Decoding the Duds: Your Ultimate Horizon Zero Dawn Armor Guide

So, you’re venturing into the savage beauty of Horizon Zero Dawn and wondering, “What armor should I use?” The answer, like most things in this game, isn’t a simple one. The best armor depends entirely on your playstyle, the enemies you’re facing, and the challenges you’re tackling. However, if I had to pick a generally useful early-game armor, I’d recommend the Nora Protector for its well-rounded protection. As you progress and face more specialized threats, you’ll want to diversify your wardrobe, and that’s where understanding armor stats, modifications, and enemy weaknesses becomes crucial. We’ll explore everything from the basics to the best-in-slot options, ensuring you’re always prepared for whatever the wilds throw your way. Think of this as your comprehensive guide to surviving and thriving in Aloy’s world!

Understanding Armor Stats & Resistances

Before diving into specific armor sets, let’s break down what makes an armor effective. Armor in Horizon Zero Dawn protects you from various types of damage. Understanding these types and their corresponding resistances is key to choosing the right gear. The primary stats to consider are:

• Physical Resistance: Protects against melee attacks and projectiles like rocks or blunt arrows.
• Fire Resistance: Reduces damage from fire-based attacks.
• Freeze Resistance: Mitigates damage and the freeze effect from ice attacks.
• Shock Resistance: Protects against electrical attacks and the shock effect.
• Corruption Resistance: Reduces the damage and corruption buildup from corrupted machines.

Each armor piece displays numerical values representing its resistance in each of these categories. Higher numbers mean better protection. However, equally important are the Mod Slots, which allow you to further customize your armor with Weaves.

The Power of Weaves: Customizing Your Defenses

Weaves are modifications that can be inserted into your armor’s mod slots to provide additional resistance or other benefits. They come in different rarities (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Very Rare) with varying levels of effectiveness. Experimenting with different combinations of weaves is critical to maximizing your defenses. For example, you might equip a Freeze Resistance Weave to a suit with low Freeze Resistance when facing a Bellowback. This allows you to adapt even basic armor sets to specific situations.

Early Game Armor Recommendations

In the early game, your options are limited, but you can still make smart choices.

• Nora Protector: As mentioned before, a good starting point with decent all-around protection. Accessible early and relatively inexpensive.
• Nora Brave: Offers slightly better protection than the Protector but comes at a higher cost. Weigh the cost against your current needs.

Focus on upgrading these armors with weaves as soon as possible. Even a basic armor set with well-placed weaves can make a significant difference in early encounters.

Mid to Late Game Armor: Specialization is Key

As you progress, you’ll unlock a wider variety of armor sets with specialized strengths. This is where tailoring your armor to the situation becomes essential.

• Carja Blazon: Excellent Fire Resistance, ideal for battling machines like the Fire Bellowback or traversing areas with fiery hazards.
• Banuk Ice Hunter: Provides exceptional Freeze Resistance, making it perfect for facing machines like the Freeze Bellowback and exploring the Frozen Wilds DLC.
• Oseram Sparkworker: Offers strong Shock Resistance, essential for dealing with machines like the Thunderjaw and Stormbird.
• Shadow Stalwart: Great for stealth-based gameplay, reducing enemy awareness. This is a must-have for players who prefer a more subtle approach.
• Nora Silent Hunter: Another stealth option that provides very good resistances, and it’s usually the best choice for stealth gameplay.

Remember to always consider your opponent’s weaknesses and adjust your armor and weaves accordingly.

The Shield-Weaver Armor: The Ultimate Prize

Arguably the best armor in the base game is the Shield-Weaver, obtained through the Power Cell questline. This armor provides a rechargeable energy shield that absorbs a significant amount of damage before needing to recharge. While it has no resistance to elemental damage, the shield makes it incredibly durable.

DLC Armor: The Frozen Wilds and Beyond

The Frozen Wilds DLC introduces powerful new armor sets.

