Horizon Forbidden West Guide | Best End-Game Skills

Here's a guide on the best end-game skills you can get in Horizon Forbidden West.

Game Guide by Joyramen on Feb 10, 2025

There are a lot of Skill Points in Horizon Forbidden West, a lot of which can be earned through side quests, errands, and main missions. Each skill caters to different players depending on their playstyle, but here are the 4 skills we recommend you get if you’re looking for a more balanced playthrough.

Critical Boost Valor Surge

This skill is one of the more useful Valor Surges; it significantly increases your chance of hitting high-damage critical hits. It works with almost every weapon and is especially handy when taking out downed machines with a spear.

Upgrading this skill will increase its duration, maximizing its utility in fights. To unlock this skill, you’ll need to progress through the Melee Branch by getting Nora Warrior, Critical Strike+, and Energized Duration.

Triple Notch Weapon Technique

This skill allows you to fire three arrows at the same time with your Hunter’s Bow, significantly increasing your total damage output and making it particularly useful against larger machines. Unlike in Horizon Zero Dawn, where you could shoot multiple arrows for all bows, in this game, this specific technique is exclusive to Hunter Bows.

To unlock this skill, you’ll need to progress through the Hunter Skill tree by obtaining Valor Surge Master and Deep Concentration. I would recommend investing in Weapon Stamina+ and Stamina Regen so that you can use this ability frequently.

Braced Shot Weapon Technique

This skill is a damage ability that shoots powerful arrows from a Sharpshooter Bow; it deals massive damage to small machines and significantly weakens larger ones. It’s specifically effective at targeting explosive parts like blaze sacs or cargo cags.

To unlock this skill, you’ll need to first get your hands on Quiet Spear on the Infiltrator Branch. Consider getting Stealth Tear+ and Low Profile first if that branch hasn’t been developed.

Burst Fire Weapon Technique

This skill allows you to fire three arrows at once. It may seem weak at first, but Warrior Bows can fire at a really high rate, and when you pair that up with Burst Fire, the damage triples its base damage and tear potential. It also works great with elemental ammunition, as it can quickly apply status effects.

You’ll be able to unlock this skill in progress from the Melee Damage skill to Power Attack+ and then get Burst Fire. This skill works amazingly with the Shock Warrior Bow, which you can get in the Hunting Grounds Keeper in The Daunt.

Focusing on these skills makes the journey through the Forbidden West more manageable and enjoyable, providing a solid foundation for the challenges ahead.

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