Finding the best Horizon Forbidden West strategies can transform a frustrating playthrough into a rewarding adventure. Guerrilla Games built an expansive post-apocalyptic world filled with mechanical beasts, hidden treasures, and demanding combat encounters. Players who understand core mechanics gain a clear advantage. This guide covers essential combat techniques, top weapons, exploration methods, and skill upgrades. Whether someone just started their journey or wants to optimize an existing save, these tips deliver practical value for every playstyle.
Key Takeaways
- The best Horizon Forbidden West combat strategy combines scanning enemies, exploiting elemental weaknesses, targeting weak points, and mastering dodge timing.
- Prioritize Cauldrons and Tallnecks early to unlock machine overrides, reveal the map, and expand your tactical options throughout the game.
- Legendary weapons like the Death-Seeker’s Shadow bow and Forgefall Sharpshot Bow deliver devastating damage against tough late-game machines.
- The Resonator Blast skill stands out as one of the best Horizon Forbidden West abilities due to its versatility and massive damage potential against all machine types.
- Fully upgraded purple gear often outperforms unupgraded legendary equipment, so visit workbenches regularly.
- Focus your skill points on one tree initially to avoid being underpowered during mid-game challenges.
Essential Combat Techniques to Master
Combat in Horizon Forbidden West rewards patience and precision. Players who rush into fights often find themselves overwhelmed by machines. The best Horizon Forbidden West players study enemy patterns before attacking.
Target Weak Points First
Every machine has vulnerable components. Scanning enemies with the Focus reveals these weak spots in yellow or purple highlights. Hitting these areas deals massive damage and can disable specific attacks. A Thunderjaw’s disc launchers, for example, become usable weapons once shot off.
Use the Right Element
Machines have elemental weaknesses. Fire arrows melt Frostclaws. Frost ammo slows aggressive attackers like Clawstriders. Shock damage stuns most enemies, creating windows for critical strikes. Players should check their Focus scan data before each encounter and prepare accordingly.
Master Dodge Timing
Aloy’s dodge roll grants brief invincibility frames. Timing this correctly lets players avoid devastating attacks while staying close enough to counterattack. Rolling too early or too late results in damage. Practice against smaller machines first.
Use Valor Surges
Valor Surges provide powerful temporary buffs. Ranged Master increases bow damage significantly. Toughened grants damage resistance during tough fights. Building Valor through combat and activating it at the right moment can turn losing battles into victories.
The best Horizon Forbidden West combat approach combines all these elements. Scan, prepare elemental counters, target weak points, and dodge effectively. This formula works against every machine type in the game.
Top Weapons and Gear Worth Prioritizing
Horizon Forbidden West offers dozens of weapons and armor sets. Some stand out as clear winners for different situations.
Best Bows for Most Situations
The Sunshot Hunter Bow provides excellent fire damage and solid impact. Players can acquire it relatively early and upgrade it throughout the game. For late-game content, the Death-Seeker’s Shadow legendary bow delivers devastating precision damage against tough machines.
The Sharpshot Bow category deserves attention too. These weapons excel at hitting weak points from safe distances. The Forgefall legendary Sharpshot Bow tears through machine components efficiently.
Armor Sets That Matter
The Nora Thunder Warrior outfit boosts melee damage and provides solid protection. Players who prefer close combat should prioritize this set. For ranged builds, the Carja Stalker Elite armor increases stealth and concentration duration.
Legendary armor requires more effort but offers superior stats. The Tenakth Vanquisher set rewards aggressive playstyles with damage bonuses after successful attacks.
Weapons Often Overlooked
The Shredder Gauntlet throws disc projectiles that return to Aloy. Catching them increases damage on the next throw. Skilled players chain multiple catches for massive burst damage. This weapon destroys Apex machines quickly.
Spike Throwers deliver high single-hit damage. They work well against slow, heavily armored targets. The best Horizon Forbidden West loadouts include at least one Spike Thrower for these situations.
Players should upgrade their favorite weapons at workbenches regularly. Fully upgraded purple gear often outperforms unupgraded legendary equipment.
Exploration Strategies for Maximum Rewards
The Forbidden West map holds countless secrets. Smart exploration habits lead to better gear, more resources, and interesting story content.
Prioritize Cauldrons Early
Cauldrons unlock machine overrides. Each completed Cauldron adds new machines to Aloy’s override list. Overridden machines fight alongside players and provide mounts. Completing these dungeons early expands tactical options for the entire game.
Visit Tallnecks Immediately
Tallnecks reveal large map sections when overridden. Players should seek these out whenever entering new regions. The revealed icons show collectibles, side quests, and points of interest. This information saves hours of aimless wandering.
Collect Metal Flowers and Black Boxes
Metal Flowers unlock rewards from a specific NPC. Black Boxes provide valuable trade goods. Both collectibles appear throughout the map. Players who gather these during normal exploration receive excellent gear without grinding.
Don’t Ignore Underwater Areas
The diving mask unlocks early in the main story. Underwater locations contain unique resources, data points, and treasure. Many players skip these areas and miss valuable upgrade materials.
The best Horizon Forbidden West explorers clear regions systematically. They complete all activities in one area before moving to the next. This approach maximizes efficiency and ensures nothing gets missed.
Rebels Camps and Ruins
Rebel camps offer combat challenges and story content. Ruins provide interesting environmental puzzles. Both reward players with rare resources and gear. These activities break up machine hunting with varied gameplay.
Skills and Upgrades That Make a Difference
Horizon Forbidden West features six skill trees. Players cannot unlock everything immediately, so smart choices matter.
Warrior Tree Essentials
Resonator Blast charges melee attacks that create exploitable weak points. Hitting these charged spots with arrows triggers explosions. This technique deals tremendous damage and works against every machine type. Most players consider this the best Horizon Forbidden West skill for its versatility.
Hunter Tree Must-Haves
Concentration slows time while aiming. Upgrades extend its duration and add damage bonuses. Players who rely on bows should invest heavily here. The Deep Concentration skill chain makes precision shots far easier.
Survivor Tree Benefits
Potion upgrades in this tree improve healing effectiveness. Low Health Regeneration provides passive recovery during tough fights. These skills increase survivability significantly, especially on higher difficulties.
Stealth Approach Options
The Infiltrator tree suits players who prefer avoiding direct combat. Silent Strike upgrades enable one-hit kills on larger enemies. Smoke Bomb skills create escape options when stealth fails.
Machine Master Potential
This tree enhances override capabilities. Longer override durations and stronger overridden machines result from investment here. Players who enjoy fighting alongside machines should prioritize these skills.
The best Horizon Forbidden West skill progression focuses on one tree initially, then branches out. Spreading points too thin leaves Aloy underpowered for mid-game challenges. Players should identify their preferred playstyle and commit to supporting skills first.
