TL;DR
- Greenshine is essential for upgrading Very Rare (purple) and Legendary (orange) gear
- Sunken Caverns provide the highest concentration of Greenshine deposits
- Use the Job system to automatically mark Greenshine locations on your map
- Prioritize underwater exploration and environmental obstacle clearing
- Time your collection efforts post-Sea of Sands mission for maximum efficiency
Greenshine represents one of Horizon Forbidden West’s most sought-after crafting materials, essential for transforming high-tier equipment from functional to formidable. This luminous green mineral serves as the cornerstone for enhancing your most powerful weapons and protective gear, delivering substantial performance improvements that can dramatically impact combat effectiveness.
While numerous resources are required for crafting ammunition and equipment modifications, Greenshine stands apart due to its scarcity and specialized application. The mineral exclusively facilitates upgrades for Very Rare (purple) and Legendary (orange) tier equipment—the game’s most powerful gear options. Unlike common materials that appear throughout standard gameplay, Greenshine demands deliberate hunting strategies and environmental knowledge.

Strategic collection becomes crucial since Greenshine isn’t universally required—common (green) and rare (blue) equipment upgrades utilize more accessible materials. This selective necessity means efficient players must balance immediate needs against long-term gear enhancement goals.
Multiple reliable collection methods exist, though their effectiveness varies significantly based on your progression and exploration diligence. Underwater environments consistently yield the highest discovery rates, particularly following completion of the Sea of Sands main quest, which unlocks advanced swimming capabilities through the Poseidon subordinate function.
Environmental obstacles provide another consistent source. Metal flower vines and Firegleam-marked walls frequently conceal Greenshine deposits behind them. These locations automatically populate your map as you encounter them, though interacting with these obstacles requires specific story progression milestones.
Sunken Caverns represent the pinnacle of Greenshine farming opportunities. These optional underwater cave systems remain hidden as map question marks until personally investigated, but contain multiple guaranteed deposits. Completion indicators mark when all available Greenshine has been collected from each cavern.
A crucial pro tip: systematically clear each Sunken Cavern completely before moving to the next, as returning later wastes valuable exploration time. The caverns typically contain 3-5 pieces each, making them worth approximately 15-20 minutes of focused exploration.
Efficient Greenshine collection requires understanding spawn mechanics and optimizing route planning. The mineral respawns periodically, though not on a predictable timer—check previously cleared areas every 5-10 hours of gameplay for renewed deposits.
Common collection mistakes include overlooking elevated rock formations where Greenshine can spawn in semi-hidden ledges, and failing to use Focus pulses regularly while exploring underwater areas, where the green glow can be obscured by vegetation and murky water.
Advanced players should prioritize the following route: complete main story through Sea of Sands, systematically clear all Sunken Caverns, then methodically address metal flower and Firegleam locations. This progression-based approach ensures you have the necessary tools to access all potential Greenshine sources.
Underwater visibility significantly impacts collection efficiency. Consider adjusting your display settings—increasing brightness to 65-70% and reducing contrast can make Greenshine’s glow more detectable in deep water areas.
Greenshine allocation requires careful consideration since supplies remain limited throughout most of the game. Prioritize upgrades for your most frequently used weapons first, particularly those with coil slots that can be enhanced through the upgrade process.
The Job system provides invaluable assistance when specific upgrades require Greenshine. By pressing Triangle while viewing upgrade requirements, you create a tracking objective that automatically marks nearby Greenshine locations on your map interface.
Weapon upgrade benefits extend beyond simple stat improvements. Many upgrades unlock additional modification slots, enable new weapon techniques, or enhance elemental effects—transformative changes that justify the resource investment.
Resource management becomes critical—avoid spending Greenshine on equipment you may replace soon. Instead, consult our Weapons Unlock guide to understand which weapons remain relevant throughout endgame content.
For comprehensive gameplay strategies, our Complete Guide offers additional context for maximizing your overall effectiveness in Horizon Forbidden West’s expansive world.
Understanding character capabilities through our Class Guide can provide parallel insights into specialization strategies that complement your upgraded equipment.
Action Checklist
- Complete Sea of Sands mission to unlock advanced swimming
- Systematically explore all Sunken Cavern locations
- Clear metal flower and Firegleam obstacles as discovered
- Use Job system to track Greenshine for specific upgrades
- Prioritize Legendary weapon upgrades over Very Rare equipment
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Horizon Forbidden West Greenshine Guide: Where To Find It And How To Use It Master Greenshine collection strategies and optimize weapon upgrades in Horizon Forbidden West
