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Horizon Forbidden West's Skill Tree menu can be overwhelming for players just starting on their quest to head to the west with Aloy. With six different Skill Trees focused on various playstyles, it can be a headache to figure out what type of skill tree to invest points in first. However, players will learn the best early skills to unlock first in Horizon Forbidden West with this guide.
Now, before players check out the best early skills recommendations below, it's worth pointing out that all gamers are different, and each person will go into combat with their own playstyle in mind. Going the Infiltrator route might be best if someone is really into defeating machines stealthily. Or if someone likes to go in "guns blazing" (or arrows blazing in this case), choosing a lot of skills in the Warrior tree could be beneficial.
Best Early Skills to Get in Horizon Forbidden West
Resonator Blast (Warrior)
The Resonator Blast skill is the first one to unlock in the Warrior category and is actually needed to fight in Chainscrape's Melee Pit in Horizon Forbidden West. Aloy can attack enemies (machines and humans) with her melee attacks to build up energy in her spear. After the spear is fully charged with energy, players can press R2 to energize the target. From here, players can shoot the glowing energy spot on the enemy with any type of arrow to deal massive damage. It's also a very cool-looking animation and satisfying to pull off.
Quick Wire (Trapper)
For the Horizon Forbidden West players that like setting up traps like the Tripwire, having the Quick Wire weapon technique is a must. Instead of having to choose two different points to set up Tripwires, this skill lets Aloy launch a Tripwire with a preset length, making it much faster to get the upper hand on machines. If an enemy is charging after Aloy, having the Quick Wire will surely come in handy. Aim it with L2 and then fire with R1 to use it. It will take up some Weapon Stamina, so be aware of that before attempting to use it multiple times.
Critical Boost (Warrior)
Critical Boost is the first Valor Surge ability on this list, which are powerful special moves that can significantly increase Aloy's capabilities, depending on the skill. Critical Boost is a simple skill but an effective one. Aloy gains a greater chance to land Critical Hits and increases the output of any Critical Damage. The chance for a Critical Hit increases by 45%, Critical Hit Damage increases by 25%, and any Critical Strikes do 100% more damage. Players can't go wrong with investing skill points into this one.
Critical Strike+ (Warrior)
For the last Warrior skill in this guide, players should unlock Critical Strike+. There will be many opportunities to unleash a critical strike on the machines in Horizon Forbidden West. These will usually kill weaker enemies, but enemies will take longer to defeat as the story progresses. Critical Strike+ is a passive skill that causes 25% more damage to critical strikes.
Toughened (Survivor)
The Toughened skill in the Survivor tree is the first Valor Surge to unlock. Most of the skills in this tree revolved around healing, and having the Toughened skill will ensure players survive in battle. Using this Valor Surge ability gives Aloy a special potion that restores health every two seconds, and it gives her a bonus 15% resistance to any Melee Damage. If players are in a pitch and need some help, busting out this Valor Surge skill will keep them alive.
Low Profile (Infiltrator)
Low Profile makes it so that Aloy's visibility is reduced, making it more difficult for machines and humans to spot her. This gives players more chances to sneak in and perform a stealth attack or have more time to lay traps. Again, another simple one, but definitely an important skill in the Infiltrator tree.
Overshield (Survivor)
Overshield is another Valor Surge skill that's in the Survivor section, and it's a great one. Using this activates a rechargeable, damage-absorbing energy shield. The health of the shield is 125 and will recharge upon depletion if there's some Valor left over.
Spike Trap (Machine Master)
Sometimes setting up a trap on the ground can prove to be useless when enemies are running away or if they decide to start attacking Aloy. What makes the Spike Trap skill useful is that players can throw a Spike away from them that turns into a trap once it hits the ground. It uses players' currently selected spike type and uses Weapon Stamina. Make sure to scan the enemy first to get their info before choosing the type of spike to use. Scanning all machine types can also lead players to unlock one of the missable trophies in Horizon Forbidden West.
Low Health Defense - Survivor
To help players stay alive out there in the wilderness, the Low Health Defense skill in the Survivor tree will be very helpful. When players fall into a critical state (below 25% health), they will take 45% less damage, keeping Aloy from getting defeated quickly.
Stealth Stalker - Infiltrator
To get around stealthily, players should invest skill points into unlocking the Stealth Stalker Valor Surge skill in the Infiltrator category. This essentially considerably decreases Aloy's visibility to enemies, making her almost invisible at times. There's also an added 50% bonus damage to unaware targets.
How to Get Skill Points
Players will undoubtedly unlock lots of skill points in Horizon Forbidden West by completing activities all over the open world. For players that want to unlock as many skills as they can as fast as possible, completing the Relic Ruins puzzles is essential. These non-combat-focused challenges will give players XP and Skill Points upon completion. Otherwise, just complete side quests and Activities, and the Skill Points will come pouring in for Aloy.
How to Learn Skills
Just pop into the menu and tab over to the Skills section to learn a new skill. The ones at the top will cost fewer Skill Points, and the ones towards the bottom will cost more, especially Aloy's Valor Surge techniques, which can turn the tide in a brutal combat scenario.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now for the PS4 and PS5.
