Words of Power Locations in Alan Wake 2

This article is part of a directory: Alan Wake 2: Complete Guide & Walkthrough

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While exploring the Dark Place in the titular character's section of Alan Wake 2, players will find Words of Power symbols scattered throughout the story that can be collected to upgrade a variety of Alan's stats. From defensive stats, like restoring health or reducing incoming damage, weapon modifications like gaining a chance to not deplete a bullet when firing, to upgrades for the flashlight, including gaining the opportunity to restore flashlight battery charge upon destroying an enemy, the Words of Power upgrades are critical to ensuring players successfully navigate through the writer's story of Alan Wake 2.

This article is a work in progress and will be updated in the next few days as more Words of Power locations are discovered.

How To Collect Words of Power in Alan Wake 2

While exploring the Dark Place through Alan Wake's story, The Initiation, players will find bright yellow arrows that indicate a Words of Power symbol is nearby. Follow the direction of the arrow - occasionally, the arrow will point to a second arrow, in which case simply follow the direction of the second arrow. The final arrow in the sequence will point to the location of the symbol, sometimes hidden behind destroyable objects or barricades that can be removed by changing the light.

Once the symbol's location is pinpointed, players will want to aim their flashlight at the symbol with the correct angle to collect a Words of Power point - these points can be spent in the Writer's Room. Players will not need to use the focused charge attack; just shine the flashlight at the symbol and reposition left and right, forward and back, until the audio of burning can be heard. Hold the position for a few moments, and the Words of Power point will become available. If players are having difficulty finding the right angle, aiming down sights can make it easier to quickly find a position that will collect the symbol.

All Words of Power Types and Locations

There are several types of Words of Power that players will encounter throughout the game, each affecting a different aspect of Alan's attributes. Each Word of Power type provides three different upgrades that can be unlocked and then upgraded twice, allowing different customizations of Alan's abilities and stats for each player and on each playthrough.

Fix
Aid
Lamp
Gun
War
Action
Stuff

Words of Fix 1

Players can find their first Words of Fix immediately after exiting the TV Studio, although this symbol cannot be collected until the revolver and flashlight are found. Follow the sidewalk that borders the studio down Wheeler Street. On the ground between some payphones and a dumpster, players will find the Words of Fix symbol.

Look down at the symbol from the edge of the sidewalk, and the burning audio should begin to play.

Words of Fix 2

The second Words of Fix will reveal itself to players after the story interaction with Agent Casey in The Dark Place alleyway. While exiting back to the alley, the walls will become covered in colorful graffiti, and players will notice the yellow designation arrows on these walls. At the last doorway leading back to the alley, look up, and over the exit door, players will find a Words of Fix symbol.

If players have difficulty collecting this symbol, try aiming down sights while walking backward, away from the symbol, until the audio cue plays.

Words of Lamp 1

The first Words of Lamp players will find is on the rooftops past the elevated subway platform next to the Caldera St Subway Station. Walk over the tracks and off the platform onto the rooftops and climb the ladder to the left.

On the upper rooftop, head forward to the left through the roof access door to a small staircase that heads down to another rooftop. After passing the safe room on the left, players will begin to notice the yellow arrows. At the top of the half staircase, look down to the right and find the first Words of Lamp.

Words of Action 1

Players will find a Words of Action symbol under the elevated subway tracks - follow the tracks walking North toward Caldera Street. Players will notice the yellow arrow on one of the steel support beams on the right side of the street; once the arrow is spotted, look up under the tracks to find the first Words of Action.

Words of War 1

When players reach the taxi with the illuminated headlights on Caldera Street, they can find the first Words of War before securing the light in the Angel Lamp and starting the next fight with shadows.

When approaching the taxi, look to the left and climb the ladder to the billboard railing. Follow the scaffolding back to a roof area covered in air conditioning units. Look down behind the first AC unit to find the first Words of War.

If players are having difficulty collecting this symbol, try standing against the middle AC unit and aiming down sights, looking at the symbol, and walking backwards slowly.

Words of Gun 1

Players can also snag their first Words of Gun near the taxi on Caldera Street but will have to grab the light and defeat the shadows first to gain access to this Words of Power symbol. After the shadows are defeated, take the half staircase by the front of the car, now a police cruiser with the light removed, and look up at the wall to the left. Players will find the Words of Gun near the top of the wall.

Try shining the flashlight on this symbol from different distances if not collected easily.

Words of Aid 1

Players will find the first Words of Aid in the subway tunnels just before the Collapsed Tunnel scene. From the save room, go slightly left and around the subway car instead of inside. Head to the back wall and turn around, looking back towards the subway car. The Words of Aid will be on a wall behind some concrete blocks.

Words of Lamp 2

The next Words of Lamp will be found after transforming the Collapsed Tunnel scene and moving into the next room with the Echo. Before aligning the spheres, in the store room with the searchable lockers, look towards the East wall and find the Words of Lamp behind the shelving units.

Words of War 2

The next Words of War will be found after ascending the ladder to the Derailed Train scene. At the top of the ladder, turn around and crawl under the scaffolding. Players can find a searchable crate by heading straight ahead, but look up at the ceiling and find the Words of War behind some pipes.

Words of Action 2

Players will find another Words of Action symbol after the Derailed Train scene. After descending the long ladder, search the room to the right. Players will see the yellow designation arrows pointing at a symbol hidden behind some gray wooden planks. Shoot the planks to reveal the Words of Action.

Words of Lamp 3

A third Words of Lamp symbol will be found in the subways shortly after completing the lamp puzzle and accessing Shrine Street Station. Immediately after completing the puzzle, players will find a staircase to their left that descends onto some flooded train tracks. Along the south wall, players will find graffiti mentioning Mr. Scratch - look up and to the right to the clean wall beside the graffiti-covered wall and find the Words of Lamp symbol in the top corner of the clean wall.

Words of Gun 2

In Shrine Street station, players will find another Words of Power symbol. Pass through the train car, and immediately after exiting the doors, stop, turn to the left, and look on the side of the other train car for the Words of Gun symbol. Be very careful, as there are shadows in the area that will become aggravated if players move too far out of the train car - players can elect to eliminate all shadows in the area first, then safely collect the Words of Gun.

While this Words of Power symbol can be seen from inside the train car, players will have to be outside the car to collect it.

Words of Gun 3

After players find and investigate the murder scene and the nearby Echo, the path ahead will lead through two doors that head back to Caldera Street Station. Once at the station, turn right to find the yellow indication arrows pointing into a train car window. Look through the window and find the Words of Gun symbol on the wall inside the train car.