Apex Legends IMC Armory Guide: How They Work, Location, Strategy

Here is everything you need to know about the Apex Legends IMC Armory.

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With the arrival of Apex Legends Season 13, we saw a number of changes being made to the Storm Point map. The update addressed the loot RNG problem through the inclusion of IMC armories throughout the map. These are similar to the Bloodhound Trials location on World’s Edge, but the big difference between it and other high-tier loot sources is that you get items you need. The IMC armories drop items based on what you and your teammates need if you manage to complete the challenge in a limited time.

All IMC Armory Locations

Currently, there are four IMC armories that can be located on Storm Point. They are available in the four corners of the map, and each of them can be used only once per match. Here are the locations of all IMC armories:

• North of Cenote Cave (Southwest of Storm Point)
• West of Fish Farms (Southeast of Storm Point)
• West of the Wall (Northwest of Storm Point)
• East of Thunder Watch (Northeast of Storm Point)

There are a total of four armories, and all of them are likely to be contested at the start of the game except the one near Thunder Watch. The dropship does not travel close to the armory most of the time, and players often tend to run into Lightning Rod instead of heading into the armory first. 

With all four locations being close to the edges of the map, you should head into the armories as early as possible. Once the first zone starts closing in, you will have to clear out the armory outside the zone, which is a waste of time as you should be rotating into the next ring at that time. Heading in early also ensures that you do not end up in an empty armory that has already been cleared out.

How to use an IMC Armories in Apex Legends

Whenever you approach an IMC armory, you will notice a ramp lowering for you to enter. If you notice that the armory is open before you get close, it is likely that enemies have already looted the armory, and you won’t find anything of use. If you notice that the armory door does not open up even when you are near it, enemies are still inside, and you should be wary.

After you enter an IMC armory, you will notice that there are six random weapons for you to choose from. This is a great thing that Respawn Entertainment has included, as you can actually head into the armories directly off drop and have weapons to fight with. Do note that you will not get any extra ammo before starting the activity.

Players can pick up the weapons if they want to. Otherwise, you can just start the armory activity immediately. It is recommended that you start the challenge only after all your teammates make it inside. There is a teleporter that allows teammates to get in if they get locked out, but it does not always work, and if enemies are nearby, they may get caught out and die. 

After you launch the armory challenge, you will need to defeat waves of specters for an entire minute. If you are injured, the specters that spawn will drop appropriate healing items. You will also receive ammo matching the weapon that you are using. Make sure that you use both your weapons if you need ammo on both; otherwise, you will receive ammo only for your active weapon.

It is also a great opportunity to upgrade your EVO shields, as damaging the specters allows you to level up your shields. After you complete the encounter, you should receive two loot bins, each worth of loot. If you complete the encounter before 60 seconds, you will receive an extra loot drop at the center of the armory with three legendary items. If you take too long to complete the activity, you will receive only one loot bin each.

How to Escape IMC Armories Safely

After you are done looting the IMC armory, heal up and prepare to exit. You can use the console that you used to start the activity to set up a launchpad that will launch you into the air. This is where things get tricky, as enemies may be holding down the top of the armory to trap you inside. Several characters can prevent you from going out of the armory, and you need to be aware of any surrounding opponents.

Most ranked teams typically run a recon character, and you should try and scan for enemies with a character like Seer or Bloodhound to spot any enemies that might be around. Using a Gibraltar bubble to make your escape can also be very useful.

Tips on Using IMC Armories

Here are some tips that can help you get the most out of IMC armories:

Set up Defenses: You can place Caustic traps or Rampart shields to ensure you clear out the specters as fast as possible. Caustic’s traps will allow you to spot enemies and passively damage them throughout the encounter, while Rampart’s shields can give you a damage boost and also prevent incoming damage.

Ping Loot for Allies: You should ping any loot that you do not pick up from the IMC armories for your friends. And you should not loot other people’s bins before they take what they need, as you may be putting your team at a disadvantage.

Turbocharger: Picking up a Havoc or Devotion before heading into an armory or picking one up from the armory itself can be very beneficial. Havoc is one of the best weapons in the game this season, and you are extremely likely to get a Turbocharger from the armory if you have the weapon equipped.

Clear as Fast as Possible: You should try to clear armories as quickly as possible to get the three extra legendary items. Giving your Gibraltar, Lifeline, or Newcastle, a gold backpack can make the difference between winning or losing a game in clutch situations. The gold helmet can also be very useful as it will allow you to use your abilities and ultimates more frequently.

Hot Dropping on Armories: If you notice that enemies are trying to contest an armory, you can choose to enter one directly instead of grabbing nearby loot. You will get six weapons which are enough for three players, and by closing down the armory and starting the encounter, you will safeguard yourself while also being able to grab all the loot. 

IMC armories can make a lot of difference in a match because of the smart loot, and you should try and take advantage of them whenever you can. It is likely that similar smart loot drops will be added in the future on other maps as it eliminates a lot of uncertainty when it comes to loot in Apex Legends.