Imagine facing a massive Thunderjaw, its metal jaws snapping, and you have the perfect armor to deflect its electrical blasts. That’s the power of the right gear in Horizon Forbidden West! But with so many suits offering different bonuses—stealth, defense, elemental resistance—how do you know which one truly protects Aloy best against the game’s deadliest machines?
Choosing the wrong armor can mean instant defeat when you face off against a terrifying Tremortusk or a swift Clawstrider. The sheer volume of crafting materials and upgrade paths can feel overwhelming, turning gear selection into a confusing chore instead of a strategic advantage. We understand that frustration; you want to spend your time exploring the beautiful, dangerous world, not staring at stat screens.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down the absolute best armor sets for every playstyle—whether you prioritize sneaking past enemies, tanking massive hits, or mastering elemental combat. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which armor Aloy needs to conquer the Forbidden West.
Top Armor Horizon Forbidden West Recommendations
- DELUXE 6 INCH ALOY FIGURE: Aloy comes to life with over 250 unique finishes and textures to bring this hero figure from the world of Horizon Forbidden West right into your hands
- 42 POINTS OF ARTICULATION: Pose Aloy dynamically with articulated fiery red hair, joints and more to recreate action scenes from the PS5 games
- 15 ACCESSORIES: Aloy is battle-ready with 6 face plates, 6 hand sets, and her hunting essentials—bow, spear, arrow, and quiver—to face the wild machines. Customize her entire arsenal
- DELUXE DISPLAY BOX: Showcase Aloy and additional PlayStation action figures (sold separately) like from The Last of Us and God of War in this fold open design, an official licensed product of PlayStation
- TOYS & GAMES FOR ALL: Presented by Spin Master, the creators of kids toys for boys & toys for girls who love collectibles, toy figures & playsets. Ideal holiday gift, or birthday gifts for all ages
- PREMIUM 6 INCH VARL FIGURE: Immerse yourself in the details with 138 unique finishes, Varil is faithfully recreated with authentic attire and rugged features, ready to display his valor from Horizon Forbidden West.
- 32 POINTS OF ARTICULATION: Craft dynamic displays and recreate epic moments with Varl’s highly articulated frame, including hands designed for gripping his trusty axe from the Horizon PS5 games
- VERSATILE ACCESSORIES: Varl comes equipped with 2 sets of hands for complex poses and an imposing axe, embodying the warrior spirit of the Nora tribe in your collection
- OPEN DISPLAY BOX: Showcase Varl and additional PlayStation action figures (sold separately) like from The Last of Us and God of War in this box design, an official licensed product of PlayStation
- TOYS & GAMES FOR ALL: Presented by Spin Master, the creators of kids toys for boys & toys for girls who love collectibles, toy figures & playsets. Ideal holiday gift, or birthday gifts for all ages
- Authentic Design - Features a LEGO brick model of a Tallneck, the most iconic Horizon machine in the Forbidden West with authentic Tallneck features
- Iconic Features - Perfectly capture the essence of the Tallneck with its iconic disc-shaped head, antennae protruding from the neck, tail-like structures, and long legs as replicated in LEGO style
- Detailed Display Stand - The display stand comes with a familiar landscape: a brick-built birch tree, tall grass, and a rusty stoplight with a vine wrapped around it. Showcase your build with a unique touch.
- Complete Build - Add the LEGO minifigure of Horizon character Aloy, with a bow and brick-built spear, and a Watcher LEGO figure with a choice of red, yellow, or blue eyes to complete this impressive home décor centerpiece
- Build with Ease - This LEGO collectible model kit for adults to build includes a booklet featuring step-by-step building instructions plus a story on the set creation process
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- . L. Reigns , Nixie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 93 Pages - 12/31/2025 (Publication Date)
- Features a LEGO brick model of a Tallneck, the most iconic Horizon machine in the Forbidden West with authentic Tallneck features
- The disc-shaped head, antennae protruding from the neck, tail-like structures and long legs of a Tallneck are replicated in LEGO style
- The display stand comes with a familiar landscape: a brick-built birch tree, tall grass and a rusty stoplight with a vine wrapped around it
- Add the LEGO minifigure of Horizon character Aloy and a Watcher LEGO figure to complete the impressive home décor centrepiece
- Aloy has a bow and a brick-built spear, and the Watcher figure comes with a choice of blue, yellow or red eyes for more fun
- Horizon Forbidden West Figure from Good Smile Company!
