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Horizon Forbidden Westsurpasses its predecessor,Horizon Zero Dawn, in almost every aspect of the game, including its status effects. While the previous entry only offered a handful of status effects, the acclaimed sequel significantly expands on this feature.
The sequel introduces several new elemental and non-elemental status effects,adding greater depth to combat and strategy. However, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed, as the guide below will help clear any doubts and provide a comprehensive understanding of each status effect.
All Elemental Status Effects In Horizon Forbidden West
The original four elemental status effects fromHorizon Zero Dawnmake a return inHorizon Forbidden West, though some changes have been made. While Fire, Shock, and Frost function much the same as before,Corruption has been reworked into Berserk. Unlike the others, Berserk is now classified as an afflicted status effect rather than an elemental one.
In total, there aresix elemental status effectsinHorizon Forbidden West:
These new and returning effects offer more variety in combat and provide additional tools to exploit enemy weaknesses.
Fire Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Fire status effect does exactly what you’d expect — itsets enemies on fire and causes damage over time. However, it’s not as overpowered as it was inHorizon Zero Dawn. InHorizon Forbidden West, fewer machines are vulnerable to Fire, making it a less effective tactic than before.
Frost Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Frost status effect remainsone of the most powerfulinHorizon Forbidden West. When applied, it puts enemies into abrittle state, slowing their movement and negating their armor’s effectiveness. That’s not all — any direct damage dealt to enemies is significantly increased while the effect is active.
Frost is an excellent choice if youwant to deal massive damagein a short amount of time.
Shock Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
When the Shock status effect is applied, the enemy istemporarily stunned and left vulnerable to critical strikes. It’s a useful status effect to employ when you’re feeling overwhelmed, as it gives you an opportunity to regain control of the fight. However, it’s worth noting that aRopecaster can achieve a similar result.
Acid Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Acid status effect inHorizon Forbidden Westfeels likea blend of Fire and Frost. When applied, it puts enemies into acorroding state, significantly reducing their armor protection and dealing damage over time. Additionally, while the effect is active, your chance to land critical strikes is increased, making it a powerful tool for maximizing damage output.
It’s important not to confuse the Acid status effect with Corruption fromHorizon Zero Dawn. While their symbols may look similar, they function very differently.
Purgewater Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Purgewater status effect is one of the new additions inHorizon Forbidden West. When applied, it puts enemies into aDrenched statefor a set duration. During this time, all of the enemy’selemental resistances are removed, and they are unable to deal elemental damage. Machines also lose access to their specific elemental attacks while the effect is active.
While this can be sometimes useful, Purgewater is arguablyone of the weaker elemental status effectsin the game. In most cases, you’re better off using a different status effect.
Plasma Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Plasma status effect is another new addition inHorizon Forbidden Westand offers an interesting mechanic. When applied, the enemy will suffersignificant explosion damage once the effect wears off. The unique aspect of Plasma is that dealing damage to the enemy while the status effect is active will further increase the explosion’s damage and radius.
All Afflicted Status Effects In Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden Westintroduces a new category of non-elemental status effects called Afflicted Status Effects, many of which were not available inHorizon Zero Dawn. These effects can only be applied to Aloy, offering avariety of debuffs and challenges during combat. Below is a list of all the Afflicted Status Effects in the game:
Adhesive Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
TheAdhesive status effectis applied in the same way as elemental status effects, requiring you to attack the enemy with the corresponding ammo until the status bar is filled. Once active, the effect significantlyreduces the enemy’s movement speed and disables several key actions, such as jumping, sprinting, and charging. Attacks that rely on rapid movement also become ineffective.
Additionally, any flying machines will be instantly grounded, while underwater machines will be forced to surface.
Binding Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Binding status effect functions similarly to how it did inHorizon Zero Dawn. By using a Ropecaster to attach ropes to a machine, you build up the Binding status effect. Once the circle is filled, the machine istied down for a set duration. While the machine is bound, any damage dealt to it will significantly reduce the duration of the Binding Effect.
Berserk Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
TheBerserk status effect is the successor to the Corruption statuseffect fromHorizon Zero Dawn. When applied, it causes enemies — both humans and machines — toattack their allies for a set period. Once the effect wears off, the affected enemies will stop attacking their comrades.
During the Berserk period, these enemies can still target Aloy if she gets too close, so it’s best tomaintain a safe distanceand let the Berserked enemies focus on others. This status effect is perfect for causing chaos on the battlefield.
Blinded And Deafened Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
Crushed Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Crushed status effect canonly be applied to Aloy, not enemies. When active, it temporarilydisables her ability to sprint or aim her weaponsfor the first three seconds. Additionally, her movement speed is significantly slowed. What makes this effect more challenging is that, for the next 35 seconds, performing certain actions will cause damage to Aloy.
Consumables Blocked Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Consumables Blocked status effect does exactly what it sounds like. When applied to Aloy, she isunable to use any potionsor food for the duration of the effect. However,she can still use Medicinal Berries to heal, providing a limited option for recovery in situations where the effect is active.
Confused Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
Aloy applies the Confused status effect to her enemies — both machines and humans — bythrowing a Smoke Bombnear them. The Smoke Bomb causes confusion,making enemies lose track of Aloyand disrupting their ability to effectively engage. However, any type of damage dealt to a confused enemy will instantly end the effect.
Damage Amplified And Damage Dampened Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
Focus Scrambled Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Focus Scrambled status effect preventsAloy from using her Focusfor 35 seconds. This can significantly hinder her ability to tag enemies, plan strategies, or see weak points. This status effect is inflicted by several enemies, including Thunderjaws, Dreadwings, Leaplashers, Scrappers, and certain human enemies.
Stamina Drain Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Stamina Drain status effectcan only affect Aloy. When applied, it drains 10 stamina per second for a total of 25 seconds. Additionally, it prevents any stamina regeneration during this period.
Tremor Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Tremor status effectreduces Aloy’s movement speedto her walking pace for a short duration of 1.5 seconds.
Tracked Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Tracked status effect, when applied to Aloy,makes her position known to all nearby enemiesfor the next 35 seconds. During this time, enemies will be able to locate and target her more easily, even ifshe tries to re-enter stealth.
How To Apply Elemental Status Effects In Horizon Forbidden West
Fans ofHorizon Zero Dawnwill be pleased to know that applying elemental status effects inHorizon Forbidden Westfollows the same process as before. To apply a status effect, you must attack enemies with the corresponding elemental ammountil their status bar is completely filled.
Once the bar is full, a white circular timer will appear, indicating how long the status effect will remain active on the enemy.
After the timer appears, avoid using the same elemental ammo type on that enemy, asit will not extend the timerand will only waste your ammunition.
