Horizon Forbidden West: 10 Essential Tips for Hunting Machines and Exploring the Forbidden West

1. Master the Sliding and Dodge Mechanics

In Horizon Forbidden West, mobility is key. The sliding and dodge moves are your best friends against aggressive machines. Practice sliding under attacks to create distance, and use the dodge roll to avoid powerful charges. Remember: You can slide while aiming to quickly reposition without breaking your lock on a machine's weak point.

2. Use the Focus to Scan Everything

The Focus is more than a narrative tool. Use it constantly to scan machines for weak spots, components, and weaknesses. It also highlights climbable surfaces, loot, and datapoints. In combat, tagging multiple machines with the Focus helps you track them in the heat of battle.

3. Prioritize Upgrading Your Pouches

You'll find tons of resources, but you can only carry so much. Visit Hunters and Upgrade your pouch capacity for ammo, potions, and traps early. This reduces backtracking and lets you stockpile materials for crafting powerful weapons and ammo.

4. Exploit Machine Weaknesses and Elemental States

Each machine has a specific weakness. Use the Focus to identify them. Fire weapons work well against machines weak to fire, while frost weapons freeze enemies, making them take extra damage. Shock weapons can stun machines, giving you a window to deal massive damage. Combine elements for devastating effects.

5. Craft Ammo on the Fly

Don't hoard resources. In the middle of a fight, pause and craft arrows or traps from your inventory. You can also craft potions and food. Keep an eye on your ammo count and always have the necessary materials to replenish your favorite munitions.

6. Use the Pullcaster for Vertical Mobility

The Pullcaster is a game-changer. It not only lets you grapple to ledges but also pull down weak walls and create shortcuts. Use it to escape fights, reach high vantage points for stealth attacks, or quickly traverse the environment. Upgrade it as soon as possible.

7. Stealth Is Your Greatest Ally

Not every encounter needs to be a direct fight. Use tall grass, rocks, and your stealth outfit to sneak past machines or take them out silently. Lure enemies away with rocks, then override them or place traps in their path. Stealth kills on unaware machines save ammo and health.

8. Override Machines for Tactical Advantage

Unlocking the ability to override machines lets you turn the tide. Late-game, you can mount flying machines like Sunwings or ride Chargers across the map. In combat, override a powerful machine to fight alongside you, causing chaos among enemy ranks. Prioritize unlocking overrides for the machines you encounter most.

9. Complete Side Quests and Errands for Key Upgrades

Side activities offer more than just lore. Many reward you with skill points, advanced weapons, or special outfit weaves. The best weapon upgrades often come from questlines. For example, the Legendary weapons require completing certain side missions. Don't neglect the world outside the main story.

10. Experiment with Weapon Types and Coils

Don't stick to just the Hunter Bow. Try Sharpshot Bows for long-range sniping, Blastslings for explosive damage, and the Ropecaster to tie down large machines. Weapon coils let you customize your gear for specific situations—add fire damage to your hunter bow or tear to your sharpshot bow. Mix and match to suit your playstyle.

With these tips, you'll be ready to tackle the Forbidden West's toughest machines and uncover its deepest mysteries. Happy hunting, Nora!