The Definitive Guide to Metal Shards in Horizon Forbidden West: Location, Acquisition, and Farming Strategies
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Ah, Metal Shards! The lifeblood of any resourceful adventurer in the vast and perilous world of Horizon Forbidden West. These shimmering fragments are not merely shiny bits of scrap; they are the currency that fuels Aloy’s journey, enabling her to craft essential ammunition, purchase powerful weapons, and acquire life-saving armor. But where can you find these precious shards, and what are the most efficient ways to amass a fortune in this post-apocalyptic world?
Essentially, Metal Shards are everywhere in Horizon Forbidden West. They are most commonly found in crates, machine corpses, and through selling items to merchants. However, this is just the surface of the story. The method, location, and approach you choose will affect how quickly you amass them.
Mastering the Acquisition of Metal Shards
Metal Shards aren’t just lying around in neatly organized piles (though sometimes you’ll get lucky!). You need a strategy to maximize your haul.
1. Scavenging: The Cornerstone of Every Adventurer’s Wealth
- Crates: Explore every nook and cranny. Settlements, ruins, and even the wilderness are littered with crates brimming with supplies, and often, a healthy dose of Metal Shards. Don’t be shy about venturing off the beaten path!
- Machine Corpses: After felling a mechanical beast, be sure to thoroughly loot its remains. The more formidable the machine, the richer the reward, so don’t shy away from a challenge.
- Human Enemies: Don’t ignore defeated human enemies. They often carry pouches containing valuable shards.
2. Hunting and Gathering: A Lucrative Trade
- Critter Hunting: Don’t underestimate the value of smaller creatures like rabbits, squirrels, and especially the aquatic critters like lobsters and crabs. These are not just decorative elements in the environment! They provide parts that can be sold for easy shards with little to no danger.
- Resource Gathering: Plants and other resources can be crafted into potions and traps, but excess supplies can be sold for a steady income.
- Machine Parts: Carefully detach valuable components from machines during combat. Components like lenses, hearts, and elemental sacs fetch a high price at any merchant.
3. Quests and Contracts: Embracing the Adventurer’s Life
- Side Quests: Many side quests offer Metal Shards as a reward upon completion. Embrace the stories and challenges of the Forbidden West, and your wallet will thank you.
- Salvage Contracts: Take on salvage contracts, which involve collecting specific machine parts for Oseram tinkers. Completing these contracts is not only profitable, but also a lot of fun.
- Arena Challenges: Hone your combat skills in the Arena. Completing challenges, especially at higher difficulties, awards you with medals, which can be exchanged for powerful gear and, of course, Metal Shards.
4. Farming Strategies: Efficiency is Key
- Scrapper Farming: In Horizon Zero Dawn, the Scrapper farming method was a popular way to gain Metal Shards quickly by selling the processed metal blocks that they drop to the mystery box merchant for boxes that often contain a good amount of shards.
- Tremortusk Farming: In Forbidden West, if you’re up for a challenge, Tremortusk farming can be a very lucrative method. Tremortusks drop valuable components that fetch a high price. Find a good location with Tremortusks nearby and develop an efficient strategy for taking them down.
- Apex Machine Farming: Apex machines are tougher versions of regular machines, but they drop significantly more valuable loot. If you’re confident in your abilities, target Apex machines for a greater shard yield.
5. The Less Legitimate Path: Exploiting Glitches (Use at Your Own Risk!)
- Whisper Hunter Bow Trick: As mentioned in the article, some players have discovered glitches that allow for rapid shard accumulation. However, be warned: these glitches are often patched out by developers, and using them might diminish your enjoyment of the game by disrupting the intended progression and challenges.
Optimizing Your Shard Spending
Once you’ve amassed a significant fortune in Metal Shards, it’s crucial to spend them wisely.
- Prioritize Essential Gear: Invest in weapons and armor that suit your playstyle. A powerful bow or a sturdy set of armor can make all the difference in a tough fight.
- Stock Up on Ammunition: Never run out of essential ammo types. Keep a healthy supply of arrows, bombs, and traps on hand.
