Horizon Forbidden West tips can transform a frustrating playthrough into an exhilarating adventure. Whether players are stepping into Aloy’s boots for the first time or returning after conquering Zero Dawn, the Forbidden West introduces new machines, mechanics, and challenges that demand fresh strategies. This guide covers essential combat techniques, gear upgrades, exploration secrets, and skill tree optimization. Players who master these fundamentals will find themselves hunting Thunderjaws instead of running from them.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Focus device to scan machines before combat, revealing weak points, elemental vulnerabilities, and detachable components for strategic targeting.
- Upgrade your frequently used weapons regularly—a fully upgraded green weapon often outperforms a base legendary one.
- Explore thoroughly to find Metal Flowers, Relic Ruins, and underwater areas that contain rare resources and powerful gear upgrades.
- Focus skill points on one or two skill trees initially rather than spreading them thin for more effective character progression.
- Carry weapons covering multiple elements (fire, frost, shock, acid) to exploit machine weaknesses and turn tough encounters into manageable fights.
- Complete Cauldrons to unlock machine overrides, allowing you to turn powerful enemies like Tremortusks into allies during battle.
Master the Combat System
Combat in Horizon Forbidden West rewards preparation and precision over button-mashing. Players should start each encounter by scanning machines with the Focus device. This reveals weak points, elemental vulnerabilities, and detachable components.
The game introduces several new weapon types, including the Shredder Gauntlet and Spike Thrower. Each weapon serves a specific purpose. Shredder Gauntlets deal excellent damage when players catch returning discs. Spike Throwers pack heavy punch against armored targets. Players should experiment with all weapon types early to find combinations that match their playstyle.
Dodging matters more than blocking. Aloy’s dodge roll provides invincibility frames that let her slip through attacks unharmed. Rolling toward machines often creates better positioning than rolling away. Players can chain dodges into melee attacks for quick damage windows.
Valor Surges add another layer to combat strategy. These powerful abilities charge during fights and provide significant advantages. Ranged Master boosts bow damage substantially. Toughened grants damage resistance for aggressive players. Matching Valor Surges to upcoming encounters gives players a real edge against tough machines.
Upgrade Your Gear and Weapons Regularly
Gear upgrades make a dramatic difference in Horizon Forbidden West. A fully upgraded green weapon often outperforms a base legendary one. Players should prioritize upgrading weapons they use frequently rather than hoarding resources for rare finds.
Each weapon and armor piece requires specific machine parts for upgrades. The game tracks needed components in the notebook, making targeted hunts easier. Players should check upgrade requirements before selling or dismantling parts. That Thunderjaw heart might seem like easy shards, but it could be essential for a weapon upgrade.
Coils and weaves provide additional customization. These modifications slot into gear to boost specific stats. Stacking damage coils on a favorite bow creates a devastating primary weapon. Defensive weaves on armor increase survivability during difficult encounters.
Players often overlook outfit upgrades. Each armor set provides unique bonuses that support different playstyles. Stealth armor makes silent takedowns easier. Melee-focused sets boost close-range damage. Keeping multiple upgraded outfits ready allows players to adapt to any situation.
Explore the World Thoroughly
The Forbidden West hides valuable rewards off the beaten path. Horizon Forbidden West tips always emphasize exploration because the game rewards curious players generously.
Metal Flowers, Vista Points, and Relic Ruins contain upgrade materials and lore. Relic Ruins present environmental puzzles that yield powerful rewards. Players who skip these miss significant gear improvements and interesting story details.
Underwater exploration opens new possibilities. Aloy gains a diving mask early in the story, unlocking submerged areas throughout the map. These locations often contain rare resources and hidden caches. Players should revisit earlier areas after gaining this ability.
Settlements offer more than merchants. Talking to NPCs reveals side quests, hunting contracts, and salvage contracts. These activities provide experience, rare parts, and unique weapons unavailable through the main story. Machine Strike boards appear in most settlements too, offering a surprisingly deep minigame.
Tall Necks remain essential for map completion. Overriding these gentle giants reveals surrounding areas and marks points of interest. Players should tackle Tall Necks early in each region to plan efficient exploration routes.
Use the Workbench and Skill Trees Wisely
Workbenches serve as the primary upgrade station in Horizon Forbidden West. Players find them in settlements and shelters throughout the map. Regular workbench visits keep gear performing at peak levels.
The workbench interface shows all upgrade paths for owned equipment. Players can mark desired upgrades to track needed components automatically. This feature prevents aimless hunting and focuses resource gathering efforts.
Skill trees in Horizon Forbidden West branch into six categories: Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master. Each tree unlocks unique abilities and passive bonuses. Players earn skill points through main quests, side missions, and general exploration.
Focusing on one or two skill trees initially produces better results than spreading points thin. The Hunter tree improves ranged combat significantly. Infiltrator benefits stealth-focused players. Machine Master creates opportunities for turning machines against each other.
Valor Surges unlock through skill trees as well. These require substantial investment in specific branches. Players should plan their desired Valor Surges early and work toward them systematically. The right Valor Surge transforms difficult boss fights into manageable encounters.
Take Advantage of Machine Weaknesses
Every machine in Horizon Forbidden West has exploitable weaknesses. Learning these vulnerabilities turns intimidating enemies into manageable targets.
Elemental weaknesses vary by machine type. Fire damages organic components on many machines. Frost removes armor plating, exposing vulnerable internals. Shock stuns machines briefly, creating attack windows. Acid eats through defenses over time. Players should carry weapons covering multiple elements to handle any encounter.
Component targeting provides tactical advantages beyond raw damage. Shooting off weapons prevents dangerous attacks. Removing leg components slows fast machines. Some detached weapons can be picked up and used against their former owners.
The Focus device reveals all this information instantly. Scanning a new machine type adds it to the notebook permanently. Players can review weaknesses and components anytime through the menu. Studying entries before challenging a new machine type prevents costly surprises.
Override opportunities exist for most machine types. Overridden machines fight alongside Aloy, creating powerful allies. Players unlock new override capabilities through Cauldrons scattered across the map. A Tremortusk fighting on Aloy’s side changes battle dynamics completely.
