Securing the Arsenal: Your Guide to Acquiring the Best Weapons in Horizon Forbidden West

The Forbidden West is a treacherous land teeming with formidable machines and cunning human adversaries. To survive, Aloy needs the best weapons available. While some powerful armaments are earned through quests and exploration, the most consistently reliable method of bolstering your arsenal is by visiting the right merchants. So, the answer to where to buy the best weapons in Horizon Forbidden West is: It depends! You’ll find powerful weapons at Hunter merchants in settlements like Barren Light, Scalding Spear, The Bulwark, and most importantly, from the Prize Master Dukkah at the Arena, and the Hunter in Fleet’s End. Some are also found in Superior Weapons Caches. This guide will help you navigate the intricacies of weapon acquisition, ensuring you’re always equipped for the challenges ahead.

Understanding Weapon Acquisition in Horizon Forbidden West

Merchants: Your Arsenal’s Cornerstone

Hunter merchants are the most common and reliable source for upgrading your firepower. These vendors typically offer a range of bows, blastslings, ropecasters, and other weapon types, each with varying rarities and stats.

• Barren Light: A good early-game source for essential weapons and armor.
• Scalding Spear and The Bulwark: Locations known for the Frostbite Hunter Bow.
• No Man’s Land: Another key area to find Hunter merchants offering a solid selection.
• Fleet’s End (Burning Shores DLC): Houses a Hunter with six Legendary weapons available for purchase (requires the Burning Shores DLC).

The Arena: Prove Your Worth

The Arena is a proving ground where you face challenging machine combat trials. Earning Arena Medals by completing these trials unlocks access to some of the game’s most powerful weapons, particularly from Dukka, the Prize Master. This is where you can obtain the legendary Death-Seeker’s Shadow hunting bow.

Quests & Exploration: Free Armaments

Many powerful weapons are rewards for completing Main Quests, Side Quests, Errands, and other activities. Additionally, Superior Weapons Caches are scattered throughout the world, offering another avenue to acquire free weapons. These caches are often hidden in challenging locations, rewarding players who thoroughly explore the environment. Use online interactive maps to help locate them.

Best Weapons and Where to Find Them

Legendary Weapons: The Pinnacle of Power

Legendary weapons offer the best stats, perk bonuses, and customization options. Here’s a rundown of notable examples:

• Death-Seeker’s Shadow (Hunter Bow): Purchased from Dukka at the Arena using Arena Medals. This bow is a top-tier choice for precision shooting and deals significant shock damage. It was considered by many to be the best bow in the game before updates.
• The Sun Scourge (Hunter Bow): Unlocked by completing all Rebel Camps and the subsequent side quest. This is a must-have for its versatility and powerful fire damage capabilities.
• The Blast Forge (Boltblaster): Considered by many to be the most powerful weapon overall, its location is not specified here but is often available from high level merchants or as a reward for major quests.. Known for its raw damage output.
• Skykiller (Spike Thrower): Ranked among the best spike throwers for its impressive damage and range.
• Forgefall (Sharpshot Bow): Often considered one of the best sharpshot bows in the game, with a long range and high precision.
• Wings of the Ten (Blastsling): A powerful blastsling that delivers devastating area-of-effect damage.
• Ancestor’s Return (Shredder Gauntlet): Offers unique gameplay with its shredder discs, capable of dealing high sustained damage.
• Tinker’s Pride (Tripcaster): A top-tier tripcaster for setting traps and controlling the battlefield.

Other Notable Mentions

While not Legendary, some Rare and Very Rare weapons can be incredibly effective, especially when upgraded. Keep an eye out for weapons that complement your playstyle and offer valuable perks, such as increased critical hit chance, damage buffs, or elemental resistances.

