List of Skills and Skill Trees

This is a list of all skills in Horizon Forbidden West. Read on to learn how to unlock each skill, how to use each skill, and for more detailed info on skill costs and skill priority.

List of Skills

Warrior Skills

Warrior skills unlock additional melee combos and increase melee damage and effectiveness. The skill upgrades include weapon techniques for Warrior Bows. This skill set is suited for close-range combat.

List of Warrior Skills

Skill	Description
Aerial Slash / Jump-Off	Jump-Off Jump off an enemy to quickly reposition yourself and create distance. Shooting your target with an arrow immediately after a Jump-Off deals extra damage. Aerial Slash Quickly damage an enemy and leap into the air Shooting your target with an arrow immediately after an Aerial Slash deals extra damage.
Block Breaker	Immediately break an enemy's weapon guard and leave them vulnerable to follow-up attack. R1 - R1 - R2
Burst Fire	Warrior Bow Fire 3 arrows of your currently selected type in a quick burst. Depletes a small amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Critical Boost	Powered by a special mode in your Focus, gain a greater chance to land Critical Hits and increase Critical damage. Critical Hit Chance: +35% Critical Hit Damage: +10% Critical Strike Damage: +75%
Critical Strike+	Critical Strike deals more damage. Stun or knock down an enemy, then approach and tap R1 to execute a Critical Strike.
Energized Duration	Targets remain energized longer. First, STRIKE an enemy with melee attacks to build up energy on your spear. Then, when fully charged, tap R2 to energize your target. Finally, switch to a bow and SHOOT the energy on the target to deal a large amount of damage.
Energy Surge	Energize your spear quickly with a powerful final strike. R1 - R1 - R1 - Pause - R1
Evader	Dodge roll more times before stumbling.
Halfmoon Slash	Close in on an enemy with a quick strike. Can also be used to connect or break out of combos. Hold then release R1
Melee Damage	Deal more damage with Light and Heavy Attacks. Tap R1 to use a Light Attack. Tap R2 to use a Heavy Attack.
Melee Detonator	Warrior Bow Fire a special arrow that attaches to an enemy for a limited time. Detonate it with a melee attack to deal extra damage. Attach multiple arrows to trigger a stronger explosion. Uses up to 2 arrows of your currently selected type and depletes a small amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Melee Might	Attach a power module to your spear to deal more damage with melee attacks for a limited time. Melee Damage: +100%
Nora Warrior	A powerful melee combo common among Nora warriors, useful in knocking down small machines and staggering larger ones. R1 - R1 - R1 - R2
Power Attack+	Power Attacks deal more damage. Hold R2 to charge up a Power Attack. Release to strike.
Resonator Blast	First, STRIKE an enemy with melee attacks to build up energy on your spear. Then, when fully charged, tap R2 to energize your target. Finally, switch to a bow and SHOOT the energy on the target to deal a large amount of damage.
Resonator Blast+	Deal more damage with Resonator Blasts. First, STRIKE and enemy with melee attacks to build up energy on your spear. Then, when fully charged, TAP R2 to energize your target. Finally, switch to a bow and SHOOT the energy on the target to deal a large amount of damage.
Resonator Buildup	Energize your spear faster. First, STRIKE an enemy with melee attacks to build up energy on your spear. Then, when fully charged, TAP R2 to energize your target. Finally, switch to a bow and SHOOT the energy on the target to deal a large amount of damage.
Resonator Damage	Deal more damage when energizing a target. First, STRIKE an enemy with melee attacks to build up energy on your spear. Then, when fully charged, TAP R2 to energize your target.
Spinning Scythe	Build up to a powerful spin that strikes all surrounding enemies and clears the area around you. R1 - R1 - Pause - R1 - R1
Spread Shot	Warrior Bow Fire 5 arrows in a horizontal spread. Hold longer before firing for a tighter spread. Uses your currently selected arrow type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
The Destroyer	A risky flurry of melee attacks that deal a massive amount of damage. R1 - Pause - R1 - R1 - R1 - R1

Warrior Skill Tree

Trapper Skills

Traooer skills increase the effectiveness of food, traps and the amount of traps you can set up. The skill upgrades include weapon techniques for Tripcasters and the Ropecasters.

