Is There Shield Weaver Armor in Horizon Forbidden West? Unveiling the Truth Behind Aloy’s Iconic Gear

Yes, the Shield Weaver armor does make an appearance in Horizon Forbidden West, but not in the same game-breakingly powerful form as in Horizon Zero Dawn. While Aloy starts the game wearing a version of it, its legendary protective shield is gone, repurposed into the Nora Anointed outfit, a shadow of its former self. The lore explains that the armor’s power source has been lost, rendering its iconic force field unusable. However, the Overshield Valor Surge functions in a very similar way. This means the powerful shield capabilities from the first game have been incorporated into another aspect of gameplay. So while you don’t get the invulnerable tank build you may be familiar with, its essence still carries on in Horizon Forbidden West.

Replacing a Legend: Why the Shield Weaver Had to Evolve

The Shield Weaver armor in Horizon Zero Dawn was, without exaggeration, a game-changer. It trivialized many early and mid-game encounters, allowing players to shrug off damage that would otherwise be devastating. While this made for a satisfying power fantasy, it also presented a balancing challenge. To avoid the entire game being balanced around the existence of effectively invulnerable armor, Guerrilla Games opted for a more nuanced approach in Horizon Forbidden West.

This doesn’t mean Aloy is left defenseless, of course. Instead of relying on a single, all-powerful armor set, players are encouraged to experiment with a wider variety of outfits, each tailored to specific combat styles and enemy types. This shift promotes strategic decision-making and encourages players to engage with the game’s mechanics in a more meaningful way.

The New Meta: Strategic Armor Choices in the Forbidden West

Instead of searching for that one “god-tier” set, successful players in Horizon Forbidden West will learn to adapt their armor choices to the challenges they face. Are you facing a horde of machines that deal primarily fire damage? Equip armor with high fire resistance. Need to sneak past a heavily guarded outpost? Prioritize outfits with stealth-enhancing weaves.

This dynamic approach to armor selection adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, forcing players to consider their loadout carefully before each encounter. It also ensures that no single armor set becomes the de facto choice for every situation, promoting experimentation and discovery.

Unveiling the Best Armor Options in Horizon Forbidden West

So, if the Shield Weaver is no longer the ultimate answer, what are the best armor options in Horizon Forbidden West? Several stand out, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:

• Oseram Artificer: Earned by completing all Salvage Contracts, this legendary outfit is a powerhouse for melee combat, boosting weapon techniques and overall damage output. Perfect for aggressive players who prefer to get up close and personal.

• Nora Thunder Warrior: Purchased from the Arena vendor, this legendary armor excels in ranged combat, providing significant boosts to concentration, weapon handling, and critical hit chance. Ideal for players who prefer to snipe enemies from afar.

• Tenakth Vanquisher: Another Arena purchase, this legendary set is designed for players who love traps and tripwires. It enhances trap placement speed, capacity, and damage, allowing you to turn the battlefield into a deadly maze.

• Carja Behemoth Trapper: Found in a chest near the end of the side quest The Burning Blooms, this legendary armor is tailored for players who love to use traps and tripwires. The outfit greatly reduces damage done by enemies laying down traps.

• Tenakth High Marshal: Rewarded for completing all the main story quests, this powerful armor features high stats across the board. It is designed for an aggressive play style.

Weaves: Customizing Your Armor for Maximum Effectiveness

No matter which armor you choose, weaves are essential for maximizing its potential. These modifications can be applied to your outfits to provide additional bonuses, such as increased resistance to specific damage types, improved stealth, or enhanced weapon skills.

Some of the most useful weaves include:

• Quiet Movement: Reduces the sound of your footsteps, making it easier to sneak past enemies.

• Low Profile: Decreases your visibility to enemies, further enhancing your stealth capabilities.

• Quiet Spear: Reduces the sound of your melee attacks, allowing you to take down enemies silently.

