There are plenty of weapons in Horizon Forbidden West and its Burning Shores DLC, but the legendary weapons make for the powerful and memorable options. These weapons are not only game-changers but are also versatile and flexible, adapting to the various combat situations the player will come across. Obtaining these weapons is relatively straightforward, albeit time-consuming, requiring the player to finish multiple tasks and quests across the Forbidden West. This is in addition to the amount of time spent getting the resources to upgrade the legendary weapons to their fullest and most deadly potential.
Horizon Forbidden West features a total of 26 legendary weapons, with nine belonging to the base game, eight arriving in a New Game+ update, and a final nine appearing in the Burning Shores DLC. Forbidden West streamlines the weapons from Horizon Zero Dawn while expanding on them, allowing for more play style experimentation. As a result, each weapon feels much more unique and less constraining, with players encouraged to have loadouts and builds depending on the situation. All weapons have their own unique benefits, but there are a certain few legendary weapons in Horizon Forbidden West that stand out over the others.
The Brawlbreaker Is A Situational New Game+ Weapon
The Brawlbreaker makes for a straightforward upgrade to Horizon Forbidden West‘s Boltblaster, offering minor percentage boosts to the weapon’s damage by default. This makes for an excellent New Game+ upgrade for fans of the Boltblaster, but the weapon tends to be too situational to make this one of the more competitive legendary weapons that the game has to offer. The best Boltblaster upgrades offer more unique features that help the weapon excel, outclassing the Brawlbreaker in the most relevant situations.
Eternal Vengeance Isn’t One Of The Best Burning Shores Legendary Weapons
Like the Brawlbreaker, Eternal Vengeance is a post-launch boltblaster addition to Horizon Forbidden West. Improved reload speed makes this a generally more competitive option to take down the new machines in Burning Shores, and a perk that increases its explosion chance can compound its potential damage. All the same, this still doesn’t compete with the best Boltblaster in Forbidden West.
The Tie That Binds Could Be More Useful In Burning Shores
The Tie That Binds makes for an excellent Ropecaster in the Burning Shores DLC, offering faster speeds and improved damage against multiple enemies. Unfortunately, this weapon doesn’t prove as useful as some others available in the DLC. Aloy’s companion Seyka uses a Ropeacaster, making equipping this particular weapon less useful than complementing Seyka’s Ropecaster with something more unique.
Distant Thunder Is A Solid Legendary Shredder Gauntlet
Like Boltblasters, Shredder Gauntlets are weapons that not all players will be drawn to. For those who are, Distant Thunder offers maximal raw damage output. A lack of elemental ammo options, however, means that it’s hard to make this weapon shine against certain enemies in the way that strategic use of elemental damage can.
Horizon Forbidden West Tripcasters Don’t Get Better Than All-Mother’s Blessing
All-Mother’s Blessing is a powerful Tripcaster option in Horizon Forbidden West New Game+, offering fire, shock, and plasma tripwires for players to employ against machines weak to these elements. This can be a useful tool for setting up an ambush or turning an enemy’s attack against it, but it’s far from necessary for success in combat.
Tinker’s Pride Is A Unique Legendary In Horizon Forbidden West
The Tinker’s Pride is for players who love setting up traps and funneling enemies into designated kill zones in Horizon Forbidden West. The weapon is armed with staggerbeams that inflict damage over time, shieldwires that deploy a protective barrier, and explosive tripwires that inflict massive damage and stagger even the largest of machines. However, the downside with The Tinker’s Pride is that the damage output is a bit sporadic, which can make for some unpredictable encounters with the machine and human enemies players encounter.
Not only do the explosive tripwires need to be reset, but when facing Horizon Forbidden West’s new and more aggressive machines, constant movement is crucial, and the shieldwires force the player to be stationary. Moreover, staggerbeams limit the tactical options during a fight, working best when paired with a weapon that can slow a machine like a ropecaster or a weapon with adhesive damage. To obtain the Tinker’s Pride, players will have to find and complete all 12 hunting ground trials littered across Horizon Forbidden West and earn the highest rating.
Rain of Sparks Is A Legendary Horizon Forbidden West Warrior Bow
Rain of Sparks is a powerful legendary weapon that nonetheless makes for one of the less essential New Game+ additions. Strong Tear damage potential when upgraded makes this weapon a beast on horseback, but its perks aren’t the most impressive overall for a Horizon Forbidden West Warrior bow. Many players could still make great use of Rain of Sparks as a strong Warrior bow, but it’s unlikely to be an essential for most.
Sun Scourge Gives Elemental Damage In Horizon Forbidden West
Out of the two legendary Hunter bows in Horizon Forbidden West, The Sun Scourge’s main difference is its focus on applying fire, frost, and acid status effects. While the weapon applies a large amount of elemental damage, it has a relatively slow reload speed. The weapon also leaves gaps in the player’s damage per second, potentially opening them for a counterattack.
There are better weapons and traps in Horizon Forbidden West that apply elemental damage quicker and have a higher reload speed. Also, upgrading The Sun Scourge would take a fair amount of time, lessening its practicality. Players need to complete the side quest unlocked after clearing out the five big rebel camps found across the Forbidden West to attain The Sun Scourge.
