Horizon Forbidden West Guide | Best Early Game Build

Horizon Forbidden West has arrived, and Aloy’s new adventure introduces significant changes compared to Horizon Zero Dawn. The skill tree has been revamped, and there are now 43 machines to discover, and a new crafting system enhances your gear. 

With so many weapons, outfits, and upgrades, it can feel overwhelming to decide where to spend limited resources early in the game. This is especially true since upgrading requires rare machine parts alongside Metal Shards.

With six weapon slots available, the variety of weapon types adds complexity, making it tricky to choose the right loadout. 

This guide will help you to pick the best early-game gear before leaving The Daunt. Every item mentioned can be acquired before reaching the gates of Barren Light.

Outfit: Oseram Explorer

Aloy starts the journey wearing the Nora Anointed outfit, a downgraded version of the Shield-Weaver armor from the first game. It offers basic melee and ranged resistance alongside mild shock and acid resistance. Its skill boosts—Concentration Regen and Potent Medicine—are helpful but don’t make up for its limitations.

The Oseram Explorer outfit, available from the Chainscrape Stitcher, is a better choice. Without upgrades, it offers 13 melee resistance (compared to the Nora Anointed’s upgraded 5) and stronger acid resistance (16 versus 12). 

Fully upgraded, melee resistance reaches 23, and acid resistance rises to 26, useful against Bristlebacks. It also boosts Critical Strike and Power Attack damage. The lack of Concentration and healing boosts can be compensated for by investing in the skill tree or using the Concentration+ Weave from the Nora Anointed outfit on the Oseram Explorer.

Weapon 1: Hunter Bow

The Hunter Bow is a versatile weapon for fast attacks, dealing moderate damage with standard Hunter Arrows and Acid Arrows. The default Hunter Bow can be upgraded to level 3, dealing 28 direct damage and 60 Tear damage. 

Upgrade it as quickly as possible and equip a Tear Damage Coil to maximize its strength. Pair it with the Triple Notch skill in the Hunter tree, allowing up to three arrows to be shot at once for significantly higher damage.

Weapon 2: Sharpshot Bow

The Sharpshot Bow, available in Chainscrape, excels at long-range precision and high damage. At base level, it deals 50 direct damage, almost double the Hunter Bow’s maximum damage. However, it has lower Tear damage (38 versus 60). 

Use it alongside the Hunter Bow for a balanced approach. Upgrade it fully and equip a Damage Coil for better output. The Braced Shot skill in the Infiltrator tree further increases its effectiveness.

Weapon 3: Fire Hunter Bow

In this game, Fire Arrows are not available on the default Hunter Bow. To access them, purchase the Fire Hunter Bow from the Chainscrape Hunter Merchant. It offers both Fire and Acid Arrows, though its Acid damage is slightly higher than the regular Hunter Bow. 

Use it primarily for Fire Arrows to target machines with Blaze Canisters, such as Fire Bristlebacks. This bow replaces the regular Hunter Bow for Acid Arrows after acquiring the Strongarm Hunter Bow later.

Weapon 4: Frost Blastsling

The Frost Blastsling received during the tutorial is effective for Frost damage. Upgrade it fully to maximize its power and add a Frost-boosting Coil. This weapon is essential for exploiting Frost weaknesses in machines.

Weapon 5: Prototype Spike Thrower

The Prototype Spike Thrower, earned by completing the “The Bigger Boom” errand near Chainscrape, is a high-damage weapon. It is excellent for tougher early-game machines and should be equipped with an Explosive Damage Coil. However, crafting its ammo is expensive, so use it sparingly.

Weapon 6: Explosive Blastsling

The Explosive Blastsling, purchased in Barren Light, provides powerful Blast Bombs and Purgewater Ammo. Purgewater is effective against specific machine types, making this weapon an essential addition to the loadout. Fully upgrade it and use a Coil that enhances Explosive Damage or Knockdown Power.

This loadout is a strong starting point, but gear choices can vary based on play style. Experiment to find what works best. Share your early-game loadout ideas, and stay tuned for future guides on upgrading gear and exploring special weapons.

Also, check out our Horizon Forbidden West Review, and other guides below:

• Horizon Forbidden West Guide | How To Farm Metal Shards Early
• Horizon Forbidden West Guide | How To Defeat Machines Easily
• Horizon Forbidden West Guide | Best Early Game Weapons