The Apex Slitherfang Heart is a crucial component in Horizon Forbidden West, essential for crafting and upgrading some of the game’s most powerful gear. Obtaining it requires facing a formidable foe, the Apex Slitherfang, a variant of the already challenging Slitherfang. This guide will provide you with a detailed breakdown of how to find, defeat, and loot Apex Slitherfangs to secure those precious hearts.
Understanding the Apex Slitherfang
The Apex Slitherfang is a more potent version of the regular Slitherfang machine. They are more resilient, deal more damage, and boast different elemental weaknesses and strengths. Recognizing these differences is key to a successful hunt.
Apex Variant Characteristics
Apex machines are characterized by their corrupted appearance, often featuring glowing red veins and a more aggressive AI. They typically appear only during the nighttime, adding an extra layer of difficulty. The increased health pool and damage output mean that your strategies need to be well-planned and executed.
Slitherfang Basics: Recap
The Slitherfang, in its base form, is a large, serpentine machine that utilizes acid and shock attacks. It can burrow underground, making it difficult to track, and its powerful coils can crush Aloy with ease. Understanding these base attacks and weaknesses is critical before even considering tackling the Apex variant.
Locating Apex Slitherfangs
Finding an Apex Slitherfang requires knowing where the regular Slitherfangs spawn and then adjusting your search to nighttime. These locations can be pinpointed by exploring the Forbidden West and uncovering the machine sites.
Known Slitherfang Locations
Slitherfangs are commonly found in desert and arid regions of the Forbidden West. One well-known location is in the desert area northeast of Plainsong. Another can be found in the mountains south of Scalding Spear. These sites are marked on the map once you have explored the area sufficiently.
The Nighttime Search
Remember that Apex variants primarily appear at night. Fast traveling to a campfire near a known Slitherfang location and then advancing time to nighttime is the most efficient way to initiate your hunt. Use your Focus to scan the area and confirm the presence of an Apex Slitherfang. If it’s not an Apex, you can fast travel away and back again, or advance time again to refresh the machine spawn.
Preparing for the Fight
Before engaging an Apex Slitherfang, proper preparation is essential. This includes selecting the right weapons, armor, and skills.
Weapon Selection
Given the Slitherfang’s weaknesses and resistances, certain weapon types are more effective than others. Consider using weapons that deal fire damage, as Apex Slitherfangs are typically weak to it. Precision bows for targeting components, and boltblasters for sustained damage are also viable choices. Ropes can be helpful too.
Armor and Skills
Equipping armor that provides resistance to acid and shock damage is highly recommended. Skills that enhance your damage output, critical hit chance, and dodging abilities will significantly improve your chances of survival. Investing in skills from the Hunter and Trapper skill trees is particularly beneficial.
Stocking Up
Ensure you have a sufficient supply of healing berries, potions, and weapon ammunition. Crafting resources should also be readily available so you can replenish your ammo during the fight if needed. Having a full pouch is crucial for sustaining yourself through a prolonged encounter.
Combat Strategies Against the Apex Slitherfang
Defeating an Apex Slitherfang requires a combination of strategic targeting, skillful dodging, and exploiting its elemental weaknesses.
Targeting Weak Points
The Apex Slitherfang has several vulnerable components that can be targeted to inflict significant damage or disable its attacks. The most important components to target include:
- Data Nexus: Located on the Slitherfang’s tail, this is a prime target for critical damage. Hitting it with a precision arrow can cripple its attacks and expose other weaknesses.
- Purger Canisters: These are located on its body and are vulnerable to fire damage. Detonating these canisters inflicts significant explosive damage.
- Earthgrinders: These are mounted on its sides. Destroying them will stop it from digging underground.
Elemental Exploitation
Apex Slitherfangs are generally weak to fire damage. Using fire arrows or other fire-based attacks will inflict bonus damage over time, helping to whittle down its health. Conversely, they are often resistant to shock damage. Avoid using shock-based weapons unless absolutely necessary.
