horizon zero dawn new game plus best weapons

Art Scpae

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16-12-2024

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Horizon Zero Dawn: New Game Plus – Mastering the Hunt with the Best Weapons

Horizon Zero Dawn's New Game Plus (NG+) mode isn't just a simple replay; it's a brutal gauntlet designed to test even the most seasoned hunters. With significantly increased enemy difficulty, surviving requires more than just familiarity with Aloy's moveset. Weapon selection becomes paramount. This guide delves deep into the best weapons for NG+, considering their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal use cases against the tougher machines and human threats. We'll analyze both early-game accessibility and late-game powerhouses, ensuring you're equipped for every challenge.

Understanding the NG+ Challenge:

Before diving into specific weapons, it's crucial to understand the heightened difficulty in NG+. Machines hit harder, have significantly increased health pools, and possess more aggressive AI. Stealth becomes less effective as enemies detect you from farther distances and react more swiftly. This makes strategic weapon choices and skillful combat crucial for survival.

Weapon Categories and Their Strengths:

Horizon Zero Dawn offers a diverse arsenal categorized broadly into:

• Hunter Bows: These bows excel at dealing consistent damage, often with elemental effects that exploit machine weaknesses. They're versatile and effective throughout the game.
• Tripcaster: This specialized weapon disables or stuns machines, providing valuable openings for attacks.
• Ropecaster: This essential tool tethers and immobilizes machines, making them easier targets.
• Sharpshot Bow: Ideal for precise, long-range attacks, particularly effective against flying machines.
• Blast Sling: This weapon fires explosive projectiles, dealing significant area-of-effect damage.
• Spike Thrower: A highly effective weapon against smaller machines and human enemies.
• Sling: Primarily used for smaller machines, stealth takedowns, or quick crowd control on human enemies.
• War Bow: Powerful and versatile, the War Bow delivers high damage and is often considered the most effective all-around weapon.

The Best Weapons for NG+ (Tiered Approach):

We'll categorize the best weapons based on their effectiveness in NG+, considering both early and late-game availability.

Tier S: Unmatched Powerhouses:

• The Stormbringer (Stormbringer): This legendary bow, obtained through a late-game quest, is arguably the most powerful weapon in the game. Its high damage output, combined with its ability to chain lightning strikes between multiple enemies, makes it devastatingly effective in NG+. It’s a must-have for any NG+ playthrough.

• The Shadow Carja War Bow: Another late-game acquisition, this bow boasts exceptional damage and a unique ability to temporarily disable machines, providing an edge in difficult encounters. Its raw power and special effect make it a top contender.

• Predator Bow (Hunter Bow): While requiring significant resources to craft and upgrade, the Predator Bow's high damage, piercing capabilities, and precision make it a top choice for dealing with heavily armored machines. Its ability to penetrate multiple enemies makes it incredibly effective against groups.

Tier A: Exceptional Performers:

• Icerail (Hunter Bow): This bow inflicts freeze damage, providing crucial crowd control against multiple enemies. Freezing machines leaves them vulnerable to devastating melee attacks or powerful follow-up shots.

• Precision Bow (Hunter Bow): Upgraded with the appropriate modifications, this bow becomes a consistent and reliable source of damage. Its accuracy and versatility make it invaluable for both taking down single targets and suppressing groups.

• Improved Blast Sling: This upgraded version of the Blast Sling delivers significantly improved explosive damage, making it ideal for dealing with large machines or clearing out groups of smaller ones. Its area-of-effect damage is invaluable.

Tier B: Situational Strengths:

• Sharpshot Bow: While not as powerful as the top-tier bows, the Sharpshot Bow remains crucial for taking down flying machines like Stormbirds and Thunderjaws from a distance. Its precision is unmatched in long-range combat.

• Improved Ropecaster: The upgraded Ropecaster is indispensable for disabling and controlling larger machines, setting them up for devastating attacks from your other weapons.

• Spike Thrower: This is a fantastic weapon for smaller machines and human enemies, especially when combined with the Tripcaster for stunning attacks.

Weapon Modification Strategies:

NG+ demands strategic weapon modifications. Focus on augmenting the following:

• Damage: Increase your raw damage output to quickly deplete enemy health pools.
• Elemental Effects: Exploiting elemental weaknesses (fire, ice, shock, purge) is crucial for overcoming the enhanced durability of machines in NG+.
• Handling and Draw Speed: Faster handling lets you react quickly, crucial against aggressive machines.
• Ammo Capacity: Carry sufficient ammo to sustain prolonged battles.

Beyond Weapons: Essential Considerations:

• Skill Tree Specialization: Invest in skill points that enhance your combat prowess, stealth capabilities, and overall survivability.
• Resource Management: Stock up on ample resources, especially ammo and crafting components.
• Machine Weaknesses: Thoroughly understand each machine's elemental weaknesses for maximum effectiveness.

Conclusion:

Mastering NG+ in Horizon Zero Dawn requires more than just brute force; it demands strategic weapon selection and skillful combat. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon, modifying them effectively, and developing a robust combat strategy, you can overcome even the most daunting challenges and conquer the enhanced threats of the NG+ experience. Remember that the best weapons are those that best suit your playstyle, but the choices listed above provide a solid foundation for success. The hunt awaits!