Horizon Zero Dawn Best Weapons Early and Later In the Game

The Importance of Horizon Zero Dawn Best Weapons

Just like any action-adventure game, Horizon Zero Dawn (HZD) is all about having the right tools for survival in this beautiful post-apocalyptic world. The game’s fearless and beautiful protagonist, Aloy, has to beat deadly machines and hostile tribes with an arsenal of different weapons and survival tools like a hand sling or a heavy machine gun. Knowing how to get and use Horizon Zero Dawn best weapons early in the game is really precious, especially early during your playthrough.

For example, in HZD ranged weapons, including powerful bows, and explosive slings have their unique strengths to help a player face some of the harshest challenges this game offers. That is why you ought to read this post up to the end. Here, we like to explore different weapons in various games. Now it is high time to guide you through some of the best weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn.

What Are the Best Weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn?

The world of Horizon Zero Dawn is inhabited by harmful machines. Every machine has different vulnerabilities you can exploit and use only with the right weapon. Also, you will eventually come across more powerful enemies who will require more effort than a straightforward beating with a weapon. You have to learn and improve your arsenal constantly, including the proper intervals during the battles when you need to switch to a bow, sling, or even a Ropecaster.

Half the success even in the toughest battles is knowing when to use a weapon from your rich arsenal in HZD. This knowledge can be useful in any game, including Warframe or Starfield, so make sure to practice such a skill for any huge RPG or action-adventure game in the open world.

Now let’s take a closer look at some of the best weapons of Horizon Zero Dawn:

1) Hunter Bow: The Best Of The Best

The Hunter Bow is a jack-of-all-trades in Aloy’s arsenal. This powerful weapon successfully combines the DPS and burst abilities. It’s not only the first weapon you get in the game but also a reliable one that remains useful throughout your journey. Without any upgrade, the Hunter Bow shoots the standard arrows but can also use Fire and Hardpoint Arrows for variety in battle. Hardpoint Arrows, with their increased damage and fast draw speed, are ideal for quick, high-impact combat. The Banuk Striker Bow is the best variant because it is quick to draw and inflict surprising power for an entry-level weapon.

How to get: The Hunter Bow is one of the best early weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn. Just follow the main questline and you will receive it quickly along with the spear. You can upgrade this bow to the Carja Hunter Bow – just buy from the Carja vendors. The Shadow Hunter Bow is another version that can be used for Fire and Hardpoint Arrows. You can get this version of the bow at Meridian for 650 Metal Shards and 1 Watcher Heart. The ultimate version, the Banuk Striker Bow, is available only in the roster of weapons from The Frozen Wilds DLC.

2) Aloy’s Spear: One Of Horizon Zero Dawn Best Early Weapons

Since the very beginning of the game, Aloy’s spear is used to hurt anyone who gets too close. Being not very quick or precise, still, the spear can become extremely deadly when in the right hands. You can choose between light or heavy attacks when Aloy is equipped with a spear. It is a great choice if you need to attack fast at a distance as well as hit hard up close.

How to get: Aloy’s spear is acquired as soon as the game starts. So, you get one of the best Horizon Zero Dawn weapons immediately after walking through the prologue. Increase its damage by completing the side quest “In Her Mother’s Footsteps”. Later you can replace it with a more powerful Sylens’ Lance. This spear adds shock damage and the ability to override machines. Additionally, in the Frozen Wilds DLC, complete the quest “A Secret Shared” to get another spear mod slot.

3) Tripcaster: Trap Them!

The Tripcaster is perfect for players who prefer strategy over sheer firepower. It works like a tripwire that, when crossed by an enemy, delivers a lot of elemental damage—whether it’s Shock, Fire, or Blast Wires, the Tripcaster stops rampaging machines in their tracks. It’s incredibly useful for setting up the ambushes or controlling the flow of battle when there is chaos of people and machines in the arena. Using the more advanced versions like the Shadow Tripcaster, you can unlock extra wire types. Not surprisingly, it is also one of Horizon Forbidden West best weapons.

For example, you can lurk the enemies to narrow pathways with this weapon, then bash its head with your explosive arrows or beat up to a pulp with your spear as if you have a cricket bat – click here to see how it can look!

How to get: there are Basic, Carja, Shadow, and Lodge variants of the Tripcaster. Purchase the standard Tripcaster from the first settlement’s vendors as soon as possible. You can also buy the Carja Tripcaster from Carja merchants later. While roaming the Meridian city, get the most advanced version called the Shadow Tripcaster – for 750 Metal Shards and 1 Scrapper Heart. The Lodge Tripcaster is another version you can get for 15 Half Sun after beating the quests of the Hunting Grounds and trading them at the Hunters’ Lodge.

