Welcome to the Horizon Forbidden West trophy guide. This guide was written with version 1.18 and contains 59 trophies for the base game. Most trophies unlock through progressing the story and completing a selection of side quests.
Game Stats:
- Difficulty: 3/10
- Time to Completion: 30-40 hours to unlock platinum.
- Does Difficulty Affect Achievements/Trophies?: No. You can play through the game on Story mode.
- Missable Achievements/Trophies: There is 1 Horizon Forbidden West trophy that can be missed: All Machine Types Scanned. Specter Prime (the final boss) is only found once in the game. Make sure you scan it at the start of the battle to ensure you don’t miss it. The AI companion will remind you multiple times to scan the machine, even after you complete the scan.
Recommended Playthrough
- Play through the story first. This will unlock story-related tools and the full map. You will learn how to override Sunwings near the end which significantly simplifies traversal in the game.
- Head to the Arena and complete the challenges through Ring of Fire, the 2nd Skilled challenge. This will give you enough Arena Medals to purchase Death-Seeker’s Shadow (epic hunter bow) for 80 Arena Medals. This bow will make the remaining trophy tasks easy to clean up.
- Save the Hunting Ground for last. You will need various weapon types and elemental effects to get through these.
- Misc. cleanup as needed.
General Tips
- Scan machines at the start of each encounter. It is a good habit to get in and will help you get all scans in without missing any machines.
- Aim for components that will tear off machines, especially heavy weapons that you can use against them.
- Use mounts to travel long distances to new areas on the ground and fast travel for free between campfires.
- Recommended settings:
- General
- Difficulty: Story
- Concentration Duration: Longer
- Quest Pathfinding: Guided
- Waypoint Pathfinding: Explorer
- Standby Screen Mode: Immediate
- Weapon Wheel Slowdown: Slowest
- Pickup Animations: Off
- Gauntlet Runs Quick Time Events: Auto
- Controls
- Aim Assist: Strong
- Weapon Quick Swap: On
- Auto Sprint on Mount: On
- General
Useful Links
- Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores Trophies Guide
- Horizon Forbidden West Hunting Grounds Guide
- Horizon Forbidden West Melee Challenges Guide
- Quest Trophies
- Story Trophies
- Completion Trophies
- Conditional Trophies
- Misc. Tropies
Quest Trophies
Drakka & Yarra
Choose a Desert Commander
Aided both Drakka and Yarra and chose the better candidate.
This Horizon Forbidden West trophy consists of 3 quests. First, head to Arrowhand to start Thirst for the Hunt, and help Drakka gather ravager hearts and locate a survivor. Next, travel to Scalding Spear for The Wound in the Sand to help Yarra locate and repair the source of their water supply. Finally, you will need to help the people choose a new commander. It doesn’t matter who you choose, so base it on the information you collected.
The Daunt
Saved the Daunt
Resolved all of the problems troubling the Daunt.
You will need to complete 4 missions in the Daunt for this trophy.
- Shadow from the Past
- Shadow from the West
- The Twilight Path
- The Bristlebacks
The first 2 quests are tied together and start in Barren Light by talking to the prisoner. During Shadow from the Past, you need to find where the Eclipse are hiding. While working on Shadow from the West you will confront their leader and investigate what they are planning.
The Twilight Path starts in the Chainscrape Inn and you will help a settlement find their missing leader. While you are looking for their leader, you will come across one of the lenses that counts as a Signal Tower for the Recovered 5 Different Collectibles trophy.
Lastly, The Bristlebacks quest starts during the main quest “To the Brink”. Your goal is to track down where the Bristlebacks are coming from. The trophy will unlock after completing the 4th quest.
Kotallo
Aided Kotallo
Helped Kotallo build and test a mechanized arm.
The What Was Lost questline starts in your base if done during the story, or in The Memorial Grove after the story. Call Kotallo at the campfire before entering the Zenith Research Lab and follow the quest markers to the storage room. Once there, head to the back right corner of the room and use the access point.
