Vault Priority Guide: Which Cryo Archive Vaults to Hit Before Extract

Cryo Archive's seven vaults offer different risk-reward profiles, but extract windows force hard choices. Vaults 1-3 are your foundation — consistent credits with minimal Compiler interference. Vault 1 requires basic keycard access, Vault 2 needs moderate combat clearing, and Vault 3 sits in the safer outer ring. These three should be your baseline every run, especially in ranked where Holotag preservation matters more than maximum credits.

Vaults 4-5 represent the sweet spot for intermediate Runners. Vault 4's central location makes it accessible from multiple approach angles, while Vault 5 offers premium loot with manageable Compiler spawn density. Both require tactical shell selection — Recon - Intel's Tracker Drone excels at pre-clearing Compiler positions around these vaults, while Destroyer - Combat's Thruster can force early Holotag drops from rival Runners competing for the same vault access.

Vaults 6-7 guard the Compiler Boss arena and offer the highest credit yields, but they're ranked death traps. The Boss encounter locks you into extended combat, making extraction timing unpredictable. In ranked modes, only attempt these vaults if you're running Triage - Support with squad support — the healing pulse becomes essential for sustaining through prolonged Compiler encounters. Solo Runners should avoid Boss vaults unless they're running Thief - Stealth with Light Carry passive to maximize extraction speed after looting.

The key insight: plan your vault order around extract timing, not credit maximization. Start with outer vaults (1-3) to secure baseline credits, then move inward only if your extract window allows. Vandal - Combat's Combat Flow passive provides the movement speed boost needed to chain vault clears efficiently. If you're carrying high-value Holotags, prioritize extract timing over additional vault attempts — losing rank points costs more than missing one vault's credits.

Remember: consistent vault clears beat risky maximum attempts. Build your route around reliable extraction, especially in ranked where gear loss compounds.