Decoding the Best Very Rare Armor in Horizon Forbidden West: A Deep Dive

The question of the best very rare armor in Horizon Forbidden West isn’t as straightforward as some might think. While personal preference and playstyle weigh heavily, the Nora Sentinel consistently emerges as a top contender. Its balance of resistances, boosts to concentration and stamina, and early availability make it a powerhouse for both machine and human encounters. While other very rare sets offer specialized advantages, the Nora Sentinel’s versatility offers the best all-around protection and utility for most players throughout the early and mid-game.

Understanding Armor Tiers in Horizon Forbidden West

Before diving deeper, it’s crucial to understand the armor tiers in Horizon Forbidden West. These range from Common to Legendary, each offering increasing levels of protection and specialized skills. Very Rare armor represents a significant step up from the more basic sets, providing a noticeable edge in combat. While they don’t possess the game-changing skills of Legendary armor, they’re more accessible and readily available.

Analyzing the Very Rare Armor Sets

Here’s a closer look at each of the Very Rare armor sets mentioned in the article, considering their strengths and weaknesses:

• Nora Sentinel: As mentioned, this set is a standout due to its balanced stats and early accessibility. It excels in providing robust protection against various damage types, making it ideal for players still mastering the game’s combat. Its buffs to concentration and stamina are also invaluable for ranged combat. You can get it as early as Barren Light.
• Carja Shadow: This armor offers increased stealth capabilities. For players prioritizing a silent approach, the Carja Shadow’s perks are excellent. However, it’s less effective in direct combat scenarios than the Nora Sentinel.
• Carja Wanderer: Similar to the Carja Shadow, the Wanderer set is focused on exploration and resource gathering. It boosts resource collection and offers some environmental protection, making it a good choice for players who enjoy exploring the open world.
• Oseram Arrow Breaker: This armor is designed for close-quarters combat, emphasizing melee defense. If you prefer fighting machines and humans at close range, the Oseram Arrow Breaker can be a solid choice.
• Utaru Harvester: The Utaru Harvester armor boosts healing and resource gathering. It’s particularly useful for players who struggle with resource management or prefer a more sustainable playstyle.
• Oseram Wayfarer: This armor is designed for exploration and traversal, offering perks that reduce fall damage and increase climbing speed. It is a niche armor set but useful for specific playstyles.
• Tenakth Marshal: The Tenakth Marshal armor focuses on boosting ranged damage. It is tailored towards players who prefer taking down enemies from afar.
• Utaru Whisperer: This set is similar to the Carja Shadow, providing enhanced stealth and quiet movement. It’s a viable alternative for players seeking a stealth-oriented playstyle.

Why the Nora Sentinel Shines

While other Very Rare armor sets offer specific benefits, the Nora Sentinel’s versatility and balance make it the most generally useful choice. Its broad range of resistances ensures that you’re reasonably protected against most threats, while its buffs to concentration and stamina enhance your combat effectiveness. Furthermore, its early availability means you can acquire it relatively early in the game, providing a significant boost to your survivability.

Beyond Very Rare: Progressing to Legendary Armor

Ultimately, Very Rare armor serves as a stepping stone to the more powerful Legendary armor sets. These sets, such as the Nora Thunder Warrior and Oseram Artificer, offer significantly greater protection and unique skills that can drastically alter your playstyle. Obtaining Legendary armor requires completing specific quests or challenges, but the effort is well worth it. You can get the Nora Thunder Warrior armor from the Prize Master at the Arena.

The Oseram Artificer armor is given as a reward for completing a set of salvage contractor quests.

FAQs: Mastering Armor Choices in Horizon Forbidden West

Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide even more insights into armor selection and optimization in Horizon Forbidden West:

1. How do I unlock the Arena to get the Nora Thunder Warrior armor? You unlock the Arena by progressing through the main story until you complete the “The Kulrut” quest.
2. Where can I find the Power Cells needed for the Shield Weaver armor? The Power Cells are located in various ruins and bunkers scattered across the map. You’ll need to explore these locations thoroughly to find them.
3. What are the best weapon coils and weaves to use with the Nora Sentinel armor? Focus on weaves that boost resistance and stamina. For weapon coils, prioritize those that enhance damage output and critical hit chance.
4. Is it worth upgrading Very Rare armor? Yes! Upgrading Very Rare armor significantly improves its stats and unlocks additional perks, making it a worthwhile investment.
5. How do I get the Death-Seeker’s Shadow bow? You get the Death-Seeker’s Shadow bow by completing challenges in the Arena until obtaining 80 Arena Medals, then purchase it from the Prize Master.
6. What are the benefits of the Utaru Winterweave armor? The Utaru Winterweave armor has a skill called “Silent Strike Heal” and when upgraded sufficiently the description says “Heal 85% with Overhealing”.
7. Which is better, Death Seeker’s Shadow or Forgefall? Death-Seeker’s Shadow is generally better for applying tear damage and shock, while Forgefall excels in dealing frost damage.
8. How do I find Apex Dreadwings? One reliable location for Apex Dreadwings is in the mountains to the west of Memorial Grove.
9. What is the best way to farm shards in Horizon Forbidden West? Farming machines and selling their parts is an effective way to earn shards. Focus on larger machines like Thunderjaws and Stormbirds for the most valuable components.
10. What’s the secret code in Horizon Forbidden West for the Forbidden Legacy Side Quest? The two six-digit codes needed to unlock the doors during the Forbidden Legacy Side Quest are as follows: First Locked Door Code – 102023. Second Locked Door Code – 402625.
11. How do armor skills work in Horizon Forbidden West? Armor skills provide passive bonuses that enhance Aloy’s abilities, such as increased damage resistance, improved stealth, or faster healing.
12. Can I change the appearance of my armor? Yes, you can use dyes to customize the appearance of your armor at various settlements.
13. What is the Oseram Artificer armor good for? The Oseram Artificer armor enhances traps, and other defensive playstyles, with a shield weave skill called overshield.
14. How does the ‘Silent Strike Heal’ skill work? The ‘Silent Strike Heal’ skill, found on the Utaru Winterweave armor, restores a significant portion of your health when you perform a successful silent strike.
15. Where can I find more information about the intersection of games and learning? You can explore the research and resources available at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Armor for Your Journey

Selecting the best Very Rare armor in Horizon Forbidden West ultimately depends on your individual playstyle and preferences. However, the Nora Sentinel‘s balanced stats, versatile resistances, and early availability make it a standout choice for most players. As you progress through the game, be sure to explore other armor sets and experiment with different skills and builds to find what works best for you. Remember, GamesLearningSociety.org emphasizes the importance of learning and experimentation, both in games and in life! With the right knowledge and strategy, you can conquer any challenge that Horizon Forbidden West throws your way.