Horizon Forbidden West: All hunting grounds and hunting tests

In Horizon Forbidden West, hunting areas and hunting tests are waiting for you again. This time there are four areas with three tests each. In this guide you will learn:

  • Where the hunting areas are
  • Which hunting tests you have to complete
  • What the areas and trials actually offer you

This much should be said in advance: You should complete the trials for at least two achievements and thus also the corresponding trophies. In our trophy guide you can see that you will unlock two secret silver trophies if you stock up on at least quarter strips.

Tips for the hunting areas

Before you jump into the exams, first take a look at what tasks are waiting for you. For example, there are trials in which you need a chopper glove. As long as you haven't received the right weapon, you should avoid the corresponding hunting trials for now. If you approach the hunting ground guardian, you'll see directly which trials you're qualified for and which you're not.

As in Horizon Zero Dawn, the trials only start once you have slipped into the hunting area on the rope. So first observe the area and scan the machines that are running around below. Mark them for yourself so that you can find and finish them off quickly, wasting as little time as possible searching.

Don't stress yourself out too much! To get the achievements, it is enough to get a quarter strip. In other words, ten minutes is more than enough time for you to complete the test. Still, it's worth it for you to try to complete half and full strips as well, since then you'll receive even more hunting medals and resources as rewards.

Hunting areas: The Horror

The hunting ground The Horror is perfect for beginners.

Demolition Test

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 2:30 minutes
  • Full Strip: 1:30 minutes

In this beginner-friendly test, you'll need to demolish energy cells from burrowers. Focus on the machines and mark the energy cells. This will help you know which parts you need to remove. It doesn't matter which weapon you use. The only important thing is that it causes tearing damage.

You can make the task easier by immobilizing the burrowers with shock traps or shock ammunition. Take advantage of this moment and shoot down the cells. After all, once the machine is down, the parts are lost.

Shock test

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 4:30 minutes
  • Full strip: 3:00 minutes

In order for this hunting test to go smoothly, you'll need a shock warrior bow. Wait until a burrower is near another machine, then shoot the energy cell with your shock ammo and overload it. The task is considered complete when you have stunned three machines in this way.

Stun and Trap Test

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 5:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 3:00 minutes

Speed and coordination are needed for the final test in the Terror. Before you start, first scan the area to see where traps are located. This refers to the tree trunks attached to pulleys or stacked on the edge, which you can shoot down with an arrow. Place a shock trap directly underneath and lure a machine there. If it runs into the trap, it is stunned and you only have to shoot the heavy object and let it fall down on the machine. With this, you have completed the first of the four hunting areas.

Hunting areas: Pure Sound

Only if you are particularly quiet will you reach your goal in this hunting area.

Test: Silent Scavenging

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 4:30 minutes
  • Full strip: 3:30 minutes

In the first stage of the Reinklang hunting area, you must not harm the machines. So always keep an eye on your surroundings and sneak from A to B in the tall grass or use smoke bombs. Your goal is to silently loot three supply depots. Avoid being spotted by the machines. If the icon above their heads is red, they have found you and will attack you - which also means that you have failed the exam.

Exam: Silent Strike

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 2:30 minutes
  • Full strip: 1:30 minutes

For the second hunting test, you should also not let the machines find you. Hide in the tall grass again or use smoke bombs to escape your enemies. Wait until the machines approach you and then use your silent strike to attack from ambush. Kill three machines this way and the task is complete.

Exam: Silent Glide

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 2:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 1:00 minutes

For this test, you'll need to use your shield wing cleverly. Jump down from above and float to the ground. Once you are above a machine, press the R1 shoulder button and kill it from above. If you manage to do this twice, you will be considered to have successfully completed the test.

Hunting areas: Steep Mountains

Prove how well you can handle different types of weapons and ammunition.

Frost Test

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 4:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 3:00 minutes

First of all, make sure you are equipped with enough frost ammunition, because it is essential for the Frost Test. Your goal is to destroy three fragile bags. This applies to the cargo bag of the roar backs as well as the maw. Shoot the howler back several times with your frost ammo and once it is in the brittle state, shoot one of the bags with normal ammo to destroy it.

Chopper Test

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 3:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 2:00 minutes

If you haven't done it yet, now is a good time to take on the chopper. Your task is to hit two machines with a fully charged chopper. You charge the weapon by firing it three times at one machine, catching the projectile each time. If you succeed, the chopper will cause massive damage in the form of an explosion with the next shot.

You can't really tell how many hits you've already landed. Therefore, always pay attention to the trajectory of the chopper disc. She's dragging a colored tail behind her. Make sure you always stand right where the disc lands so Aloy can catch it and reuse it.

Plasma Shock Test

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 3:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 2:00 minutes

As the name of the exam suggests, you'll need plasma ammo in this one, which you'll use to shoot rolling backs and build up the plasma blast state. Once you reach it, a timer will start. During this time you have to damage the machine as much as possible. Once the timer is over, you'll get explosion damage based on the amount of damage you inflicted on the machine during the state. For the success of the test, you will have to perform the procedure on two rolling backs.

Hunting Grounds: The Rain Trail

Note: You will not be able to successfully complete this hunting area until you have bridged the Hatchery IOTA Core (Guide), as you must be proficient at riding a claw rider.

Take on a quake fang and you will have completed all four hunting areas.

Exam: Stun and Remove

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 3:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 2:00 minutes

The achievement in this exam requires you to take on a quake fang. Therefore, have enough shock and firewater ammunition ready. Actually, the machines are resistant to shock damage. However, with the help of extinguishing water ammunition you can neutralize the resistance. Now shoot the colossus with shock ammunition and bring it to the ground so that it can't move. Shoot off its tusks in this state. You will need two tusks.

Exam: Mounted Combat

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 3:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 2:30 minutes

You can ride a claw rider? What are you waiting for! Find one in the hunting area, bridge it and climb on its back. Use it to approach other machines and attack them using the R1 and R2 shoulder buttons. You yourself can shoot at the machine in parallel with your bow, but the kill must be made by your riding machine in the end. In total, you will have to kill two machines in this way.

Test: Heavy Weapons

  • Quarter strip: 10:00 minutes
  • Half strip: 4:00 minutes
  • Full strip: 3:00 minutes

For this final test of the four hunting areas, you must shoot a Quake Fang's heavy weapon off its back, pick it up, and in turn use it to kill other machines. Be sure to use demolition ammo, as other ammo will destroy the cannons. Kill three machines with the cannon.

More guides to Horizon Forbidden West on GameZ:

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