- Base Stand included
- Official Licensed Product
- Horizon Forbidden West
- Good Smile Company-Horizon Forbidden West-MODEROID Thunderjaw Model Kit is the perfect sculpted figure to add to your collection from Good Smile Company! Perfect for collectors and fans!
Your Essential Guide to Choosing the Best Armor in Horizon Forbidden West
Picking the right armor in Horizon Forbidden West makes a huge difference. It protects Aloy from powerful machines and helps her survive the harsh wilderness. This guide helps you choose the best gear for your adventure.
Key Features to Look For in Armor
When you look at new armor pieces, several features really matter. Think about what kind of challenges you face most often.
- Resistances: Check the elemental resistances first. Machines use fire, frost, shock, and acid attacks. Good armor lessens the damage from these elements.
- Defense Rating: This number shows how much physical damage the armor blocks. Higher is usually better for general protection.
- Mod Slot Capacity: Every armor piece has slots where you place armor “mods.” More slots mean you can customize your defenses and skills better.
- Skill Perks: These are the special bonuses the armor gives you, like faster weapon switching or better stealth. These perks define how the armor plays.
Important Materials Used in Armor Crafting
The materials used determine the armor’s strength and what upgrades you can apply. You will gather many resources during your journey.
- Machine Parts: Stronger armors require rare parts from powerful machines like Thunderjaws or Tremortusks. These parts unlock the highest defense levels.
- Fibers and Leathers: Basic materials like cured hide and tough fibers form the base layer. Better quality hides offer better base protection.
- Crystals and Cores: Sometimes, special energy cores or unique crystals are needed for advanced armor weaves. These often unlock legendary perks.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Armor Quality
Not all armor is created equal. How you treat and upgrade your gear directly impacts its usefulness.
Upgrading and Quality
You improve armor quality by upgrading it at a workbench. Each upgrade level increases the defense rating and unlocks more mod slots. Fully upgraded legendary armor offers the best protection possible.
Factors That Reduce Effectiveness
The main thing that reduces quality is poor elemental matching. If you wear fire-resistant armor against a shock machine, you are not using your gear well. Also, armor that is not upgraded will quickly become obsolete against late-game threats.
User Experience and Use Cases
Different situations call for different armor sets. Think about what Aloy will be doing when you equip the gear.
- Stealth Missions: For sneaking past patrols or sniping enemies, look for armor with high Stealth Ranks and perks like Silent Movement. These let you stay hidden longer.
- Heavy Combat: When facing multiple large machines, prioritize high Defense Ratings and strong elemental resistances matching the enemies present. Armor focused on Melee Damage or Ranged Damage boosts is great here.
- Exploration and Resource Gathering: For long trips across the map, choose armor that boosts Stamina Regen or Resource Drop rates. These make everyday gameplay smoother.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Horizon Forbidden West Armor
Q: How many armor types are there in the game?
A: There are several rarity levels: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Very Rare, and Legendary. Each level offers better stats.
Q: Can I change the appearance of my armor?
A: Yes, you can change the color and cosmetic look of most armors using the ‘Dye’ options at vendors without changing the stats.
Q: What is the best armor for the very end of the game?
A: The best armor often depends on the enemy, but the Legendary armors, like the ‘Nora Thunder Warrior’ or ‘Utaru Winterweave,’ are generally the strongest when fully upgraded.
Q: Are armor mods reusable?
A: Yes, armor mods are permanently unlocked once you acquire them. You can move them between different armor pieces freely, as long as the armor has an open slot.
Q: Do I need to keep buying new armor?
A: You should upgrade your favorite armor pieces rather than constantly buying new ones. Upgrading keeps your preferred perks active while improving defense.
Q: What is the main difference between a skill perk and a resistance?
A: A skill perk gives you an active bonus, like better concentration time. Resistance reduces the damage you take from specific elements, like fire or frost.
Q: Where do I find the best armor mods?
A: The best armor mods are often rewards for completing difficult side quests, defeating specific Apex machines, or purchasing them from high-level merchants.
Q: Does armor affect Aloy’s movement speed?
A: Generally, no. Unlike some other games, armor weight does not slow down Aloy’s running or dodging speed in Forbidden West.
Q: Is it better to focus on elemental resistance or high physical defense?
A: You need a balance, but focus on elemental resistance first. Most machine damage comes from elemental blasts, not just basic physical hits.
Q: How do I unlock the ability to upgrade armor?
A: You unlock the ability to upgrade armor by progressing through the main story until you gain access to the first major settlement workbench.