• Banuk Sickness Eater: Provides excellent protection against corruption, making it invaluable when fighting the powerful daemonic machines in the DLC.
• Banuk Champion Armor: A strong all around armor that provides great protection, especially against melee.

These armor sets offer unique advantages and are worth pursuing if you own the DLC.

The Importance of Experimentation

Ultimately, the best armor is the one that works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of armor and weaves to find what suits your playstyle and the challenges you face. Horizon Zero Dawn rewards players who are willing to adapt and strategize. You might even learn something new! The GamesLearningSociety.org is a great resource for understanding how games encourage this type of adaptive learning and problem-solving.

Horizon Zero Dawn Armor: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I acquire new armor in Horizon Zero Dawn?

You can acquire new armor by purchasing it from merchants, completing quests, and looting it from enemies or containers. Merchants are your primary source for buying armor, and their inventory changes as you progress through the game.

2. Can I upgrade my armor?

No, you cannot directly upgrade the base stats of armor. However, you can improve its effectiveness by adding Weaves to its Mod Slots. This makes Weaves a crucial part of armor customization.

3. Where can I find the best Weaves?

The best Weaves are often found in the later stages of the game, rewarded for completing challenging quests, or purchased from higher-level merchants. Keep an eye out for Very Rare Weaves, as they offer the most significant stat boosts.

4. Is the Shield-Weaver armor really worth the effort?

Absolutely! The Shield-Weaver armor is incredibly powerful and provides a significant advantage in combat, especially against powerful machines. The rechargeable shield is a game-changer.

5. How does the Shield-Weaver armor recharge?

The Shield-Weaver armor automatically recharges over time when not taking damage. The recharge rate is relatively fast, allowing you to rely on the shield in most combat situations.

6. What is the best armor for fighting a Thunderjaw?

The Thunderjaw deals a mix of physical, shock, and fire damage. A combination of Oseram Sparkworker for Shock Resistance and modifications with Fire Resistance weaves is highly recommended. Focus on dodging and exploiting its weak points.

7. What is the best armor for fighting a Stormbird?

The Stormbird primarily uses Shock attacks. The Oseram Sparkworker armor, enhanced with Shock Resistance Weaves, is your best bet. Prioritize staying grounded and using weapons that target its weak points.

8. Which armor is best for stealth gameplay?

The Shadow Stalwart and Nora Silent Hunter armors are specifically designed for stealth. They reduce enemy awareness, making it easier to sneak past machines or set up ambushes.

9. Does armor affect my character’s movement speed or stamina?

No, armor in Horizon Zero Dawn does not affect your movement speed or stamina. You can wear any armor without penalty to your agility.

10. Can I sell unwanted armor?

Yes, you can sell unwanted armor to merchants for shards, the game’s currency. This is a good way to earn shards to purchase new armor or other items.

11. What happens if my armor is completely depleted of its resistance?

If your armor’s resistance is completely depleted, you will take full damage from the corresponding attack type. This is why it’s important to monitor your health and avoid getting hit repeatedly by the same type of attack.

12. Are there any unique armor abilities besides resistances?

Yes, some armors, like the Shadow Stalwart, have unique abilities, such as increased stealth. The Shield-Weaver armor has the unique ability of a rechargeable energy shield.

13. Can I change the appearance of my armor?

Unfortunately, Horizon Zero Dawn does not offer a way to change the appearance of your armor. You are stuck with the look of the armor you are wearing.

14. How important is it to match my armor to the enemy I’m fighting?

It’s extremely important. Matching your armor to the enemy’s attack type can drastically reduce the damage you take, making even challenging encounters much more manageable. Don’t underestimate the power of specialized armor.

15. Where can I learn more about the game mechanics and strategies in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Beyond this guide, you can find additional resources on the official Horizon Zero Dawn website, fan-made wikis, and community forums. You might also find insightful perspectives on how games like Horizon Zero Dawn foster problem-solving and strategic thinking on websites like GamesLearningSociety.org.