Tips for Maximizing Your Weapon Purchases

• Save Your Shards: Metal Shards are the primary currency, so prioritize your spending. Focus on purchasing weapons that fill gaps in your arsenal or offer significant upgrades over your existing equipment.
• Complete Quests & Activities: Many side quests and activities reward you with weapons or resources that can be used to purchase weapons. Don’t neglect these opportunities!
• Farm Resources: Upgrading weapons requires a variety of resources. Learn the locations of key resources and regularly farm them to ensure you have the materials needed to upgrade your favorite weapons.
• Experiment with Different Weapons: Don’t be afraid to try out different weapon types and ammo types to find what works best for you. Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses, so experimentation is key to mastering combat.
• Utilize Weapon Techniques: Unlock and master weapon techniques to unleash powerful attacks and combos. These techniques can significantly increase your damage output and provide tactical advantages in combat.

Acquiring the best weapons in Horizon Forbidden West is an ongoing process that requires exploration, resource management, and strategic decision-making. By understanding the various sources of weapons and following the tips outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead and become a true master of the Forbidden West.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best way to earn Arena Medals quickly?

The fastest way to earn Arena Medals is to focus on completing the early challenges, which are generally easier and require less preparation. Once you’ve mastered these, you can move on to the more difficult challenges, which offer higher rewards. Also, consider lowering the difficulty level if you’re struggling to complete a challenge.

2. Are Legendary weapons worth the high shard cost?

Yes, absolutely! Legendary weapons offer significant improvements in stats, perks, and customization options compared to lower-rarity weapons. They are a worthwhile investment, especially for challenging encounters and endgame content.

3. Can I upgrade weapons multiple times?

Yes, weapons can be upgraded multiple times, increasing their stats and unlocking new perks. Upgrading requires resources, so be sure to farm them regularly.

4. How do I find Superior Weapons Caches?

Superior Weapons Caches are hidden throughout the world. Use online interactive maps, like the one provided by IGN, to help locate them. They are often found in challenging locations or require solving puzzles to access.

5. Which weapon type is best for beginners?

The Hunter Bow is a versatile and effective weapon for beginners. It offers a good balance of damage, accuracy, and range, making it suitable for a variety of combat situations.

6. Does armor affect weapon performance?

No, armor primarily affects your defense and resistances. However, some armor sets offer perks that can indirectly improve your weapon performance, such as increased concentration or stamina regeneration.

7. What’s the difference between damage types (e.g., fire, frost, shock)?

Different machines are vulnerable to different damage types. Exploiting these vulnerabilities can significantly increase your damage output. For example, machines weak to fire will take more damage from fire arrows.

8. How important are weapon coils?

Weapon coils are crucial for customizing your weapons and tailoring them to your playstyle. They provide stat boosts and perks that can significantly improve weapon performance. Experiment with different coil combinations to find what works best for you.

9. Can I sell unwanted weapons?

Yes, you can sell unwanted weapons to merchants for shards. However, consider keeping weapons with unique perks or damage types, as they may be useful in specific situations.

10. Where can I find rare resources for upgrading weapons?

Rare resources are often found in challenging locations, such as machine sites or restricted areas. Use your focus to highlight resources and explore thoroughly to find them.

11. Is the Tearblaster weapon in Forbidden West?

The text mentions the Tearblaster in the context of Horizon Zero Dawn as a reward for the side quest “Hunter’s Blind,” indicating it’s a hidden weapon not bought from merchants. It doesn’t appear specifically in Forbidden West based on this context.

12. How has Aloy’s Spear been upgraded in Forbidden West?

The document states that Aloy’s spear has been given an upgrade in Horizon Forbidden West, making it a more effective weapon than it was in Horizon Zero Dawn, enhancing its combat capabilities.

13. Where is the best place to buy Shadow weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn?

The best place to acquire Shadow weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn is to wait until players have access to Meridian and find a shopkeeper in or around the area.

14. How do Death-Seekers remove themselves from their tribes?

As described by High Matriarch Teersa, a Death-Seeker removes themselves from the tribe, any moral restrictions that come with it, and their right to live in the Sacred Land by solely focusing on killing others.

15. What is Games Learning Society?

The Games Learning Society is a community that explores the intersection of games and education. You can find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org or at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

By following this guide and consistently exploring the world of Horizon Forbidden West, you’ll have all the tools necessary to dominate even the toughest machines!