{
"post": {
"title": "(No Spoilers) Which are the best tips for beginners to play Horizon Zero Dawn?",
"selftext": " Usually when I start a game, I ask for the the best tips to play it. I read the comments and never search for anything else. Any beginner tips?",
"url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/horizon/comments/nhu6m3/no_spoilers_which_are_the_best_tips_for_beginners/"
},
"comments": [
{
"body": " \nInventory fills up fast, go for those perks. \nRidgewood is everywhere, don't hoard it. \nThe strikes against human enemy perks are rarely used (same with extra damage when low health) save those for later (along with mount repair, etc.) \nIf a machine is out of your weight class, hold onto any parts you get. If its something like watchers/striders/etc. sell it. Somewhere on this sub is a list of things you can always sell no worries (sorry, can't find it ATM). \nYou can set quests to farm for specific items you want to purchase. Use it. \nAbility that lets you swap mods is invaluable. \nFor some attacks, it's better to roll TOWARDS the machine. \nIf you are hurting for mods and early in the game, buy 13 of the cheaper boxes (rather than 1 of the more expensive). Odds are you will still get 1 purple mod, the rest might be useable, and the resale rate is better. Once you get better mods and later in the game, this is questionable for efficiency. \nMake weapons for 1 purpose. don't try to make 1 weapon do everything. \nRopecaster + sticky bombs (+concentration) is a great way to spam a lot of damage onto something big (Stormbirds, Thunderjaws, etc.) \nOverridden machines become +/- 150% stronger. Use them to soften up difficult areas/enemies. \nTear can only do so much. Once plating and pieces are off, tear doesn't really do any more damage. \nBeing able to nock multiple arrows is a game changer. \nNora Protector is solid, Arrowbreaker is very niche. Lowest priority should be sickness eater. \nGlinthawks HATE fire. Wish I had known that earlier.",
"replies": [
{
"body": "Ohh, I had fun killing glinthawks when I knew that they very much hate fire.\n\nI had 40+ fire mod on one of the bow(sorry bad with name), I used to fire arrows at them continuously and down they go."
},
{
"body": "GLINTHAWKS HATE FIRE!?!? I've been playing the entire game by shooting a precision arrow on their chest to insta-freeze them and then use hardpoint on the break for the kill. Ofc this high damage bow strat is useful, but fire is effective when there's a lot and you can't concentrate on one at a time",
"replies": [
{
"body": "I did the same for a loooong time.\n\nAs I said, wish I had known about the fire earlier."
}
]
},
{
"body": "This is very good advice. I’d add onto the use one weapon for one task. As you play you’ll get pretty wealthy. There’s nothing stopping you from buying more than one of the same weapon. Always replace with a better variant. When you get the sharpshot bow, apply only fire mods to the hunter bow. \n\nThe mods make a massive difference in damage. And like the top commenter said, the swap mod skill is invaluable when you buy better weapons to replace your current ones, you’ll want to move your good mods across."
},
{
"body": "> Nora Protector is solid, Arrowbreaker is very niche. Lowest priority should be sickness eater.\n\nJust adding my two cents, picked up HZD for free from the Play at Home program (I'm sure the sub has gotten an influx), I just finished my first play through of the main story (just starting Frozen Wilds) and did almost the entire thing in stealth armor with stealth mods. I prioritized Silent Strike, Strike from Above, the extra sneaky crouch, and Silent Sprint or whatever it's called. I got to a point with bandits/cultists where I wish I had Strike from Below and Leader Strike, so I got those and the two upgraded Strike damage skills. Concentration and nocking 2 extra arrows to round it out.\n\nA huge quality-of-life skill was to forage without dismounting.\n\nOne thing I'd add to your list is to look for the Golden Travel Pack and buy that ASAP. It gives you infinite fast travel so you don't need to keep crafting/buying travel packs. It takes Fox Skin to purchase and I spent my first couple skins before I realized the gold travel pack existed. It took a while to get another."
}
]
},
{
"body": "Take the time to do side quests and errands, and read/listen to every datapoint you find. There’s so much richness running in the background to the main quest that’ll really augment your experience in the Horizon world."
