This is a guide to making the best build for maximum damage and defense in Horizon Zero Dawn. To learn what outfits and weapons will deal the most damage and offer the most protection, read on!

Weapon Builds

Best DPS Weapons

Equipment	Primary Mod
Banuk Striker Bow	Untested Weapon Coil
Shadow Rattler	Hidebound Weapon Coil
Banuk Powershot Bow	Pristine Weapon Coil
Lodge Blast Sling	Damage Weapon Coil

This is a straight up in-and-out shooter build focuses on the ability to deal damage against various enemy types without relying on the elements for a tactical advantage. This is is useful for players who want to play the game at a fast pace relying on quick kills to end encounters.

Best Elemental Damage Weapons

Equipment	Primary Mod
Banuk Champion Bow	Drummer's Weapon Coil
Shadow Sling	Veteran's Weapon Coil
Shadow Tripcaster	Painted Weapon Coil
Shadow Rattler	Hidebound Weapon Coil

This build focuses more on using the elements to turn the tide of battle to your advantage. While damaging and depleting your enemy's HP is the key to any encounter, when playing on Hard or even Ultra Hard, using the elements to create openings for your arrows and bombs will help you take down difficult enemies.

Outfit Builds

Tank Build

Outfit
Shield Weaver

The Shield Weaver is an absolute beast at taking damage. This outfit has a shield generator that can take damage equal to your max HP before depleting your actual HP. This allows you to just tank damage as you deal damage of your own.

Health Regen Build

Outfit	Mod Recommendations
Banuk Werak Chieftain	Reinforced Outfit Weave	Warrior's Outfit Weave

The Banuk Werak Chieftain would come at a close second when it comes to builds thanks to its health regeneration ability. Granted that it will take a bit of time before the regeneration starts, it does leave room for modifications to minimize the damage you take.

Elemental/Stealth Build

Outfit	Mod Recommendations
Nora Silent Hunter Master	Heat Sink Outfit Weave	Insulated Outfit Weave	Survivor's Outfit Weave

For an overall protective build that gives you that stealth advantage, the Nora Silent Hunter Master is second to none. With 3 modification slots, it allows for maximum customizability against the elements and even straight up damage.

Horizon Zero Dawn Related Guides

Beginner's Guide: Tips and Tricks for Getting Started