• Resistance Weaves: These increase resistance to specific damage types like fire, ice, or shock, giving you a significant advantage against certain enemies.

• Skill Boost Weaves: Boost specific skills, like Concentration or Weapon Handling, for better combat performance.

Horizon Forbidden West: A Masterclass in Game Design

The changes made to armor in Horizon Forbidden West are a testament to Guerrilla Games‘ commitment to refining and improving upon their original vision. By moving away from a single, overpowered armor set and embracing a more nuanced and strategic approach, they’ve created a more engaging and rewarding gameplay experience.

The need for strategic decision-making has not only made the game itself more challenging and fun, but it also has provided players with a more rich and rewarding experience. The designers have made choices that engage the user more dynamically, allowing players to grow their understanding of the game and the specific equipment available.

Learning Through Gameplay: The Horizon Series and Education

The complexity and strategic depth of games like Horizon Forbidden West highlight the potential for games-based learning. These games naturally encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning. By engaging with complex systems and adapting to dynamic challenges, players develop valuable skills that can be applied in real-world contexts.

Organizations like the Games Learning Society aim to explore and harness the educational potential of games. By studying how people learn through play, they seek to create more effective and engaging learning experiences. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Horizon Forbidden West FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide even more clarity on the armor situation in Horizon Forbidden West:

1. Can you still find the Shield Weaver armor in Horizon Forbidden West? Yes, but it’s no longer functional as a shield. It is now part of the Nora Anointed outfit and does not possess its shield abilities from Horizon Zero Dawn.

2. Where can I get the best armor in Horizon Forbidden West? The Oseram Artificer is widely considered the best overall, earned by completing all Salvage Contracts. However, “best” is subjective and depends on your play style.

3. How do I get the Oseram Artificer outfit? Complete all 17 Salvage Contracts scattered throughout the Forbidden West. Start by speaking with Keruf in Barren Light.

4. Where do I find Salvage Contractors? They are located in the Greenswell, Stillsands, and Raintrace regions. Look for the Salvage Camp icon on your map.

5. What are Arena Medals used for? Arena Medals are used to purchase legendary outfits and weapons from the Prize Master at the Arena.

6. How do I unlock the Arena? The Arena unlocks after completing the Kulrut main quest.

7. Which legendary outfit is best for ranged combat? The Nora Thunder Warrior, available at the Arena, is excellent for ranged builds.

8. How do weaves work? Weaves are modifications that can be added to your armor to provide additional stats and bonuses, such as resistance or stealth enhancements.

9. Where can I find good weaves? Weaves can be found in chests, purchased from merchants, or earned as rewards for completing quests.

10. What’s the best way to farm shards in Horizon Forbidden West? Complete side quests and errands, sell machine parts, and participate in Hunting Grounds trials.

11. How do I increase my carry capacity? Craft bigger pouches by hunting animals and using their hides to upgrade your inventory.

12. **What is the **Overshield Valor Surge? It’s a Valor Surge that creates a temporary shield that absorbs damage, functioning similarly to the Shield Weaver armor from Horizon Zero Dawn.

13. How do I unlock Valor Surges? Valor Surges are unlocked by spending skill points in the skill tree.

14. Are stealth outfits useful in Horizon Forbidden West? Yes, stealth outfits are highly effective for infiltrating enemy camps and taking down machines silently.

15. What is the Carja Behemoth Trapper armor? This armor is very good when a player likes to make use of traps and tripwires. It allows the player to be more effective at trap laying, while protecting them from traps laid by enemies.

Conclusion: Embracing Change in the Forbidden West

While the absence of a direct, unnerfed Shield Weaver armor may disappoint some, the changes in Horizon Forbidden West ultimately create a more balanced and engaging gameplay experience. The game encourages players to experiment with different outfits, weaves, and combat styles, leading to a more personalized and rewarding journey through the Forbidden West. Embrace the challenge, adapt to the environment, and discover your own unique path to victory.