Dodging and Positioning
The Slitherfang’s attacks are powerful and can easily stagger or knock Aloy down. Mastering the art of dodging is crucial for survival. Pay attention to the Slitherfang’s attack patterns and time your dodges accordingly. Staying mobile and maintaining a safe distance will minimize your chances of being hit. Utilizing terrain to your advantage, such as rocks or hills, can provide temporary cover and allow you to reposition yourself.
Utilizing Traps
Setting traps before engaging the Slitherfang can provide a significant advantage. Shock traps can temporarily stun the machine, allowing you to land free shots. Blast traps can inflict considerable damage, especially if placed strategically near vulnerable components.
Looting the Apex Slitherfang
Once you have defeated the Apex Slitherfang, the next step is to loot its remains. The Apex Slitherfang Heart is not guaranteed to drop every time. Apex machine parts are rarer and require more strategic methods.
Increase Loot Chances
Increasing your loot chances can be achieved through several methods. Increasing the game’s difficulty setting, oddly enough, increases the chances of rarer components dropping. Also, using the “Tear” stat on weapons to strip components effectively before killing the machine drastically increases the chances of those components being available for loot.
Apex Slitherfang Heart: What to Look For
After defeating the Apex Slitherfang, meticulously search its remains. The Apex Slitherfang Heart is a relatively small item, so be sure to examine every part of the machine. It will be listed among the other components you have acquired.
Uses of the Apex Slitherfang Heart
The Apex Slitherfang Heart is a valuable resource used in crafting and upgrading various high-level items.
Crafting High-Tier Gear
The primary use of the Apex Slitherfang Heart is in crafting advanced weapons and armor. These items often provide significant stat boosts and unique abilities. Check the crafting recipes at workbenches to see which items require the Apex Slitherfang Heart.
Upgrading Existing Equipment
In addition to crafting new items, the Apex Slitherfang Heart is also used to upgrade existing gear. Upgrading your favorite weapons and armor can significantly enhance their performance, making them even more effective in combat. This is especially important for tackling tougher challenges and higher difficulty levels.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you secure the Apex Slitherfang Heart more efficiently.
Override Machines
Overriding other machines to fight alongside you can divert the Slitherfang’s attention and provide valuable support. Consider overriding machines that deal significant damage or can inflict status effects.
Use Valor Surges
Valor Surges are powerful abilities that can turn the tide of battle. Activate Valor Surges that enhance your damage output, provide temporary invincibility, or unleash devastating attacks.
Practice Makes Perfect
The more you fight Slitherfangs, the better you will become at anticipating their attacks and exploiting their weaknesses. Don’t be discouraged if you fail the first few times. Keep practicing, and you will eventually master the art of defeating these formidable machines.
Conclusion
Obtaining the Apex Slitherfang Heart in Horizon Forbidden West requires patience, preparation, and skill. By understanding the Apex Slitherfang’s characteristics, targeting its weaknesses, and utilizing effective combat strategies, you can successfully defeat this challenging machine and acquire the valuable resource you need. Remember to always be prepared, stay vigilant, and never underestimate the power of a well-aimed shot. With this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to hunt down Apex Slitherfangs and claim their hearts for yourself.
This is one of the more challenging components to get in the game, but it is a very important one for some key upgrades. Take your time and learn its attack patterns. Good luck, and happy hunting!
What is the Apex Slitherfang Heart used for in Horizon Forbidden West?
The Apex Slitherfang Heart is a valuable resource primarily used for crafting and upgrading high-level gear in Horizon Forbidden West. Specifically, it’s a key ingredient in improving Aloy’s outfits, weapons, and pouches, allowing you to enhance their stats and unlock new abilities. As you progress through the game and encounter more challenging enemies, upgrading your equipment becomes crucial for survival, making the Apex Slitherfang Heart highly sought after.
Without the Apex Slitherfang Heart, you may find yourself unable to progress to the highest tiers of equipment upgrades. This can significantly hinder your effectiveness in combat, especially when facing formidable machines or tackling late-game quests. Therefore, obtaining this resource is essential for maximizing Aloy’s potential and ensuring you’re adequately prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Where can I find Apex Slitherfangs?
