Horizon Forbidden West takes significant strides beyond its predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, notably enhancing its range of status effects. While the original featured a limited selection, the sequel brings forth a wealth of new and returning effects that enrich gameplay.
This installment introduces an array of elemental and non-elemental status effects, deepening combat complexity and strategic options. To assist you in navigating this new territory, this guide elucidates each status effect for better comprehension.
Comprehensive Guide to Elemental Status Effects in Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West retains the original four elemental status effects from Horizon Zero Dawn but with important adjustments. Fire, Shock, and Frost maintain their core functions, while Corruption has evolved into Berserk, reclassifying it as an afflicted status effect rather than elemental.
Overall, players can utilize six elemental status effects in Horizon Forbidden West:
- Fire
- Frost
- Shock
- Acid
- Purge water
- Plasma
These freshly minted and familiar effects create diverse tactical choices, allowing players to exploit enemy vulnerabilities effectively.
Fire Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
The Fire status effect ignites enemies, inflicting damage over time with reduced effectiveness compared to Horizon Zero Dawn. Many machines now show a decreased vulnerability to fire attacks, requiring players to employ a more nuanced approach.
Frost Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
Among all effects, Frost remains exceptionally formidable. It places enemies in a brittle state, drastically slowing them down and making their armor less effective. Additionally, any direct damage inflicted while the effect is active experiences a boost, making it a prime choice for dealing substantial damage rapidly.
Shock Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
The Shock status effect stuns enemies temporarily, rendering them susceptible to critical hits. This effect can be crucial when the tide of battle shifts against you, but be mindful that a Ropecaster may offer similar results.
Acid Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
Acid status provides a distinctive mechanic reminiscent of both Fire and Frost. It inflicts a corroding state on enemies, diminishing their armor while offering damage over time. This effect also increases critical hit chances, maximizing potential damage output.
Be cautioned; Acid should not be confused with the Corruption status from its predecessor, as their applications greatly differ.
Purgewater Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
This new introduction in Horizon Forbidden West creates a Drenched state that nullifies enemies’ elemental resistances and disables their elemental attacks for a limited duration. Although useful, many players may find Purgewater to be a comparatively weaker option.
Plasma Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
The Plasma status effect is another innovative addition, inflicting significant explosion damage upon expiration. Notably, dealing damage to the enemy while this status is active amplifies both the damage and the explosion’s radius.
Overview of Afflicted Status Effects in Horizon Forbidden West
This sequel also introduces a new classification of non-elemental effects known as Afflicted Status Effects, unavailable in Horizon Zero Dawn. These debuffs can only affect Aloy, introducing various challenges in combat. Below is a list of all afflicted effects in the game:
- Adhesive
- Binding
- Berserk
- Blinded and Deafened
- Crushed
- Consumables Blocked
- Confused
- Damage Amplified and Damage Dampened
- Focus Scrambled
- Stamina Drain
- Tremor
- Tracked
Adhesive Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
Similar to elemental effects, the Adhesive status is activated by targeting enemies consistently with designated ammunition until the status bar fills. When active, this effect restricts enemy movement and inhibits actions such as jumping and charging, greatly hampering their combat efficiency.
Binding Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
Somewhat reminiscent of its use in Horizon Zero Dawn, the Binding status effect is achieved by utilizing a Ropecaster to ensnare a machine. Once filled, this status effect immobilizes the enemy for a set duration, with damage inflicted during this time reducing its overall duration.
Berserk Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
Replacing the Corruption effect from Horizon Zero Dawn, Berserk prompts both machines and human enemies to target their allies for a designated period. Following the end of this effect, enemies revert to their default behavior, so maintaining distance from the chaos is advisable.
Blinded and Deafened Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
- Blinded: This effect limits Aloy’s sprinting capability and visibility for 6 seconds when applied.
- Deafened: Affecting both Aloy and enemies, this status hampers movements and actions for around 2 seconds.
Crushed Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
The Crushed status can only affect Aloy, immobilizing her ability to sprint or aim initially for three seconds while also significantly slowing her movements. This effect further complicates gameplay by causing damage whenever she attempts certain actions for the subsequent 35 seconds.
Consumables Blocked Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
This status effect prevents Aloy from utilizing potions or food; however, she can still consume Medicinal Berries to recover health momentarily.
Confused Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
The Confused effect is triggered when Aloy utilizes a Smoke Bomb, causing enemies to lose track of her. It is essential to note that inflicting damage on confused targets will rapidly terminate the effect.
Damage Amplified and Damage Dampened Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
- Damage Amplified: This effect bolsters machine damage output by 25% for a certain duration.
- Damage Dampened: Aloy’s damage is reduced by 30% for 25 seconds under this effect.
Focus Scrambled Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
When affected by the Focus Scrambled status for 35 seconds, Aloy loses the ability to utilize her Focus. Consequently, this status severely hampers her tactical awareness and strategic planning, caused by enemies like Thunderjaws, Dreadwings, and certain human foes.
Stamina Drain Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
Only affecting Aloy, the Stamina Drain effect depletes 10 stamina per second for a total duration of 25 seconds and halts any stamina regeneration throughout this time.
Tremor Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
This status effect momentarily limits Aloy’s movement to her walking speed for 1.5 seconds.
Tracked Status Effect in Horizon Forbidden West
Imposing the Tracked status on Aloy reveals her location to nearby enemies for 35 seconds, allowing them to easily target her even in stealth mode.
Applying Elemental Status Effects: A Step-by-Step Guide
Players familiar with Horizon Zero Dawn will find that applying elemental status effects in Horizon Forbidden West remains straightforward. To activate a status effect, one must attack foes using the designated elemental ammunition until the associated status meter fills completely.
Once full, a white circular timer will appear, indicating the duration the status effect will remain active on the enemy. It is imperative to refrain from utilizing the same elemental ammunition on that target post-timer, as this will not extend the effect’s duration and would waste valuable resources.
Leave a Reply