After defeating the specters, follow the waypoints through a vent in the wall to an office where you can climb through a vent on the ceiling. Next, locate the components in the next room after leaving the vent, and meet back up with Kotallo to wrap up the research lab.
Later you can talk to Kotallo again at the base (during story) or The Memorial Grove (after the story). Meet him at another campfire before going on a hunt for a Scorcher which will complete the quest and unlock the trophy.
Zo
Healed the Land-gods
Helped Zo reboot the land-gods to save Plainsong.
The Second Verse questline starts in your base if done during the story, or in Plainsong after the story. Call Zo at the campfire before collecting cores from the Grimhorns. Tear the shoulder mounts off the Grimhorns to drop heavy weapons that will make clearing the area a breeze. Then talk to her again in your base (story) or Plainsong (after the story).
Next, go to each of the shrines and reboot the Land-gods (may need to be done later in the story). The Land-god at Cinnabar Sands is found under a large bounder. While assisting the Land-god, you will need to defeat a Stormbird which will fall out of the air if you tear off the component on its belly.
The Land-god at the lake is trapped behind some rubble. Follow the button prompt to remove the debris, then reboot the machine.
The Land-god in the Canyon requires you to open 4 metal flowers to remove the vines pinning it down. Once all Land-gods have the reboot code, meet Zo at Plainsong for a final cutscene and the trophy will unlock.
Alva
Recovered Alva’s Data
Helped Alva retrieve data to help the Quen.
The Forbidden Legacy questline starts in your base if done during the story, or in Legacy’s Landfall after the story. Follow Alva to the nearby ruins, kill the Slitherfang, and search for a vent low on a wall. Kick the vent in, and search for the access point.
Then follow Alva toward Atbay Headquarters in the nearby jungle. Work your way through an adjacent ruin to find the entrance to Atbay HQ covered by some rubble. Clear the debris and ascend the tower. There are 2 locked doors. The door codes are 102023 and 402625. Finish reaching the top of the tower, watch the cutscene, and the trophy will unlock.
Misc. Quests
Completed 2 Flying Mount Quests
Completed 2 quests that required a flying mount.
Horizon Forbidden West has 4 flying quests of which only 2 are required for this trophy. The first quest is located in Arrowhead and requires you to clear out some machines to access a Greenshine.
The second quest starts in The Bulwark. You will collect 4 pieces of armor from a mountain plateau. After repairing the armor, the trophy will pop.
Completed a Set of Salvage Contracts
Completed all contracts at a Salvage Contractor.
Salvage Contracts are represented on the map by an icon that looks like a piece of parchment. The first one you will encounter will be southwest of Barren Light. Complete all quests for the Salvage Contract and the trophy will unlock.
Story Trophies
Reached the Daunt
Arrived at the Daunt seeking passage into the Forbidden West.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during The Point of the Lance as you travel down the elevator.
Secured Passage to the Embassy
Cleared the way to the Embassy and reopened the Daunt.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during To the Brink after checking back in with Vuadis in Chainscrape and watching the cutscene as he leaves.
Attended the Embassy
Survived the ambush at the Embassy and gained passage into the Forbidden West.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during The Embassy after the battle and killing Regalla’s champion.
Established the Base
Secured a base of operations and rebooted GAIA.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during The Eye of the Earth after activating GAIA.
Recovered AETHER
Defended the Kulrut and recovered AETHER.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during The Kulrut after delivering AETHER to GAIA.
Recovered POSEIDON
Drained Las Vegas and recovered POSEIDON.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during The Sea of Sands after delivering POSEIDON to GAIA.
Recovered Beta
Followed Beta’s distress signal and brought her back to base.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during Cradle of Echoes after talking with Beta at your base.
Recovered DEMETER
Encountered the Quen and recovered DEMETER
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during Seeds of the Past after delivering DEMETER to GAIA.
Discovered Faro’s Fate
Survived Thebes and befriended the Quen.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during Faro’s Tomb after leaving Thebes.
