Horizon Forbidden West: Best Bows, Ranked

Highlights

Horizon: Forbidden West has multiple legendary bows with specialized arrows for different combat scenarios.
The Iriv’s Downfall bow, exclusive to New Game Plus, tackles enemy armor best from a distance with Precision arrows.
Carja’s Bane, the best bow in the game, requires winning all Gauntlet Runs to access its utility for hammering armor or setting foes ablaze.

As a seasoned Hunter and long-time resident of the Forbidden West, I must say that each weapon in this expansive world holds its own unique charm and power, but there’s something truly electrifying about wielding the Death-Seeker’s Shadow. Having spent countless hours in the Memorial Grove, I can attest to the Arena Medals feeling like a distant dream, but oh, what a prize it is!

In the game “Horizon: Forbidden West”, Aloy primarily uses bows and arrows as her primary weapons. Being a seasoned hunter, she skillfully targets her enemies from various distances, consistently striking their vulnerable spots. Similar to its prequel, “Horizon: Zero Dawn”, this new installment provides a variety of bows to select from.

Although some of these are clearly superior to others, they each serve particular purposes and feature specialized arrows for their designated tasks. Given Aloy’s battles against her robotic adversaries, it’s only logical that she should possess the finest weapons available. It requires a discerning eye not just to strike the target, but also to find the most effective bow in Forbidden West.

10 Firestorm Warrior Bow

Horizon Forbidden West: Best Bows, Ranked

Mod Slots	1 (Max 3 with upgrades)
Perks	Critical Hit Damage, Melee Follow Up

As a seasoned adventurer who’s seen my fair share of weapons, I can confidently say that the Firestorm Warrior Bow stands out as something truly remarkable. Unlike most rare weapons that are often lackluster in comparison to their legendary counterparts, this bow bucks the trend and delivers on its promise.

One disadvantage is that it’s mainly useful in close combat situations, yet it compensates with an extra benefit: damage increases when attacking with this weapon, thanks to being near a park. Interestingly, this bow becomes available only after resolving conflict, serving as a reward for completing the Gate of the Vanquished side quest’s power struggle.

9 Regalla’s Wrath

Mod Slots	1 (Max 3 with upgrades)
Perks	Long-Range Damage, Overdraw Damage, Reload Speed

In the game’s standard version, Regalla’s Fury is among the strongest bows equipped with Sharpshot technology, easily accessible for players who advance the main storyline until Aloy faces off against Regalla in their climactic encounter. If you opt to defeat Regalla when given the opportunity, this powerful bow becomes yours as a reward.

As a seasoned sniper who’s spent countless hours in the field, I can confidently say that the Sharpshot Bow is an absolute gem. Its ability to take down enemies from a distance has saved my hide more times than I care to count. The overdraw damage increase, long-range damage boost, and faster reload speed are just the buffs every sniper dreams of. When combined, they make this bow a formidable weapon that can turn any battle in your favor.

8 Iriv’s Downfall

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Concentration Damage, Instant Shocked Chance, Overdraw Damage, Critical Hit Damage, Instant Explosion Chance

Having spent countless hours on the battlefield and honing my skills as an archer, I can confidently say that this Legendary Sharpshot Bow is nothing short of exceptional. It stands out among its peers, undoubtedly the best at what it does. The weapon comes equipped with a variety of arrows – from regular to Elite to Tearing – which make it perfect for stripping away enemy armor from afar. With my own battle-tested experience, I can attest that this bow is an invaluable asset when facing formidable opponents.

The benefits of this bow significantly enhance its impact, especially when enhanced, making it much simpler to hit crucial shots. Regrettably, players can’t obtain this bow during regular gameplay; they need to get it in New Game Plus instead. If you speak with any vendors, they will offer it for sale using Champion Coins, which are earned by completing quests in this mode.

7 Rain Of Sparks

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Knockdown Damage, Instant Burning Chance, Critical Hit Damage, Critical Hit Chance

As a gamer, I’ve just come across another Legendary bow, this time of the Warrior kind crafted by the Oseram people. Contrary to its name, it doesn’t deal Shock damage as you might expect. Instead, it shines with its expertise in Light arrows. The basic ones are decent for Impact damage, but they’re not what makes this bow stand out. The real appeal lies elsewhere.

Instead of Rain of Sparks being exceptional at Adhesive Light arrows, it shines with Sticky Flare bolts that cling to enemies and slow them down. Using this bow allows players to impede the progress of foes instantly, without needing to lay a trap first. This is particularly useful for unexpected situations where Aloy requires an immediate advantage. Notably, she can easily acquire this bow by spending a few Champion Coins in New Game Plus.

