Reaching Apex Status: What Level Will You Be at the End of Horizon Zero Dawn?
If you’ve been roaming the post-apocalyptic landscapes of Horizon Zero Dawn, battling robotic dinosaurs and uncovering the mysteries of the Old Ones, you’re probably wondering about your character’s progression. So, what level will you be at the end of Horizon Zero Dawn?
Typically, most players finish the main storyline of Horizon Zero Dawn somewhere in the range of levels 30 to 40. Hitting the level cap of 60 requires engaging with a substantial amount of side content, including side quests, errands, hunting grounds, and the Frozen Wilds DLC. If you just beeline through the story, you’ll likely fall well short of the maximum. Reaching level 60 isn’t necessary to complete the game, but it does provide a significant advantage with increased health and more skill points to spend.
Leveling Up in the Horizon Universe
The leveling system in Horizon Zero Dawn is straightforward but rewarding. Each level gained increases Aloy’s maximum health and provides one skill point. Skill points are used to unlock new abilities and passive upgrades in three distinct skill trees: Hunter, Brave, and Forager. These skills enhance Aloy’s combat prowess, crafting abilities, and resource gathering efficiency, making her a more formidable opponent against the machines.
The Importance of Side Content
To maximize your level, don’t just focus on the main quest. Embrace the side content! Side quests offer valuable experience points and often provide engaging stories and lore that enrich the overall experience. Errands are smaller tasks that are quick to complete and offer a steady stream of XP.
Hunting Grounds present unique challenges that test your combat skills and reward you with experience and resources. And of course, the Frozen Wilds DLC not only expands the game world but also offers a significant amount of additional content that will contribute greatly to your overall level.
Max Level and the “Ghost Level”
The official level cap in Horizon Zero Dawn, especially after the release of The Frozen Wilds DLC, is level 60. However, some players have reported the existence of a “ghost level” much higher than that. Although you stop gaining levels and skill points once you hit level 60, the game continues to track your XP. This “ghost level” is more of a hidden stat and doesn’t provide any in-game benefits.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Leveling in Horizon Zero Dawn
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the leveling system and end-game content in Horizon Zero Dawn:
1. Is it necessary to reach max level to enjoy the game?
No, reaching the maximum level of 60 is not necessary to complete the main story or enjoy the game. The difficulty is well-balanced, and players can succeed with lower-level characters by utilizing strategy and utilizing the game’s various weapons and tools.
2. What is the best way to level up quickly?
The best way to level up quickly is to complete main story missions, side quests, and hunting grounds. Focus on quests that offer high experience rewards and utilize stealth takedowns and weak-point attacks to maximize combat efficiency. Playing on harder difficulties will grant more XP, but only attempt this if you feel confident.
3. Does difficulty affect experience gain?
Yes, playing on higher difficulty settings can increase the amount of experience points you earn from completing quests and defeating machines. However, the increased challenge may make it harder to progress quickly, so it’s important to find a balance between difficulty and efficiency.
4. What are the benefits of reaching max level?
Reaching max level grants you access to all skills in the skill trees, making Aloy a more versatile and powerful character. It also provides a significant health boost, increasing your survivability in combat.
5. What happens after I finish the main story?
After finishing the main story, you can continue exploring the world, completing side quests, and engaging in other activities. The game resets to just before the final mission, allowing you to finish any unfinished content.
6. What is the “Frozen Wilds” DLC, and how does it affect leveling?
The Frozen Wilds is a DLC expansion that adds a new area to the game world, along with new quests, machines, and challenges. Completing the content in The Frozen Wilds provides a significant amount of experience, making it a great way to level up.
7. Can I replay missions to earn more experience?
No, you cannot replay main story missions or side quests to earn more experience. However, you can replay hunting grounds challenges to improve your times and earn more rewards.
8. Are there any missable quests or content that affect leveling?
No, there are no missable quests or content that significantly affect leveling. All side quests and errands remain available even after completing the main story.
9. What is the best armor in the game, and how does it help with leveling?
While there’s no armor that directly boosts experience gain, the Shield-Weaver armor is widely considered the best due to its energy shield that absorbs damage. This increases your survivability, allowing you to take on more challenging enemies and quests.
10. Are there any specific skills that are better for leveling?
Skills that increase resource gathering efficiency and crafting abilities, such as those in the Forager tree, can indirectly help with leveling by allowing you to acquire resources more quickly and craft powerful weapons and ammo. Additionally, combat skills that increase your damage output and critical hit chance will speed up combat encounters.
11. Does leveling affect my relationship with NPCs?
No, leveling does not directly affect your relationship with NPCs. However, completing quests and errands for them can improve your standing and unlock new dialogue options and rewards.
12. Is there a New Game Plus mode?
Yes, Horizon Zero Dawn features a New Game Plus mode, which allows you to replay the game with your character’s current level, skills, and inventory. This is a great way to experience the story again with a powerful character and tackle any challenges you may have missed the first time around.
13. What is Sylens doing at the end of Zero Dawn?
At the end of Horizon Zero Dawn, Sylens is seen capturing HADES, the rogue AI. He seeks to learn more about the AI and its origins, hinting at a larger role in the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West.
14. How does Horizon Zero Dawn compare to Horizon Forbidden West in terms of leveling?
Both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West feature similar leveling systems, with the player earning experience points to level up and unlock new skills. However, Horizon Forbidden West expands upon the skill trees and adds new combat mechanics, offering more customization options.
15. Where can I learn more about the game design and learning aspects of Horizon Zero Dawn?
You can find valuable insights and research on the game design and learning potential of Horizon Zero Dawn at the Games Learning Society website. This organization explores how video games can be used as tools for education and skill development. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to discover more.
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey
While reaching the maximum level in Horizon Zero Dawn isn’t a requirement, it certainly enhances the experience by making Aloy a more formidable warrior and granting access to all her skills. Whether you aim for level 60 or simply enjoy the main story, the journey through this captivating world is sure to be a rewarding one. So, grab your bow, sharpen your skills, and embrace the challenges that await!