Horizon Forbidden Westwas released for the PC in March 2024, although the original console release was in 2022. It is the follow-up to the widely acclaimedHorizon Zero Dawnfrom 2017. The game combinessandbox-styleopen-map gameplay, with an exquisitely crafted main storyline.
Although the bow is the primary weapon used by most players ofHorizon Forbidden West, there is a vast array ofalternative weaponryavailable, to suit every playing style. This includes blastslings, which can be deemed to be something like a mechanically operated grenade launcher. These are very useful weapons for applying ranged damage to groups of enemies, to weaken them before moving into melee range. Note, that this list only covers weapons in the base game, and not in theBurning Shores DLC.
Special Edition Blastsling
Stats:
Nora Thunder Sling is a special, limited availability blastsling. It is only available to players who purchased the Collector’s, Digital Deluxe, or Regalla editions ofHorizon Forbidden West. A good decision was made with this special edition blastsling, as it is not overpowered and is only useful in the early game.
This is the best of the uncommon blastslings the player can access. It is automatically added to the player’s stash when they start a new game. It can be upgraded, but this only adds a single mod slot to the weapon. This is a supplementary weapon to do area damage, in support of the primarybow weapon.
Rare Blastsling Purchased From Merchants
The Cloudburst Blastsling is available for purchase from a merchant formachine partsinHorizong Forbidden West. The vendor for this weapon is located in Camp Nowhere and should be available to all players as soon as they unlock this part of the map.
The great thing about this weapon is that it can do damage to multiple enemies at the same time. Itcan be upgraded, resulting in 2 mod slots over the base 1 mod slot it has when purchased. The Cloudburst Blastsling can also fire Purgewater ammunition.
Fire And Frost In One Weapon
The Icefire Blastslign does exactly as the name suggests, it does both fire and ice damage. This is a very useful mid-game weapon inHorizon Forbidden West. Upgrading the weapon gives an additional mod slot, which is nice. It can be purchased from a merchant, so is easy to acquire.
The Icefire Blastsling has three excellent weapon perks as well, and they combine to make a great weapon to use when the player needs to back away from melee combat and do a large amount of damage quickly. For example, when the player releases a group of enemies that is larger than they first thought.
Long-Range With High Damage
The Siege Blastsling is aptly named, as it does additional damage to targets that are more than 30 meters distant. Combined with the overdraw damage perk, this means that this weapon is fantastic for softening up groups of enemies at a distance, before moving into melee range to mop them up.
This weapon can be purchased from a merchant in Scalding Spear, so it is easy to get. When upgraded, an additional upgrade slot opens up. Overall, this is a good ranged backup weapon forHorizon Forbidden Westplayers to carry in their main loadout.
Fast Firing Ranged Damage
The Barrage Blastsling is designed to be a rapid-firing ranged weapon inHorizon Forbidden West. With both explosive and fire damage effects, it has a 25% increase in the rate of fire thanks to the draw speed perk.
This blastsling is very good for applying high levels of damage very quickly. As this is an explosive weapon, this means that an entire area can be targeted, doing damage to all enemies within the blast radius. This weapon is available from a merchant that is located in Legacy’s Landfall.
Ranged Weapon With Damage Over Time
The Corrosive Blastsling works well as a ranged weapon against both groups of enemies and single targets. With a damage-over-time effect that does acid damage and the ability for projectiles to stick to their target, this is a superb end-game weapon forHorizon Forbidden Westplayers.
Once upgraded, this blastsling will have a total of 3 upgrade slots. It can be purchased from a merchant that is located in Scalding Spear. This particular blastsling can take the player all the way through to the main story arc and doesn’t need to be replaced with either of the following 2 weapons on this list unless the player prefers them.
Best Used From A Raised Position
The Rampart Blastsling is one of the most interesting weapons available inHorizon Forbidden West. This is because it is intended to be used as a defensive weapon. With the high-ground damage perk and the multiple enemy damage perk, it is easy to see that this weapon is supposed to be used to fire down on large groups of enemies, from a defensive position.
Doing both explosive and frost damage is a great combination, and with a total of 3 upgrade slots after upgrades, this blastsling would take the top spot on this list if it wasn’t for the final legendary blastsling this list covers.
Legendary Weapon That Is The Best In Its Class
The Wings of the Ten is thelegendaryendgame blastsling that most players will use heading into NG+ gameplay. It can only be acquired once the player has completed the task of tracking down all of the black boxes they are tasked with finding, and then visiting Memorial Grove and handing them all over to Untalla.
With a maximum of 5 mod slots, this weapon is very flexible once fully upgraded. With multiple perks that cover most situations, it is the best of all the blastsling weapons to be found inHorizon Forbidden West. It is well worth completing the black box quest just to get this weapon.