},
{
"body": "Listen to the angry green snail man and **DODGE**.\n\nDumb stuff aside, learn to aim. Get somewhere, and really try to hit the target while standing, while you're walking, while you're running, while the target is still, while the target is moving. Don't need to do it for hours or anything, just to get a bit of a feel for it.\n\nUse the focus liberally to see the weakpoints and read up on what the weakpoints are for the machines, and the elements.\n\nUse and abuse stealth. Remember that you don't have to genocide everything and walking by is perfectly acceptable.\n\nYou can run away when in battle, hit-and-run is perfectly fine. So is setting traps. Or using potions. Or yeeting a machine off a cliff. You're here to win/survive, not win an award for being honourable.\n\nGet the golden travel pack from the merchant as soon as possible, because the resources you can sell or use otherwise add up really quickly if you quick travel a lot.\n\nBut yes, dodge a lot, you barely need to heal on lower levels if you just learn to dodge correctly.",
"replies": [
{
"body": "Let me guess, this angry green snail man wears Big Green Threads?"
},
{
"body": "Where the hell do you find a fox, and how the hell do you get it's skin? I've randomly found a few foxes, but all i got are meats",
"replies": [
{
"body": "The skin appears randomly, keep hunting. I find foxes all the time. Maybe foxes are not as common in The Sacred Land if that is where you are."
}
]
},
{
"body": "Yeeting a machine off a cliff made me chortle!! 😂😂"
}
]
},
{
"body": "Don't pick a favorite weapon, pick a favorite weapon combo. You can do your killing MUCH faster by using your whole arsenal, instead of going head in with just a single bow.\n\nPay attention to enemy resistances and weaknesses. They can ease your fight if you go with the right arrow, or make you waste resources trying to set a Thunderjaw on fire.\n\nPlan your shots. Aloy doesn't need to be a machine gun, shoot with patience. This aligns well with the perks that let you shoot 2 or 3 arrows at once. You don't need to be 100% accurate, just mindful of where do you want your arrow to land. I.e. weak spots.\n\nThe combat loop in this game is really awesome. Constantly run, dodge, jump and change weapons, Aloy is a fitness god. I usually just use stealth to open a fight with a well placed shot, and then unleash hell on the machines using a combination of traps, bombs and elemental arrows.\n\nMy main tip is: don't be lazy. I've seen people in real life playing this game with just a single bow, and it made the game a total chore. Learn to quickly change weapons, abuse slow mo and abuse elemental traps and arrows to set up opportunities. On top of that, always be on the move. This game is a total 10.",
"replies": [
{
"body": "Choosing a combo is very important, that's why i make sure to get all elements checked. My favourite combo is the 3 bows and blast sling"
}
]
},
{
"body": "Collect resources when you see them. You’re going to burn through a lot when crafting arrows, so save what you see. Wood. Wood. Wood. Blaze. Blaze. Blaze. \n\nDo side missions. Not only are they well written but they really widen the world as well as giving you access to some good exp and items. \n\nLearn how to dodge ASAP. Whilst Aloy does gain skill levels, healing capabilities and armour types she is still a fleshy human and even the weakest robot is going to hit her hard. Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge. \n\nDon’t get the override skill tree perks until you can get them indefinitely. After that you can use them as a free companion and they’re especially helpful for dealing with human settlements. One mount can take down multiple human enemies. \n\nI didn’t use the rope caster until very late game and I wish I’d figured it out sooner. It’s a great way to manage big or quick enemies whilst you pepper them with bombs or surround them with traps. \n\nYou will need to strategies so get used to looking for weak points and don’t be afraid to have “cheesy” methods. These are land churning robots and you’re a squishy human, cheese it. \n\nLastly, the whistle skill (amazingly) only attracts one robot/ enemy at a time. Use it to lure even when you’re surrounded by enemies.",
"replies": [
{
"body": "All of your advice is awesome, but the upvote is mostly for the Dodgeball reference <3"
}
]
},
{
"body": "Avoid fast travel if you want a better immersive experience. This also helps to find locations naturally. The world follows a 15-30 rule of always having something to run into. \n\nAlso I really enjoyed playing the game with headphones. You catch more interesting bachground dialogue and the varying nature sounds! \n\nUse your focus often! It is so helpful and my dumb brain constantly forgot to use it and I really missed out on the point of the game my first playthrough. \n\nMake sure you get the free sample box from every new merchant you run into ;D"
