Horizon Forbidden West Beginner Guide: Weapons, Skills, Machines & Gear

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Horizon Forbidden West Beginner Guide: Weapons, Skills, Machines & Gear

Horizon Forbidden West rewards preparation more than brute force. Aloy has a wide range of bows, traps, slings, Spike Throwers, Shredder Gauntlets, armor and Skills, but each becomes stronger when used against the correct machine or situation.

Scan Machines Before Fighting

Aloy’s Focus is one of the most important tools in the game.

Before attacking a new machine, use it to identify:

• Important components.
• Weak points.
• Elemental strengths and weaknesses.
• Weapons or parts that can be removed.

Do Not Shoot the Machine Randomly

Targeting components can provide more value than repeatedly firing into heavily protected areas.

Removing a dangerous component may:

• Reduce the machine’s offensive capability.
• Create additional damage opportunities.
• Produce valuable crafting materials.

Elemental Damage

Different machines respond differently to elemental effects.

Carry enough weapon variety that you can attack weaknesses instead of using the same ammunition against everything.

Weapon Variety

PlayStation’s official Forbidden West material highlights weapons including:

• Bows.
• Slings.
• Shredder Gauntlets.
• Spike Throwers.
• Aloy’s Spear.

Do Not Upgrade Every Weapon

Upgrade weapons you actually use.

Crafting resources are more valuable when concentrated on equipment that fits your preferred combat style.

Ammo Types Matter

Weapons can support different ammunition types.

Choose ammo based on:

• The machine.
• Its elemental weaknesses.
• Whether you need component removal.
• Whether you need direct damage or status buildup.

Six Skill Trees

Horizon Forbidden West gives Aloy six major areas of specialization:

• Warrior.
• Trapper.
• Hunter.
• Survivor.
• Infiltrator.
• Machine Master.

Warrior

Warrior Skills improve close-range combat and Spear use.

Trapper

Trapper Skills support traps and deliberate battlefield preparation.

Hunter

Hunter Skills reinforce ranged weapon use.

Survivor

Survivor Skills support defensive and recovery systems.

Infiltrator

Infiltrator Skills strengthen stealth and surprise attacks.

Machine Master

Machine Master supports Aloy’s interaction with machines and machine-oriented tactics.

Choose Skills Around Your Actual Playstyle

You do not need to fill every tree evenly.

If you primarily fight at range, Hunter progression may help more immediately than spending heavily in a system you rarely use.

Valor Surges

Skill progression unlocks powerful Valor Surges.

Use them during meaningful combat moments rather than forgetting they exist while relying only on normal weapon attacks.

Armor

PlayStation emphasizes that armor provides more than appearance.

Different outfits support different combat strengths.

Choose armor according to:

• Your Skill focus.
• The encounter.
• Your preferred weapons.

Modify and Upgrade Gear

Improving equipment can be as important as earning Skill Points.

Upgrade the weapons and armor that form the core of your normal loadout.

Prepare in Settlements

Settlements provide merchants, crafting and other support.

Before leaving for a dangerous machine hunt:

• Restock ammunition materials.
• Check upgrades.
• Review your armor.
• Prepare food or other useful supplies.

Meals

PlayStation’s official guidance notes that cooks can prepare meals that provide temporary stat benefits.

Use them before difficult encounters instead of treating food as decorative.

Melee Pits

Melee Pits provide structured practice for Aloy’s close-range systems.

If Spear combat feels awkward, use them to learn rather than avoiding melee permanently.

Explore

Optional exploration provides:

• Gear.
• Resources.
• Skill Points.
• Machine encounters.
• Additional progression opportunities.

Beginner Routine

1. Scan the machine.
2. Identify components and elemental weakness.
3. Select the correct weapon and ammo.
4. Use traps or stealth if they improve the opening.
5. Target important components.
6. Use Valor Surge in difficult moments.
7. Return to settlements to upgrade and restock.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Attacking new machines without scanning.
• Using one bow for every situation.
• Ignoring elemental weakness.
• Upgrading every weapon equally.
• Forgetting Valor Surges.
• Ignoring armor specialization.

Bottom Line

Horizon Forbidden West rewards hunters who prepare. Scan machines, attack specific components, use the correct element, build Aloy through the Skill Trees that match your style and upgrade a focused set of weapons and armor instead of treating every encounter like a basic bow fight.