Leveling Up in the Burning Shores: Reaching Max and Beyond
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The Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West expands Aloy’s adventures into a vibrant, yet perilous, new region. A common question on the minds of players delving into this content is about progression.
The answer is clear: The maximum level in the Burning Shores is 60. This is an increase from the base game’s initial level cap of 50. Installing the DLC automatically raises the level cap, even if you don’t immediately venture into the Burning Shores.
Now, let’s dive into the details and address some common questions players have about leveling and progression in the Burning Shores.
Burning Shores: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the max level and other related topics in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores:
1. What happens after level 50 in Forbidden West (pre-Burning Shores)?
Before installing the Burning Shores DLC, the level cap in Horizon Forbidden West is 50. Once you reach level 50, experience points (XP) are still awarded, but they no longer fill the XP bar. You will not be able to earn additional skill points unless you have points to earn.
2. Do I need to reach level 50 before starting Burning Shores?
While it’s not strictly required, it’s highly recommended. The first Main Quest in Burning Shores suggests a recommended level of 38. Approaching the DLC at or near level 50 ensures you’re well-equipped to handle the challenges ahead. The final Main Quest is recommended for Level 50.
3. How does the level cap increase with the Burning Shores DLC?
Simply installing the Burning Shores DLC automatically increases the level cap from 50 to 60 in Horizon Forbidden West.
4. What happens after reaching level 60 in the Burning Shores?
Just like at level 50 in the base game, once you reach level 60 in the Burning Shores, further XP gains will not increase your level. You’ve reached the maximum level cap, and Aloy’s progression, in terms of levels, stops there.
5. Are there any benefits to leveling up beyond gaining skill points?
No. Once you hit the level cap, the experience point rewards are only there as a record and show how much experience you have gained. There are not any further benefits.
6. What are skill points used for?
Skill points are crucial for unlocking and upgrading Aloy’s skills across six distinct skill trees: Warrior, Hunter, Trapper, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master. Strategically allocating skill points allows you to tailor Aloy’s abilities to your preferred playstyle.
7. Can I max out every skill in Horizon Forbidden West, including Burning Shores?
No, you can’t max out every skill tree in a single playthrough. The game encourages you to specialize and build Aloy according to your playstyle. Prioritize the skills that best complement how you approach combat and exploration.
8. How many skill points are available in Burning Shores?
The Burning Shores DLC offers additional skill points, allowing you to further enhance Aloy’s abilities and unlock more skills in the skill trees. The amount of skill points is limited by the amount of quests, side quests and errands. Also, the amount of datapoints that give experience rewards are limited.
9. What’s the best way to earn XP in Burning Shores?
Focus on completing main quests, side quests, and errands. Hunting machines and completing combat challenges also provide a substantial amount of XP. Be sure to also collect datapoints, as these often give experience.
10. What new gear should I aim for in the Burning Shores?
The Burning Shores introduces new Legendary weapons and armor. The Quen Marine set is a standout, offering excellent stealth and infiltration bonuses. The Last Argument Spike Thrower is also a formidable weapon with a chance to inflict Brittle on enemies. Explore the region, complete quests, and trade with merchants to acquire these powerful upgrades.
11. How does the difficulty setting affect XP gains in Burning Shores?
The difficulty setting does not affect the experience points gained for each action. However, the time and effort spent completing the game at each difficulty will. For example, if a very hard takes twice as long to complete, but the experience awarded is the same, then that will affect the amount of experience you can gain.
12. What should I do before starting the Burning Shores DLC?
Ideally, complete the main story of Horizon Forbidden West (up to and including the “Singularity” quest). Maximize your skill points by completing side quests and errands. Gather Greenshine, as it’s a valuable resource for crafting and upgrading gear in the Burning Shores.
13. How long does it take to reach level 60 in Burning Shores?
The time it takes to reach level 60 varies depending on your playstyle and completionist tendencies. Focusing solely on the main quests will be faster, but engaging with side content and exploring the world will provide more XP and resources, ultimately accelerating your progress. Aiming for 100% completion can take around 16 hours.
14. Are there missable trophies related to leveling in Burning Shores?
There are no missable trophies related to reaching the level cap in Burning Shores. The trophy related to reaching level 60 is tied to simply reaching level 60. As long as you reach level 60, you will receive the trophy.
15. Is Burning Shores worth playing?
Absolutely! Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is a fantastic DLC that expands upon the world and lore of the base game. It features a captivating new storyline, stunning visuals, thrilling encounters with new machines (including a memorable Horus boss fight), and valuable gear upgrades. It’s a must-play for any Horizon fan. Moreover, understanding the intricacies of game progression and the impact of level design on player engagement can provide valuable insights for game designers and educators alike. Resources like the Games Learning Society offer valuable research and perspectives on the intersection of games and learning: GamesLearningSociety.org.