Horizon Forbidden West surpassed expectations with its improved skill trees, providing players with six new paths to follow. Each tree follows a specific playstyle, giving Aloy the necessary abilities to become the ultimate Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, or Machine Master. In Horizon Forbidden West’s expansion Burning Shores, Aloy has been given six new Valor Surges for each skill tree, with 12 new skills to learn that provide new techniques that provide a much-needed boost to the overall gameplay.
All the new skills are valuable to learn, but there are a few that players should focus on early on to make traversing the unforgiving landscape of a decimated Los Angeles more rewarding. And while every player is unique, the beauty of this DLC is that it provides an opportunity for players to experiment with playstyles. Someone who experienced the majority of Forbidden West as an Infiltrator or Warrior may switch it up and become a Trapper of Machine Expert, breathing new life into the game.
Best Early Skills to Get in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores
Warriors Vigor (Warrior)
The Warriors Vigor Valor Surge is a must-have for Horizon players skilled in melee combat. Not only does the skill boost Aloy’s damage with her spear and any Warrior Bow, but she will also gain health from the damage dished out by either weapon. At its highest level, the Spear and Warrior Bow will have a 100% increase in damage with 10% of health gained per hit by either weapon. Aloy will also be healed 50% of her maximum health when a Resonator Blast is triggered with the Warrior Bow.
Ropecaster Expert (Trapper)
Thanks to the increase in elemental damage that Horizon Forbidden West provides, using a Ropecaster isn’t as necessary as it once was. But it can be handy with large enemies that move a lot, like Fireclaws, Slaughterspines, and the new Bilegut. The Ropecaster Expert ability in the Trapper skill tree lets Aloy shoot another rope at a machine once it’s recovered from the Tied Down State to instantly tie it down once more, allowing a little more time for some extra damaging shots.
Warrior’s Instinct (Warrior)
The Warrior’s Instinct skill causes Aloy to be more aware of weakened enemies and increases the duration they are knocked down. Aloy can utilize this moment by performing a Warrior combo on fallen machines or use the extra time to plan her next move – whether that’s by using the Machine Grapple Strike skill to create a Resonator Blast or setting up traps around the enemy to deal further damage when they start moving again.
Hunter’s Mark (Hunter)
The Hunter’s Mark Valor Surge enables the next several shots made with any Hunter Bow to mark targets. These targets will have an increased chance of receiving Critical Hit damage, and any components destroyed will cause an explosion. The Critical Hit increases with each level, resulting in a 30% increase at Level 3. The same goes for component destruction damage, which rises from 100 to 300 points. At Level 3, this Valor Surge will deal 600 shock damage to all other marked targets if one is killed.
Trap Mines (Trapper)
The Trap Mines Valor Surge allows Aloy to equip throwable mines that split into multiple explosive traps, much like a Stalker. Found in the Trapper skill tree, Aloy can deploy up to 10 traps at Level 3, with the explosive damage per trap maxing out at 450 damage points.
Machine Grapple Strike (Hunter)
When machines are knocked down, Aloy has the opportunity to perform a critical strike to significantly decrease their health. By unlocking the Machine Grapple Strike in the Hunter skill tree, Aloy can perform a Grapple Strike on knocked-down enemies while jumping in range by tapping X. Once on top of the machine, players can tap R1 to energize the damage Aloy applies to create a Resonator Blast which can be shot at or struck with melee damage creating a burst of energy that deals high damage to the target.
Defy Death (Survivor)
Another potion-based Valor Surge has been added to the Survivor Skill Tree, which allows Aloy to have a Second Chance in combat. The Defy Death skill sees Aloy consume a potion that lets her deal more damage and the ability to evade death in exchange for reducing her to critical health. Damage increases by 15% at Level 1, 30% at Level 2, and 50% at Level Three with the additional perk of status effects being cleansed and a 5-second window of 30% damage resistance.
This, paired with low health defense and low health regeneration weaves and the additional Second Chance outfit skill, can make Aloy nearly invincible.
Stealth Resonator (Infiltrator)
Resonator Blasts can deal a hefty amount of damage in combat, but they can sometimes take a while to charge up. But thanks to the Stealth Resonator skill in the Infiltrator skill tree, a stealthy Aloy can build up Resonator energy faster by killing enemies with a Silent Strike. Once her spear is fully charged, she can deal more damage in combat thanks to this skill.
Flying Grapple Launch (Machine Master)
In Horizon Forbidden West, players can launch Aloy from a grapple point by pressing circle just before she reaches it. This adds extra traversal options, especially when Aloy acquires the Shieldwing Glider. Now, the same can be done from a flying mount courtesy of the Flying Grapple Launch in the Machine Master skill tree. This can give Aloy the upper hand in challenging battles, as she’ll use the machine as a launch pad rather than mounting it.
Shield Drop (Survivor)
The Shield Drop skill adds another line of defense, giving Aloy the ability to craft and deploy Drop Shields in the environment. Drop Shields are deployed as traps and can protect Aloy from incoming ranged weapons, much like the Shieldwires deployed by the Guardian Tripcaster. The durability of these shields can be maximized by up to two levels by equipping corresponding outfit weaves.
How To Get Skill Points
Skill Points are earned in various ways in Burning Shores by completing main quests and side missions, finding collectibles, and completing Relic Ruins. There are lots of things to discover in the DLC, including Delver Trinkets, Pangea Figurines, and Aerial Captures – all of which can be found by exploring the area.
How To Unlock Valor Surges
Players will need to learn three connected skills to unlock the new Valor Surges in Burning Shores. These include the two new skills added to each tree and a skill above the Valor Surge from Horizon Forbidden West. So if players haven’t learned the skills at the bottom of the corresponding tree, they won’t be able to access the Valor Surge. Players can reset their skill points at any time and redistribute them by pressing the Options button.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is available now exclusively for the PS5.
