How to Unlock the Arena

Learn how to unlock the Arena in Horizon Forbidden West! Follow our guide to complete 'Opening the Arena' and get the machine parts needed.

Alright, so you want to get into the Arena, huh? It's pretty straightforward once you've finished the main story mission called 'The Kulrut'. After that, the Maw of the Arena, located in the Memorial Grove, will be open for business. Just fast travel to the campfire right outside the building – you can't miss it. The entrance to the Arena itself is just to the west of that campfire.

Once you're inside, look for Kalla and Dukkah. They'll have those handy green exclamation points over their heads, just like any other side quest giver. This one feels more like an Errand, but either way, you'll get a new quest in your log called 'Opening the Arena'.

Chief Hekarro needs the ballista that protects the Arena field fixed up, and for that, he needs some specific machine parts. That's where you come in! Kalla and Dukkah will ask you to grab these parts. You'll need two Bristleback Tusks and a Sinew from a Rollerback. The Tusks are usually easy to come by; you might even have them already. If not, there's a Fire Bristleback site just north of the Arena's campfire. For the Sinew, though, the Rollerback doesn't always drop it, so you'll have to actively hunt one down specifically for the quest item. Kalla mentioned spotting a Rollerback near a campfire to the southeast, and some Bristlebacks too.

When you head to the location marked on your map, which is a good ways southeast of the Arena, you'll find the Rollerback. Keep an eye out though, because you'll likely run into other machines there too, like a Spikesnout and some Burrowers. If you can get some Silent Strikes on those Burrowers, it'll help thin the herd. But then you're left with the Spikesnout and your main target, the Rollerback.

The area has plenty of rocks you can use for cover, which is super helpful. Just be mindful of the Rollerback's charging attack – it can really catch you off guard. Also, watch out for their projectiles; they can build up and inflict the Adhesive status effect, which is a real pain. Once you finally take down the Rollerback, make sure to loot it to get that crucial Sinew. Then, just bring the two Tusks and the Sinew back to Kalla at the Arena, and you'll be all set to finish and reopen the Arena for good!