TL;DR
- Prioritize survival skills like Potent Medicine before offensive abilities
- Focus on stealth and concentration skills for tactical combat advantage
- Plan skill progression around weapon types and playstyle preferences
- Avoid spreading points too thin across multiple skill trees early on
- Master combo techniques like Resonator Blast for maximum damage output
Navigating Horizon Forbidden West’s extensive progression system requires strategic planning from the outset. Guerrilla Games has designed one of the most comprehensive skill systems in modern action-RPGs, featuring six distinct specialization paths that dramatically alter how you approach combat and exploration.
The skill tree organizes abilities into Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master categories. Each branch contains both passive enhancements and active techniques, culminating in powerful Valor Surges – ultimate abilities that provide temporary combat advantages when activated. Understanding these categories is crucial for building an effective Aloy that matches your preferred playstyle.
During the initial hours, skill investments remain affordable at just one point per ability. Mission completion typically rewards multiple skill points, allowing rapid early progression. However, advanced skills demand significantly higher point investments and require unlocking prerequisite abilities, making early choices critically important for your long-term build viability.
Aloy’s expanded toolkit demands careful skill selection to maximize effectiveness.
Your first ten skill points should establish a foundation that enhances survivability while providing tactical flexibility. Unlike many RPGs where offensive skills dominate early builds, Horizon Forbidden West rewards balanced progression that addresses multiple combat scenarios.
Survival Essentials: Begin with Potent Medicine to significantly improve healing efficiency from medicinal berries. This skill transforms your sustainability in extended encounters, reducing downtime between fights and conserving resources that would otherwise be spent on healing items.
Stealth Arsenal: Silent Strike+ and Stealth Tear+ work synergistically to eliminate threats quietly while disabling machine components. These skills become particularly valuable when facing overwhelming odds or when attempting to conserve ammunition and resources.
Combat Techniques: Resonator Blast introduces a powerful damage combo system, while Concentration+ extends your aiming time for precise weak point targeting. Block Breaker provides essential utility against human adversaries who employ defensive stances.
Strategic skill selection should align with your weapon preferences and encounter approach. Ranged specialists benefit maximally from Concentration enhancements, while melee-focused players should prioritize Warrior tree abilities. Machine Masters gain early advantage from companion buffs that enhance combat effectiveness through controlled machines.
Beyond individual skill selection, understanding ability interactions creates powerful combinations that dramatically increase combat effectiveness. The Resonator Blast technique exemplifies this principle, transforming melee engagements into high-damage opportunities when combined with proper timing and weapon selection.
Common Early Game Mistakes: Many players spread their points too thinly across multiple categories, resulting in underwhelming performance in all areas. Instead, focus on mastering 2-3 complementary skill trees before diversifying into secondary specializations.
Advanced Optimization: As you progress, skill costs escalate dramatically – later abilities may require 3-5 points plus multiple prerequisites. Plan your progression by working backward from desired Valor Surges, ensuring you meet requirements efficiently without wasting points on unnecessary stepping-stone skills.
Build Specialization Paths: Stealth archers benefit from Infiltrator and Hunter synergy, while frontline fighters should combine Warrior and Survivor abilities. Technical players who prefer manipulating the battlefield will find Trapper and Machine Master combinations exceptionally powerful against larger machines.
Remember that skill respec options remain available throughout your journey, allowing experimentation once you’ve established a solid foundation. However, careful early planning minimizes the need for costly rebuilds and ensures smooth progression through the game’s challenging mid-game encounters.
Action Checklist
- Unlock Potent Medicine as your first skill point investment
- Acquire Silent Strike+ and Stealth Tear+ for stealth gameplay options
- Master Resonator Blast combo: melee strike followed by ranged attack
- Focus on 2-3 primary skill trees before diversifying
- Plan progression toward your first Valor Surge ability
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Horizon Forbidden West: Best Skills To Get Early Master Horizon Forbidden West's skill tree with expert early-game build strategies and optimization tips