Horizon Forbidden West: Aloy's Weapon Types Ranked From Worst To Best
Horizon Zero Dawn introduced audiences to a range of familiar and original weaponry, from Bows to Tripcasters. As the series has progressed the variety of artillery available has definitely expanded. Fans now have an even larger array of choices in Horizon Forbidden West which capitalize on some of Aloy's hunting techniques and pick apart the weaknesses of the machines.
While all of the weapons available are useful in some capacity, and there are variations on each one with different modifications, some are a lot better than others in a difficult situation. The field of combat can be very testing and players will surely have their preferred techniques for getting out alive. That may mean that some of these weapons are relied upon far more frequently than some of the others.
In a game with killer machines and dangerous warriors, a Spear seems a little lackluster. Compared to the initial game it has been significantly upgraded in terms of its combat capabilities but is easily one of the weakest weapons available because of its lack of long-range options.
New combos have certainly improved what Aloy can do with her Spear and although it's perfect against human opponents that doesn't mean it can't be utilized on machines as well. Ultimately perhaps it's better for the aesthetic more than anything and is great for when the player is running low on crafting equipment and ammunition.
A Ropecaster very much follows the same concept of a Tripcaster in terms of its general premise. But instead, it fires out rope which can be used to trap prey. In terms of an offensive weapon, it might not be overly useful, but it's great for setting up some very intelligent tactical strategies.
Overall though it's not going to protect Aloy in a tight situation. It can utilize the environment around her to set traps and is extremely useful when launching from a stealth setting. The best use of this is with larger machines, which may even topple over with enough ropes. They are pretty slow to deploy enough though to be effective all the time.
The Shredder Gauntlet is a brand new addition to the arsenal of Aloy and is one of the strangest weapons that might have been introduced. In terms of the damage that it can deal it's mightily impressive. It's perhaps one of the most lethal options that the player has at their disposal. In some situations, though it's useless.
The Shredder Gauntlet sees a projectile fired out, dealing damage before Aloy must catch it again. Doing so will increase its charge each time for an extra powerful attack as the disc-like object continues to launch at the machine. But in the middle of combat actually catching the device is almost impossible! It takes a lot of skill to really master.
The bow is really the standard weapon for Aloy. The initial game set up that idea and allowed for some modifications but the sequel is even better in its capacity to innovate in terms of uses for the bow. It's not the strongest weapon available yet it's clearly the most reliable and defines the character.
From frost arrows to those that set off small charges, there are all sorts of ways that these can be used to turn the tide against the machines. With three classes of bow and arrow including Sharpshot, Warrior, and Hunter, each one brings something unique to the table that the player may gravitate towards.
The Blastsling is a fantastic design that is crafted to look somewhat like a small catapult or slingshot. But rather than rocks it fires off far more powerful projectiles. The Blastsling boasts a range of bombs, each of which will damage the enemy in different ways.
Whether it's a simple explosion or a more elemental attack, the Blastsling is a great long-distance piece of gear that can adapt to a variety of combat scenarios. The adhesive blast in particular is good for slowing down the opponent, but of course, the crafting components are not quite as versatile as they are for things like a bow. The incredible concept really blends in well with Aloy's attire as it's one of the best-looking weapons.
Fans of the initial game will definitely be familiar with the Tripcaster which is back with some improvements here. The ultimate weapon for setting a trap, it can be used extremely efficiently and will shock any machines that cross its path. It's great, especially when used from a stealth position as the tracks of the machine can be traced, placing the Tripcaster in the correct are.
Of course, it's not the kind of weapon that can be used continuously like a bow but it definitely has some very strategic uses and can turn the tide of battle in an instance, if previously set up. Unfortunately, when there are many enemies it's a little too slow to deploy as it requires a moment of pause to properly set it up.
The Boltblaster is easily one of the most powerful weapons in the game. It sends out blasts that are capable of destroying a machine with the right amount of precision and can rattle off at quite a good pace. Of course, it's an expensive weapon to run though and requires lots of crafting since the behind-the-scenes team wanted to balance the game better.
Loading the bolts can be time-consuming and the actual buildup itself is very slow. But when it fires it can do so more than once and the blast is incredibly quick. The machines usually have very little time to get out of the way, which is a big bonus here. The benefits definitely outweigh the costs.
The Spike Thrower is a pretty inventive weapon that is perfect for dismantling machines one piece at a time. It's really gorgeously designed and simply looks lethal. What's more, it's great when used at a longer distance, so that it leaves the most effective mark in battle while keeping Aloy out of danger.
Unlike weapons like the Bow, it does take a while to load up so that it can actually deal out the intended damage. That can become an issue in a tight situation, but there's no denying how much chaos it can unleash for an antagonistic machine looking for its prey. Overall it's therefore the best weapon because of its sheer power.