How to get the best Horizon Forbidden West weapons

Shooting a plasma bow in Horizon Forbidden West against a giant turtle robot
(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

The best Horizon Forbidden West weapons involves a range of things you can find and unlock as you play. Most are mission rewards, some can be bought, but most importantly they are all legendary weapons and the most powerful options in its class. They also come with three different ammo types you can switch between, which means you get even more ammo types to use in a battle without switching weapons. 

All the best weapons are ranged options but it is possible to upgrade Aloy's spear by finding and beating the Enduring in Horizon Forbidden West. You'll know when you find them.

Whatever you're after, let's take a look at all the best weapons in Horizon Forbidden West and where or how to get them:

Horizon Forbidden West Hunter Bows

The Sun Scourge

Death Seeker's Shadow

Death-Seekers Shadow bow in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Hunter Bow

How to get: Arena

A master at armor-piercing and electric damage with a fast draw time. It also has targeting hunter arrows, which are particularly useful for fast-moving targets, or small, agile human foes. 

The Sun Scourge hunter bow in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Hunter Bow

How to get: Complete the First Forge side quest (unlocked by completing all Rebel Camps)

The Sun Scourge is a fantastic all-rounder hunter bow. Quick to fire, additional overdraw damage, and a really good range of elemental arrows (fire, ice, and poison). One to always have in your rotation. 

Horizon Forbidden West Warrior Bow

Carja's Bane

Carja's Bane warrior bow in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Warrior Bow

How to get: Complete all the Gauntlet Runs 

A warrior bow that's great for dealing close-range armor-piercing and fire damage. Really useful for those big robots that you just can't get away from and feel like they're always on top of you.

Horizon Forbidden West Sharpshot Bow

Forgefall

Forgefall spear in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Sharpshot Bow

How to get: Trade in 54 Arena medals

This is the top of the line plasma weapon, perfect for chaining up plasma damage before switching to its third armor-piercing ammo type for maximum damage. It's a little slow to fire, but packs a punch. 

Horizon Forbidden West Boltblaster

The Blast Forge

The blast forge weapon in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Boltblaster

How to get: Trade in 54 Arena medals

This boltblaster is an absolute godsend because it comes with armor-piercing ammo in three different types - one being explosive. Against the high-level robots it's totally invaluable as nothing is resistant to these ammo types. 

Horizon Forbidden West Spike Thrower

The Skykiller

Skykiller in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Spike Thrower

How to get: Complete the Side Quest - No Way Home

Like the Blast Forge boltblaster, this is a spike thrower that excels in explosive damage. It comes with both classic and advanced explosive spikes, and balances it with flaming spikes for that added drama. It might take a second to charge your throw but the damage it deals is seriously astonishing. 

Horizon Forbidden West Blastsling

Wings of the Ten

Wings of the Ten sling in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Blastsling

How to get: TBC

This one is great if you're into using adhesive ammo, which is useful for slowing down or grounding your enemies. This can then be combined with its two types of explosive ammo for maximum damage. 

Horizon Forbidden West Shredder Gauntlet

Ancestor's Return

Ancestor's Return gauntlet in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Shredder Gauntlet

How to get: Find all the Ornaments and return them to Stemmur

If you're a pro at chaining together Shredder Gauntlet ammo, which happens when you catch your returning shredder and then keep attacking with it three times in a row, then this is invaluable. It comes with poison, electric, and armor-piercing shredder types, so is perfect for carving health of various types of robotic foes. 

Horizon Forbidden West Tripcaster

Tinker's Pride

The Tinker's Forge in Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Type: Tripcaster

How to get: TBC

The ultimate tripcaster, this one is great for laying traps with various effects including armor piercing and explosions. Super handy if you've got time to prep your attack in advance.

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Sam Loveridge
Global Editor-in-Chief, 12DOVE

Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.

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