If you’ve been exploring The Outer Worlds 2 and stumbled upon those intimidating High Security Lockboxes on your ship, you’re probably wondering: “How do I actually open these things?” The answer lies in one of the game’s most valuable—and frustratingly rare—items: Advanced Decryption Keys.
Unlike your standard lockpicks and bypass shunts, these keys aren’t exactly lying around on every corner. But when you do track them down, they unlock some seriously impressive loot that can completely change how you approach combat encounters. Let’s break down everything you need to know about farming these keys and making the most of them.
What Are Advanced Decryption Keys Actually For?
Here’s the deal: Advanced Decryption Keys are the only way to access High Security Lockboxes aboard the Incognito, your trusty ship. These aren’t your average containers—they hold premium weapons, rare mods, and companion equipment that you won’t find anywhere else in the game.
The catch? Each lockbox requires a different number of keys to unlock. Some might only need three keys, while others demand eight or more. This variability means you’ll want to stockpile these keys whenever possible rather than spending them immediately on the first box you see.
Pro tip: Before committing your keys, cycle through all available lockboxes using the arrow buttons on the left side of the machine. Check the requirements for each one and prioritize based on your current build needs. If you’re running a stealth character, that box with the suppressed weapon might be worth more keys than one containing a heavy flamethrower.
How to Find Advanced Decryption Keys in the Wild
Explore Every Locked Container You Find
The most reliable method for finding these keys organically is thorough exploration. Seriously, check every locked chest, secured terminal, and restricted area you come across. Many buildings hide Advanced Decryption Keys behind multi-step security puzzles.
Example: The Skycutter A102 on Paradise Island
This location perfectly illustrates how the game hides these keys. When you enter the Skycutter A102:
- Head downstairs immediately
- Navigate to the back right corner
- You’ll spot a secure container requiring five different keycards
- Search corpses throughout the building to collect all five cards
- Return to unlock the container and claim your Advanced Decryption Key
This pattern repeats throughout the game—locked containers often require you to find multiple components scattered nearby. The game rewards players who take time to loot thoroughly rather than rushing through locations.
Don’t Skip the Side Rooms
In my experience, side rooms and optional areas have the highest concentration of valuable loot, including these keys. That random maintenance closet or employee break room you might normally ignore? That’s exactly where developers hide the good stuff. Make exploration a habit, especially in larger facilities and settlements.
For more tips on early-game exploration priorities, check out our guide on what to do first in The Outer Worlds 2.
Buying Advanced Decryption Keys from Vendors
Standard Pricing
If you’d rather skip the scavenger hunt, you can purchase Advanced Decryption Keys directly from vendors and vending machines. The standard price sits at 1,000 Credits per key—not cheap, but potentially worth it depending on your financial situation.
You’ll find these keys available at:
- Vending machines scattered throughout various worlds
- General goods vendors in major settlements
- Specialty merchants (though stock is usually limited)
Smart Shopping: Using Negative Traits to Your Advantage
Here’s where things get interesting. Certain negative traits can actually benefit you when buying these keys. Take “Consumerism,” for example—it reduces purchase prices by 15%, dropping Advanced Decryption Keys from 1,000 Credits down to just 850 Credits.
That 150 Credit discount might not sound like much for one key, but when you’re buying multiple keys (and you should be), those savings add up quickly. If you’re planning a vendor-focused farming strategy, consider selecting negative traits that improve your purchasing power during character creation.
Budget tip: Combine vendor purchases with exploration. Buy keys when you have excess credits, but always prioritize exploring new areas first—free keys beat purchased ones every time.
Where to Use Your Advanced Decryption Keys
The Incognito Ship Machine
All High Security Lockboxes are accessed through a single machine aboard your ship, the Incognito. You’ll find this terminal in the corridor connecting your ship’s main sections—hard to miss once you know where to look.
The interface is straightforward:
- Interact with the machine
- Browse available High Security Lockboxes using the side arrows
- Check how many Advanced Decryption Keys each requires
- Select your target and confirm the unlock
What makes this system clever is that it creates a genuine decision point. You’re constantly weighing whether to open a box now or save your keys for something potentially better later. This scarcity creates meaningful choices—something The Outer Worlds series has always excelled at.
Advanced Farming Strategies
Priority System for Key Collection
Based on my playthrough, here’s the priority system I recommend:
Always grab these:
- Keys found during main story missions (you’re going there anyway)
- Keys behind security puzzles in major locations
- Keys sold by vendors when you have 1,000+ excess credits
Consider these:
- Keys requiring significant backtracking to collect
- Keys behind extremely difficult combat encounters
- Keys from vendors when credits are tight
Synergize with Other Collection Systems
Advanced Decryption Keys work alongside other progression systems in the game. For instance:
- Use Mag-Picks to open doors leading to areas with keys
- Improve lockpicking skills to access containers that might hold keys
- Join certain factions that provide vendor discounts
Understanding how these systems interconnect makes farming significantly more efficient.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t spend keys immediately. The biggest mistake new players make is opening the first lockbox they see without checking what else is available. Always review all options first.
Don’t ignore vending machines. These are easy to overlook, but many contain Advanced Decryption Keys. Make checking vending machines part of your routine when entering new areas.
Don’t forget to loot thoroughly. That random container in the corner? Check it. That body you walked past? Loot it. Many players miss keys simply because they don’t search comprehensively.
Looking Ahead
As you progress through The Outer Worlds 2 and move closer to The Outer Worlds 2’s full release, you’ll develop your own farming routes and preferred methods for collecting these keys. The system rewards patient, thorough players who take time to explore rather than rushing through content.
Whether you’re optimizing your starting build, maximizing your weapon slots, or just trying to collect every piece of rare loot, Advanced Decryption Keys represent one of the most valuable currencies in the game.
Final Thoughts
Advanced Decryption Keys exemplify what makes The Outer Worlds 2 engaging—they’re rare enough to feel valuable but accessible enough that dedicated players can farm them effectively. The system creates natural exploration incentives while giving you meaningful choices about how to spend your resources.
My advice? Buy them when you see them, explore thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to save up for the lockboxes that truly complement your playstyle. The weapons and equipment inside can dramatically improve your effectiveness, making every key you collect worthwhile.
For more tips on optimizing your loadout, check out our guides on selling vs. breaking down items and increasing max health.
Want to learn more about The Outer Worlds 2 on Xbox? The game continues to expand the universe Obsidian created, offering even more ways to tackle challenges creatively.
Quick Reference:
- Standard price: 1,000 Credits per key
- With Consumerism trait: 850 Credits per key
- Primary source: Exploration and locked containers
- Usage location: Incognito ship machine
- Keys required per box: 3-8+ (varies by lockbox)
