence between characters, revealing their thoughts and fears.
• Official Decrees: Documents from the monarchy or other authorities, detailing events and policies.
• Research Notes: Scientific observations or theories related to the automatons or other arcane subjects.
• Location: These are often found on desks, shelves, or near significant landmarks. They glow faintly, making them easier to spot. Always check every room and corner thoroughly.