Horizon Zero Dawn

[JohnStitch]

At the vantage point, open up the thing that lets you see stuff that's not there (can't remember what it's called lol) and you will see a scene that isn't normally visible (a bit like they do in The Division) - not seen anything worth looking at yet to be honest

[callmedave]

the focus? ah! makes sense! thanks.

[JohnStitch]

Yep, that's it, the focus

[Mikeyjae]

Currently level 32 and I have invested a lot of hours into it. I have now completed all the Cauldrons so can pretty much hack any machine. Now when I come across a few machines in 1 area I will overide 1 and let that kill the other machines, saves ammo.

The main story is very good, it explains what happened very nicely, too the point that if I could I would purely just play the main mission but you cant as side missions bring exp and exp makes it easier.

As for weapons I have just discovered explosive trip wires which are fantastic against Redmaw (Thunderjaws). I have not used the sling as I keep missing so im getting by Purely with both types of bows, trip and rope catchers. I am however absolutlety hammering ammo, so I need to change the way I play as ill be soon running out of wire.

All in all I think its very good. I have not invested this amount of hours into a game since Far Cry 4.

1 last thing. I recommend using your precision bow with Tear arrows on bigger machines. Knock the armour off and its easier to kill them. Some machines also drop heavy weapons which does some big damage to them. {Highlighted in yellow if your running around like a headless chicken during a battle trying to find supplies).

[Doofus]

Will I know when I find a cauldron, or do they only come up in quests?

[Moog72]

Doofus said:

Will I know when I find a cauldron, or do they only come up in quests?

They are highlighted a unique-ish symbols on the map but the first one (Sigma) was exposed via a quest IIRC

I don't quite understand the quest level requirements though. I'm level 18 now and picking off errands and side quests that are level 12 to 15, but some of the machines you come across in these quests are level 20 which, unsurprisingly, are quite tough

Sigma cauldron the same. It was rated at level 9 and I went in as an 11, but final boss was something like level 18. I like a bit of a challenge but thought that was a bit much Thank goodness for the cheese spot! A depression in one corner of the arena that you can hide in and pick the boss off at your own pace

I'm on a level 12 main quest that I already know turns into a massive throw down with much a higher level than 12 being recommended before tackling it

Of course, my rather gung ho approach to combat may, in part, be to blame for getting battered a lot Only just discovered the joy of the Ropecaster and Blast Sling having just focused on bows up until now

[Moog72]

callmedave said:

I have 'vantage' marked on the map, but when I goto the point indicated, there is nothing there, any ideas?

I've found one almost by accident, but despite using focus at each vantage location I've been to, I've not managed to see another. Unless you are in the exact spot, there appears to be no clue as to where you need to be (unlike the other collectibles that show as fuzzy marks whilst in focus mode)

[Doofus]

I seem to be bloody good at headshots. I'm level 12, and I have only used normal arrows and fire arrows. I had a tripcaster, but it was rubbish. Headshots for people, and R2 for baddies.

I suspect I'm going to get outgunned very quickly before too long.



PS: If the monsters are so scary, how come nobody bats an eyelid when you come charging by, riding a buffalo?

[SimianWonder]

Moog72 said:

They are highlighted a unique-ish symbols on the map but the first one (Sigma) was exposed via a quest IIRC

I don't quite understand the quest level requirements though. I'm level 18 now and picking off errands and side quests that are level 12 to 15, but some of the machines you come across in these quests are level 20 which, unsurprisingly, are quite tough

Sigma cauldron the same. It was rated at level 9 and I went in as an 11, but final boss was something like level 18. I like a bit of a challenge but thought that was a bit much Thank goodness for the cheese spot! A depression in one corner of the arena that you can hide in and pick the boss off at your own pace

I'm on a level 12 main quest that I already know turns into a massive throw down with much a higher level than 12 being recommended before tackling it

Of course, my rather gung ho approach to combat may, in part, be to blame for getting battered a lot Only just discovered the joy of the Ropecaster and Blast Sling having just focused on bows up until now

I did the Sigma Cauldron yesterday, only I actually fought the boss properly! It was indeed a tough fight, and a great many healing potions were consumed before he fell. The reward was oh so sweet though. Can't wait to find a Sawtooth now...

