Game Tips - Horizon Zero Dawn

Game Tips: Horizon Zero Dawn

This guide covers essential tips for mastering Horizon Zero Dawn, from beginner survival to advanced machine hunting. Tips are grouped by category for quick reference.

Combat Tips

#### 1. Use the Focus to Scan Machines

Tip: Always use R3 (Focus) before engaging any machine. Highlight components, weaknesses, and enemy level.

Why it works: Shows elemental weaknesses (fire, freeze, shock), tearable parts, and armor. Attaching ropes or removing components becomes easier.

When to use: Before every fight, especially against new machines or in crowded areas.

Tip: Target a machine's canisters (fire, freeze, shock), eyes, or exposed power cells for massive damage.

Why it works: Each machine has specific weak spots that cause extra damage or explosive reactions. For example, shooting a Blaze canister ignites the machine and deals area damage.

When to use: When you need to quickly disable a threat or conserve resources. Best used with precision arrows.

Tip: Use Tearblast arrows (from Tearblaster? Actually Tearblast ammo) to remove armor plates, weapons, or heavy components from machines.

Why it works: Tear damage strips parts instantly, exposing weak points or disabling special attacks (like a Thunderjaw's disc launcher).

When to use: At the start of a fight against armored machines (Sawtooth, Ravager, Thunderjaw) to leave them vulnerable.

Tip: Use the Ropecaster to tie down large machines, then attack weak points or place traps.

Why it works: Ropecaster fires ropes that immobilize machines for a few seconds. Allows safe removal of components or setting up critical hits.

When to use: When facing multiple aggressive machines (e.g., two Bellowbacks) or a single high-level target like a Behemoth.

Tip: Time your dodge rolls to evade machine charges and area attacks. Don't spam dodge; wait for the attack animation.

Why it works: Most attacks have a telegraph (wind-up). Rolling later avoids the hitbox and conserves stamina for counterattacks.

When to use: Against Watcher leaps, Ravager bursts, and Thunderjaw charges. Practice timing in the early game.

Tip: Hold L2 to enter Concentration mode (slows time) while aiming. Upgrade this skill early.

Why it works: Gives you a critical window to aim at moving weak points. Essential for headshots on humans or canisters on machines.

When to use: During combat when you need a precise shot, especially against human enemies or while sliding/jumping.

Exploration Tips

Tip: Most yellow handholds are climbable. Look for yellow ropes, poles, and ledges.

Why it works: Verticality offers vantage points, hidden loot, and safe paths to avoid ground patrols.

When to use: When exploring ruins, crossing canyons, or evading machines.

Tip: Tallnecks reveal the entire map. Prioritize overriding them to uncover Cauldrons, collectibles, and side quests.

Why it works: Clear map reduces confusion and shows areas of interest. Each Tallneck has a puzzle to solve.

When to use: As soon as you leave the Embrace. Start with the first one near Nora territory.

Tip: While exploring, scan with Focus to tag machines, paths, and resources. Marked enemies show through walls.

Why it works: Planning routes avoids ambushes. Tagged loot glows through obstacles.

When to use: Before entering a new area, especially near machine sites or bandit camps.

Tip: Fast Travel requires Fast Travel Packs (crafted from Ridge-Wood) or use the Golden Fast Travel Pack (unlocked later).

Why it works: Saves time but costs resources. Plan journeys or hunt for merchants to buy the unlimited Golden pack.

When to use: Only when crossing long distances after unlocking multiple campfires. Conserve packs early.

Tip: Aloy can swim indefinitely. Look for sunken ruins or caverns; some contain ancient tech or Datapoints.

Why it works: Hidden areas hold skill points and lore. Watch for underwater currents that block paths.

When to use: After obtaining the diving mask (lore-wise no diving gear required actually; just swim mod from Banuk? Actually you get a modification that lets you breathe longer underwater. It's a skill. Unlock the "Deep Diver" skill in the Traveler tree.)

Resources & Crafting Tips

Tip: After defeating a machine, loot its corpse for crafting materials (wire, metal shards, machine-specific parts like Blaze, Chillwater, etc.).

Why it works: Resources are essential for ammo crafting and selling. Mechanical parts like Large Machine Cores are needed for quests or weapons.

When to use: Every kill. Loot before the body despawns (they vanish after a while).

Tip: Ridge-Wood is the primary resource for all regular arrows. Harvest it from trees and bushes.

Why it works: You can never have enough Ridge-Wood. It's light and used in hunting arrows, precision arrows, and more.

When to use: Always pick it up when you see it. Restock at merchants if low.

Tip: Use the D-pad to craft ammo quickly. You don't need to exit the weapon wheel.

Why it works: Saves time and keeps you in combat. You can craft arrows while dodging if resource menu is open.

When to use: When ammo runs low during a fight, especially for tearblast or elemental arrows.