List of Trapper Skills

Skill	Description
Elemental Fury	Bolster your resolve and increase the buildup and effects of elemental attacks while gaining a greater resistance to elemental damage. Elemental Buildup: +100% Elemental State Duration: +50% Elemental Damage Resistance: +20%
Food Duration	Skill boosts and other effects from food last longer. Purchase foods from Cooks to take with you. Select a food in your Hunter's Kit and tap ↓ to consume it for a powerful, short-duration buff.
Nimble Crafter	Craft tools, traps, and potions faster. Hold ↓ to open your Hunter's Kit. Select a tool, trap, or potion and hold X to craft it.
Penetrating Rope	Ropecaster Fire a rope that can attack to any part of an enemy, including armor, without needing to fully draw the weapon. Does not use up any ammo. Depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Quick Trapper	Place traps faster on the field. Select a trap in your Hunter's Kit with ← + → then tap ↓ to place it.
Quick Wire	Tripcaster Quickly launch a Tripwire of your currently selected type with a preset length. Wire explodes or deactivates after a limited time. Depletes a small amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Resilient Trapper	Take less damage when triggering your own trap or tripwire.
Skilled Salvager	Recover more and higher quality resources when deconstructing traps and tripwires. To deconstruct a trap or tripwire, approach it carefully and hold △ when in range.
Trap Limit	Place more traps and tripwires on the field at the same time.
Trap Specialist	Powered by a special mode in your Focus, increase the effects of traps and tripwires while this Valor Surge is active. Trap and Tripwire Damage: +50% Trap and Tripwire Elemental Buildup: +25% Trap and Tripwire Knockdown Power: +25%

Trapper Skill Tree

Hunter Skills

Hunter skills increase ranged combat effectiveness and improve weapon stamina and Concentration. The skill upgrades include weapon techniques for Hunter Bows and Boltblaster. This skill set is suited for long-range and mid-range combat.

List of Hunter Skills

Skill	Description
Ammo Expert	Craft more ammunition from the same amount of resources.
Concentration Regen	Recover Concentration faster. Aim with L2 and tap R3 to enter Concentration mode and slow down time.
Concentration+	Increases your Concentration limit, prolonging use. Aim with L2 and tap R3 to enter Concentration mode and slow down time.
Deep Concentration	Concentration depletes more slowly, prolonging use. Aim with L2 and tap R3 to enter Concentration mode and slow down time.
Heavy Weapon+	Deal more damage while using a heavy weapon. Heavy weapons can be shot off machines or picked up from fallen human enemies.
High Volley	Hunter Bow Fire a high-arcing volley of arrows to rain down on your enemies. Uses your currently selected arrow type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aime with L2 and fire with R1
Knockdown Shot	Hunter Bow Fire a special arrow that does no damage but can stagger or knock down machines, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up strikes. Uses up to 3 arrows of your currently selected type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Powershots	Bolster your resolve and deal more damage for a certain number of shots with Bows, Boltblasters, Ropecasters, and Spike Throwers. Number of Powershots: 3 Ranged Damage: +150%
Ranged Master	Bolster your resolve and deal more damage with ranged weapons for a limited time. Ranged Weapon Damage: +30% Health Recovered per Hit: +5%
Spread Blast	Boltblaster Fire 8 bolts of your curently selected type in a wide, short-range spread. Depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Stamina Regen	Recover Weapon Stamina faster. To use a Weapon Technique, aim with L2 and fire with R1
Sustained Burst	Boltblaster Unleash an entire clip of bolts while immobile. Uses all of your currently loaded bolts, even if your attack is interruped. Depletes a large amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Triple Notch	Hunter Bow Load up to 3 arrows of your currently selected type. Fire normally to release all arrows simultaneously. Depletes a small amount of Weapon Stamina. While aiming with L2, tap R1 to load another arrow. Fire with R2
Ultra Shot	Boltblaster Fire a burst of special explosive bolts than can hit targets at long range. Uses up to 10 bolts of your currently selected type and a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Valor Surge Master	Build up valor faster. Activate your equipped Valor Surge by opening the Weapon Wheel (L1) and tapping R1 for a unique and powerful special ability.
Weapon Stamina+	Increase your Weapon Stamina limit. To use a Weapon Technique, aim with L2 and fire with R1
Workbench Expert	Craft ammunition at the Workbench using less resources than in the wilds.

