Mastering Horizon Zero Dawn’s Economy: What to Sell and Why

Horizon Zero Dawn plunges you into a lush, post-apocalyptic world teeming with robotic creatures and valuable resources. Managing your inventory effectively is crucial for survival and progression. The golden rule? Sell common resources like greens, blues, and excess machine parts that you no longer need. However, keep in mind the game’s economy and your upgrade requirements to get the most out of your gameplay experience.

The Art of Resource Management in Horizon Zero Dawn

Effective inventory management is a key skill to mastering Horizon Zero Dawn. Knowing what to keep and what to sell can significantly impact your ability to acquire better gear, craft essential ammunition, and ultimately, survive the dangers of the Nora lands. This guide will walk you through the specific items you can safely sell, and those you should hold onto for future use.

Sell with Confidence: Items Ripe for the Vendor

Here’s a breakdown of item categories you can generally sell without regret:

• Modifications (Coils and Weaves) of Lower Quality: Early in the game, you’ll find numerous coils to improve weapon stats and weaves to enhance armor. As you progress, you will come across better versions of these modifications. Selling the weaker, obsolete mods is a great way to generate shards.
• Lenses and Glass Shards (After Acquiring Specific Gear): Each weapon and outfit has a distinct lens or heart associated with it. Once you have that outfit or weapon, the corresponding lens or heart becomes essentially worthless. Selling these items frees up valuable space in your inventory. The same is true of glass shards.
• Ancient Vessels: These collectibles serve no purpose other than being sold for shards. Feel free to hoard them, then sell them to merchants whenever you need extra cash.
• Traveler Merchants Boxes As the game progresses, these boxes become less and less useful as there is better gear readily available.
• Hunting Goods (After Upgrades): After upgrading all pouches, sell any remaining animal parts to vendors for easy shards.
• Greens and Blues (Common Resources): Most common resources can be sold freely.
• Excess Machine Parts (Strategic Culling): You can get away with selling excess machine parts like metal shards, processed metal blocks, and other common machine components. Consider keeping only 2-3 units of each.

Items to Keep: Strategic Hoarding

Now, let’s discuss items to hold onto:

• Machine Hearts: Crucial for upgrading weapons and armor. Never sell machine hearts, as you’ll consistently need them throughout the game.
• Blaze: Required to craft fire arrows and for certain weapons that require lots of it for ammo.
• Ridgewood: The crafting foundation for basic arrows.
• Wire: Another arrow and trap crafting essential.
• Echo Shells, Chillwater, Glowblast, Purgewater: Valuable for crafting various types of ammunition. Keep a decent stock of each.
• Machine Parts Required for Specific Vendor Purchases: Some merchants require specific machine parts in exchange for certain weapons or outfits. Check what they need before you indiscriminately sell everything.
• High Value Modifications: The better coils and weaves can be very useful for end-game play.

Optimizing Your Gameplay: The Smart Seller’s Guide

Here are some extra tips for maximizing your resource management:

• Talk to Merchants Frequently: They provide valuable insights into the economy and can offer unique items in exchange for specific resources.
• Unlock All the Campfires: Fast travel is your friend. Use campfires to quickly reach vendors and crafting locations.
• Complete Cauldrons: Unlocking Cauldrons allows you to override more machines. These overridden machines can provide assistance in combat and provide rare resources.
• Modify Your Equipment: Always equip the best coils and weaves you have available to optimize your combat effectiveness.
• Focus on Your Environment: Pay attention to the resources around you and collect them regularly.
• Become a Hoarder (Strategically): While selling is important, having a healthy stockpile of essential resources is equally crucial. Aim for a balance.

Understanding the Economy: Shards and Beyond

The economy of Horizon Zero Dawn revolves around shards, the primary currency. By selling unwanted items, you accumulate shards, which you can then use to purchase better weapons, outfits, and resources. However, it’s equally important to understand the value of different items and how they contribute to crafting and upgrades. By carefully managing your inventory and selling items strategically, you can maximize your resources and enhance your gameplay experience.

FAQ: Mastering Horizon Zero Dawn’s Inventory

1. Should I sell all my Machine Cores in Horizon Zero Dawn?

No, you shouldn’t sell Machine Cores indiscriminately. While they can be traded for shards, they become valuable crafting components in Horizon Forbidden West. If you plan to transition to the sequel, holding onto them is wise. Otherwise, selling common cores in Zero Dawn is fine.

2. What is the most valuable item to sell for shards?

While specific values may vary, High-tier Machine Hearts and rare Machine parts needed for specific trades are generally the most valuable. However, stacking common resources can also yield a significant amount of shards when sold in bulk. In Horizon Forbidden West, Crystal Braiding and Volatile Sludge are among the most expensive resources.

3. Should I sell animal skins and bones after upgrading my pouches?

Yes, once you’ve upgraded all your pouches to their maximum capacity, animal skins and bones become surplus items. You can safely sell them to merchants for shards.

4. How do I know which machine parts to keep for trading with vendors?

Before selling any machine parts, always talk to the merchants and check their inventory. Many merchants offer valuable weapons or outfits in exchange for specific machine components. Make a note of these required parts and avoid selling them.

5. Is it worth selling weaker weapon coils and armor weaves?

Absolutely! As you progress, you’ll find superior coils and weaves that offer better stat boosts. Selling the weaker versions is a great way to free up inventory space and earn shards.

6. What should I do with Ancient Vessels?

Ancient Vessels are purely for selling. They have no other use in the game. Collect them and sell them to merchants for a quick shard boost.

7. Are there any missable items in Horizon Zero Dawn that I should be aware of?

While Horizon Zero Dawn doesn’t have many missable items in the traditional sense, some unique weapons or armor are tied to specific side quests or challenges. Make sure to complete all available quests to obtain these exclusive items.

8. What’s the best strategy for farming shards in Horizon Zero Dawn?

A great strategy is to hunt challenging machines like Thunderjaws and Stormbirds. These machines drop valuable parts that can be sold for a significant amount of shards. Additionally, completing hunting ground trials can reward you with valuable resources.

9. How important are outfits in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Outfits are very important in Horizon Zero Dawn. They provide various resistances and stat boosts that can significantly impact your survival. Choose outfits that complement your playstyle and the challenges you’re facing.

10. What is the most useful armor in Horizon Zero Dawn?

The Shield-Weaver armor is widely considered the best armor in the game due to its unique shield ability. However, you acquire it rather late in the game. Other excellent options include the Nora Protector and Carja Blazon outfits, depending on your preferred playstyle.

11. Should I sell machine hearts?

Never sell machine hearts. They are crucial for upgrading weapons and armor throughout the entire game. You’ll always need them.

12. What is the most OP weapon in Horizon Zero Dawn?

The Improved Stormslinger is often cited as one of the most powerful weapons in the game, especially against enemies vulnerable to electricity. The Banuk Striker Bow is also highly effective due to its high damage output.

13. What should I do with machine cores?

Machine cores are primarily used for trading with merchants in Horizon Zero Dawn. However, if you plan on playing Horizon Forbidden West, it’s advisable to keep them, as they are used in crafting.

14. Can I corrupt more machines in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Yes, following certain story events, Aloy gains the ability to override machines. Overriding allows you to control machines and turn them against their allies.

15. Which merchant sells Sawtooth Heart?

You can find a vendor in Meridian that sells machine hearts, including the Sawtooth Heart, for shards. He is located off to the side of the Hunters Lodge.

By understanding which items to sell and which to keep, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges of Horizon Zero Dawn and thrive in its captivating world. Remember, strategic resource management is key to becoming a true master of the hunt!

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