Tip: Some machine parts are only needed for specific upgrades or quests. Sell excess to earn shards fast.

Why it works: Heavy components like "Luminous Braiding" or "Metal Vessel" can be sold for high prices early on. Check with merchants for what you need.

When to use: After looting many machines, visit a merchant and compare sell prices. Only keep parts for upgrades or buy back later if necessary.

Tip: Medicinal plants (green jerky? Actually there are health potions and herbs) are plentiful. Hold Square to heal without using potions.

Why it works: Herbs are free and instant. They restore a small amount of health. Combine with skills to increase capacity.

When to use: Between fights or when low on potions. Always keep your herb slots filled (you can carry up to 25? Max is 35 with upgrades).

Builds & Progression Tips

Tip: Unlock Silent Strike, Lure Call, and Quiet Sprint early.

Why it works: Stealth makes early game much easier. Silent Strike kills small machines instantly. Lure Call brings enemies into melee range.

When to use: As soon as you have skill points. This build allows you to clear bandit camps and stealth sections effortlessly.

Tip: Max out the Hunter tree for Improved Concentration and Concentration+ skills.

Why it works: Extended slow-motion aiming makes hitting weak points trivial. Essential for high difficulty.

When to use: After building a solid stealth foundation. Combine with good bows for devastating damage.

Tip: Unlock Double Shot and Triple Shot skills (Brave tree).

Why it works: Fires multiple arrows at once, multiplying damage and tear. Use with Tearblast or elemental arrows for massive effect.

When to use: Against large machines (Thunderjaw, Stormbird) to quickly remove components or apply statuses.

Tip: Unlock "Scavenger" and "Resourceful" skills to increase loot from machines and reduce crafting costs.

Why it works: More resources mean less farming. Reduces frustration in harder difficulties.

When to use: Mid-game when you start upgrading all weapons and need efficient resource flow.

Tip: Carry at least one hunter bow (damage), one war bow (elemental), and one sharpshot bow (precision or tear). Specialize one weapon with damage mods, another with handling.

Why it works: Provides flexibility against different machine weaknesses. Handling mods increase draw speed while damage mods boost output.

When to use: After acquiring multiple weapons (around level 15-20). Experiment with modifications to suit combat style.

Economy & Trading Tips

#### 1. Hunt Animals for Their Skins

Tip: Fox, Boar, and Goose skins are rare and sell for good shards. Sell them early.

Why it works: Early game shard shortage. These skins are not used in many crafts until later.

When to use: When you need quick shards for a new weapon or outfit. Don't sell if you plan to upgrade pouches.

#### 2. Buy the Golden Fast Travel Pack

Tip: Once available, purchase the unlimited Fast Travel Pack from any merchant (costs around 200 shards and 10 Ridge-Wood? Actually it's one time and costs 50 metal shards and a few parts).

Why it works: Infinite fast travel saves time and resources. No need to craft packs repeatedly.

When to use: As soon as you have the shards early-mid game.

#### 3. Invest in Better Weapons and Outfits First

Tip: Upgrade your primary weapons (bow, sling) before buying new ones. A purple-tier weapon with mods outclasses a poorly modded blue.

Why it works: Weapon damage increases significantly with levels and mods. Upgrading mod slots cheaply improves power.

When to use: After acquiring the Shadow Hunter Bow (purple) and Carja Blazon outfit. Focus on fully modding them.

#### 4. Trade with Merchants in Settlements

Tip: Each merchant specializes (e.g., weapons, armor, resources). Prices vary, but some offer unique loot.

Why it works: Some rare mods and materials are only sold at certain locations (e.g. the Banuk Merchant in the Frozen Wilds DLC area has unique weapons).

When to use: Visit every settlement and check stock. Buy special modifications like handling or damage coils.

#### 5. Don't Hoard - Sell Low-Value Items

Tip: Items like "Metal Vessel" or "Luminous Braiding" are only used in one quest each. After completing those quests, sell them.

Why it works: Free up inventory space and gain shards. Use the "hunt" guide to know what to keep.

When to use: After finishing the associated quest or if you're sure you don't need them for upgrades.

Stealth Tips

Tip: Always crouch in tall grass to become invisible to machines and humans. Sound is reduced.

Why it works: Most enemies cannot detect you while you're in grass unless they are alerted. Allows picking off enemies one by one.

When to use: When approaching bandit camps or machine herds. Re-enter grass after every kill.

Tip: Use stones (R1) or the Lure Call skill to attract a single enemy away from its group.

Why it works: Breaks patrols and allows silent strikes without alarm.

When to use: Against clustered machines or bandits. Prioritize Watchers first as they alert others.

Tip: Some machines can be overridden (after Cauldron unlocks) to become mounts or allies. A tamed Strider can distract enemies or help in fights.