Flew on the Wings of the Ten
Flew into battle and vanquished Regalla.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock during The Wings of Ten after the boss battle.
Discovered Nemesis
Put an end to the Zenith threat and discovered Nemesis.
Automatic story trophy. This will unlock at the end of the game when the credits start rolling.
Completion Trophies
All Trophies Obtained
Obtained all Horizon Forbidden West trophies.
As usual for PlayStation games, unlock all other trophies and this one will too.
Leveling
Reached Level 20
Reached player level 20.
This should unlock naturally while working on the main story if you do a few side activities.
Reached Level 30
Reached player level 30.
This Horizon Forbidden West trophy will unlock shortly after the story while working through the collectible and completion trophies
Reached Level 50
Reached player level 50.
If you finish up the other trophies first and need to gain a few more levels, farm large machines. I traveled to The Stillsands and farmed the Tremortusk in the southwest corner. When you get there, simply scan the Tremortusk, tear off it’s shoulder-lmounted weapons, and shock it in the belly. Then, zoom in and take out one or both of the weapons on either side of it’s mouth. Use one of the heavy weapons to finish it off.
You can then fly to the campfire just east of the Tremortusk and fast travel to another zone (there’s a zone 2 campfires west of the Tremortusk). Then immediately fast travel to the campfire to the west of the Tremortusk and repeat until you unlock the trophy. Apex versions of the machines will yield additional experience and they are more common at night.
Tallnecks
First Tallneck Overridden
Reached the top of a Tallneck and accessed its information.
See the All Tallnecks Overridden trophy guide below for video reference.
All Tallnecks Overridden
Reached the top of every Tallneck and accessed their information.
Tallneck locations include:
- Cinnabar Sands
- Salt Bite (in Cauldron Iota)
- The Wings of the Ten (story mission)
- Landfall
- The Stillsands
Rebel Camps
First Rebel Camp Completed
Completed key objectives in 1 Rebel Camp.
See Defeated Asera for details.
Defeated Asera
Investigated all Rebel Camps and helped Erend defeat Asera.
Track your progress with Rebel Camps under Quests – Rebel Camps. After clearing out the first 5 camps, the final camp will be available. Clear out the camp and defeat the boss to pop the trophy.
Video guide will be posted soon.
Cauldrons
First Core Overridden
Reached the Core of a Cauldron and accessed its information.
See All Cores Overridden for video references below. Only the cauldrons that are not part of the story missions count toward this trophy. Cauldron Iota is accessible early in the game and does not require additional equipment.
All Cores Overridden
Reached the Core of every Cauldron and accessed their information.
There are 6 cores in total. The first 2 are available through story missions. In general, it is best to leave the remaining 4 until after you complete the story. One of the cauldrons will require the breathing apparatus from a story mission.
Repair Bay Tau
Cauldron Gemini
Cauldron Iota
Cauldron Mu
Cauldron Chi
Cauldron Kappa
Hunting Grounds
Obtained 3 Stripes at a Hunting Ground
Earned at least a Quarter Stripe mark in all three trials at one Hunting Ground.
Refer to the Horizon Forbidden West Hunting Grounds Guide for details on how to complete each of the trials.
Obtained 3 Stripes at All Hunting Grounds
Earned at least a Quarter Stripe mark in all three trials at all Hunting Grounds.
Hunting Ground trials are spread across 4 locations on the map with 3 trials at each. Leave this trophy until near the end when you have the following equipment and skills:
- Shock weapon
- Shock traps
- Frost weapon
- Shredder Gauntlet
- Plasma Boltblaster
- Clawstrider override
Refer to the Horizon Forbidden West Hunting Grounds Guide for details on how to complete each of the trials.
Machine Types
All Acquisition Machines Killed
Killed at least one of every type of Acquisition machine.
Make sure you scan each of the machines types before killing it for All Machine Types Scanned. These are the Acquisition Machines in the order they appear in the Notebook.
