Surviving the dangerous wilderness of Horizon Forbidden West requires Aloy to continuously upgrade her arsenal with the most powerful gear available. Legendary weapons represent the absolute pinnacle of combat efficiency, offering superior stat allocations, specialized ammo types, and valuable coil slots to dismantle colossal machines. Tracking down these orange-tier items demands dedication, as many are tied to complex side quests, open-world activities, or grueling combat trials.

Dominating the Maw of the Arena Challenges

The primary hub for acquiring multiple Legendary weapons is the Maw of the Arena, located near the center of the map. By competing in various combat tiers, players earn specialized Arena Medals that can be traded with the prize master for top-tier rewards. Among the most popular prizes is The Sun Scourge, a versatile Hunter Bow celebrated for its exceptional elemental capability. Another standout reward is the Forgefall Sharpshot Bow, which functions as a premier long-range sniper rifle that deals devastating plasma damage from afar.

For players who prefer close-quarters combat, the prize master also offers the Shadowfire Warrior Bow. This weapon allows Aloy to quickly burst down smaller targets with rapid-fire agility. While navigating these intense arena stages can feel intimidating due to strict time limits, securing these weapons dramatically shifts the balance of power in late-game encounters.

Completing Collectible Relics and Side Quests

Beyond the arena, several formidable weapons are locked behind exploration and dedicated side content across the Forbidden West. The Ancestor Return Shredder Gauntlet is widely considered one of the best choices for maximizing impact damage without consuming immense resources. To obtain it, players must successfully locate and complete all nine Ornament collectibles found within the various Relic Ruins scattered across the open world.

Similarly, completing specialized faction quests provides unique gear tailored to specific elemental playstyles. Players can conquer the skies by assisting the Desert Clan or completing the black box collection questline to unlock the Wings of the Ten Blastsling. This explosive weapon excels at applying heavy adhesive properties, making it much easier to freeze large mechanical targets in place.

Mastering Hunting Grounds and Relic Tokens

Dedicated hunters who wish to prove their tactical superiority can tackle the various Hunting Grounds trials scattered across regional biomes. Achieving full stripes in all trials grants players access to the Tinker Pride Tripcaster, a powerful defensive utility item that deploys heavy explosive traps. This weapon is ideal for setting up ambush zones before initiating combat with aggressive apex predators.

Additionally, entering the New Game Plus mode introduces a completely fresh tier of legendary equipment available at traditional merchants. These updated options require specialized champion tokens earned by replaying main story missions and localized open-world events. Collecting these tokens allows veterans to experiment with alternative builds that offer increased stamina regeneration and enhanced critical hit multipliers.

Final Verdict on the Best Arsenal Picks

Determining the ultimate weapon for your loadout heavily depends on your preferred range and combat strategies during machine engagements. For sheer elemental versatility and component tearing, The Sun Scourge remains an indispensable asset that should never leave your active weapon wheel. Meanwhile, long-distance players will find immense value in upgrading the Forgefall to cleanly strip heavy armor before enemies can close the distance.

Ultimately, investing time into upgrading these weapons pays massive dividends when confronting late-game threats. Reviewing your current roster gaps and targeting specific quest lines will ensure Aloy is fully prepared for the final battles. By balancing raw impact damage with tactical elemental application, you can easily dominate every arena encounter.