},
{
"body": "This is coming from someone who gave up 20 hours in and had a much better experience starting over and beating it:\n\nThe bombardment of little baby missions and sidequests you get when the game first opens up? *Do them. All of them.*\n\nThey are breadcrumb tutorials, usually coupled with in-menu video tutorials. They teach you to \"unlearn\" trading blows with enemies and instead teach you the real \"dance\" of combat in Horizon Zero Dawn, including how to prioritize the body parts you're aiming at. (This is what the Hunting Ground contests really are.)\n\nAnd speaking of which, take some time to read the bestiary on the enemies you are fighting, because they will explicitly lay out what you're supposed to be aiming at.\n\nNot only will you perform better, you will have a deceptively high amount of XP, equipment and abilities to make the mid game arc more enjoyable. HZD is not easy."
},
{
"body": "Do all the sidequests. If cosmetically affects your endgame (same result but more characters and interactions)"
},
{
"body": "1) You’re a hunter. Never get involved in a fair fight\n\n2) Resources are plentiful. Scoop them, spend them, and upgrade your capacity to carry them\n\n3) Once the world opens up, you can go anywhere. Explore, and take shots at high-level enemies"
},
{
"body": "Shooting fast, without pulling the bow string to the full, doesn't deal less damage than full cbarged shots.\n\nIt just shoots with less accuracy, enough for nearby enemies.\n\nThe more you shoot the more damage you make."
},
{
"body": "1) Purchase other weapons types when you get the opportunity to do so (if you can afford it at the time) and get experience with using them. Not only does it help you against some of the game's tougher encounters, but will also make combat more varied and fun!\n\n2) You will get an item early on that will allow you to scan a machine and highlight its weaknesses (which will remain highlighted for a short period of time after scanning). Make sure to use this and target the weak points with your ranged attacks.\n\n3) Make sure to shoot and loot organic wildlife (turkeys, foxes etc) when you see them. Their materials are used for very useful inventory upgrades but can be a pain to farm. It's best if you try and build up a stock of those materials naturally as you play through the game.\n\n4) I'd encourage you to explore the world as much as you can, as the environment, collectibles and data points really add to the lore and history of HZD's world. However, if you're one of those players who prefers to focus on the main story then that's fine too."
},
{
"body": "If you get a high stealth armor you can just sneak by most enemies, sometimes it's better to just get to where you're going rather than killing everything on the way."
},
{
"body": "every time you buy a new weapon, a tutorial quest comes with it. Activate the quest and do the tutorial. Besides the bonus XP for completing them, actually learning how to use these weapons and what they can do is invaluabale and not something that would necessarily come to you naturally."
},
{
"body": "For the first couple of hour pick up everything. Last thing you want is to be in the middle of an importent story moment and have to have a \"hol' up a minute i need some sticks\"."
},
{
"body": "Hmm let's see, I'd say watch out for inventory size, get the perks that allow you to have more healing, craft more arrows for the same resource amount, better resource chance, inventory space, and extend override, including the summon mount perk. Use weapons you are comfy with, I use 3 bows and a trip caster but I do switch it up as needed. Keep hearts from the harder machines like the thunderjaw and storm bird since there are weapons that need it. If you can get them the lodge weapons are the best for a first run of the main game due to them having more mod slots. Afterwards go after the frozen wilds weapons, blue gleam maps will be helpful then, be careful when climbing and jumping around the map, aloy likes to lose all momentum and fall straight down to catch a ledge you would've landed on with a jump. If you haven't already get the golden travel pack, unlimited fast travel is just too good to pass up"
},
{
"body": "There is a gold fast travel pack sold by a vendor that lets you fast travel without limits. Melee attacks, while sometimes useful, are very situational. Melee isn't meant to be a an alternative playstyle or build.",
"replies": [
{
"body": ">Melee attacks, while sometimes useful, are very situational\n\nspeak for yourself..",
"replies": [
{
"body": "They are very situational for me as well. I use them in every possible situation."