4) Ropecaster: Use to Kill Many Monsters At Once

While the Ropecaster deals very little damage, its immobilization ability on human enemies and heavy machines is too good to ignore. Just shoot out the ropes to immobilize your enemies and make them lie on the ground without any chance of hitting you. However, this effect is temporal. Use Ropecaster and then quickly switch to other weapons. The best thing – Ropecaster works on almost all machines, including large or flying enemies such as Thunderjaws or Glinthawks.

How to get: There are also 3 main versions of the Ropecaster – Basic, Carja, and Shadow. You can purchase the Basic Ropecaster from any merchant early in the game. As you progress, buy the Carja Ropecaster from merchants in Carja territories. The final version, the Shadow Ropecaster, is available in Meridian for 500 Metal Shards and 1 Snapmaw Heart. You can get the Lodge Ropecaster by completing the Hunting Grounds challenges and earning 15 Full Sun marks. Go to the Hunters’ Lodge in Meridian to get one of Horizon Zero Dawn best weapons – Lodge Ropecaster.

5) Machine Weapons (Heavy Machine Guns): Rampage is Coming!

Sometimes, fighting fire with fire is your best bet when it comes to taking down a machine in HZD. Salvage your weapons from larger machines like Ravagers or Thunderjaws and repurpose them to deal massive damage. The Tearblaster and tear arrows are particularly useful for this tactic, as they can remove the heavy machine guns without dealing direct damage. Disarm a machine, take its weapon, and you’ll have a powerful tool at your disposal for fighting hordes of large enemies.

How to get: Machine weapons can be only collected from large machines. Tearblast Arrows are the best choice to get them. One hit with these arrows will instantly remove any heavy weapon from Ravagers or Thunderjaws. These weapons are temporary and will disappear eventually.

6) Blast Sling: To Make A Big Boom!

The Blast Sling lets you bring all-out explosives to your battles. It’s like a slingshot but with bombs instead of stones! The basic function is to throw bombs at your enemies and devastatingly explode them. Upgrading to the Light Blast Sling gives you access to alternatives like Sticky Bombs and Proximity Bombs.

How to get: The Basic Blast Sling can be purchased from early-game merchants. As you progress, buy the Carja Blast Sling from Carja merchants. The most powerful Shadow Blast Sling is available in Meridian for 1,400 Metal Shards and 1 Lancehorn Heart. The Lodge Blast Sling is hard to get. You need to earn 15 Half Sun marks from the Hunting Grounds’ challenges and exchange them at the Hunters’ Lodge in Meridian.

7) War Bow: Master The Elements of Nature!

The War Bow perfectly complements Aloy’s ranged playstyle if you like to play with the arrows that inflict elemental damage. Its different versions result in shock, freeze, or corruption arrows. The key to mastering the War Bow is learning your enemy’s weaknesses and using the right arrow type to beat them. Shock arrows are particularly effective for disabling machines, while freeze arrows can slow down enemies.

How to get: War Bows are available in Basic, Carja, and Shadow versions. You can get the Basic War Bow by buying it from early-game merchants. Upgrade the bow in Carja territories up to the Carja War Bow. The Shadow War Bow that can use all the elemental arrows is available in Meridian for 800 Metal Shards and 1 Trampler Heart. The Lodge War Bow costs 15 Blazing Sun marks from the Hunting Grounds and trading them at the Hunters’ Lodge. The Banuk Champion Bow, the best War Bow in the game, is available in The Frozen Wilds DLC – buy with the Bluegleam, a rare currency in the DLC.

8) Sharpshot Bow: When Precision Meets Power

The Sharpshot Bow is an exceptionally powerful ranged weapon that excels at high-damage single shots. It takes longer to draw than other bows, but a single hit does substantial damage. The Sharpshot Bow is especially effective with Precision Arrows. These can punch through armor and hit the machine’s weak spots. One of the best Horizon Zero Dawn weapons for bringing down larger machines or human enemies.

How to get: The Sharpshot Bow comes in Basic, Carja, and Shadow versions. The Basic Sharpshot Bow is available as one of the best Horizon Zero Dawn best weapons early, from Carja merchants. The Shadow Sharpshot Bow (the most powerful version) can be bought in Meridian for 800 Metal Shards and 1 Sawtooth Heart. The best version, the Banuk Powershot Bow, is available in The Frozen Wilds DLC – buy with the Bluegleam. This bow can overdraw the shots with significantly increased damage.

9) Icerail: The Big Freeeeeeze!

