Spurflints Hunting Grounds

Master the Spurflints Hunting Grounds in Horizon Zero Dawn! Get expert tips and strategies for the Watch Out, Stalker Kill, and Sleight of Crate trials to earn your Blazing Suns.

Alright, let's talk about the Spurflints Hunting Grounds in Horizon Zero Dawn. These are your proving grounds, where you'll test your skills against specific challenges. Think of them as mini-exams designed to make you a better hunter. We've got three trials here: Watch Out, Stalker Kill, and Sleight of Crate. Each one has its own set of challenges and time limits for earning those coveted Blazing Suns.

Watch Out Trial

Blazing Sun	Full Sun	Half Sun
2:00	3:00	20:00

This trial is all about being sneaky. You need to get close enough to four Watchers to perform a Silent Strike, and that's tough when they're on alert. Your best bet is the Nora Silent Hunter outfit, especially the Heavy version kitted out with Stealth mods. Don't forget your Lure Call skill!

Before you even zip down, use your Focus to scan the area and tag as many Watchers as you can. You'll usually find one to the north, one below you, one northwest near some Shell-Walkers, and another to the west. The closer ones should be easy to tag, but the others might wander out of range.

Your strategy here is to stick to the tall grass – it's your best friend for staying hidden. When a Watcher is close enough, use Lure Call to draw it to your position. Once it's in range and you're hidden, initiate the Silent Strike. Repeat this three more times. Try to avoid the Stalkers if you can, especially if they've laid down signal flares, as they'll blow your cover.

Stalker Kill Trial

Blazing Sun	Full Sun	Half Sun
2:00	3:30	20:00

This one's generally considered the easiest of the bunch because you're just hunting two Stalkers. You can usually spot them both before you even start the timer. One is often near the southernmost zipline, perched on a tree. Don't bother with stealth for this first one; go in hot and hit it with shock damage, as that's its main weakness.

The tricky part is that Stalkers can cloak, making them hard to track. Plus, you won't just be fighting Stalkers – Watchers and Shell-Walkers will likely join the fray. Consider wearing armor that defends against melee or shock damage, or have one set focused on one type of defense and mods to cover the other. Your main goal is the Stalkers, so keep your eyes peeled. If a Stalker hits you with its dart gun, pay attention to the dart's location – it can help you track them even when they're cloaked.

Sleight of Crate Trial

Blazing Sun	Full Sun	Half Sun
1:05	1:30	20:00

This trial can be a real headache if you're not efficient. You need to loot four crates, and the quickest way is to shoot them off the backs of Shell-Walkers. The good news? There are usually two crates already on the ground in the area, so you only need to dislodge two from the machines themselves.

Time is super tight here, so you don't want to waste it sneaking around too much, though the Silent Hunter outfit can still help you avoid drawing unnecessary attention early on. Take the northernmost zipline to get close to some Shell-Walkers. If their backs aren't turned, just wait a moment. Then, pop a shot at the joint holding the crate. A strong arrow should knock it loose. As soon as it hits the ground, loot it and the one that might already be nearby. Once you've got two, head south/southwest to find the other Shell-Walkers and repeat the process. You probably won't be able to stay completely hidden for this part, so focus on speed and efficiency.