- Grazer
- Scrounger
- Scrapper
- Spikesnout
- Plowhorn
- Charger
- Lancehorn
- Bristleback
- Fanghorn
- Widemaw
- Glinthawk
- Snapmaw
- Sunwing
- Clamberjaw
- Rockbreaker
- Tideripper
- Frostclaw
- Fireclaw
All Recon Machines Killed
Killed at least one of every type of Reconnaissance machine.
Make sure you scan each of the machines types before killing it for All Machine Types Scanned. These are the Recon Machines in the order they appear in the Notebook.
- Burrower
- Skydrifter
- Longleg
- Redeye Watcher
- Tallneck (complete a Tallneck task for it to count)
All Combat Machines Killed
Killed at least one of every type of Combat machine.
Note: Specter Prime (the final boss) is missible in the final story mission if you fail to scan it for All Machine Types Scanned.
Make sure you scan each of the machines types before killing it for All Machine Types Scanned. These are the Combat Machines in the order they appear in the Notebook.
- Clawstrider
- Corruptor
- Stalker
- Grimhorn
- Ravager
- Dreadwing
- Shellsnapper
- Stormbird
- Thuderjaw
- Scorcher
- Slitherfang
- Tremortusk
- Slaughterspine
- Specter
- Specter Prime
All Transport Machines Killed
Killed at least one of every type of Transport machine.
Make sure you scan each of the machines types before killing it for All Machine Types Scanned. These are the Transport Machines in the order they appear in the Notebook.
- Leaplasher
- Bellowback
- Shell-Walker
- Rollerback
- Behemoth
All Machine Types Scanned
Encountered and Focus scanned every type of machine.
Note: Specter Prime (the final boss) is missible in the final story mission.
Make sure you scan each of the machines types when you first encounter them. It is a good habit to get into, since there are a few machines that are less common in the game.
A location guide will be coming out soon.
Mounts
Rode All Regular Mounts
Rode a Charger, Bristleback, and Clawstrider.
You can override (Triangle) and ride a Charger, Bristleback, or Clawstrider after learning the ability to override each. Chargers will be available at the start of the game. Unlock Bristlebacks by completing Repair Bay Tau in the main story. Finally, Clawstriders unock by overriding the core in Cauldron Iota.
Won 2 Gauntlet Runs
Won first place in two different Gauntlet Runs.
Gauntlet Runs are single lap races in the game. You will only need to win 2 of these for the trophy to unlock. The first is found southwest of the west entrance to your base. It is right next to one of the campfires. After completing the race, the next event will be added to your quest log and is found along a beach in the southwest.
During the race you can shoot racers in front of you with your bow or use your spear on racers next to you to slow them down. You can pick up additional ammo and tools hanging from beams with Triangle. Tools can be used with R2. The Blaze Boost will give you an extra boost of speed.
Exploration
Completed 3 Relic Runs
Discovered and completed 3 Relic Ruins.
Relic Runs are represented by a map icon that looks like a crumbling building. Enter 3 ruins, find the key, and solve the puzzle to unlock the doors containing the relics.
Recovered 5 Different Collectibles
Completed 1 Survey Drone, 1 Black Box, 1 Relic Ruin, 1 Vista Point, and 1 Signal Tower.
You only need to collect one of each of these collectible types during your playthrough. Survey Drones fly around in set paths near a tall structure. Climb the structure, jump to the drone, and hold on until it crashes to the ground.
Black Boxes are found inside wrecked planes. There is one in the Stillsands south of the Salvage Contractor that only requires opening a metal flower to access it. You will solve 3 Relic Ruins while working on Completed 3 Relic Ruins.
To solve a Vista Point, you need to move to a vantage point that matches the silhouette shown when scanning the tower. Move to a hill or tall structure near the Vista Point, and you should find something that lines up.
Signal Towers are located in the mountains near Chainscrape. Once you have a Sunwing mount, fly to the top of one of the towers and collect the lens.
Defeated Machine Strike Challengers
Won a match against 2 different Machine Strike challengers.