},
{
"body": "lol"
}
]
}
]
},
{
"body": "* So this is just me because I always like finishing the game with the \"best\" stuff, there is a really cool (and OP) piece of armor that you can obtain very, very late in the game, and you'll pass by the items you need to unlock it on varies main story missions. These items are **very** easy to miss if you aren't looking for them. There are spoiler free guides out there that will tell you when to be on the lookout for these items. Having to backtrack to obtain these items was a pain in the butt late in the game.\n* Just a personal preference, I hated fighting any human enemies at night. The robots are easy to see, but the humans are much more challenging. I always fought humans, if possible, during the daylight hours.\n* There is a perk you can obtain early that slows down time when shooting your bow, I found this made the game incredibly more enjoyable. There is a second perk that slows it down more (though this one takes longer to obtain) that makes you unstoppable.\n* Don't worry about fast travel packs, they are easy to get early in the game, and everything is quick to get to. By the time you need/want to fast travel you'll be at a location where you can buy the special pack that gives you unlimited fast travels."
},
{
"body": "Use fire on corrupted/cold machines, sawtooth, and ravengers. The revenge cannon is op just knock it off with tearblast. Use electric on stalkers(traps work wonders). Freeze makes your attacks a lot more powerful on any enemies. Tearblast can stun humans. Use hardpoint arrows to make it explode the fastest. Shell walkers can be beaten fast by explosive traps. If you have the dlc go to the southeastern town and go the oseram girl to get some op weapons. And bear her is an old man talk to him. Do all the hunting grounds for all blazing suns. And do all the hunter's lodge quests. Purple gear has the best stats."
},
{
"body": "Don't get discouraged by how the robo dino's move or how often your traps can fail. Study enemy movement and strike when confident. It's not about releasing a volley of arrows, it's about precise tactical shots. Use your scan tool to its fullest extent, take full advantage of weak points and learn every arrow type like the back of your hand."
},
{
"body": "use the spear and get all the spear skills"
},
{
"body": "Use the ropecaster and sticky bombs on flying or bigger enemies. \n\nI beat down 3 frostclaws at once just keeping them all tied down the whole fight. The sticky bombs take a moment to blow so you can keep lobbing them on before the damage breaks the ropes. \n\nOn the big TRex looking robots, use tearblast arrows on the disk launchers mounted above its hips. Run up and use the disk launchers to kill it."
},
{
"body": "https://www.reddit.com/r/horizon/comments/nhqrt8/weekly_questions_thread_ask_questions_and_get/\n\nThe links in the text of that post are a good place to start, but this post is named appropriately: https://www.reddit.com/r/horizon/comments/6z4h58/tips_advice_and_recommendations_for_new_and/"
},
{
"body": "Play it on EASY and make your you get the Free Sample Box from every Merchant."
},
{
"body": "Ropecaster=Easy Mode"
},
{
"body": "Just enjoy the game. Play at your own pace. It is a simply beautiful, absolutely stunning game with an incredible story. Immerse yourself in the gameplay and have a good time."
},
{
"body": "Wire is one of the harder regular consumable items to find, and depending on your weapon loadout you might end up using a lot.\n\nStealth is OP in this game. Abuse it. Watch the surprise indicator that pops up over the machines."
},
{
"body": "A lot of the fun of the game comes from the story. As others have said yes, this means doing side quests and definitely collectables for the world's history.\n\nBut explore, go slowly dont rush, enjoy the world. Give yourself time to get curious and ask questions about the world. Take in the views, watch big heards graze. Visit the towns you see and just wonder around.\n\nEnjoy the story through the world, not just through the missions"
},
{
"body": "Try to get the shield weaver as soon as you can. They’re are guides on how to get it early."
}
]
}