Apex Slitherfangs are a rare variant of the regular Slitherfang machine, meaning they are not always guaranteed to spawn. They are most reliably found in areas where regular Slitherfangs roam, often appearing in their place. These locations typically include the desert regions in the western part of the Forbidden West, particularly near Scalding Spear and around the area south of the Bulwark. Keep an eye on your surroundings as you explore these areas.
To increase your chances of encountering an Apex Slitherfang, consider revisiting known Slitherfang locations during nighttime or after completing certain main story quests. Some players have reported higher spawn rates under these conditions. Additionally, completing machine strike contracts that feature Slitherfangs may also lead to an Apex variant appearing more frequently.
How can I increase my chances of getting an Apex Slitherfang Heart upon defeating an Apex Slitherfang?
The drop rate of Apex machine parts, including the Apex Slitherfang Heart, is influenced by your luck stat. While there isn’t a direct luck stat in Horizon Forbidden West, using certain outfits and weaves that improve your resource gathering and loot chances can indirectly boost your odds. Equip gear that enhances your ability to obtain rare machine parts.
Additionally, ensure you’re targeting the correct components during the fight. While the Apex Slitherfang Heart is not directly tied to a specific component, destroying non-essential parts before delivering the final blow can potentially increase the likelihood of rarer loot dropping. Focus on weakening the machine overall before dealing the finishing blow.
What is the best strategy for defeating an Apex Slitherfang?
Apex Slitherfangs are formidable opponents with high health and powerful attacks. A strategic approach is crucial for defeating them efficiently. Focus on exploiting their weaknesses, which typically involve targeting specific elemental vulnerabilities and weak points. Using weapons with acid or frost damage can be particularly effective.
Prioritize breaking off their components using tear damage before focusing on dealing direct health damage. The Apex Slitherfang has several detachable parts that, when removed, can significantly reduce its attack power and expose vulnerable areas. Also, remember to utilize traps and environmental hazards to your advantage to control the battlefield and inflict additional damage.
Are there any specific skills that are particularly useful for farming Apex Slitherfang Hearts?
Several skills can significantly enhance your ability to farm Apex Slitherfang Hearts. Skills that increase resource gathering from machines, such as those found in the Trapper skill tree, can indirectly improve your chances of obtaining rarer parts. Skills that boost tear damage are also beneficial for quickly removing valuable components.
Furthermore, investing in skills that enhance Aloy’s combat prowess, such as those that improve weapon techniques and critical hit damage, will allow you to defeat Apex Slitherfangs more quickly and efficiently. Skills that enhance your dodging and evasion abilities are also crucial for avoiding their powerful attacks and staying alive during the fight.
Is it possible to buy Apex Slitherfang Hearts from merchants?
Unfortunately, Apex Slitherfang Hearts cannot be purchased directly from merchants in Horizon Forbidden West. This is because Apex machine parts are considered rare and valuable resources, primarily obtainable through hunting and defeating Apex variants of machines. This scarcity makes them highly prized for crafting and upgrading purposes.
While you cannot buy the hearts directly, you might be able to trade other rare machine parts or resources with certain merchants in exchange for upgrade materials that ultimately require the Apex Slitherfang Heart. However, the heart itself remains an item that must be earned through combat and skillful hunting.
What happens if I destroy the Apex Slitherfang’s body before removing components? Will I still get the heart?
Destroying the Apex Slitherfang’s body before detaching valuable components can potentially reduce your chances of obtaining the Apex Slitherfang Heart. While the heart isn’t directly tied to a specific removable part, severing components first often yields additional resources and increases the overall loot pool available upon the machine’s destruction.
Focusing on tear damage to remove key parts like the elemental canisters and armor plates before depleting the machine’s health is a recommended strategy. This increases the likelihood of obtaining rarer components, including the elusive Apex Slitherfang Heart. A balanced approach of component removal and health reduction is the most effective method.