The Icerail is your go-to freeze damage dealer. It spews a blast of freezing Chillwater that can freeze the machines instantly. In such a way, they become more vulnerable to follow-up attacks. The Icerail does extra damage to machines like Scorchers or Fireclaws.

How to get: The Icerail is available only during the playthrough of The Frozen Wilds DLC – make sure to complete the quest “For the Werak”. This powerful freeze weapon sprays Chillwater making the enemies into snowmen. Take it to Varga for the upgrade – you need to help her defeat a Thunderjaw first. In its upgraded state, the Icerail can shoot devastating Ice Cannon rounds. It is a surefire way to finish off any ice-weak enemies.

10) Stormslinger: Unleash the Power of Lightning!

The Stormslinger is a powerful weapon you can only get in The Frozen Wilds DLC. It can deal the massive shock damage. It shoots electrified charged bolts that make quick work of machines. Being less versatile than the previously mentioned War Bow, it can output huge amounts of shock damage and huge machines that are weak to electricity. However, using the Stormslinger too much can make it overloaded to shock Aloy instead of the enemies. Upgrade to the Improved Stormslinger to prevent such scenarios.

How to get: The basic Stormslinger can be unlocked after beating the quest “The Shaman’s Path”. This Banuk shaman’s weapon fires electrically charged bolts with a powerful damage effect. To upgrade to the Improved Stormslinger, take the basic version to Oseram engineer Varga after defeating a Stormbird.

If you want to see all these Horizon Zero Dawn best weapons in action, check the following video explaining how to get and use them early in the game.

Tips for Beginners About How to Use Horizon Zero Dawn Best Weapons

• Always remember to scan the machine with your Focus. Such an approach may show the machine’s weaknesses and what element of the arrow or ammo type could be the most effective. In such a way, you can easily understand how to act;
• Never use a single weapon for all the in-game battles. Take out a machine with the Ropecaster, then switch to a Blast Sling or Sharpshot Bow to cause significant damage while the machine can’t move. Combining and matching the effects of various weapons can be enough to overcome even the most challenging enemies, like the in-game bosses;
• Do not forget to modify all your weapons with more damage points or equip them with the elemental effect-enhancing upgrades. Such a strategy can help to boost the performance of even the very first Horizon Zero Dawn best weapons early in the game;
• Do not forget to use the surrounding environmental traps to lurk the machines with Tripcaster and get the most favorable position for a long battle. High ground and narrow pathways will always work at this point if you can control the flow of the battle and use your weapons effectively;

And the final tip – each weapon feels and works differently (if you want, it has its own rhythm). Take some time to learn your entire arsenal to understand intuitively when it is best to use all the weapons.

You can also check the following Reddit thread where gamers discuss the strong and weak points of Horizon Zero Dawn best weapons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most powerful weapon in Horizon Zero Dawn?

The upgraded Stormslinger is one of the best weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn. It can inflict powerful electrical damage that is pretty bad for most machines, as you understand. This weapon has the special feature of causing shock status as well. After a certain period of time and a few upgrades, the extra continuous shocks can be laid upon the enemies making them screech from the massive damage. From taking on large machines to dealing with some small mechanisms, the Improved Stormslinger is a very important weapon you can’t skip in HZD.

Are there any secret weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Yes, Horizon Zero Dawn has a few secret weapons a.k.a. Weapons of the Lodge. These weapons are the Lodge Blast Sling, Lodge Ropecaster, and the Lodge War Bow. They are not just very strong but also have a special gold plating on them. So they look pretty as well. Complete the complicated tasks in the area called the Hunting Grounds all over the game’s open world to get them.

What is the best arrow type in Horizon Zero Dawn?

It is very subjective and depends on the battle’s context, but in most cases, you won’t miss if you use a Fire Arrow with its powerful damage. This arrow works well on machines with the Blaze canisters or enemies who are weak to fire. When it sets enemies on fire, Fire Arrows cause continuous damage that could change the outcome quickly even in a very hard battle.

Is there a better spear in Horizon Zero Dawn than the first Aloy’s Spear?

There are no other spears. But you can upgrade the first Aloy’s spear in HZD. You can drastically improve its damage performance along with the special effects. One important upgrade you should get is given after beating the quest called “In Her Mother’s Footsteps”. Make sure to complete this quest as soon as you can.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are so many different Horizon Zero Dawn best weapons that you may get early or later during your game’s walkthrough. Make sure to read this guide carefully and then practice this theory while playing HZD. Your arsenal should not be limited with the Blast Sling for explosive encounters or precise Sharpshot Bow. Use and master all the weapons available in the game to have very fun and interesting battles.