Anyway Moog, how are you enjoying the game? I'm a little concerned to be honest, not because Horizon is in any way bad, it's actually the opposite that is causing a problem. Andromeda lands in four days, and I doubt I'll have Horizon beaten in that time. So, what do I do? Carry on with Horizon or take a short (long) break to jump into Mass Effect? That would be an easier decision if Horizon hadn't been so unexpectedly superb.

[Moog72]

SimianWonder said:

I did the Sigma Cauldron yesterday, only I actually fought the boss properly! It was indeed a tough fight, and a great many healing potions were consumed before he fell. The reward was oh so sweet though. Can't wait to find a Sawtooth now...

Anyway Moog, how are you enjoying the game? I'm a little concerned to be honest, not because Horizon is in any way bad, it's actually the opposite that is causing a problem. Andromeda lands in four days, and I doubt I'll have Horizon beaten in that time. So, what do I do? Carry on with Horizon or take a short (long) break to jump into Mass Effect? That would be an easier decision if Horizon hadn't been so unexpectedly superb.

I think that the game is excellent, looks superb and the combat pretty varied in that the machines all have different weak points and that you can take them down in a number of ways and, as I've said, it really can be quite tough in places. I have a minor hatred of Glinthawks right now ....

Like you, I won't have finished Horizon before Andromeda drops on the doormat and I think it'll have to wait, as much of a temptation it will be to eject Horizon and slot in Mass Effect that is. Decisions, decisions ...

[SimianWonder]

Glinthawks aren't too bad; ready a fire arrow, triple it up (with the appropriate perk) and hit them in the chest. They'll come crashing down ti earth, and you can use R1 to critical hit them on the deck. They don't last long.

Bellowbacks though? Struggle with those. Sawtooth? Override it, sure, but in terms of doing actual damage, nothing seems terribly effective. Anyone got any advise on these?

I'm also surprised, given how spectacular the game looks, no one has yet posted any of their images from photo mode. That needs rectifying!

Sadly, even captured at 4k the image downscales to 1080p on my laptop, so doesn't quite capture the full majesty of the environment.

[Mikeyjae]

SimianWonder said:

Glinthawks aren't too bad; ready a fire arrow, triple it up (with the appropriate perk) and hit them in the chest. They'll come crashing down ti earth, and you can use R1 to critical hit them on the deck. They don't last long.

Bellowbacks though? Struggle with those. Sawtooth? Override it, sure, but in terms of doing actual damage, nothing seems terribly effective. Anyone got any advise on these?

I'm also surprised, given how spectacular the game looks, no one has yet posted any of their images from photo mode. That needs rectifying!

Sadly, even captured at 4k the image downscales to 1080p on my laptop, so doesn't quite capture the full majesty of the environment.

Iv not used the triple arrows to bring them down. I fire 3 rope casters into them which brings them down. Then I just critical hit them with my spear twice and it kills them. The 3 ropes hold them long enough too allow enough time for 2 critical hits.

As for Sawtooths I usually overide and let them take each other out. On the occasions I fight them I just knock their Armour off with tear arrows and then just pummel with fire arrows while rolling around alot lol.

Lots of different tactics being used by people, if it works though then everybodys tactics are right.

[Moog72]

As a single Glinthawk, they're not too bad, but I've had a couple of missions back to back where there were 3 of 'em at once. Constant swoops coupled with freeze bomb attacks and it all got a bit hectic, but still good fun

Haven't yet unlocked the multi arrow upgrades, they are next on the list after I upgrade the critical hit damage now that I've unlocked the spear "knock down" perk. I quite like melee-ing stuff to death (must be the Destiny Titan in me )

[SimianWonder]

Moog72 said:

Haven't yet unlocked the multi arrow upgrades, they are next on the list after I upgrade the critical hit damage now that I've unlocked the spear "knock down" perk. I quite like melee-ing stuff to death (must be the Destiny Titan in me )

You'd think a Titan's stubby little T-Rex arms would mean you'd learned to keep Aloy at a bit more of a distance!

I'm not really one for meleeing stuff, at least, nothing more dangerous than a Watcher or Scrapper. Anything higher than those on the pecking order tends to hit back much harder than Aloy, whose melee skills don't seem to scale at all, I still only do 85 points of damage with a heavy swing no matter if I'm level 1 or level 15. Basically, she's screwed if she doesn't knock them down on the first swing, as it still only takes a couple of good hits to kill Aloy.

