Horizon Zero Dawn Best Weapon

Perks will help you make the near of the weapons in Horizon Zip Dawn, equally will modifiers that target dissimilar elemental weaknesses. But while these upgrades are important, you lot'll desire to have the best base of operations weapon underneath information technology all.

At the nigh basic level, regal means good, but some of the weapons from the Frozen Wilds expansion (which is included with the PC version of Horizon Zilch Dawn (opens in new tab)) and the Hunter's Social club Trials are good plenty that you might desire to be a piddling bit conscientious about what you spend shards on upgrading.

If you're still getting started in Horizon, hither are the items to look out for, and what they're best for.

Tearblaster

The Tearblaster is a weapon designed with a articulate purpose: Information technology rips armor off your enemies. It can tear the cannons off the backs of the biggest creatures, and leaves them open to damage—from another weapon. The Tearblaster itself tin't cause much harm, and then be prepared to switch information technology out once you've opened a vulnerable spot up. This is basically a playmaker weapon, but yous need to find something else for the impale.

Farther down the list, at that place'south a lot of weapons from the Hunters Gild trials; this is a crucial weapon for winning those trials.

Improved Stormslinger

(Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Role of the Frozen Wilds expansion, the Improved Stormslinger is unlocked during a side quest in that storyline (it'due south called "Geared Up: Stormslinger").

The Improved Stormslinger is the nearly powerful weapon in the game in terms of raw damage, and is especially deadly when upwards against foes which are weak to electricity. It takes a long time to unlock and so is not much assist to beginners, but as you make your way through Horizon and take on the tougher enemies the Frozen Wilds has in store for you, yous'll need the Improved Stormslinger by your side.

Banuk Powershot Bow

With the right upgrades, this weapon—also part of the Frozen Wilds—can easily become one of the best in the game. It'south already one of the strongest weapons without any modifications, and has the furthest range of any bow Horizon has to offer.

The Banuk Powershot is best used for airborne enemies—there are slightly better weapons for the big, roving machines—merely the flying foes are probably the scariest enemies in Horizon. Yous'll be happy you lot have ane.

Lodge War Bow

(Epitome credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment)

You lot earn this bow by completing the Hunters Lodge trials, so while it'south a great weapon, bear in mind that you'll demand other cracking weapons in social club to unlock it. Once you go Aloy'due south hands on information technology though, await this to be the bow she uses the most. Information technology has devastating ability, and offers a big boost to elemental damage. It also has built in bragging rights, since you need some skills to fifty-fifty own it.

Shadow War Bow

Shadow War Bow is 'your bow' and the Lodge State of war Bow is 'the bow she tells yous not to worry about'. Information technology's basically as skilful as the Guild War Bow, only has worse elemental effects, and so once y'all unlock the Social club version, the Shadow i isn't going to get any attention. Nonetheless, to actually earn the Society version, the Shadow is pretty much required weaponry. Basically, you'll apply information technology extensively to unlock its replacement, then show your gratitude by never using it again.

Improved Icerail

Equally yous've already seen, the Frozen Wilds contains some of the best weapons in Horizon, so information technology should be no surprise to meet another one brand this list. The Improved Icerail is an ice cannon, able to freeze enemies every bit well as damage them, and has a hell of a kick to it. Still, it's basically a shotgun in a game designed for a bow and pointer. Devastating at close range, simply you'll probably want to keep your distance for most of the game, which stops the Improved Icerail from beingness a truly essential weapon in Aloy's arsenal. All the same, it'southward cool.

Lodge Nail Sling

You can play through nearly of the game without always really using a sling, but if your playstyle leans towards them, y'all'll definitely want the Lodge Nail Sling. Like the Society War Bow, information technology comes via the Hunters Lodge trials. It tin can launch vials and proximity bombs towards enemies, and tin be peachy for dealing big impairment in ane go, although information technology'due south nowhere near as accurate as a bow and arrow. Even so, the Society Blast Sling has the best handling stats in the game—close to double its nearest competitor. That means about of the drawbacks of a sling aren't present here, and while it's no bow and arrow, it'due south no slouch either.

Shadow Rattler

(Paradigm credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Much similar the Improved Icerail, the Shadow Rattler's effectiveness is hindered by the fact that it'southward virtually constructive at close quarters, and Aloy (and the game) is congenital more than for ranged fighting. It packs a mean punch, just probably shouldn't be used that ofttimes. Notwithstanding, if the Improved Icerail is on the table, then the Shadow Rattler—which can be unlocked much earlier—must also exist in contention. Only know that you lot're picking a tougher playstyle with it.

Shadow Ropecaster

Much like the Lodge Blast Sling, how much use you'll get out of this depends on your playstyle. A Ropecaster isn't an essential Horizon weapon the style bows are, only if you're going to apply one, this is clearly the all-time.

Y'all'll probably find yourself growing out of using Ropecasters equally the game goes on, because they employ so much wire and aren't particularly worth the resources. In the tardily game though, Ropecasters tin can be incredibly useful for tying the biggest machines downward.

Slyens' Lance

Information technology clearly isn't as showy or as powerful as the other weapons, simply Aloy would be pretty damn lost without information technology. Not only tin it exist used to control machines, it'south also a fairly decent club in a pinch, if you're going up against weaker foes or if you have an airborne foe tied downwards and need quick, powerful hits while conserving resources. Don't rush in and endeavour and club a Thunderjaw to decease, but don't completely underestimate Aloy's melee skills either.