Shredder Gauntlet Fans Will Love The Final Chapter
Among the improvements Horizon Forbidden West made, from Aloy’s spear to the gear system, introducing the Shredder Gauntlet weapon type is one of the best. The New Game+ exclusive Final Chapter makes for a great Shredder Gauntlet in general, dealing extra damage against enemies affected by Shock to set up some powerful combos. All the same, it doesn’t stand out above an excellent Shredder Gauntlet already included in the base game.
Carja’s Bane Is A Close-Quarters Beast In Horizon Forbidden West
The Carja’s Bane leans on the close-quarters focused builds of Horizon Forbidden West, allowing players to dish out quick impact, tear, and fire damage before entering melee range. While its DPS is one of the highest, it has limited range and is more suited for smaller machines or humans than the massive hulking combat machines. The Carja’s Bane is acquired after winning the four gauntlet runs, Forbidden West‘s version of races.
Eye Of The Storm Is A Great Elemental Warrior Bow
Eye of the Storm is an even more interesting legendary Warrior bow than the Carja’s Bane, appearing for the first time in the Burning Shores DLC. With Frost, Shock, and Acid ammo, the Eye of the Storm delivers a strong array of Elemental possibilities. A chance to inflict Corrosion on enemies doubles down on its damage-dealing capabilities, making this a perfect weapon for players who like to get in close before devastating machines.
The Ancestor’s Return Is Great In Horizon Forbidden West
The Ancestor’s Return may seem like a traditional shredder gauntlet sticking and spinning on an enemy doing considerable damage before returning. Moreover, being a legendary weapon, it applies large amounts of acid and shock status effects while causing a big chunk of impact damage. However, like all shredder gauntlets, the downside is that the player needs to be proactive in using the Ancestor’s Return to do the maximum damage.
When ammo returns to the player, it stacks three times, creating an explosive charge when fired on the fourth. It’s a clever feature that exemplifies the improvements made to Horizon Forbidden West‘s weapons, but it isn’t without flaws. The ammo doesn’t always return directly, forcing the player to chase or dive for it. This sudden repositioning could leave the player in the wrong spot or lead to accidents like lunging into a wall to catch the ammo while dodging an attack. The Ancestor’s Return is unlocked after finding all nine relic ruins in Horizon Forbidden West and returning the ornaments to the Hidden Ember settlement.
Skyhammer Is A Strong Horizon Forbidden West Blastsling
Skyhammer has an interesting loadout for a Blastsling, with Fire, Frost, and Purgewater bombs. All of these can be put to great use in the right situations, but this Burning Shores legendary weapon truly excels when these elemental features can be combined with the weapon’s other perks. One powerful application can be found against the new Burning Shores machines Waterwings, which are weak to the Fire bombs and the additional aerial damage that Skyhammer brings to the table.
Horizon Forbidden West’s Blast Forge Is A Powerful Legendary
The Blast Forge is the go-to weapon when armor becomes too much of an obstacle in Horizon Forbidden West. While the weapon sports both advanced and piercing bolts, the actual damage of The Blast Forge comes in using its explosive bolts that have a higher chance of staggering machines while melting the bigger machines like the Grimhorn in Horizon Forbidden West. While it has better handling than most boltblasters in the game, it’s still very slow and cumbersome, especially when switching to different ammo types. The Blast Forge can be found in The Maw of the Arena for 80 arena medals.
The Legendary Gravesinger’s Lament Is A Superior Stealth Option
The Gravesinger’s Lament is one of the several excellent options for legendary Sharpshot bows. A new arrival in the Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC, this bow sees its best use for users that like taking enemies out while in stealth. When stealth isn’t an option, however, this can be narrowly outclassed by other contenders.
Legacy’s Reach Is An Explosive New Game+ Weapon
Legacy’s Reach makes for a particularly versatile New Game+ weapon. As a Blastsling that does significant explosive damage, it can take down intimidating enemies with ease. A bonus for damage at a distance allows this particular Blastsling to be strong at any reasonable range, making it an easy choice for players trying to fight large enemies or closely bunched groups.
The Forgefall Is For The Long-Range Hunter of Horizon Forbidden West
The Forgefall not only has one of the highest tear and impact damage stats in Horizon Forbidden West, but the weapon can apply massive amounts of plasma damage. Moreover, when paired with the proper mods and valor surge, the Forgefall can surpass its already beefy damage numbers. The tradeoff, however, is that the weapon has a minimal ammo count with only four tear/impact arrows and 20 plasma arrows split into two kinds of ammo groups.
As a result, the Forgefall is an excellent weapon to start a fight but is at a disadvantage in more prolonged, close-quarter battles with machines like Horizon Forbidden West‘s Slitherfang. Moreover, its low ammo count outweighs its viability in high mobile engagements against machines like the Scorcher. The Forgefall is purchased through the arena at The Maw of the Arena for 80 medals.
