The Forge of Winter Walkthrough

This guide will show you how to complete The Forge of Winter, a main quest in Horizon Zero Dawn - The Frozen Wilds. Read on to learn the objectives, strategies, location, and rewards for The Forge of Winter main quest.

The Forge of Winter Quest Information

General Info

The Forge of Winter Walkthrough

How to Complete

	Objectives
1	Explore the Cauldron. Cross the large chasm and head deeper into Cauldron EPSILON. Your destination is the Antechamber.
2	Help Aratak and Ourea cross the Antechamber. This is the first of 3 sections where you have to extend bridges to help Aratak and Ourea navigate the Cauldron. Go ahead and kill the Redeye Watcher patrolling the area before proceeding.
3	Climb up to the 2nd Level. Go to the nearby handholds and start climbing. There will be an electric hazard at the top so make sure to time your crossing. To get rid of the daemonic miasma on the handholds, shoot them with regular arrows.
4	Ride the Cargo Box. At the top, jump and hang on to one of the moving cargo boxes. Ride it to the center of the Antechamber.
5	Override the Terminal to Shut Off the Flames. Override the nearby terminal to shut-off the flames that had been preventing you from progressing. This also releases a Shell-Walker in the Antechamber.
6	Ride the Cargo Boxes to the End of the Antechamber. Climb up again and ride the cargo box to the end of the Antechamber.
7	Extend the Bridge. Override and extend the bridge to help Aratak and Ourea cross. Aratak will use his Icerail to open up the way to the next area of the Cauldron.
8	Activate the Console. Override the console to listen to some of CYAN's transmissions about what transpired in the Cauldron. This unlocks the way to the Production Area.
9	Help your Allies cross the Production Area. This area is a bit tricky. Players can opt to go stealth or engage all the Machines in combat. Either way, the room will be patrolled by 6 Daemonic Shell-Walkers, 3 Daemonic Watchers, and 2 Daemonic Scorchers.
10	Extend the First Bridge (Stealth). To go the stealth route, immediately turn right and head for the lone Watcher at the northern end of the room (where the Turbine is). Kill it silently or avoid it before extending the bridge leading to the Turbine.
11	Ride the Turbine (Stealth). Ride the Turbine, staying on it until the patrolling Scorcher and the earlier Watcher are no longer looking your way.
12	Extend the Second Bridge (Stealth). When the coast is relatively clear, drop down and head for the second bridge area. Pay attention to the positions of the 2 Scorchers and the Shell-Walker in order to remain hidden. Extend the bridge for Aratak and Ourea.
13	Wait at the Production Area Exit (Stealth). Once the bridge is up, immediately head for the Production Area Exit. Hide behind one of the crevices and wait for Aratak to come to you. Even if they are spotted and attacked by Machines, Aratak will eventually come to you and open the way forward.
14	Explore the Cauldron. Leave the enemy machines behind and continue exploring the Cauldron.
15	Activate the Console. Override the Console to listen to another of CYAN's messages. This opens the way to the Recylcing Area.
16	Help your Allies cross the Recycling Area. This is the final area where you'll need to help the siblings cross. It will be patrolled by multiple Daemonic Watchers.
17	Rappel Down the Tallneck Head. Begin by rapelling down the Tallneck Head to your left (after first entering the room). Kill the Watcher guarding the ground floor.
18	Follow the Handholds to the Upper Levels. There will be handholds and platforms leading to the upper floors. Climb up until you reach another Turbine.
19	Ride the Turbine to get to the Override Point. Ride the Turbine to the Override Point. Overriding it shuts off the steam vent and opens the way up to the structure patrolled by Watchers.
20	Head to the Base of the Structure with Watchers. With the way clear, head to the base of the structure patrolled by Watchers.
21	Climb up to the moving Cargo Boxes. Climb up and kill the Watchers guarding the structure. This should put you level with the moving cargo boxes.
22	Ride the Cargo Box to the End of the Recyling Area. Ride one all the way to the End of the recylcing area. Drop down on the elevated platform located next to the exit.
23	Extend the Bridge. Hop down and extend the bridge at the center for Aratak and Ourea. Wait for the former to open up the exit using his Icerail.
24	Activate the Source Node. Climb up to the final control room and activate the Source Node using Aloy's spear.
25	Restore CYAN (Data Flow Puzzle). Restore CYAN by re-routing the data flow. Use the provided solution to activate the inert AI.
26	Speak to CYAN. Speak to CYAN about what happened in the facility.
27	Go to the Cauldron Core. Head over to the Cauldron Core by crossing the river of lava.
28	Destroy or Override the Control Tower. A Control Tower is keeping the Core's shield up. Destroy or override it to bring down the shield.
29	Kill the Fireclaw. A new machine, the Fireclaw, will appear. Destroy it with the help of Aratak to access the Cauldron Core.
30	Override the Cauldron Core. Override the Cauldron Core using your spear. Watch the cutscene of the aftermath.
31	Escape the Cauldron. Run over to the waypoint to escape the Cauldron. A cutscene will play detailing your escape.
32	Return to Ourea's Retreat. With CYAN free, head back to Ourea's Retreat to commune with the artificial intelligence.
33	Talk to CYAN. Talk to CYAN about what exactly happened in the Cut and her purpose within the Firebreak Facility.
34	Talk to Aratak. Speak to Aratak at the helipad outside of the Retreat. This conversation concludes the Frozen Wilds main questline.

