If you are confused about weapons in Horizon Forbidden West, we have your back.
Horizon games have always been known for their unique and exciting battles since the series first came out in 2017. The combat in every open world changes how you play the game. The new Horizon game has more weapons and ways to kill machines, and you must have the best weapons on deck when facing Machines. So below, we have created a complete guide on Weapons in Forbidden West.
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All Weapons in Horizon Forbidden West
There are ten weapons in the game that you can switch to use. Each has different ammunition, weakness, and strength, so choosing one could be challenging. There are also other rarities to each weapon except for Spear. Furthermore, check out the complete weapons guide with all the weapons and which scenario they are the most useful.
Hunter Bow
The Hunter Bow in Horizon Forbidden West will be your go-to option for every fight. All Hunter Bows have different ammunition starting from regular arrows to various elemental attacks like Acid arrows, Shock Arrows, Forst Arrows, Purgewater, and Fire Arrows. They all can pull a punch if they fit your playstyle and attack choice.
You will have to aim using L2 and fire at your target using R2. There is a difference between a charged shot and shots where you fire quickly. So take a note of how you are firing when you are in combat against enemies.
Hunter Bow is a Jack Of All Trades, suitable for all situations. You can take down human enemies and machines if you do the right amount of damage using the correct type of arrow.
Warrior Bow
Warrior Bow is like the Hunter Bow but used at a closer range. They require a short time to charge a shot and can be more efficient at firing shots at enemies. Although they offer a faster fire rate, the damage caused by each shot is also more minor in comparison to Hunter’s Bow. Warrior Bow also does offer all elemental arrows for you to use against your enemies during combat, just like Hunter Bow.
You can use the Bow just like you did for Hunter Bow, and it has the same type of ammunition.
It is best for close combat-type battles. Warrior Bow could be your go-to weapon if you feel like taking up enemies upfront.
Sharpshot Bow
If you are someone who prefers sniping from a long-range, Horizon Forbidden West has just the weapon you would like to use. Sharpshot Bow is a long-range weapon you can use to hit those sweet headshots to deal massive damage. The Sharpshot Bow takes more time to charge each shot but provides you with more Power on each shot. You can also double down on elemental damage using this Bow to make it more Powerful.
You can use it the same way you use Hunter and Warrior Bow.
As its name suggests, it is the best for long-distance shots. Using Sharpshot Bow from a distance to take down human enemies and components off machines is the best use in the game. As a result, you can quickly headshot enemies and deal massive damage while staying safe afar.
Tripcaster
The Tripcaster is another unique weapon you will use in the game. It will let you put a tripwire between two points anywhere on the map. You can use these tripwires to do massive amounts of damage when you are up against big machines, and you want to catch them off-guard by setting up tripwires before engaging in a fight. Tripcaster also has different elemental type ammunition, so you can also rack up elemental damage and effects here.
Use a Tripcaster Hold L2 to aim R2 twice, showing the area in which you would like to put the tripwire. Once a machine walks over it, the trap will activate automatically and damage the enemy.
Setting up traps before you take on big enemies is a must in Horizon Forbidden West, and Tripcaster is easily one of the best weapons in the game. It can be the best when you prepare it beforehand going into a fight. The only disadvantage it has is that you will either have to set it up early or put down a trap while in combat will be challenging.
Ropecaster
Ropecaster is a new weapon introduced that can paralyze machines and make them unable to move for some time. There are different kinds of elemental damage and effects you can add to each shot when using it.
You have to hold L2 to aim and then Hold R2 to shoot it to use it. Aloy will set a point automatically where the rope will end on the ground.
Ropecaster will best serve you when you use it for the most aggressive machines you find in the game. This weapon is best suited for all the large enemies that you can stop from moving and do massive amounts of damage. At the same time, you can be at a disadvantage when you use it against smaller enemies.
Spear
This is the only weapon you will not be able to switch in the game. Spear is also the only weapon you can perform a melee attack with. It can be beneficial when you are dealing with enemies upfront.
