Hunter Bow (Uncommon): Hunter Bows

Learn how to upgrade the Hunter Bow in Horizon Forbidden West, including costs and effects for each rank, and stats for Hunter and Acid Hunter Arrows.

Alright, let’s talk about the Hunter Bow in Horizon Forbidden West. This is actually the very first weapon Aloy gets, so it’s pretty important to understand. Think of it as your starting point, a solid all-rounder that’s great for mid-range fights. It’s not going to be the most powerful thing you’ll ever use, but it’s a fantastic introduction to how bows work in the game, especially for taking off machine parts.

The cool thing about this bow is that as you upgrade it, you’ll unlock new ammo types. At Rank II, you’ll get Acid Hunter Arrows. These are super useful for applying the Corrode status effect, which makes enemies take more damage over time. It’s not the highest damage output in the game, but it’s a great way to start chipping away at tougher machines.

Plus, like most uncommon weapons, once you get it to Rank III, you’ll unlock a Coil Slot. This means you can customize it even further with Coils to boost its stats or add special effects. It’s a great way to make your starting weapon way more effective as you progress.

Hunter Bow Stats

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from the Hunter Bow’s stats as you upgrade it:

How to Upgrade the Hunter Bow

Upgrading the Hunter Bow is key to unlocking its full potential. Here’s what you’ll need for each rank:

Rank I Upgrades

• Metal Shards: You’ll get these commonly from pretty much any machine you take down.
• Braided Wire: Also a common drop from all machines.

Rank II Upgrades

• Burrower Circulator: This is an uncommon drop you’ll get from Burrowers.

Rank III Upgrades

• Burrower Soundshell: This is a very rare drop from Burrowers. Make sure you detach it before you destroy the machine, or you won’t get it!

Hunter Bow Ammo Types

The Hunter Bow uses two main types of ammo, each with its own strengths:

• Hunter Arrows: These are your bread-and-butter arrows. They deal a mix of Impact and Tear damage, which is great for knocking off machine components or hunting smaller game.
• Acid Hunter Arrows: Once unlocked at Rank II, these arrows are fantastic for applying the Corrode status effect. They deal Acid damage and build up the effect, making enemies more vulnerable to all damage.