You will need to defeat 2 opponents in the Machine Strike board game. I recommend going to the large building in the middle of Chainscrape. In there, you can do the tutorial for the game, then challenge the teacher to a match. After that, head south to Barren Light and defeat the challenger to unlock the trophy. It may take a few tries to get the mechanics down.
Rebel Outposts
Completed 4 Rebel Outposts
Defeated the outpost leader and recovered the tags from 4 Rebel Outposts.
Rebel Outposts are represented by a map icon that looks like a skull, and are the smaller versions of the camps. There are many Rebel Outposts across the map, but you will only need 4 cleared. Enter each outpost, take out their leader, loot the body, and leave the area for the outpost to be marked as cleared.
Arenas
Completed Arena Challenge Set
Completed 1 Arena challenge set.
The Arena is located near the middle of the map. You will need to speak with Kalla to start the quest to open the Arena. Once completed, select the Amateur challenges and work your way through the first 4. Take some time at the start of each match to scan the machines looking for weak points and potential heavy weapons. Additionally, check the environment for traps to help level the playing field. Once the Slitherfang is defeated the trophy will pop.
Weapons
Obtained All Weapon Classes
Obtained 1 weapon from every weapon class.
There are 9 weapon classes required for this Horizon Forbidden West trophy. Vendors in settlements often have a selection of weapons. Wait until after the story when you are cleaning up the remaining trophies. If you are missing any weapon classes, go ahead and purchase them The weapon classes include:
- Blastsling
- Boltblaster
- Hunter Bow
- Ropecaster
- Sharpshot Bow
- Shredder Gauntlet
- Spike Thrower
- Tripcaster
- Warrior Bow
Picked Up 5 Heavy Weapons
Picked up 5 different heavy weapons.
Heavy weapons are found on various machine types. When you scan a machine, press Left and Right to cycle through the parts. When you see a detachable weapon, press Triangle to mark it. Aim at the part to tear it off the machine, then run over and pick it up. Do this with 5 different weapons in the achievement will unlock.
The heavy weapons are fantastic to use against the machines, especially in large fights or boss battles. The first heavy weapon I found during my playthrough was the tail on the Slitherfang early in the story missions.
10 Types of Machines Overridden
Unlocked and used the overrides for 10 different types of machine.
You will gain access to overriding machine types through completing Cauldrons. Some overrides will unlock completely. Others will require you to craft them in your room of the base. Simply sneak up (Square) to a machine you can override and hold Triangle when the prompt appears. Do that with 10 different types of machines and the trophy will pop.
Melee Challenges
Defeated the Enduring
Defeated the Tenakth melee master known as the Enduring.
Before starting the melee challenges, make sure you unlock the melee combos in the Warrior skill tree. While fighting the pit masters, use the combos you learned (R1 + R1 + R2 is helpful). Once all melee challenges are complete, you can fight the Enduring north of Scalding Spear. The trophy unlocks after defeating her.
Refer to the Horizon Forbidden West Melee Challenges Guide for more details.
Upgrades
Upgraded 3 Weapons
Fully upgraded 3 weapons.
This is best done with 3 green rarity weapons. You will find a few on your journey, but feel free to purchase 1 or 2 to finish this trophy early. Simply take the weapons to a nearby workbench and upgrade them 3 times each to unlock the trophy.
Upgraded 3 Outfits
Fully upgraded 3 different outfits.
This is best done with 3 green rarity outfits. You will find a few on your journey, but feel free to purchase 1 or 2 to finish this trophy early. Simply take the outfits to a nearby workbench and upgrade them 3 times each to unlock the trophy.
Upgraded Every Pouch Type
Upgraded the Food Pouch, Potion Pouch, Resource Pouch, Trap Pouch, and any ammo pouch at least once.
There are 5 types of pouches needed for this Horizon Forbidden West trophy. They include:
- Ammo
- Food
- Potion
- Resource
- Trap
You will need to find or buy one potion to unlock the potion pouch. The food pouch will require you receiving or purchasing food from a cook in one of the settlements. There is a cook in the large building in the middle of the first settlement, Chainscrape, who will give you a short quest. After turning the quest in, return again to the cook and he will reward you with free food and a pouch.
