Horizon Forbidden West is filled to the brim with killer machines ready to be taken down and scrapped for parts, and among the most dangerous of them is the Frostclaw. First introduced in the Frozen Wilds DLC for Horizon Zero Dawn, this ice-spewing bear-like beast yields some key components for upgrading Aloy’s high-level gear in the mid-late game. This guide will point players in the right direction to help with tracking and destroying them: be warned though, Frostclaws should only be taken on by players level 24 or higher, and their deadlier Apex variants (marked by their purple glow) only by players above level 38.
How to Reach Them
Frostclaws, as their name suggests, tend to stick to the colder climates of Horizon Forbidden West's California, in the more mountainous regions. To reach these, the player must have completed the level 17 main quest ‘The Eye of the Earth’ which unlocks a path through the mountains to the westernmost part of the map.
Once they have done so, they will be given 3 main quests to pursue which they can complete in any order they choose. The easiest of the three, titled ‘The Broken Sky’, tasks the player with heading further west into Tenakth territory, to their capital, ‘The Memorial Grove’. After chasing leads there, Aloy will be directed north-northwest to the Sky Clan settlement ‘Stone Crest’ and their stronghold, ‘The Bulwark’, where she may come across her first Frostclaws.
Where to Find Them
The first settlement the player will likely come across on their journey to Stone Crest is Sheerside Climb, in the centre of the map below. This is west-northwest of Scalding Spear (in orange) and north-northwest of The Memorial Grove (in green). Directly northwest of this settlement is The Bulwark (in purple).
There are two Frostclaw sites on the map and both of them are in this area (circled in red). One, directly north of the Bulwark, and the other due southwest, atop some mountains,more easily accessed later in Horizon Forbidden West.
Hunting the Frostclaws
The Frostclaw north of The Bulwark is flanked by two, and sometimes 3, Clawstriders, while the Frostclaw to the southwest is usually surrounded by a herd of Fanghorns, so plan accordingly. As always, there is a bit of randomness involved and sometimes 2 Frostclaws may spawn in a location, though this doesn’t happen often.
Remember, when hunting for Apex Frostclaw Hearts it’s better to hunt at night due to their higher spawn rate. Moreover, if Aloy needs that elusive Frostclaw Sac Webbing for upgrades, try not to use explosives or damage the central Chillwater Unit on their chests that contain it. Aiming for the Sacs on their shoulders is fine, however.
As always, make use of Aloy’s focus to find and tag weakspots, and consult her notebook for advice when stuck. Good hunting!
Horizon Forbidden West is available now for PS4 and PS5.