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This is guide that details all the different Difficulty Modes in Horizon Zero Dawn. Read on to learn more about all the available difficulty modes in the game, their differences, as well as all the handicaps of the Ultra Hard difficulty setting.
List of Contents
There are a total of 6 Difficulty Modes in Horizon Zero Dawn that players can choose from. Difficulty can be lowered or raised at any time during a regular playthrough.
When playing a New Game+ save, difficulty settings cannot be changed. The only way to change it is to start a different NG+ save.
| Difficulty Modes | Description |
|---|---|
| Story | The Story difficulty setting eases combat, allowing you to focus on exploration and narrative. |
| Easy | An accessible difficulty level for those who simply want to explore the world and story. |
| Normal | A difficulty level that balances the journey with a challenging combat experience. |
| Hard | A more demanding combat experience throughout the journey. |
| Very Hard | A tough combat experience for those who really want a challenge. |
| Ultra Hard | The toughest combat experience, this mode increases enemy aggression and damage as well as rebalances Aloy's weapons and equipment. Merchant wares are more expensive. |
The following game mechanics will change depending on your chosen difficulty setting. Additionally, the option to use aim assist is disabled for the Very Hard and Ultra Hard difficulty settings.
| Damage Dealt | Damage Taken | Tear & Elemental Damage | Herb Gathering | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story | 400% | 10% | 200% | 100% |
| Easy | 150% | 50% | 100% | 100% |
| Normal | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Hard | 90% | 125% | 100% | 80% |
| Very Hard | 80% | 150% | 100% | 60% |
| Ultra Hard | 60% | 200% | 50% | 60% |
Ultra Hard is in an entire league of its own. On top of the alterations to damage taken and damage dealt, the following changes are also present when starting a New Game or New Game+ save on Ultra Hard:
| Ultra Hard Mode Differences | Description |
|---|---|
| No Enemy Health Bars | On Ultra Hard, machine and human health bars are disabled. This mode relies heavily on the player exploiting the different weaknesses of each machine type to win fights. |
| Enemies are Quicker to detect Aloy | On Ultra Hard, enemy detection ranges are greatly increased. Usually, the only way to avoid detection is by hiding in Tall Grass. |
| Increased Machine Aggression & Durability | On Ultra Hard, machines will be much more aggressive. They will mob players rather than attack one-by-one. Much more passive machines, like Striders and Broadheads, will also choose to attack you rather than run away at this difficulty setting. |
| Lure Call Can Aggro Enemies | Using Lure Call or Throw Rock when enemies are already alerted (yellow exclamation circle) will have them automatically detect you even when hidden. |
| Merchant Price Increase & Lack of Free Samples | On Ultra Hard difficulty, Merchants will sell their wares at 5 times the normal price. For example, a 70 Metal Shard Sling will cost 350 Metal Shards on Ultra Hard. The Free Sample Box will also be disabled when playing on Ultra Hard. |
Beginner's Guide: Tips and Tricks for Getting Started
Do you get more exp the harder the difficulty?
Difficulty Modes: How Hard is Horizon Zero Dawn?
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First place with such useful info about the game difficulties, thanks!