15 Best Horizon Forbidden West Weapons, Ranked (2024)

Horizon Forbidden West debuted on February 18, 2022, much to the excitement of fans eagerly waiting to see how the sequel had changed and added to the first installment. The sequel to the 2017 hit delivered several improvements over the original game, including more types of machines, better enemy AI, and improved stealth and melee mechanics.

Additionally, several creative weapon types are available for Horizon Forbidden West players. These include but aren’t limited to, spike throwers, sharpshooter bows, and shredder gauntlets. With such a wide variety, players will immediately want to know Horizon Forbidden West’s best weapons.

Updated on May 24, 2024: Horizon Forbidden West has a plethora of weapons and weapon types to choose from. With so many, it can be hard to know which ones to use in any given situation. This article has been updated to include more weapons and to meet CBR's editorial and formatting standards.

15 The Prototype Spike Thrower Is Slow To Start But Packs An Explosive Finish

This Spike Thrower is a Strong Early Game Weapon

The Prototype Spike Thrower is a strong weapon that players can unlock fairly early in the story. After completing the main quest, “To the Brink,” and completing an errand in Chainscrape, called “A Bigger Boom,” players can access this armament.

While the Prototype Spike Thrower has a bit of a charge-up time, its ability to pierce armor makes the trade-off well worth it. Moreover, the spikes you discharge from the weapon explode shortly after sticking to their intended target, dealing extra damage. Note that these explosions can destroy machine parts players could otherwise harvest, so be careful where you aim.

14 Carja’s Bane Is An Excellent Choice For Dealing Fire Damage

Carja's Bane is Worth the Grind

It’s hard to find a better choice than Carja’s Bane for those who want to dish out a ton of fire damage. Obtaining it is no easy task; however, players must complete all four Gauntlet Runs if they wish to wield this awesome bow.

So, it’s vital to know that Carja’s Bane is one of the most time-consuming weapons to unlock in the entire game. Conversely, it’s also one of the best weapons for dishing out close-quarters damage. Also, arrows from Carja’s Bane are armor-piercing, making it a good choice for almost any combat situation.

13 Death-Seeker’s Shadow Is A Shockingly Good Armor Shredder

One of the Fastest Firing Bows

Death-Seeker’s Shadow is another bow that excels at destroying enemy armor. Still, it’s another weapon that takes a lot of time and dedication to unlock. Players will have to both open the Arena and win 80 medals before they can trade them for this powerhouse.

Ultimately, though, Death-Seeker’s Shadow is well worth this effort. The weapon boasts nearly unmatched fire speed and can inflict electric damage on enemies, too. Death-Seeker’s Shadow also comes with five coil slots, enabling players to upgrade it further and make it even stronger.

12 The Sun Scourge Has A Different Element For Every Occasion

The Sun Scourge is Very Versatile

The Sun Scourge is yet another incredibly powerful bow and will, accordingly, take a lot of work to unlock. To get their hands on this bow, players must conquer all five of the Rebel Camps within Horizon Forbidden West.

Regardless of this difficulty, acquiring the Sun Scourge is well worth the effort, and players won’t be disappointed. First, the Sun Scourge has a quick draw time, which significantly helps players take down fast-moving targets. Second, where the Sun Scourge truly shines is with its three elemental arrow types – which give players the ability to wield fire, ice, and poison arrows.

The Wings of Ten is a Valuable Investment

The Wings of the Ten is a powerful Blastsling, a type of slingshot within the game. Players must first ensure they have the Vine Cutter and Diving Masks before collecting the 12 Black Box voice recordings necessary to obtain this weapon.

Like many other armaments throughout Horizon Forbidden West, acquiring the Wings of the Ten is a bit of a time sink. Still, this time investment provides an invaluable reward in the long run. The Wings of the Ten uses explosive rounds to immobilize one’s opponents, rendering them unable to act and, subsequently, easier to take out.

10 Tinker's Pride Is An Ideal Choice For Players Who Like Setting Traps

The Best Tripcaster in the Game

Tinker’s Pride is part of the Tripcaster subclass of weapons in Horizon Forbidden West. Tripcasters are weapons designed to ensnare one’s enemies and make them easier to take down. To obtain this particular Tripcaster, players will need to achieve the maximum number of points possible in all 12 of the Hunting Ground trials.

For those who like setting up traps and watching an unsuspecting enemy reward their patience, there’s no better choice than a Tripcaster, particularly Tinker’s Pride. Players can use Tinker’s Pride to set up wired explosive traps that activate whenever an enemy steps on them. This weapon also comes with three types of tripwires for dealing with various enemies.

9 The Forgefall Is Capable Of Blasting Enemies With Armor-Destroying Plasma Damage

The Perfect Weapon to Break Any Defense

Forgefall is a mighty Sharpshot bow worth the grind players must undergo to secure it. Much like Death-Seeker’s Shadow, the Forgefall requires players to acquire and trade in 80 arena medals to obtain it.

Although this cost seems exorbitant, the Forgefall is worth every second spent. Many consider this bow one of the best long-range weapons in the entire game. Not only can the Forgefall deal strong blasts of Plasma damage, but it also has armor-penetrating arrows. Moreover, players can combine these two effects for an extra burst of power against almost any enemy.