Hunter Skill Tree

Survivor Skills

Survivor skills increase the effectiveness of healing and potions, and unlock perks while Aloy's in low health. The skill upgrades include weapon techniques for Blastslings and Shredder Gauntlets.

List of Survivor Skills

Skill	Description
Bouncing Bomb	Blastsling Fire an explosive bomb that becomes more powerful with each bounce, up to a maximum of 3 bounces. Uses up to 2 bombs of your currently selected type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Burst Dodge	Blastsling Lob a burst of bombs in front of you while automatically dodging backwards. Uses your currently selected bomb type and depletes a large amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Low Health Defense	Resist more damage when in the critical health state (below 25% Health).
Low Health Melee	Melee attacks deal more damage when you are dangerously wounded.
Low Health Ranged	Ranged attacks deal more damage when you are dangerously wounded.
Low Health Regen	Automatically recover health sooner when in the critical health state (below 25% Health).
Low Health Valor	Earn more valor when in the critical health state (25% Health).
Medicine Capacity	Carry more Medicinal Berries in your Medicine Pouch. Refill your Medicine Pouch by gathering medicinal plants of holding ↑ to move the supply from your Inventory.
Overshield	Activate a special armguard based on an ancient technology to gain a rechargeable, damage-absorbing energy shield. Shield also recharges when depleted if valor is still available. Shield Health: 125
Plant Forager	Gather more resources from plants.
Potent Medicine	Medicinal Berries provide more healing and heal you faster. Tap ↑ to heal with Medicinal Berries from your Medicine Pouch.
Potion Proficiency	Health Potions provide more healing and all potions are faster to consume. To drink a potion, select it in your Hunter's Kit with ← + → then tap ↓ to drink it.
Power Shredder	Shredder Gauntlet Launch a special shredder that deals extra damage to a target. Shredder does not return after impact. Uses up to 3 shredders of your currently selected type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Second Chance	Gain a chance to survive a killing blow when in the critical health state (below 25% Health). Ability has a delay before it can repeat.
Shard Salvager	Gain more Metal Shards from disassembling resources.
Shredder Mine	Shredder Gauntlet Launch a shredder that ricochets off its point of contact before hovering in place, dealing Shock damage to targets within range for a limited time. Uses up to 2 shredders of your currently selected type and depletes a medium amount of Wepaon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Sticky Bomb	Blastsling Fire a bomb of your currently selected type that sticks to its target and explodes after a delay. Attack multiple bombs to simultaneously detonate them and deal extra damage. Depletes a small amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Toughened	Consume a special potion to restore health and gain resistance to status effects. Health Regained Every 2 Seconds: 30 Melee Damage Resistance: +15%
Triple Shredder	Shredder Gauntlet Launch 3 shredders of your currently selected type. Only 1 shredder can be caught and reused. Depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Valor on Impact	Gain valor when hit by enemies. Activate your equipped Valor Surge by opening the Weapon Wheel (L1) and tapping R1 for a unique and powerful special ability.

Survivor Skill Tree

Infiltrator Skills

Infiltrator skills reduce visibility and movement noise, likewise they increase damage dealt while in stealth mode. The skill upgrades include weapon techniques for Sharpshot Bows. This skill set is suited for stealth and long-range combat.

