Horizon Forbidden Westis one of the greatest video game sequels in recent memory, offering a plethora of improvements over its predecessor. One of the most notable upgrades the game makes is in the progression systems, specifically, the skill trees players invest points in to enhance Aloy’s abilities.
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Each skill tree revolves around a different playstyle, whether that’s using a stealth approach to take down enemies or facing them head-on in pitched combat. While every skill tree has its useful perks, they’re not all equal in terms of utility. Some skill trees offer a far better investment for each allotted skill point than others, and the abilities found there can be crucial for taking on some ofHorizon Forbidden West’s toughest foes.
Updated on January 26th, 2023 by Hodey Johns:Players who do enough work will eventually get access to every skill in the game. But that requires doing hard work, completing quests over and over until finally filling out the trees. Players have to start somewhere and this list should give this a good idea of where to start. While every player should start with the trees that most benefit the style they play with, some of these styles have clear favoritism from the community. Other trees are a bit cooler, especially if they don’t transform or greatly boost the weapons they correspond with. This list has been redone and contains new information about what each tree excels at doing.
9Trapper
The Trapper skill tree is entirely devoted to boosting Aloy’s ability to set traps for hostile machines. Some of the best perks found on this tree are increases to Aloy’s maximum trap limit and increased resource retrieval when recovering a placed trap. Players can also acquire special abilities for their Tripcasters and Ropecasters as part of this skill tree, though not enough to make them quite feel dominant.
Trap-setting inHorizon Forbidden Westis a viable way to play the game, but it hardly ever feels necessary. Trapping is also a slow-paced way to play, especially when the moment-to-moment combat is so much fun. Additionally, the introduction of a trap limit feels like a step back fromHorizon Zero Dawnand renders many of the Trapper skills frustrating as a result. The game is one ofthe best-looking titles on the PlayStation 5and the combat is top-tier, but using traps still feels like a slog even with a full investment into the Trapper tree.
8Machine Master
The Machine Master skill tree is an exciting new addition to theHorizonseries, even if many of the skills aren’t all that great. This skill tree focuses on enhancing Aloy’s ability to override and control the game’s powerful machines,with perks dedicated to increasing override time, boosting overridden machine damage, and providing Aloy with buffs while using a machine mount.
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The issue here is somewhat apparent as some of the most dangerous enemies can’t be hacked. There is a buff to the Spike Thrower with the Machine Master tree, butunless the game changes how traps are doneat its core, the weapon remains niche at best.
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4Hunter
The value of the Hunter Skill tree entirely depends on how often players can remain in mid-range combat. The Hunter Bow is a favorite for many gamers, and this skill tree provides a range of useful abilities for it along with the much less beloved Boltcaster.
Archers of all kinds of bows can find boosts to Aloy’s Concentration in this skill tree, a unique ability that allows her to slow down time while aiming her bow, as well as resource reductions for ammo crafting. Increased weapon stamina and Valor build-up also enable Aloy to use weapon techniques and Valor Surges more frequently. There is little more satisfying than watchingthe great facial animationsas Aloy snipes a vulnerable spot off of an enemy’s body. This tree increases the number of those moments.
3Survivor
The Survivor skill tree is fantastic for making the most out of healing and dealing damage while wounded. This skill tree is all about durability, which means increased medicinal berry and potion healing as well as larger pouches to hold more berries. Aloy can also gain special buffs to damage output and resistance when at low health, making this a vital skill treefor those players just starting out.
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The Survivor tree also boasts a selection of weapon techniques that enhance Aloy’s Blastslings and Shredder Gauntlets. Its Valor Surges are equally impressive, offering powerful healing in a pinch or setting Aloy up with a unique shield that absorbs damage and recharges when depleted.
2Warrior
The Warrior skill tree is where all the new melee combos and damage buffs can be found, and allotting points to this skill tree will unlock the broader melee systemsHorizon Forbidden Westboasts. Special attacks like the Destroyer and Spinning Scythe make it easier for Aloy to take on the human foes she encounters on her journey, and passive perks can increase her melee damage, among other boosts.
The Warrior skill tree also offers an array of weapon abilities for the Warrior Bow, a short-range weapon that is supposed to bolster melee combat. The Warrior Bow isn’t necessarily well-loved, but that doesn’t take away from the unique moves that are only offered in this tree, making the game one ofthe best RPGs in the year it was released.
1Infiltrator
The Infiltrator skill tree is all about stealth gameplay:keeping to the shadows and picking enemies off one by one, either up close or at range with a specialized Sharpshot Bow. There are quite a few useful perks in this tree, from increased stealth damage to healing when using the silent spear strike. Its second Valor Surge, Radial Blast, also creates a large blast that stuns any nearby enemies with Shock damage.
The two weapons boosted by the Infiltrator skills, the Spears and the Sharpshot Bows, are amongthe best weapons in the gameand players can easily beat the game with just those two options. Infiltrators will wipe out entire areas without risking attack. Even in boss fights, the tree excels at giving players the chance to crush all backup.
Horizon Forbidden Westis available now for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
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