You can make Light Attack with the R1 Button and Heavy Attacks with the R2 button. Moreover, you can also perform Silent attacks and critical attacks using R1.
Spear is the most useful when you are up against Humans. You can use it against machines, too, but it is more effective when against Human enemies. The most helpful Spear becomes against Machines is when you unlock the Silent and Critical Attack.
Blastsling
Horizon has slingshot-type weapons that allow you to do elemental damage and effects with bombs. Depending on which ones your slingshot lets you throw, you can throw different bombs at enemies. These will cause damage and also effects like burn and slowing them down.
It is easy to use a Slingshot weapon. All you have to do is Hold L2 to aim and use R2 to throw the bomb. Like Bows, there are charged shots, too, so keep a lookout for them when you aim.
Bombs are best when you use the right elemental type against a machine. Each machine is weak against elemental damage, so you can use that to your advantage and throw bombs. Blastsling can be very useful to build up elemental damage and effects when you are against big machines.
Shredder Gauntlet
The Shredder Gauntlet is a new weapon introduced in Horizon Forbidden West. The gun is more like a boomerang, and it will throw a disc that will damage the enemy and come back. If you can catch the disc every time you send it back, the damage will increase as you grab and throw. It can be beneficial if you manage to stack up the damage by catching the disc multiple times.
You will have to aim using L2, then Hold R2 to charge and throw the disc. After the disc hits the enemy, it will return after a few seconds. Now when it returns to you, while you Hold L2, press R2 to close the Shredder of your weapon when you manage to catch it. Then throw it again to do more damage.
This kind of weapon is perfect for dealing with armored enemies. You can take off their armor in a couple of throws as you build up the tear damage. You can also use it for Elemental attacks, a bonus. Even though it can be tough to catch the disc, sometimes the reward you get for pulling it off is worth it.
Spike Thrower
Spike Thrower can be one of the most valuable weapons in the game if you use them well. They take time to fire a shot, but they pack a punch, with each shot dealing a lot of damage at once. They can give you an edge if you are up against a large, slow-moving enemy.
It uses the exact mechanism of Holding L2 to aim and R2 to charge and shoot.
Spiker Thrower is at its best when you use it against big enemies since it takes time to shoot each shot. When you are up against giant enemies, remember to equip it and do lots of damage. Generally, big enemies take more time to damage you, so you will always have the advantage in battle using this weapon.
Boltblaster
This is like the Spike Thrower, but it throws bolts at a higher rate. You could well call it the machine gun of Horizon Forbidden West. The Boltbaster takes a long buildup time, but it does a significant amount of damage, making up for its long charge shots. It can also do differnt kinds of Elemental Damage and effects depending on the type of bolt you are using.
It again uses the exact mechanism as Spike Thrower using L2 and R2.
This weapon is best against big enemies as it can stack up elemental damage and effects and massive amounts of damage. You can take down Big enemies easily using the one Elemental attack they are weak against.
Best Weapons In Horizon Forbidden West
This section covers all the best weapons to choose from in our complete Weapons Guide. There are different kinds of rarities in the game for each weapon, and it can be tough to decide which weapon you should use. So now that we have talked about all the weapons in the game, it is time to look at the best weapons available to top off our complete weapons guide.
Best Hunter Bow
The Sun Scourge comes off as the best Hunter Bow in the game due to its stats. It is powerful and can shoot three types of arrows, and you can also upgrade to get to up to 5 attachable Coils and 5 Perks.
How To Obtain
You will be able to unlock it during the First Forge side quest.
Perks:
- 2% Instant Brittle Chance
- 10% Agility Damage
- 15% Overdraw Damage
- 10% Reload Speed
- 15% Aerial Enemy Damage
Ammunition Types:
- Fire
- Freeze
- Acid
Best Warrior Bow
The Carja Bane is the best Warrior Bow because it is versatile and powerful. It is a strong weapon and, on top of it, offers you two unique types of Bow ammunition. Moreover, you can get up to 4 different Perks and five upgradable coils after you upgrade it to Level 5.
How To Obtain
You have to finish all Gauntlet Runs in Horizon Forbidden West to get this weapon.