8 The Skykiller Lets Players Throw Explosive And Flaming Projectiles

The Way Home Leads to the Skykiller

The Skykiller is similar to the Prototype Spike Thrower, but this particular Spike Thrower has a few features that separate it from its competition. Players can obtain The Skykiller by completing the side quest called “The Way Home.” The only downside to this weapon is that this quest doesn’t become playable until players finish most of the game.

The Skykiller is still worth picking up, as its damage output alone makes it a spike throw worth using. Additionally, The Skykiller gives wielders access to classic spikes and Explosive and Flaming projectiles.

7 Rain of Sparks Deals Massive Damage Up Close

A Master Class in Meele Combat

The Rain of Sparks is a Warrior Bow that is very effective in close quarter combat since it has a high damage output. Players can obtain the Rain of Sparks through any merchant in the game in New Game Plus.

If players prefer an aggressive combat style, they should equip the Rain of Sparks with coils that have the Melee Follow-up or Melee Detonator effects. Since players will be up close and personal with enemies, these effects will deal extra damage to take them out fast.

6 Irv's Downfall has Incredible Impact Damage

Fantastic for High Damage with One Shot

Irv's Downfall in Horizon Forbidden West is a powerful Sharpshot Bow, known for its devastating single-shot potential. This bow excels at dealing significant damage in a single hit, making it ideal for taking down large machines or heavily armored enemies.

Irv's Downfall is a fantastic weapon for players who prefer a more strategic, long-range combat approach. It allows players to take down powerful enemies efficiently, but requires patience and precise aiming to get the most out of it.

5 Legacy's Reach Explodes Enemies Away

A Well-rounded Weapon for Any Occasion

Legacy's Reach is known for its well-rounded capabilities. It can handle both single targets and groups of enemies efficiently due to its decent blast radius and damage output. It boasts a built-in perk that inflicts damage over time on enemies, making it particularly effective against larger machines with high health pools. This damage can come from either explosive or acid effects, depending on the type of bomb you use.

Players can only acquire Legacy's Reach after completing the main story and starting a New Game Plus playthrough.​​​​​​​ Players will need Champion Tokens, a special currency earned from defeating challenging enemies or completing specific tasks in NG+.

4 Defiance Offers Power and Versatility

The Defiance has an Excellent Selection of Ammo

Defiance is considered one of the most potent weapons in the game, particularly effective against larger machines. It boasts exceptional impact damage, which can cripple or even knock down some enemies.​​​​​​​ While excelling in close quarters, Defiance offers some flexibility. It can be used with different ammo types, allowing players to tailor their approach, adding a lot of versatility.

Although it's powerful, Defiance's effectiveness relies heavily on getting close to enemies, which can be risky against some foes. Additionally, it has a slower firing rate compared to other weapons.

3 The Final Chapter is a Great Final Weapon

A Strong Weapon with a lot of Customization

The Final Chapter is a strong contender for Horizon Forbidden West's "final" weapon. Thanks to its multi-shredder functionality and valuable perks, it offers a versatile and powerful combat experience. ​​​​​​​It comes equipped with three different shredder options: Advanced, Piercing, and Tear. This allows players to adapt their approach depending on the enemy's weaknesses.

Players can customize The Final Chapter with coils that enhance specific aspects, such as "Impact Damage" or "Tear Damage," to further specialize against certain enemies. With its additional perks like Damage Over Time, it'll deal some of the most damage out of any weapon in the game.

2 Ancestor's Return Feels Like It Comes With Its Own Damage-Scaling Minigame

The Relic Ruins Gives Players the Ancestor's Return

Ancestor’s Return is the only Shredder Gauntlet in the top 10 best weapons in Horizon Forbidden West. It is the most powerful choice in its subclass and one of the strongest weapons in the entire game. To obtain Ancestor’s Return, players must complete all nine Relic Ruins and return them to Stemmur in Hidden Ember.

Not only is Ancestor’s Return remarkably potent, but it’s also quite enjoyable to use. After a successful hit with Ancestor’s Return, a player needs to catch it as it rebounds off an enemy. A successful catch allows players to deal more damage with their next throw. This bonus is stackable, too, providing even more potential damage.

1 It's Hard To Top The Blast Forge's Raw Power

Pierce Any Armor with The Blast Forge

Those simply interested in the single best weapon in Horizon Forbidden West need look no further than the legendary Boltblaster, The Blast Forge. Like other of the best weapons in Horizon Forbidden West, players will need to trade in 80 hard-earned arena medals to get their hands on it.

Despite this cost, The Blast Forge is a steal at its price, and players can count on it in virtually any situation. The Blast Forge excels at piercing armor and comes with not one but three different types of blots to help players accomplish almost any task. Furthermore, natural perks that improve draw speed and critical hit chance increase The Blast Forge’s overall effectiveness.

Horizon Forbidden West

Join Aloy as she braves the Forbidden West – a majestic but dangerous frontier that conceals mysterious new threats.

Publisher

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre

Action, Adventure

Mode

Single-player

Platform

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows