Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title
Published Title Score Editor's Choice Publisher
Published Title Publisher

Horizon Forbidden West

All Damage & Debuff Types

By
Nathan Garvin

A page explaining all the different types of damage and debuffs in Horizon Forbidden West.

Legend

Icon Type Details
raw.png Impact Ranged Damage
tear.png Tear Required to tear off components and armor
melee.png Melee Melee Damage
explosive.png Explosive Heavy area damage with knockback
adhesive.png Adhesive Slows movement
state_build_up_speed.png Buildup State buildup speed
fire.png Fire Deals damage over time
frost.png Frost Increases Impact damage
shock.png Shock Stuns the target
purgewater.png Purgewater Disables elemental attacks
acid.png Acid Weakens and damages armor
plasma.png Plasma Stores damage until explosion is triggered

Impact

Icon Details
raw.png Ranged Damage

The raw damage a weapon deals to a target. It may not be as subtle or sophisticated as other forms of attack, but sometimes pure damage output is your best bet, especially when an enemy’s weakpoint is exposed.

Tear

Icon Details
tear.png Required to tear off components and armor

Rather than inflict raw damage, Tear inflicts structural damage to the target, potentially stripping off armor, components, accessories and weapons. While removing components may, at first glance, seem unglamorous compared to knocking down the target’s life bar, depriving enemies of vital components can prevent them from performing certain attacks and actions, remove various sensory apparati, hinder their mobility, and generally make it easier to fight them. Of course, depending on the component removed, it could also end up inflicting significant damage, as well, or exposing an otherwise inaccessible weakpoint.

Melee

Icon Details
melee.png Melee Damage

Explosive

Icon Details
explosive.png Heavy area damage with knockback

Fire

Icon Details
fire.png Deals damage over time

When fire damage is dealt to an enemy, a fire meter will fill. The degree to which this meter fills depends upon the potency of the fire attack, the area/component struck, and the target’s vulnerability to fire damage. Once full, the target will catch fire, taking damage over time until the effect wears off. Certain components (like Blaze Canisters) are highly vulnerable to fire damage, and may ignite if struck, dealing immediate, significant damage.

Some machines are especially prone to overheating, and while the damage-over-time debuff may not inflict significant damage, such a vulnerable machine may be forced to stop attacking and/or expose sensitive components (Core, Cooling Rods, Heat Vents, etc) to vent excess heat during said debuff.

Shock

Icon Details
shock.png Stuns the target

Dealing shock damage to an enemy will cause a shock meter to fill. The degree to which this meter fills depends upon the potency of the shock attack, the area/component struck, and the target’s vulnerability to shock damage. Once full, the target may be stunned for a period of time, allowing Aloy to perform followup attacks, including Critical Hits. Attacking shocked opponents tends to make the shocked status wear off faster. Certain components (like Power Cells) are highly vulnerable to shock damage, and may discharge if struck, dealing immediate, significant damage and/or shock damage.

Purgewater

Icon Details
purgewater.png Disables elemental attacks

Adhesive

Icon Details
adhesive.png Slows movement

Acid

Icon Details
acid.png Weakens and damages armor

Build up

Icon Details
state_build_up_speed.png State buildup speed

Frost

Icon Details
frost.png Increases Impact damage

Dealing frost damage to an enemy will cause a frost meter to fill. The degree to which this meter fills depends upon the potency of the frost attack, the area/component struck, and the target’s vulnerability to frost damage. Once full, the target may be slowed temporarily and inflicted with the Brittle status, causing it to take substantially more damage from all sources for a period of time. Certain components (like Freeze Canisters) are highly vulnerable to frost damage, and may discharge if struck, dealing immediate, significant damage and/or frost damage.

Plasma

Icon Details
plasma.png Stores damage until explosion is triggered
No Comments
No Upvotes
User profile pic

Comment submission error:

The comment must be at least 1 character in length.

Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Sony Interactive Entertainment
  • Platforms,
    PS4, PS5
  • Genre
    Action RPG
  • Guide Release
    16 February 2022
  • Last Updated
    31 March 2022
    Version History
  • Guide Author

Share this free guide:

This guide for Horizon Forbidden West includes the following:

  • A Walkthrough for Main Quest
  • A Guide for all Errands, Side Quests and Cauldrons
  • An in depth analysis for Weapons and Armor.
  • Information on all new and returning Machines
  • How to find and complete all four Melee Pits
  • How to unlock and complete all stages of the Arena
  • How to find and override all five Tallnecks
  • Locations on all Collectibles
    • Ornaments
    • War Totems
    • Vista Points
    • Survey Drones
    • Signal Towers
    • Black Boxe

Get a Gamer Guides Premium account:

Quick sign up

Already have an account?

Quick log in

Don’t have an account?