In Alan Wake 2, Words of Power are some of the most important collectables you can find. They’re glowing symbols hidden all over Alan’s chapters, and spotting them will let you unlock new upgrades for his abilities. You don’t need to interact with them or pick them up; simply look at them the right way, and they’ll activate automatically. This guide will show you every Words of Power location in Alan Wake 2, so you can fully upgrade Alan and make his fight through the Dark Place a little easier.
All Words of Power Locations
In Alan Wake 2, finding Words of Power is one of the best ways to make Alan stronger. These glowing symbols let you upgrade different parts of his abilities. You don’t have to do anything to grab them, just spot them in the world and look at them the right way, and they’ll activate.
There are seven types of Words of Power in total, and each one increases a different aspect of Alan’s stats or gear. For example, Words of Fix improve your health and how quickly it regenerates. Words of Gun make your weapons more efficient by increasing ammo capacity and weapon effects. Words of War crank up the damage of the revolver, shotgun, and flare gun, while Words of Stuff help with your inventory, giving you more space, revealing nearby items on the map, or even adding an extra flashlight charge.
You’ll also find Words of Aid, which make your healing items and flares more effective, and Words of Action, which let you deal more damage, take less damage, or move more stealthily. Lastly, there are Words of Lamp, which tie into your torch; they increase your health, improve stun effects, or increase your lamp’s return charge when you use it.
Every time you discover a Word of Power, you’ll earn a point that can be spent on one of three upgrades linked to that type. You can level each one up to three times, so the more Words you collect, the stronger Alan becomes.
Note: You can click on the images to enlarge
Words of Fix 1
Right near where you meet Casey, follow the glowing arrow that loops around the alley. When you reach the end, don’t rush off; look up at the wall above the doorway. You’ll spot the Words of Power glowing right there.
Words of Action 1
Head over to the eastern side of the Main Plaza, just above Draft Steel. As you walk along the area, look up toward the railroad tracks overhead; that’s where you’ll see this set of Words of Power.
Words of Fix 2
Check near the trash cans outside the Talk Show Studio. It’s an easy one to miss, but you’ll find the Words of Power written close to that spot.
Words of Lamp 1
Go to the Caldera Subway Station and look for a lamp post on the right side. Use your Angel Lamp there, then head upstairs. After passing the save point, follow the glowing arrow; it’ll lead you to the Words of Power hidden just below.
Words of War 1
Enter the alley beside Tim Beaker, and climb up the ladder you find there. Once you’re on the roof, head right and look between two air conditioning units. The Words of Power are tucked right in that gap.
Words of Gun 1
Still in the same general area, look for a police car parked nearby. Use your Angel Lamp next to it to shift reality, and then check the inner wall of the building right next to you. That’s where these Words of Power are waiting.
Words of Gun 2
As soon as you step into the Caldera Subway Station, look to your right. You’ll see an abandoned train there. Shift reality and peek through the train’s back window to spot the Words of Power.
Words of Aid 1
After you pass the first save room, head toward the stacks of construction materials. Follow the glowing arrows in that area; they’ll guide you directly to the Words of Power.
Words of Lamp 2
Past the Collapsed Tunnel, you’ll come across two smaller tunnels and a cart. Use the Angel Lamp here to make the cart vanish, and then step into the room behind it to find the Words of Power.
Words of War 2
When you reach the Derailed Train section, crawl underneath the scaffolding. Once you’re through, look up at the ceiling the Words of Power are written there.
Words of Action 2
Inside the Torchbearers Echo, go through the wrecked train and into the room beyond. Take the ladder down and look for wooden boards pointed at by arrows. Shoot the boards, and you’ll see the Words of Power hidden behind them.
Words of Fix 3
Head into the room filled with Shades and check the wall right behind the Ticket Booth. The Words of Power are written there.
Words of Action 3
Make your way to the flooded section at Shrine Street Station. Look along the far wall where an arrow points; that’s your spot.
Words of Gun 3
Inside Shrine Street Station, you’ll notice two abandoned trains. Use the Angel Lamp to phase through the one on the right, then look through the window of the train next to you to find the Words of Power.
Words of Fix 4
In the same area as the last one, go up the stairs in that room. Instead of taking the door to the save point, go through the other door leading to the Collapsed Tunnel section. Look closely at the wall behind the metal gate, you’ll find the Words of Power there.
Words of Aid 2
After reaching the Oceanview Hotel, don’t go inside right away. Instead, walk down the street on the left side of the building. On one of the nearby walls, you’ll see the Words of Power marked clearly.
Words of Aid 3
Up on the southern part of the rooftop, you’ll find a metal board with glowing arrows pointing straight at it. The Words of Power are painted there.
Words of Lamp 3
In the northern part of the rooftop, look for a doorway marked by two downward-pointing triangles. Walk through it, then look toward the nearby water tank; that’s where you’ll find the Words of Power.
Words of War 3
Inside Room 224, check the wooden board with an arrow pointing to it. Smash the board with a melee attack, and the Words of Power will be revealed inside.
Words of War 4
Head to the second floor and look through the glass of the Emergency Exit door. You’ll see the Words of Power written on the other side.
Words of Stuff 1
In the ballroom area, look above the bar. The Words of Power are painted high up on the wall there.
Words of Action 5
Go to the first-floor bathroom in the cinema. Inside the Supply Closet, look straight up at the ceiling, and you’ll find the Words of Power there.
Words of Fix 5
On the second floor of the Cinema Lobby, check the right-hand wall. The Words of Power are glowing there.
Words of Stuff 2
Step outside the theatre and approach the police car. Use your shifted view to walk through the door illuminated by the headlights. On the roof beyond, you’ll find the Words of Power waiting.
Words of Lamp 4
From the same rooftop where you found the previous set, move to the other side and crawl into the small corridor. Look at the water tank, the Words of Power are written right there.
Words of Gun 4
From where you found the last one, go left down the staircase. Stop underneath the stair landing and look up. The Words of Power are painted on the underside.
Words of Lamp 5
During the “End of the Line” scene, choose the Murder Cult option and select the Summoning Ritual theme. Once that’s done, use your Angel Lamp to open an exit to the right. The next room beyond that exit contains the Words of Power.
