Battle Basics

Learn the essentials of combat in Horizon: Steel Frontiers, from melee and ranged attacks to weapon upgrades, traps, damage types, and overriding machines.

This guide covers the fundamental combat mechanics in Horizon: Steel Frontiers, providing details on various attack types, weapon systems, and tactical advantages.

Melee Attacks are close-range strikes with the spear, including Light and Heavy attacks. Additional skills like Silent Strikes and Critical Strikes can be unlocked from the Skill Tree.

Ranged Attacks utilize a variety of weapons such as bows (Hunter, Sharpshot, War), Tripcaster, Ropecaster, Sling, Blast Sling, Tearblaster, and Rattler. Each weapon has unique ammunition. Aim with and fire with . Targeting enemy weak points maximizes damage. Elemental weapons exploit enemy weaknesses.

Weapon Upgrades come in Uncommon, Carja (Rare), and Shadow (Very Rare) versions, enhancing stats and ammunition. Special Lodge versions exist for the War Bow, Ropecaster, and Blast Sling.

The Weapon Wheel allows equipping up to four weapons. Hold to access the wheel and select weapons. Ammo can be crafted quickly by hovering over the ammo type and holding .

Traps & Tripwires can be placed before combat to gain an advantage. Trap types include Blast, Detonating Blast, and Shock. Tripwires include Shock, Blast, and Fire variants.

Damage Types include standard Damage, Shock (stuns), Fire (damage-over-time), Freeze (slows and boosts damage), Tear (removes components/armor), and Corruption (makes enemies hostile).

Modifications are items found or bought that improve weapon and outfit abilities. They come in Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare varieties and are slotted into weapons. Mods are consumed permanently unless the Tinker skill is unlocked.

Overriding Machines allows them to fight for you or be ridden for faster travel. Override codes are found in Cauldrons. Approach stealthily, hold until the override gauge fills. Overridden machines remain friendly for a limited time.

Machine Armor protects weak areas and must be destroyed using Tear ammunition before the armor plate is removed. Elemental attacks bypass armor.

Corrupted Machines are more aggressive versions found in Corrupted Zones or Cultist camps. They are stronger than their standard counterparts.