The Bronze Helicid is a beautifully armored, snail-like construct native to the pristine landscapes of Zereth Mortis. Its gleaming bronze shell and mechanical, spiraling form reflect the intricate craftsmanship of the First Ones, making it a standout addition for collectors who appreciate the unique automaton aesthetic. The flavour text hints at its creation: "When the First Ones first set foot in Zereth Mortis, they left behind many of their creations. The helicids, it seems, were one of them." For collectors who enjoy the deep progression of the Protoform Synthesis system and want a mount that requires a bit of puzzle-solving alongside the grind, the Bronze Helicid is an excellent and rewarding craft.
Introduced in patch 9.2.0 "Eternity's End", the Bronze Helicid is crafted at the Protoform Repository. Unlike many other Zereth Mortis mounts that rely on random drops or simple treasure hunting, this one requires you to unlock a hidden room in the Resonant Peaks, gather Cosmic Energy, and navigate the Locus Shift teleportation system. It is a multi-step journey that mixes exploration, puzzle mechanics, and standard material farming, making the final craft feel like a true accomplishment.
The Bronze Helicid mount is crafted via the Protoform Synthesis system in Zereth Mortis. It is crafted by combining 350 Genesis Motes 1 Unalloyed Bronze Ingot and 1 Helicid Lattice at the Protoform Repository.
However, before you can craft the mount, you must complete several prerequisites: unlock the Protoform Synthesis system, obtain the schematic, and gather all the required materials. This is a 100% guaranteed acquisition once you have everything — there is no RNG involved in the crafting itself, only in obtaining the schematic and materials.
Before you can begin your journey to obtain the Bronze Helicid, you must first gain access to Zereth Mortis. To get there, you must have completed Chapter 2 in the 9.1 (Korthia) campaign. The last quest required is Charge of the Covenants. After it is completed, you should get a popup to start the Zereth Mortis (9.2) campaign. You get a portal to Zereth Mortis on the top floor of Oribos after completing the quest This Old Waystone, which is part of the campaign.
If you leave Zereth Mortis before completing that quest, you can speak to Tal-Inara in Oribos to return.
To unlock Protoform Synthesis, you must complete up to the end of Chapter 3 in the 9.2 campaign. You will receive the quest Cyphers of the First Ones, which unlocks the Cypher Console. The Cypher Console is powered by Cyphers of the First Ones, a currency earned from various activities in Zereth Mortis.
How to earn Cyphers of the First Ones:
To unlock the Protoform Repository, you must progress through the Cypher Console research tree. The total cost and time investment is significant, so plan accordingly:
The Protoform Repository is located at the following coordinates:
Protoform Repository
Protoform Repository
To begin, you must acquire the Schematic: Bronze Helicid to unlock the crafting option for this mount. Fortunately, you don't need to hunt a rare mob for it. Instead, the schematic has a chance to be contained within the Tribute of the Enlightened Elders cache. You will receive this box by completing the weekly quest Patterns Within Patterns, which simply asks you to engage in standard zone activities like slaying rares, clearing world quests, and opening treasures.
Your next requirement is an Unalloyed Bronze Ingot. Before you can even attempt to get this, there are strict prerequisites. You must have researched specific nodes in the Cypher Console:
Additionally, you must have finished the A Means to an End achievement, which is earned by completing the 6th chapter of the Zereth Mortis campaign.
You also need to physically unlock the hidden room containing the ingot. To do this, travel to the Terrestial Cache cave near the bottom of the Resonant Peaks. Look for a rock formation guarded by a Cradle Keeper. Once inside, look to the left to find a rune surrounded by large gold orbs and containers (see the images below). Interacting with this rune is the key to unlocking the Repertory Alcove.
Now, before heading to the unlocked room, you must gather at least 60 Cosmic Energy. This resource is required to operate the Locus Shift teleporters. While in the Resonant Peaks, a progress bar will appear on your screen. You can fill it by slaying creatures and collecting the glowing white orbs they leave behind. Alternatively, you can absorb energy slowly by standing inside the glowing white pools scattered around the area.
With 60 energy in hand, make your way to the Gravid Repose, which is located very close by in the Resonant Peaks. Look for the triangular archway guarded by another Cradle Keeper and head down into the cave.
Inside the Gravid Repose, interact with the central Locus Shift and select the Interior Locus Arrangement. Once you arrive in this new room, ignore the teleporter in the center and instead walk to the one located behind it.
Use this second Locus Shift to travel to the Repertory Alcove Arrangement. You are now in the room you unlocked earlier. Look for a large device known as the Requisites Originator. Interact with it and choose the "Restore Genesis Potencies" option (it's the fourth dialogue choice if you can't read the language). This action will reward you with 20-25 Genesis Motes and, crucially, gives you a chance to loot the Unalloyed Bronze Ingot. Keep in mind the device goes on a weekly cooldown after use. To exit, teleport to the Arcae Locus, and then take the central Locus Shift back to the Gravid Repose.
You will need to acquire a Helicid Lattice. Your fastest route is to simply buy one from the Auction House. If you want to save gold and farm it manually, you can try your luck killing Helicid mobs around Zereth Mortis, though the drop rate is quite low.
Finally, you need a stockpile of 350 Genesis Motes. Since these are Bind-on-Pickup, you have to farm them yourself from the mobs of Zereth Mortis. A very efficient location to do this is the blue portal area, where Devourers spawn endlessly and friendly automa NPCs assist in taking them down quickly.
After you have gathered all of the required materials, head over to the Protoform Repository. You can now craft your Bronze Helicid!
Farming the Bronze Helicid involves a mix of weekly questing, Cypher research, and puzzle-solving in the Resonant Peaks. These addons will help you navigate and track your progress.
Pro tip: Use HandyNotes to mark the Terrestial Cache cave on your map. The rune you need to click is easy to miss if you don't know exactly where to look on the left side of the entrance.
