Hell is Us – Complete Vaults of Forbidden Knowledge Guide

The Hell is Us vaults of forbidden knowledge are the game’s big optional dungeons: hidden doors, strange symbols, and some of the best loot you can grab outside the main story. If you want powerful builds and deeper lore, you can’t ignore them. This Hell is Us vault of forbidden knowledge guide breaks down how they work, where to go, and why they’re worth your time.

How Vaults Work and How to Start

Each Vault is a sealed arena behind a stone door that only opens with the correct four-rune sequence. You can’t guess your way in; the game expects you to investigate first. That’s where Tania and her research come in.

After helping the journalist and getting her settled in your APC, you unlock the Hell is Us research items tania loop. As you explore, you’ll pick up special documents and curios that automatically feed into her research bar. When it fills, Tania:

Marks a new Vault on your map
Shows you the rune combination on-screen
Adds a bit of lore context about who built it and why

From there it’s on you: travel to the marked spot, find the door, and input the code.

Rune Symbols and Codes – Reading the Door

The first Vault door looks overwhelming, but the system is straightforward once you’ve seen it a few times. The ring of symbols around the lock are the Hell is Us vault rune symbols, and you’ll always need exactly four of them in the right order.

The sequences Tania reveals are what players call Hell is Us vault of forbidden knowledge codes. They’re not cheats or secrets from outside the game — they’re earned solutions tied to your research progress. To keep it simple, most players use visual nicknames instead of the in-game terms, like:

“Figure-eight” (an 8-shaped symbol)
“Snake rectangle” (a rectangle with a squiggle)
“Round eye” (a circle with a dot)
“Eye with arrow” (eye shape plus a small line)

Whenever Tania flashes a code, grab a screenshot or write it down. You’ll be glad you did once you’re standing in front of the door trying to remember which “eye” was which.

Why You Should Clear Every Vault

Vaults aren’t just side distractions; they’re a major source of character power and story. If you want a build that feels a step ahead of the campaign curve, Vaults are mandatory.

Inside, you’ll find a mix of combat encounters, lore, and, most importantly, the Hell is Us glyphs and relics that really flesh out your build. In broad strokes, Vault rewards usually include:

Glyphs that enhance existing abilities or add new twists
Relics that offer strong passive bonuses or build-defining perks
High-tier weapons tuned for aggressive, defensive, or hybrid play
Upgrade materials and tuning stones for pushing your gear further

Clear a couple of Vaults and you’ll feel the difference immediately — enemies that were chipping you down suddenly melt, and previously scary fights become manageable.

All Vault Regions at a Glance

If you’re aiming to tick off Hell is Us all vault locations, it helps to think region by region instead of chasing doors at random. Each zone has its own “trick” for finding the entrance, but the pattern is consistent.

Here’s a quick rundown of where to look and what each region’s Vault tends to offer:

Senedra Forest: A tunnel hidden off a sloping path near a small camp. Great early glyphs and a prism that helps define your first serious build.
Vyssa Hills: Classic “behind the waterfall” setup from a ledge under a ridge. Upgraded abilities, defensive gear, and juicy lore in letters and paintings.
Lake Cynon: Hug the cliffside along the coast to uncover a cave. Expect elite-level enhancements and plenty of tuning stones for build tinkering.
Jeljin: Near the archaeological dig and the Family First puzzle. Packed with heavy-hitting weapons and a relic that rewards aggressive play.
Marastan: Follow the road from the APC, branch toward the ruins, then wrap around the back via a jetty. Rewards include elite glyphs, a stalwart relic, and fortress-themed lore.
Acasa Marshes: Typically one of the last you’ll reach, tucked behind a hill near an observation outpost. High-tier late-game weapons, strong tuning stones, and a standout relic.

Collectively, these zones form the core circuit of Hell is Us all vault locations you’ll clear over a full playthrough.

Basic Vault Strategy Tips

Even though Vaults are optional, they’re tuned to push you a bit harder than the average encounter in the same area. Going in unprepared can turn a quick loot run into a slog. Before you step through the door, keep a few simple rules in mind.

For smooth clears, try to follow these baseline tips:

Enter with full healing and upgraded gear appropriate for your current story point.
Mix crowd-control abilities with burst damage for dealing with waves and elites.
Grab every document, painting, or odd item you see inside; many tie back into Tania’s research.
After clearing, respec or adjust your build to make full use of any new glyphs and relics.

This way, each Vault feels like a power spike, not just another dungeon checked off a list.

Going for 100% and the “Vault Raider” Mindset

If you’re the type who refuses to roll credits until every corner of the map is explored, the Vaults are your perfect endgame checklist. Clearing all of them, looting every relic, and finishing Tania’s research line feels like a natural “true completion” of the game’s side content.

A lot of players treat this as their own unofficial achievement — think of it as chasing the Hell is Us vault raider trophy. It’s not an official in-game icon, but it’s a neat mental badge for anyone who:

Cleared every one of the Hell is Us vaults of forbidden knowledge
Fully engaged with the Hell is Us research items tania system
Deciphered and input all the Hell is Us vault rune symbols in their proper Hell is Us vault of forbidden knowledge codes
Collected a full spread of Hell is Us glyphs and relics from all Vaults

By the time you’ve finished that circuit and swept up Hell is Us all vault locations, you’ll have seen some of the most interesting design work in Hell is Us — and built a character that feels like they truly earned the title of Vault raider.