Horizon Zero Dawn guide: side quests, best weapons and outfit, collectables and The Frozen Wilds

Horizon Zero Dawn is a big game. Go at it systematically with our guide to quests, side-quests, collectables, the best equipment, The Frozen Wilds expansion and more.

Horizon Zero Dawn is best enjoyed without spoilers, so you won't find any here; this guide hub links out to all the resources you'll need to to track down that 100% completion stat, without revealing the mysteries of the world.

Built by the team behind the Killzone shooters, Horizon Zero Dawn is a single-player adventure set in a "post-post-apocalyptic" word where humanity ekes out a living in the shattered remnants of a long-forgotten technological past. Their only rivals? The terrifying machines that roam the landscape, intent on their own mysterious purposes.

Our hero, Aloy, must use all the skills of a Nora warrior - and many more unique to our red-haired heroine - as she confronts a growing threat. With three kinds of bow, two slings and a host of other weaponry, Horizon Zero Dawn hands players a crowded toolbox with which to dismantle their towering foes. Don't worry, we'll cover all that, too.

Whether you're looking for the best armour, the best weapons, some tricky collectables, or just some advice on what to do when in Horizon Zero Dawn - we have you covered with this guide. Now: get out there and slay some robo-dinos.

Horizon Zero Dawn resources

Looking to tick off 100% of the content in Horizon Zero Dawn? You've come to the right place. Here we list everything you need to do, guide you through some of the trickier sidequests, point you at the best weapons and armour, maps showing where to pick up all the collectables, and more.

This pages pertain to the vanilla Horizon Zero Dawn experience. They're still relevant and useful if you own the Complete Edition or have installed the DLC, but guides on the expansion are found in their own section below.

• Side quests, Cauldron locations for spear upgrades, and how to get the best ending in Horizon Zero Dawn

  Horizon Zero Dawn hangs that 100% completion stat in front of you like a prize. Get it - and see all the bonus story material - with our checklist. Includes advice on mission flow to ensure you see and do everything.

• All power cell locations for the Ancient Armor side quest and best outfit in Horizon Zero Dawn

  The most popular Horizon Zero Dawn side quest nets you a damn fine suit of pre-apocalypse armour: the Shield-Weaver. It's the best outfit in the whole game. You won't want to go hunting without it. Tracking down the necessary power cells can be a pain, but as usual, we have you covered there.

• Get the best weapons in Horizon Zero Dawn by completing the Hunting Grounds challenges

  Collect 15 Blazing Suns for upgrades to three core weapons. Well worth the effort - and oh, what's this? We tripped and gave you the solutions to the puzzles. Dang!

• Everything you need to know to grab all the collectables in Horizon Zero Dawn

  Vantages, Banuk artifacts, ancient vessels and metal flowers: all four of Horizon Zero Dawn's collectables are laid bare. It's not always clear how and where you can find these babies, even if you have the map. We explain each one and guide you to some of the trickier examples.

• Tips: easy XP, skill points, crafting, unlock weapons and get the best gear in Horizon Zero Dawn

  New to the game? A bit baffled? Wondering why things don't die when you shoot them? Start with this collection of Horizon Zero Dawn tips and tricks. There are tens of hours of content ahead of you; don't spend nine of them unaware that you can make health potions on the fly, or skipping over the best skills.

• How to find the Death Stranding Easter egg items in Horizon Zero Dawn

  Hideo Kojima likes the Horizon Zero Dawn engine so much he's using it for Death Stranding. Check out these neat little nods to his new game, and chase them down yourself for the glow of a job well done. That will be your most meaningful reward.

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

The Frozen Wilds is Horizon Zero Dawn's first and only expansion. It allows Aloy to push north into The Cut, an area along the borders of Banuk lands, and learn more about this most elusive tribe. It also adds three all-new weapons, three upgraded weapons, several new outfits, a stack of collectables, a bunch of quests and more.

In this section of our Horizon Zero Dawn guide we'll compile resources related directly to The Frozen Wilds expansion. Look for updates over the next few days.

• How to start The Frozen Wilds in Horizon Zero Dawn

  Ready to go Into the Wilds? here's how to get Aloy's feet on the path to exploring one of Horizon Zero Dawn's most interesting storylines, The Frozen Wilds.

• Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds quest list, content checklist and trophies

  Hey, what's this? Is it a complete guide to seeing and doing everything in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds? That's super helpful and useful, thanks VG247! You're very welcome, completely imaginary and pleasant reader.

• How to beat the new machines in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

  It's fun to encounter the new machines in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds on your own, but once they've turned you into paste it seems acceptable to accept a little bit of help in turning the tables on your fierce new foes.

• How to get Bluegleam in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

  Remember those three upgraded weapons we mentioned? Yeah, you'll want them as soon as possible - The Frozen Wilds includes some of the toughest fights in all of Horizon Zero Dawn. You'll need Bluegleam, and lots of it, if you want those glorious new bows - and the good news is we can help you there.

• Pigment locations in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

  There are nine Pigment deposits to raid in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, and we can help you get them all. Yes, even that one up in the mountains after an impossible incline, and the one with two Scorchers hanging out pretty much right on top of it. We got you.

• Where to find all the Animal Figurines in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

  Oh, are you tired of collectables? Too freaking' bad, here's another set, this time of Animal Figurines. You cannot be any elss tired of collectables than we where after tracking down all of them in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds.

Need more help with Horizon Zero Dawn or The Frozen Wilds? Let us know what you're after and we'll do our best to provide.