Why it works: Overridden machines attack other machines, causing chaos and thinning the herd.

When to use: Have a mount ready when entering a hostile area. Override a machine before combat to turn the tide.

Tip: Craft smoke bombs (from Wire and ?) to blind enemies and slip away if detected.

Why it works: Breaks enemy line of sight and allows repositioning. Essential for escape or resetting the fight.

When to use: When overwhelmed or trying to assassinate a priority target.

Machine Hunting Tips

Tip: Each machine has elemental weaknesses. For example, Fire destroys Glinthawks, Freeze immobilizes Stormbirds, Shock stuns Snapmaws.

Why it works: Using the correct element triggers a chain reaction (e.g., freezing a machine doubles physical damage).

When to use: Prepare ammunition based on the machine type. Use Focus to see weaknesses.

Tip: Use Tearblast arrows to rip off a Thunderjaw's Disc Launcher or a Ravager's cannon, then pick up and use the weapon against them.

Why it works: These weapons deal massive damage and use the machine's own ammo. Clever resource efficiency.

When to use: At the start of a fight with these machines. Be careful not to destroy the weapon when tearing it off.

Tip: Use the Ropecaster on Glinthawks or Stormbirds to bring them to the ground for effective melee or precision shots.

Why it works: Flying machines are evasive and hard to hit. Roping them eliminates their mobility advantage.

When to use: As soon as they take flight. Fire ropes quickly before they dodge.

Tip: Place trap wires (Tripcaster) or radial mines along known patrol paths. Use elemental or blast wires for maximum damage.

Why it works: Prevents ambushes and damages multiple enemies. Allows safe damage before engaging.

When to use: Before luring a machine herd into a bottleneck or when setting up a defense.

Side Content & Quests Tips

Tip: Cauldrons unlock the ability to override new machine types. Each has a puzzle and boss fight.

Why it works: Overriding opens mounts (Broadhead, Charger, Strider) and control over powerful machines during combat.

When to use: After reaching the corresponding area. Start with Cauldron RHO (near Daytower).

Tip: Clearing bandit camps yields large skill point rewards and removes some roadblocks.

Why it works: Skill points are scarce early. Each camp gives a number of points and loot.

When to use: Early-mid game after gathering some stealth skills. Use silent strikes and lures.

Tip: These collectibles provide lore and unlock special rewards (like the Carja outfit or Banuk items).

Why it works: Some rewards are exclusive; also provides XP and shards. Use guides to locate them.

When to use: Any time while exploring. Mark them on the map.

Tip: Complete Hunting Ground trials to earn sun medals which can be traded for special weapons and mods.

Why it works: Some of the best weapons (like the Striker Bow or Lodge War Bow) require medals.

When to use: After unlocking mounts and better gear. Practice trials for gold ranking.

Advanced Optimization Tips

Tip: While sprinting, press crouch to slide, then immediately aim with Concentration to get bonus damage and slow-mo.

Why it works: This combo triggers the "Slide" damage bonus (increases damage by 50% for that shot).

When to use: To finish off a machine or hit a critical weak point during evasion.

Tip: After hitting a frozen or shocked machine, follow up with a heavy melee (R2) to trigger a critical hit.

Why it works: Frozen machines take 2x physical damage, and melee critical hits deal high damage with the spear.

When to use: After applying freeze (war bow) or when a machine is stunned.

Tip: Use three identical mods on one weapon (e.g., three 15% damage mods) for maximum effect. Use the same for handling or tear.

Why it works: Mod percentages stack additively, so focusing one stat yields better results than mixing.

When to use: When you have high-tier mods (blue or purple). Test different combos on test dummies.

Tip: After overriding a Tallneck, it will walk a circuit. Ride its head for a safe tour and to mark surrounding datapoints.

Why it works: Tallnecks ignore you while riding them. You can scan for nearby collectibles without getting attacked.

When to use: After each Tallneck override.

Tip: Cooked meats (from animals or merchants) provide temporary buffs like increased health or stamina regeneration. Drink potions before tough fights.

Why it works: Buffs stack with skills and outfit weaves. For example, resist potions help against elemental damage.

When to use: Before entering Cauldrons, fighting Deathbringers, or exploring Frozen Wilds.

Tip: Each machine has a limited set of attacks. Memorize telegraphs (e.g., Thunderjaw rears up before stomp).

Why it works: Perfect dodging opens windows for counterattacks. Reduces resource waste from unnecessary healing.

When to use: Practice against low-level machines first. Watch and learn before engaging higher tiers.

Conclusion

Mastering Horizon Zero Dawn requires patience, observation, and resource management. Combine stealth with elemental planning to overcome any machine. Spend skill points strategically, upgrade gear consistently, and explore every corner of the world. The tips above will help you survive the wilds and reveal the secrets of the Old Ones.