Horizon Forbidden West features a fairly steep learning curve, especially if this is your first time in Aloy’s shoes. Both combat and navigation can take some familiarizing. The main quest, “To the Brink,” is the perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with the mechanics that fuel Horizon’s unique gameplay loop.
In this article you will learn:
- How to complete every objective in “To The Brink”
- Tips and tricks for vanquishing the enemies along the way
- Some general advice for surviving the Forbidden West
Also read: Horizon Forbidden West: All Skills
Go to Chainscrape
Your first task is to visit the nearby settlement of Chainscrape to upgrade your bow. Note how the game establishes preparation as a top priority. Going back to town before encounters will make your journey far more reasonable in the long run. In this case, Chainscrape is already on the way to our true destination. Tap the touchpad to view the map and get your bearings, or simply follow the road ahead. The yellow quest icon will confirm you are heading in the right direction.
The path takes you across a set of two bridges. The second bridge leads to a massive settlement, which is where you will find the appropriate accommodations for crafting that bow upgrade. Head to the front gate and press Triangle to talk to the guards. A cutscene plays that introduces your old friend, Petra, to the cast of characters. You can return to her later for a side quest. For now, progress towards the workbench in front of you and press Triangle to interact. Press X with the Hunter Bow selected to see a list of upgrades. Holding X on this screen will upgrade the bow, giving you access to Acid Hunter Arrows.
Go to Erened’s last known location
Press Circle to back out of the workbench screen and turn around. Leave Chainscarape through the side entrance by following the new yellow icon that appears. This route takes you across the bridge directly behind the settlement. Continue forward while grabbing the Medicinal Skybrush and Ridge-Wood resources along the way. You may need them for the upcoming encounter.
Kill the machines near the Oseram Trapper
You will hear a man calling out to you as you approach the yellow icon. He tasks you with defeating the machines that have him pinned down. Scroungers are fairly simple opponents and are even easier to take down when you have an acidic ammo type. Hold R3 while looking at a machine to see its weaknesses using Focus. Now it becomes clear why you upgraded your bow with acid. Note that Scroungers are weak to shock damage as well.
There are several shock tripwires previously laid out by the Oseram Trapper. You can lure Scroungers into them to initiate a stun state. Then, run over to the dazed foe and use R1 to deal a devastating critical strike. Alternatively, pelting them with acid arrows will make short work of them. After defeating all three Scroungers, walk to the Trapper and press Triangle to initiate another cutscene. You are awarded with a trip caster weapon and some optional dialogue for your efforts.
Search for Erend’s tracks
You can use your focus to hunt down tracks in the environment. Click R3 to open up your Focus and locate the wavy purple lines near the yellow marker. Tap R1 to highlight Erend’s tracks. Now you can click R3 to return to normal vision without losing the trail. Trace the purple holographic steps along the hillside and jump over the green fumes you see. Touching the fumes will damage Aloy and apply minor acid buildup.
After passing the acid, you will see a cutscene in which Erend fights off some machines. He is eventually overwhelmed, pitting you in a fight against an Acid Bristleback and some Scroungers. The trick to defeating Bristlebacks is to shoot the canisters poking out of their armor with ammo of the same element. In this case, your acid arrows are up to bat. To make shooting each canister manageable, click R3 to open up your Focus. Tag enemies with R2 to highlight them. Press Triangle on individual components to highlight those and make them easier to pinpoint. Paint tags on each canister before leaving your focus with R3.
Shooting the acid canisters with your Acid Hunter Arrows will trigger a massive elemental explosion. The blast should kill the Bristleback and the surrounding enemies. If anything still stands, the corrosion damage will have weakened their defenses considerably. Both regular arrows and melee will be enough to finish them off. Be sure to run over to the Bristlbeack and press Triangle to loot the body before running over to Erend to trigger a cutscene. The conversation introduces flashpoint decisions, which offer unique dialogue choices. Pick whatever sounds best to you in any given situation, as the dialogue does not affect the story in any way.
Clear The Daunt
You will need to head north towards the sound of the explosions you hear when leaving the conversation with Erend. The path is straightforward and the yellow icon will lead you into combat. A group of settlers is fighting three Acod Bristlebacks. Help your allies take them down with your acidic ammo. Another two Bristlebacks will emerge after the initial trio. Continue your assault and be sure to keep crafting arrows before your quiver runs dry. When the dust settles, walk over to Belna and press Triangle to speak with her.
Talk to Vaudis
With The Daunt clear, you are free to report to Vaudis. You can choose to walk back or save some time by fast traveling to the campfire in Chainscrape. Open the map with your touchpad and locate the campfire icon nearest the yellow objective marker. Press R2 to teleport back to town. Note that teleporting in this manner costs one fast travel pack.
Talk to Ulvound and blow the whistle
Finally, you must talk to Ulvound and have him permanently open up the gates to Chainscrape. Simply follow the yellow icon to the opposite side of town and press Triangle to speak with him. Once the whistle blows, you can consider “To the Brink” complete at last.
With that, the larger open world is yours to explore. You can check out the numerous green exclamation points around the map for now-unlocked side quests and leveling opportunities, or browse the wares of the many merchants willing to do trade.
