Summary
In therecently remasteredHorizon Zero Dawn, weapons are essential for combat against humans and machines. While different weapons suit different play styles, there are plenty of early-game choices to allow beginners to advance their combat styles. Some of the best early weapons combine elemental damage traits with high levels of damage. This ranking outlines the best weapons to grab early on in the game for the best chances, what they do, and how to find them.
To make the most of these weapons, players should endeavor to upgrade whenever possible to increase their efficacy, as well as learn how to use combos to maximize the power of multiple weapons at once, with some stunning while others dealing quick kills.
8Shadow Sling
Low Damage Attacks
Availableafter players reach Daytower, this can be considered an early-mid-game addition. The sling fires element loads at enemies. This does not deal much damage but makes enemies more vulnerable to follow-up attacks using elemental damage. Overall, this is not the most useful or quick weapon, but it does prime enemies to be attacked with other weapons.
The shadow sling deals various elemental loads, including fire, freeze, and shock, leaving large areas of elemental damage upon impact.
7Carja Blast Sling
Use With Sticky Bombs For Maximum Damage
This is a ranged weapon, available from merchants early on in the game. This weapon fires slowly but deals a high level of damage, causing carnage that’s great for halting combat. This is an incredibly versatile weapon, with the ability to be used alongside Proximity Bombs, Sticky Bombs, and Blast Bombs, meaning they can be used in a variety of offensive and defensive weapons.
Using the Carja Blast Sling with Sticky Bombs is particularly effective for dealing damage, and they work well in ambush scenarios due to the large areas they destroy.
6Shadow Rattler
Best Used At Close Range
The Shadow Rattler is great for close-range combat. The ammo used for this weapon, rapid-fire metal bolts, is great for breaking components of machines and killing nearby enemies. That said, the Shadow Rattler is only good at close-range, and less effective if the player needs accuracy in firing.
While this is not the most popular weapon among players, it certainly has its benefits. The rattler can be purchased from merchants but must be upgraded to reach the Shadow level.
5Carja War Bow
Good For Tactical Attacks
This is not the most high-impact weapon inHorizon Zero Dawn, but it is useful for paralyzing enemies and other tactical moves in strategic combat scenarios. The paralyzing quality can give players extra time against multiple enemies, especially when usingShock Arrows. Alternatively, players can use Corruption Arrows to cause infighting among enemies.
TheCarjaWar Bow can be purchased from merchants after players reach Daytower and can be upgraded.
4Carja Hunter Bow
Use With Fire Arrows For Maximum Damage
This is a popular, versatile weapon among players ofHorizon Zero Dawn Remastered. It’s great for killing enemies up to a medium range. One form of ammo used by the Carja Hunter Bow are Fire Arrows, a particularly cheap form of ammunition that is great for targeting machines with fire vulnerability.
The only issue with this weapon is its limited damage, but it makes an effective, early weapon for general combat. This bow is available after players have reached the Mother’s Crown area of the map.
3Carja Sling
Versatile And Popular
One of the more popular weapons in the game,the Carja Sling is perfect for stunning enemies, allowing the player to buy time during intensive combat with elemental damage. Players can use Freeze and Shock bombs with this sling, making it versatile while dealing a large area of damage.
The Carja Sling is rare and only found at merchants after players have reached the Devil’s Thirst region of the map, costing a combination of Metal Shards and Blaze.
2Carja Tripcaster
Deals Varied Elemental Damage
An example of a stealth weapon,this item sets up a trip wire between two points to deal damage to enemies. It’s best used on larger enemies and allows players to work from a distance. Players can use three types of ammunition: shock, blast, or fire, so they can deal their preferred type of damage to machine enemies.
The Carja Tripcaster is another weapon available to purchase directly from merchants after reaching the Mother’s Crown area, requiring Metal Shards and Chillwater.
1Carja Sharpshot Bow
Super Effective With Tearblast Arrows
For dealing with tougher enemies, this is a great weapon available early in the game. Players should purchase Tearblast Arrows to use with the Carja Sharpshot because they have a very high tear impact, whichstrips armor and weaponsfrom enemies. Altogether, this is an extremely effective weapon to employ in tricky combat scenarios, with long-range shooting abilities and a high level of accuracy.
The Carja Sharpshot Bow can be purchased from merchants, but only after players can reach the Mother’s Crown region of the map. The resources needed to pay for the Carja Sharpshot may take a while to gather but are definitely worth saving for this item.