I also haven't really tried the ropecaster yet as I've been having two much fun with bows, but then I haven't tried using the slings either, those just looked a little slow for me.

[Moog72]

Smack, roll, smack, roll, get a crit hit ... run away, hide <looks up weaknesses from guide, exploits said weaknesses> Oh yeah, should probably do that from now on

Next encounter, Titan whiff ..... arse. Some folks never learn

Ropecaster is awesome though as is the Blast Sling, definitely pick them up

[SimianWonder]

On my way to Meridian and spied something in the distance; my very first Thunderjaw. I was level 22 and quite fancied a challenge. Suffice to say, it was definitely that! I lasted a little while, but was just overwhelmed by the offensive output of such a beast.

I really may need to look at upgrading Aloy's armour at the next opportunity, I'm still wearing the set she got just prior to the Proving!

[Civpilot]

SimianWonder said:

On my way to Meridian and spied something in the distance; my very first Thunderjaw. I was level 22 and quite fancied a challenge. Suffice to say, it was definitely that! I lasted a little while, but was just overwhelmed by the offensive output of such a beast.

I really may need to look at upgrading Aloy's armour at the next opportunity, I'm still wearing the set she got just prior to the Proving!

Get a 'sharpshoot' bow that can fire tear arrows. Once you remove the Thunderjaws disc launchers and mini guns it's a completely different fight.
Use tear arrows and tactics with a rope caster to tie the bd down (thus negating his devastating charge attacks) and you will actually look forward to fighting them for the fun/challenge.

Even with good armour a Thunderjaw with all his weapons will destroy you very quickly., you need to remove them.

Ps. Level 32 here and I don't have heavy armour on Aloy. I have one of the later cystine sets with balance mods. I do however have 'shadow' weapons all round with the best modifications I own fitted.

[Moog72]

I also saw that Thunderjaw on the way to Meridian and, well, simply walked around it - there was no way I was having a crack at that (but then I was on a low level at the time as I went to Meridian pretty early in the game)

Tearblast arrows are a boon though - they just rip components and armour off machines, great fun!

Just had another run in with Glinthawks, this time four of them - got a couple down, then saw another land so ran at it in order to batter it with the spear, only to see it fly off and scavenge the fallen one before I had a chance to do so. Didn't know that they did that, but sure enough, if you look in the machine database, you can stop them doing just that if you remove the claws I think

With ME: Andromeda getting mixed reviews (although I'll judge for myself), I can see me being on Horizon for quite a while longer yet

I've got a few "shadow" weapons now - hunter and sharpshot bow - hardpoint arrows are a good upgrade on the hunter bow, considerably more damage that regular arrows

[SimianWonder]

Yeah, I upgraded to the "Shadow" weapons as soon as I hit the Carja outpost en route to Meridian. Hardpoint arrows are a great upgrade on the basic hunter variant.

I pre-ordered Andromeda so it will be with me in a day or two at most, and I've kept away from pretty much any reviews, features, previews, blogs or the like so - aside from some amusing facial animation glitch GIFs that appeared on my Youtube home page - so I'm essentially going in completely blind. That said, I will be giving Horizon my attention until I've beaten it. As much as I love Mass Effect, Horizon has been the most pleasant surprise I've had in gaming for a very long time and I'm in no rush to leave its world.

[Doofus]

I fking hate this game, it's a stupid fking pile of wk!

How the fk are you supposed to kill anything? fking Tramplers won't fking die, they just keep fking trampling on me. And those fking birds are s - one kept killing me within four seconds of me respawning by a campfire until I fking ran away.

I'm supposed to "Do three tasks" or some st. Well I can't do fking one of them so what do you say to that you steaming pile of toss?!

Why can't games just say "OK, you pathetic moron, you've died within thirty seconds of restarting, eight hundred and fourteen times now. Shall we just say that you've completed that, and move on?

And how, exactly, is "This monster is susceptible to X, Y or Z" supposed to help? Apparently part of a Trampler (either it's horns or some backpack thing) is vulnerable to tears. Well I've been sobbing over the bd for an hour now and it doesn't appear to be moved in the slightest.

fk this for a game of teenage redheads.