- Upgrade Your Pouches: Increase your inventory capacity to carry more resources, making your gathering expeditions more efficient.
- Refrain from Impulse Purchases: Resist the urge to buy every shiny new item you see. Focus on acquiring gear that directly enhances your combat effectiveness and survivability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Metal Shards in Horizon Forbidden West
1. What are Metal Shards used for in Horizon Forbidden West?
Metal Shards serve as the primary currency in the game. You use them to purchase weapons, armor, ammunition, crafting materials, and other essential items from merchants throughout the Forbidden West. They are also used for crafting various items, particularly ammunition.
2. What is the best thing to sell for Metal Shards?
Generally, machine parts, especially rare components like lenses, hearts, and elemental sacs, fetch the highest prices. However, it’s wise to check which parts you might need for upgrades or crafting before selling them. Also, loot from lobsters and crabs makes for a steady income with little to no danger.
3. Are Metal Shards shared between Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West?
No, Metal Shards are not shared between the two games. Each game has its own economy and resources, so you’ll need to gather shards independently in each title.
4. Is it possible to run out of Metal Shards?
While it’s possible to be low on shards at times, especially early in the game, it’s unlikely to run completely out if you actively engage in looting, hunting, and completing quests.
5. Do difficulty settings affect the amount of Metal Shards you find?
While not directly affecting shard drops, higher difficulty settings can indirectly influence your shard income. Enemies may be tougher to defeat, potentially requiring more ammo and resources, but the loot from machines remains the same, leading to a higher shard income overall per battle.
6. How many Metal Flowers are there in Horizon Forbidden West?
The article mentions the amount in Horizon Zero Dawn. In Horizon Forbidden West, there aren’t Metal Flowers. Instead, you’ll find Ornaments, which you need to collect to earn the Ancestor’s Return Shredder Gauntlet.
7. Where can I find Apex Thunderjaws?
The first location is north of Memorial Grove, just west of Rebel Outpost: Shining Wastes North. The second location is east of Memorial Grove, slightly south of Tallneck: The Shining Wastes. The third location is south of Stone’s Echo, just east of Rebel Outpost: Jagged Deep. Farming them can be lucrative but challenging.
8. Can I get infinite Metal Shards?
While there aren’t legitimate methods for infinitely generating shards, some players have discovered exploits or glitches. Be aware that these might be patched and could detract from the intended gameplay experience.
9. What is the fastest way to get medals in the Arena?
Completing challenges quickly and on higher difficulty levels is the fastest way to earn medals. Focus on mastering the combat techniques required for each challenge.
10. What should I sell for shards early in the game?
Early in the game, you can sell excess resources you don’t immediately need for crafting or healing, as well as duplicate mods and coils. Selling machine parts will also net you a good income.
11. How can I increase my inventory space to carry more loot?
Upgrade your pouches at workbenches. These upgrades require specific resources and machine parts, but they significantly increase your carrying capacity.
12. What is the best weapon type for farming machines?
The Sharpshot Bow is generally considered the best for farming machines, as it offers high damage and accuracy at long range, allowing you to target specific components for detachment.
13. Where can I find Dreadwings?
The easiest location to reach is just northeast of Latopolis, which can be found southwest of Plainsong. This will generally spawn a standard Dreadwing. The other location is in the mountains to the west of Memorial Grove.
14. How do I destroy Metal Flowers?
In Forbidden West, you don’t destroy Metal Flowers. You would do that in Zero Dawn. You use the Champion’s Spear and the Vine Cutter module.
15. Is it worth investing in armor with high shard costs?
Yes, investing in good armor is generally worthwhile, as it significantly improves your survivability. Prioritize armor with resistances to common damage types in the areas you’re exploring.
The world of Horizon Forbidden West is rife with challenges and rewards. By mastering the art of shard acquisition and smart spending, you’ll be well-equipped to face any obstacle that comes your way. And remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. So, venture forth, explore the Forbidden West, and amass your fortune in Metal Shards! Games provide incredible learning opportunities, much like you can explore at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.