Mounted Defense is one of the Machine Master skills in Horizon Forbidden West (HFW). Read on to learn more about its effects, skill point cost, how to use and unlock it, and the best playstyles to use with this skill.

Mounted Defense Skill Effect and How to Use

Mounted Defense Basic Information

How to Use the Mounted Defense Skill

Automatically Activates as You Mount a Machine

This skill is automatically engaged once Aloy is mounted on a machine. With Mounted Defense, Aloy takes less damage while mounted, making it especially useful if you frequently ride a machine.

Upgrade from Base Skill to Make Aloy Tankier

Mounted Defense is a passive boost skill so there is not much workaround to it. Continue upgrading the base skill to make Aloy extra tankier while on mount.

Best Playstyles for the Mounted Defense Skill

Use Machines Against Enemies

This skill is one of the Machine Master-type skills that increase the effectiveness of overriding machines and the durability and damage dealt from overridden machines. Fight enemies while mounted on machines or alongside them to take full advantage of this skill.

Horizon Forbidden West Related Guides

List of All Skills

Hunter Skills

Ammo Expert	Concentration Regen	Concentration+
Deep Concentration	Heavy Weapon+	High Volley
Knockdown Shot	Powershots	Ranged Master
Spread Blast	Stamina Regen	Sustained Burst
Triple Notch	Ultra Shot	Valor Surge Master
Weapon Stamina+	Workbench Expert

Warrior Skills

Aerial Slash / Jump-Off	Block Breaker	Burst Fire
Critical Boost	Critical Strike+	Energized Duration
Energy Surge	Evader	Halfmoon Slash
Melee Damage	Melee Detonator	Melee Might
Nora Warrior	Power Attack+	Resonator Blast
Resonator Blast+	Resonator Buildup	Resonator Damage
Spinning Scythe	Spread Shot	The Destroyer

Trapper Skills

Elemental Fury	Food Duration	Nimble Crafter
Penetrating Rope	Quick Trapper	Quick Wire
Resilient Trapper	Skilled Salvager	Trap Limit
Trap Specialist

Survivor Skills

Bouncing Bomb	Burst Dodge	Low Health Defense
Low Health Melee	Low Health Ranged	Low Health Regen
Low Health Valor	Medicine Capacity	Overshield
Plant Forager	Potent Medicine	Potion Proficiency
Power Shredder	Second Chance	Shard Salvager
Shredder Mine	Sticky Bomb	Toughened
Triple Shredder	Valor on Impact

Infiltrator

Braced Shot	Double Notch	Focused Shot
Low Profile	Quiet Movement	Quiet Spear
Radial Blast	Silent Strike Gain	Silent Strike Heal
Silent Strike+	Smoke Bomb Capacity	Stealth Ranged+
Stealth Stalker	Stealth Tear+

Machine Master

Chain Burst	Efficient Repair	Heavy Lifter
Lasting Override	Machine Damage	Machine Elemental+
Machine Health	Mounted Archer	Mounted Defense
Override Subroutines	Part Breaker	Propelled Spike
Spike Trap	Splitting Spike