The Burning Shores Specter Gauntlet Is Like Nothing Else
The Specter Gauntlet is a Burning Shores addition that operates in a substantially different way from other legendary weapons in Horizon Forbidden West. As a Far Zenith creation, the Specter Gauntlet has a sleek design that stands out from the handmade aesthetic of typical Horizon weaponry, and its features reflect this. Its biggest advantage comes from a high damage output and a homing system that allows for targeting enemies in a way that other weapons can’t handle. On the flipside, its high-tech nature disallows the crafty progression that other weapons permit, although one Specter Gauntlet upgrade in Burning Shores is still possible.
New Game+ Sharpshot Bow Iriv’s Downfall Is Unique
Iriv’s Downfall is another Sharpshot bow, this one available in New Game+. Like a number of the New Game+ legendary weapons, it offers a different set of perks that slightly outdo the comparable base game legendary in many situations. Iriv’s Downfall is actually one of the most powerful weapons in the game, but is limited slightly by the rarity of the resources required to craft its ammunition.
The Skykiller Is A Strong Legendary Weapon In Horizon Forbidden West
The Skykiller deals massive amounts of explosive and fire damage that can stagger the most armored enemies. However, unlike other explosive legendary weapons, the Skykiller is very niche and best used on the bigger enemies to make its high ammo cost worthwhile. The Skykiller is unlocked through the side quest named, The Way Home, which appears towards the end of Horizon Forbidden West.
Horizon Forbidden West’s Defiance Can Do Big Impact Damage
Defiance is a New Game+ weapon that barely edges out the Skykiller, offering a minor improvement in damage while losing the edge in draw speed. The main advantage comes from the inclusion of Impact spikes among its weapon array, which can make a big difference against the right enemies. Either of these weapons make for excellent Spike Throwers, but if players only pick one up, Defiance is a slightly more versatile choice.
Wings Of The Ten Is A Must-Have Legendary Weapon In Horizon Forbidden West
The Wings of the Ten is one of the most simplistically devastating weapons in Horizon Forbidden West. Along with two kinds of explosive ammo with varying levels of damage, it also comes with adhesive ammo that slows machines to a crawl. Moreover, when combined with some of Horizon Forbidden West‘s valor surges, the weapon becomes much more adaptable and flexible to every combat situation. To own the Wings of the Ten, the player must find all twelve black boxes scattered throughout the Forbidden West and turn them into Untalla in The Memorial Grove.
Emperor’s Reign Is A Basic But Powerful Burning Shores Bow
Players who enjoy powerful Hunter bows are generally spoiled for choice when it comes to the best legendary weapons Horizon Forbidden West has to offer. Emperor’s Reign is one of these superior options, offering significant boosts to damage output with regular ammunition and providing a perfect choice for players who don’t want to invest in ammunition that requires rare components. It’s hard to get unique boosts against challenging enemies with the Emperor’s Reign, however, as other Hunter bows can deliver Elemental options that aren’t present with this particular bow.
Last Argument Is The Ultimate Burning Shores Spike Thrower
Burning Shores added a third option for legendary Spike Throwers, and this one stands out even above the other powerful choices. Its unique spike options come in the form of Plasma and Drill Spikes, which give the weapon more application against the beefiest enemies. If players luck into the minor percent chance of Brittle application that Last Argument adds, this damage can be significantly quantified. Defiance might still be slightly better for general use, but Last Argument’s devastating power against bosses makes this the ultimate Spike Thrower.
Horizon Forbidden West’s Best Legendary Weapon Is Death-Seeker’s Shadow
Tailored for mid-long-range combat, The Death-Seeker’s Shadow not only applies massive amounts of shock damage that stuns enemies, but it has the highest tear stats in the Horizon Forbidden West base game, easily surpassing both the Forgefall and Carja’s Bane. Moreover, the Death-Seeker’s Shadow has targeting arrows that guide overridden machines in attacking specific targets. This makes each fight much more effortless and takes full advantage of Horizon Forbidden West‘s improved AI. Extraordinarily versatile and devastating, the Death-Seeker’s Shadow is a must-have for any hunter’s kit, costing 80 medals at The Maw of the Arena.
Horizon Forbidden West’s Best Legendary Weapon Is Tears Of The Land-God
If any Hunter bow could outdo Death-Seeker’s Shadow, it’s Tears of the Land-God. Added as a New Game+ legendary weapon, Tears of the Land-God doubles down on the Tear prowess with advanced Hunter arrows that make breaking off components easier than ever. It still can’t outdo its competitor at shock damage, but for general use and Purgewater damage, this weapon is unmatched. As a versatile Hunter bow that can break down enemies faster than anything else, Tears of the Land-God is a benefit to any loadout and the best legendary weapon in Horizon Forbidden West.
Horizon Forbidden West‘s legendary weapons expand on Horizon Zero Dawn’s arsenal and create a more nuanced gameplay loop. This effectively allows players to experiment with various playstyles and builds, making the game feel more dynamic and responsive. Moreover, unlike other games with one-of-a-kind weapons, obtaining these legendary weapons not only boosts the damage potential of players but are tied back into the lore and narrative of the game. The legendary weapons are much more than tools in Horizon Forbidden West – they flesh out the world and gameplay while pushing players to be the best hunters possible.