Perks:
- 10% Agility Bonus Damage
- 10% Corroding Damage
- 10% Knockdown Power
- 15% Melee Follow Up
Ammunition Types:
- Fire Arrows
- Peircing Armor Arrows
Best Sharpshot Bow
Forgefall is the best Sharpshot Bow in the game, and getting it is no easy task either. However, it is worth it getting it since it deals a huge amount of damage with its Piercing and Plasma Arrows. The weapon can also be upgraded to 5 levels to unlock different Perks and 5 attachable coils.
How To Obtain
Finish around 80 Arena Medals to get access to it.
Perks:
- 25% increase in Draw Speed
- 10% Concentration Damage
- 25% Overdraw Damage
- 15% Aerial Enemy Damage
- 10% Shocked Enemy Damage
Ammunition Types:
- Armor Peircing Arrows
- Plasma Arrows
Best Blastsling
Wings of Ten might be one the best weapons in the game apart from being the best Blastsling. Not only can you fire three types of bombs using it, but you can get the advanced version of explosive bombs that can deal massive amounts of damage. Lastly, to top off that, you can upgrade to Level 5 to get 5 different Perks and 5 upgradable coils.
How To Obtain
You will have to collect all 12 Black Box collectibles and finish the Seeds of the Past and Sea of the Sands quest to get the weapon.
Perks:
- 5% circitcal hit chance
- 15% Critical Hit Damage
- 15% Overdraw Damage
- 15% Close Range Damage
- 2% Instant Plasma Blast Chance
Ammunition Types:
- Explosive Bombs
- Adhesive Bombs
Best Spike Thrower
The Skykilller is another Legendary weapon that marks the best Spike Thrower in the game. The only sad part about this weapon is you will only get to have this weapon once the story is done. It has three types of elemental damage, and the weapon also has 5 upgradeable coils.
How To Obtain
Complete the Way The Home Quest after you manage to finish the main story.
Perks
- 10% Reload speed
- 15% Aerial Enemy Damage
- 15% Overdraw Damage
- 25% Draw Speed
- 10% Burning Enemy Damage
Ammunition Types
- Explosive Spikes
- Fire Spikes
Best Tripcaster
Tripcasters are one of the most useful weapons in the game. You can set traps beforehand, bait machines to come to you and do massive damage to them. Tinker’s Pride is the best Tripcaster you can find in the game. You can upgrade it up to level 5 to unlock different Perks and 5 attachable Coils.
How to Obtain
You can get this weapon by beating every Hunting Ground Trial in the game
Perks:
- 15% Damage Over Time
- 10% Knockdown Power
- 2% Instant Brittle Chance
- 15% Knockdown Damage.
Ammunition Types:
- Staggerbeams
- Shieldwires
- Advanced Explosive Tripwires
Best Shredder Gauntlet
Ancestor’s return is the best Shredder Gauntlet among all other weapons.
How to Obtain
You can get this weapon after solving every Relic Ruin in the game, collecting all Ornaments, and giving them to Stemmur. Like every other Legendary Weapon, you can upgrade it to Level 5 to get 5 different perks 5 attachable coils to make it even more powerful.
Perks:
- 10% Agility Damage
- 25% Draw Speed
- 10% Concentration Damage
- 10% Component Tear
- 5% Critical Hit Chance
Ammunition Types:
- Acid
- Shock
- Armor Perceing
Best Boltblaster
The last best weapon on this list is the best Boltblaster in the game. The Blast Forge is a must weapon for you if you prefer using Boltblasters. There are three types of ammo types you can use in this weapon, and again you can get up to 5 different perks and 5 attachable Coils when you upgrade it to the max.
How to Obtain
The weapon can be found after getting 80 Arena Medals in Hunting Ground Trials.
Perks:
- 25% Draw Speed
- 5% Critical Hit Chance
- 15% Overdraw Damage
- 10% Reload Speed
- 2% Instant Shocked Chance
Ammunition Types:
- Advanced Bolts
- Piercing Bolts
- Explosive Bolts
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