Tips and Strategies

Use Regular Arrows to Clear Handholds

Some handholds within the cauldron will have writhing purple miasma covering them. Use regular arrows to easily get rid of these obstacles.

Production Area: Fight the Machines

Due to the very tight patrol patterns of the Production Area's Machines, players will most likely be detected if they do not pay close attention while navigating the room.

When it comes down to it, combat will be tedious but much easier than going the stealth route. Have Aratak distract the Machines while you take potshots at them from a distance.

Production Area: Stay on the Turbine to Avoid Detection

When going the stealth route, make sure to be quick and direct with your movements as there is very little geometry in the room that can be used as cover to hide.

If detected, your best bet is to run up to the Turbine, ride it to the top, and stay there. For some reason, Machines will slowly lose alert levels as long as you stay on it.

Production Area: Do not Override the Southern Bridge

The area to the south of the production area will have a bridge that you can override. However, all that's waiting for you on the other side is a pair of Frostclaws, adding to the already significant number of enemy Machines in the area.

Fireclaw Fight: Shoot Down Freeze Canisters for Use

Flying service robots will occasionally fly over the arena carrying Freeze Canisters. Shoot the robots with any kind of arrow to have them drop the Freeze Canisters for use against the Fireclaw.

Fireclaw Fight: Pair the Freeze Canisters with Hardpoint Arrows

Once the Fireclaw is frozen by the Freeze Canister explosion, start hitting it with Hardpoint Arrows. Pair this with the Triple Shot skill to maximize the damage bonus of the Freeze debuff

Note: When Frozen, aim for the Fireclaw's eyes. Do not aim for the Fire Sacs or the Fire Unit as rupturing either will immediately cancel the effects of Freeze.

Fireclaw Fight: Shoot the Power Cells to Stun the Fireclaw

There are 4 Power Cells on the back of the Fireclaw (just above its hind legs). Shoot one with a Shock Arrow to dentonate it. This will stun the Fireclaw for a short duration.

Alternate between shooting the Power Cells and triggering the Freeze debuff to control the early stages of the Fireclaw fight.

Fireclaw Fight: Destroy the Control Tower

When the Fireclaw is brought down to 1/2th and 1/4th of its HP, Control Towers will appear. They can repair damaged Machines and even shut down the shield of the Shield Weaver Outfit. Destroy them before they start repairing the weakened Fireclaw.

Fireclaw Fight: Destroy the Fire Sacs and Fire Unit

The key to taking off chunks of the Fireclaw's HP is to aim for the Fire Sacs (located on each of its shoulders) and its Fire Unit (located on its chest). Rupture each one to quickly bring its health down and set it on fire.

Fireclaw Fight: Start Kiting once the Fireclaw Drops to Half Health

At half health, the attack patterns of the Fireclaw will change. It gains a heavy-hitting rock slam, a ranged attack, and flaming lunges. Kite it whenever it attacks and only shoot when there is a lull in battle.

Note: Controlling it with a Ropecaster at this stage will be tricky as the attack where it picks up a large boulder will snap all the existing wires immediately.

Horizon Zero Dawn Quests

List of Main Quest Guides

Main Quest Guides

Frozen Wild Main Quest Guides