6 Sun Scourge

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Instant Brittle Chance, Agility Damage, Overdraw Damage, Reload Speed, Aerial Enemy Damage

As a seasoned hunter who has traversed the harsh landscapes of the world, I can confidently say that the Sun Scourge is a formidable weapon to have in one’s arsenal. Its craftsmanship speaks volumes about the skill of its creator, and it’s easy to see why it was meant for toppling kingdoms.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that this game seems to be designed with a keen understanding of what players want. The mechanics of tracking perks based on Agility, Overdraw, and whether enemies are in the air is an innovative touch that adds a strategic depth to the gameplay. It’s clear that the developers have put thought into creating a challenging and engaging experience for gamers.

5 Tears Of The Land-God

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Long-Range Damage, Concentration Damage, Overdraw Damage, Draw Speed, Component Tear

As a gamer, I found myself wielding a legendary bow, the Hunter’s Lament. This bow, crafted with reverence for those who have fallen, seems to carry a chilling legacy. Its arrows, when released, shower down like a relentless storm – an image that might be overstated, but not too far from the truth.

In the game “Tear of the Land-God”, you’ll find an array of sophisticated Hunter arrows for Advanced Hunters. The Accuracy and Marksmanship types inflict significant Blast damage, especially with the bonus that amplifies Tearing. Moreover, the bow uses Water Purge projectiles, which I suppose is where the metaphor lies. With the boosted draw speed (again, thanks to perks), these arrows will seem like a deadly downpour. Another weapon is definitely worth spending Champion Coins for in New Game Plus.

4 Forgefall

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Draw Speed, Concentration Damage, Overdraw Damage, Aerial Enemy Damage, Shocked Enemy Damage

Once players successfully complete the Arena trials hidden within Memorial Grove, they’ll gain access to purchasing the initial legendary weapons found in the main game from Prize Master Dukkah. Among these is Forgefall, a top-tier variant of the Sharpshot Bow that requires 80 Arena Medals as payment. This bow reigns supreme within its class until the New Game Plus mode kicks in.

After being fully upgraded, the Forgefall provides three distinct arrow types:

3 The Blast Forge

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Draw Speed, Critical Hit Chance, Overdraw Damage, Reload Speed, Instant Shocked Chance

As a gamer, I’d say the Blast Forge is the ultimate Boltblaster, ruling supreme as the most powerful weapon to disintegrate those towering machine adversaries in the base game. Similar to the Forgefall, it can be obtained from Dukkah, but only after you’ve amassed 80 Arena Medals within the Maw of the Arena, hidden behind the Memorial Grove. Once this area is unlocked, that’s where you’ll find it!

The power of the Blast Forge is demonstrated in its capability to inflict heavy damage on virtually any target, be it a Slitherfang, Tideripper, or Slaughterspine. An enhanced Blast Forge can reduce even the toughest targets to nothing with a Sustained Burst. Its ammunition includes Advanced Bolts for maximum damage, Explosive Bolts for knocking down and staggering enemies while still causing significant damage, and Piercing Bolts to penetrate heavily armored adversaries.

2 Death-Seeker’s Shadow

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Critical Hit Chance, Shocked Enemy Damage, Overdraw Damage, Knockdown Damage, Critical Hit Damage

These two artifacts, the Death-Seeker’s Specter and the Tears of the Terran Deity, are essentially twin bows forged by legend. They are equipped with enhanced arrows, serving as formidable weapons capable of dealing substantial Impact damage. Interestingly, they share a unique attribute – an arrow imbued with Shock element.

To clarify, the enigmatic Death-seeker’s Shadow weapon improves slightly in terms of performance. Its attributes boost its damage output significantly. Additionally, the targeting arrows provide an advantage for those using a controller to aim more accurately. However, console users who didn’t have access to PlayStation during Horizon’s exclusive run might face challenges since it was initially a PlayStation exclusive title. To obtain this formidable bow, players must accumulate a substantial number of medals in the arena as a reward.

1 Carja’s Bane

Mod Slots	3 (Max 5 with upgrades)
Perks	Agility Damage, Corroding Enemy Damage, Knockdown Power, Melee Follow-Up

A remnant from the days of the Red Raids, Carja’s Bane is another renowned Legendary Warrior bow. As expected, it discharges arrows of a fiery red hue, causing Impact damage upon impact. What sets it apart, though, are its Fire arrows that deal Burning damage when rapidly fired in succession. This relentless barrage of projectiles can either strip an enemy’s armor or ignite them, making their survival precarious at best. Those on the receiving end will likely not last long.

Obtaining Carja’s Bane requires some effort, and Aloy earns it by participating in the Gauntlet Runs. These are fast-paced horse races against other competitors. Completing all four Gauntlets not only offers a great feeling of triumph, but also rewards players with the most powerful bow available in the game.

2024-08-13 17:54