List of Infiltrator Skills

Skill	Description
Braced Shot	Sharpshot Bow Fire a powerful shot from a kneeling position that explodes on impact. Uses up to 3 arrows of your currently selected type and depletes a large amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Double Notch	Sharpshot Bow Load a second arrow of your currently selected type. Fire normally to release both arrows simultaneously. Depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. While aiming with L2, tap R1 to load another arrow. Fire wth R2
Focused Shot	Sharpshot Bow Increase your weapon's zoom while aiming and fire a powerful shot that deals extra damage. Uses your currently selected arrow type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Low Profile	Reduce your visibility to enemies.
Quiet Movement	Move more quietly, reducing the chance of detection by enemies.
Quiet Spear	Melee attacks are quieter, reducing the chance of being detected by nearby enemies.
Radial Blast	Attach an overcharged module to your spear and immediately trigger a powerful shockwave, damaging all enemies in the vicinity. Blast Damage: 300 Shock Buildup: 150
Silent Strike Gain	Recover Weapon Stamina and earn additional valor when using Silent Strike. Approach an enemy undetected and when prompted tap R1 to execute a Silent Strike.
Silent Strike Heal	Recover health when using Silent Strike. Approach an enemy undetected and when prompted tap R1 to execute a Silent Strike.
Silent Strike+	Silent Strike deals more damage. Approach an enemy undetected and when prompted tap R1 to execute a Silent Strike.
Smoke Bomb Capacity	Carry more Smoke Bombs. Select a Smoke Bomb in your Hunter's Kit with ← + → then tap ↓ to use it.
Stealth Ranged+	Deal more ranged Impact damage while in stealth.
Stealth Stalker	Activate a cloaking device based on a Stalker technology to decrease visibility to enemies. Aiming a weapon or using melee attacks temporarily deactivates the device. Very High Visibility Reduction Bonus Damage vs. Unaware Targets: +50%
Stealth Tear+	Deal more Tear damage while in stealth, increasing the ability to remove an enemy's armor and parts from machines.

Infiltrator Skill Tree

Machine Master Skills

Machine Master skills increase the effectiveness of overriding machines, durability of overridden machines, and damage dealt using overridden machines. The skill upgrades include weapon techniques for Spike Throwers.

List of Machine Master Skills

Skill	Description
Chain Burst	Bolster your resolve against multiple enemies. Damage chains from one enemy to another within 15m and boosts knockdown power. Chain Damage: +50%
Efficient Repair	Repair damaged overridden machines for less Metal Shards. Approach an overridden machine and hold △ to repair it with Metal Shards.
Heavy Lifter	Move faster while using a heavy weapon. Heavy weapons can be shot off machines or picked up from fallen human enemies.
Lasting Override	Increase the amount of time a machine remains overridden. To override a machine, approach it undetected, knock it down, or stun it, and then hold △ to override.
Machine Damage	Overridden machines deal more damage. To override a machine, approach it undetected, knock it down, or stun it, and then hold △ to override.
Machine Elemental+	Overriden machines deal more damage with elemental attacks. To override a machine, approach it undetected, knock it down, or stun it, and then hold △ to override.
Machine Health	Overridden machines have more health. To override a machine, approach it undetected, knock it down, or stun it, and then hold △ to override.
Mounted Archer	Deal more damage while on a mount. To mount an overridden machine, tap ▢ while next to it. Only certain types of machines will accept a rider.
Mounted Defense	Take less damage while mounted. To mount an overridden machine, tap ▢ while next to it. Only certain types of machines will accept a rider.
Override Subroutines	Set a machine to either aggressive or defensive behavior while overriding. To override a machine, approach it undetected, knock it down, or stun it, and then hold △ to override.
Part Breaker	Powered by a special mode in your Focus, deal more damage to machine components and weak spots. Tear vs. Components: +25% Damage vs. Components: +25% Damage vs. Weak Spots: +25%
Propelled Spike	Spike Thrower Launch a powerful long-range spike that explodes on impact or proximity to a target. Uses up to 3 spikes of your currently selected type and depletes a large amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Spike Trap	Spike Thrower Launch a spike that becomes a trap on impact with the environment. Arms after a short delay. Uses your currently selected spike type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1
Splitting Spike	Spike Thrower Launch a spike that splits into multiple projectiles to impact a large area. Uses your currently selected spike type and depletes a medium amount of Weapon Stamina. Aim with L2 and fire with R1

Machine Master Skill Tree

Horizon Forbidden West Related Guides

Horizon Forbidden West Guide and Walkthrough