Enhanced Weapon with Coils
Equipped a weapon of any tier with 2 coils.
Once you have acquired a blue, purple, or yellow rarity weapon, go into the inventory screen. From there you can press Square to bring up the coils menu and insert 2 coils in the weapon. If one or more slots is locked, you can upgrade the weapon at a crafting table. After the second coil is installed, the trophy will unlock.
Skills
Fully Upgraded a Valor Surge
Upgraded a Valor Surge to its maximum level.
Each skill tree contains a few upgradable valor surges. The valor surges are made up of 3 levels. The first is unlocked after you purchase the skills surrounding the adjacent nodes. The second and third levels can be purchased for 3 skill points each. Fully upgrading all valor surges in a single tree will also be required for the Skill Tree Learned trophy.
Unlocked 3 Weapon Techniques
Unlocked a Weapon Technique for 3 different weapon classes.
Weapon techniques are found in all skill trees except the Warrior skill tree. When you select the node, it will state that it is a Weapon Technique and list the weapon it applies to. Make sure you purchase a technique for 3 different weapon classes and the trophy will unlock. You should easily have enough skill points to spare while working on trophies after completing the story.
Skill Tree Learned
Learned all available skills on one tree.
Purchase every skill and all valor levels for one of the skill trees. I recommend filling out the Warrior tree since you will need them for the melee trials required for the Defeated the Enduring trophy.
You can do a manual save at a campfire before purchasing the valor levels. Then reload the save to get the points back after the trophy unlocks.
Conditional Trophies
Exploration
Completed a Long Glide
Glided uninterrupted for 60 seconds.
During the main quest, The Wings of the Ten, you will unlock the ability to override Sunwings. Climb to the top of the mountain starting from the west exit to your base, and override one of the Sunwings there.
Then, hold R1 to fly directly up from where you are. Since you’re on a mountain, the maximum altitude will be significantly higher than anywhere on the map. When you see the Sunwing bobbing up and down, indicating that you reached the max height, press Square to dismount, followed immediately by holding Square to start your glide. Finally, aim for the valley to the west of your base. You should have plenty of time to spare; I ended up with a buffer of 49 seconds.
Combat
Stealth Killed 10 Machines
Performed a stealth kill on 10 machines.
This will unlock early in the game. When you find machines, press Square to crouch and use tall grass to sneak up behind them. Press R1 to perform a stealth kill when you are in range.
Used All Elemental States
Inflicted every elemental state on an enemy at least once.
There are 6 elemental states required to unlock this Horizon Forbidden West trophy. You can explicitly attack machines with weapons that carry these elements. Alternatively, you may also attack weak points on machines that will trigger the elemental effects. If you focus on the weak points, you will likely unlock this trophy without the need to swap ammo types during your playthrough. The 6 elements include:
- Acid
- Fire
- Frost
- Plasma
- Purgewater
- Shock
Performed 3 Melee Combos
Successfully performed 3 different unlockable melee combos.
Melee combos can be found in the Warrior skill tree. Highlight a melee combo to see the steps needed to perform each one. While you are working through the Melee Pits, this trophy will unlock naturally. You are required to perform specific melee combos to progress in the pits.
Tore Off 100 Components
Detached 100 components from machines.
This Horizon Forbidden West trophy will unlock naturally as you work through the other trophies in the guide. Aim for detachable parts and tear them off while battling machines. You can view the parts by scanning the machine with R3 and pressing Left/Right to cycle through the parts.
Horizon Forbidden West Misc. Trophies
Used Dye Flowers
Used dye flowers to unlock and apply a new dye.
Pick flowers while exploring the world, then go to a Dyer (represented by a bowl) in one of the settlements to purchase the dye. While there, make sure you choose a dye that requires flower ingredients. There are some dyes made from metal shards and they do not count toward this trophy.
Thanks for checking out the Horizon Forbidden West Trophy Guide. Please post any questions or comments below.