Horizon Forbidden West surpasses 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.
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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 from Horizon Zero Dawn make a return in Horizon 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 are six elemental status effects in Horizon Forbidden West:
- Fire
- Frost
- Shock
- Acid
- Purgewater
- Plasma
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 — it sets enemies on fire and causes damage over time. However, it’s not as overpowered as it was in Horizon Zero Dawn. In Horizon 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 remains one of the most powerful in Horizon Forbidden West. When applied, it puts enemies into a brittle 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 you want to deal massive damage in a short amount of time.
Shock Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
When the Shock status effect is applied, the enemy is temporarily 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 a Ropecaster can achieve a similar result.
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Acid Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Acid status effect in Horizon Forbidden West feels like a blend of Fire and Frost. When applied, it puts enemies into a corroding 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 from Horizon 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 in Horizon Forbidden West. When applied, it puts enemies into a Drenched state for a set duration. During this time, all of the enemy’s elemental 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 arguably one of the weaker elemental status effects in 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 in Horizon Forbidden West and offers an interesting mechanic. When applied, the enemy will suffer significant 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 West introduces a new category of non-elemental status effects called Afflicted Status Effects, many of which were not available in Horizon Zero Dawn. These effects can only be applied to Aloy, offering a variety of debuffs and challenges during combat. Below is a list of all the Afflicted Status Effects in the game:
- Adhesive
- Binding
- Berserk
- Blinded and Deafened
- Crushed
- Consumables Blocked
- Confused
- Damage Amplified and Damage Dampened
- Focus Scrambled
- Stamina Drain
- Tremor
- Tracked
Adhesive Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Adhesive status effect is 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 significantly reduces 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 in Horizon 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 is tied 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
The Berserk status effect is the successor to the Corruption status effect from Horizon Zero Dawn. When applied, it causes enemies — both humans and machines — to attack 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 to maintain a safe distance and 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
- Blinded: This status effect can only be applied to Aloy. When active, it prevents her from sprinting and significantly reduces her visibility for a duration of 6 seconds.
- Deafened: The Deafened status effect can be applied to both Aloy and human enemies. When applied, it disables several actions — such as moving, sprinting, and attacking — for a brief period of two seconds.
Crushed Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Crushed status effect can only be applied to Aloy, not enemies. When active, it temporarily disables her ability to sprint or aim her weapons for 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 is unable to use any potions or 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 — by throwing a Smoke Bomb near them. The Smoke Bomb causes confusion, making enemies lose track of Aloy and disrupting their ability to effectively engage. However, any type of damage dealt to a confused enemy will instantly end the effect.
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Damage Amplified And Damage Dampened Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
- Damage Amplified: Increases damage dealt by Machines by 25% for a duration of time.
- Damage Dampened: Reduces damage dealt by Aloy by 30% for 25 seconds.
Focus Scrambled Status Effect In Horizon Forbidden West
The Focus Scrambled status effect prevents Aloy from using her Focus for 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 effect can 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 effect reduces Aloy’s movement speed to 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 enemies for the next 35 seconds. During this time, enemies will be able to locate and target her more easily, even if she tries to re-enter stealth.
How To Apply Elemental Status Effects In Horizon Forbidden West
Fans of Horizon Zero Dawn will be pleased to know that applying elemental status effects in Horizon Forbidden West follows the same process as before. To apply a status effect, you must attack enemies with the corresponding elemental ammo until 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, as it will not extend the timer and will only waste your ammunition.
- Released
-
February 18, 2022
- Engine
-
Decima
- ESRB
-
T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- How Long To Beat
-
29 Hours
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Unsupported
- PS Plus Availability
-
N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
