How to Use Grapple Strike - Horizon Forbidden West Guide - IGN (2024)

The Burning Shores DLC introduces two Grapple Strike mechanics that enable Aloy to use her Pullcaster to perform moves not seen in the Horizon Forbidden West base game. A standard Grapple Strike is an exploration tool that allows Aloy to pull open vents, and it's a move that you'll familiarize yourself with as you progress through the expansion's Main Story. On the other hand, the Machine Grapple Strike is a powerful Hunter Skill that, when unlocked, allows Aloy to grapple onto a knocked-down Machine before inflicting a devastating Resonator Blast. Machine Grapple Strike also happens to be the Skill you'll need to use to complete the Bronze Trophy, Use Grapple Strike on Machines.

In this Burning Shores guide, we'll outline how to perform Grapple Strikes and explain how to complete the Use Grapple Strike on Machines Bronze Trophy!

How to Use Grapple Strike

Click the links below to learn more about a specific section of this guide:

• How to Use Standard Grapple Strike
• How to Perform a Machine Grapple Strike
• How to Complete the Use Grapple Strike on Machines Trophy

How to Use Standard Grapple Strike

As you progress through the Burning Shores' Main Quests and Side Quests, you'll often stumble upon yellow-lined vents like the one pictured above. Unlike vents that have metal clamps, these vents cannot be opened by pressing L2 + Triangle. Instead, approach the vents until you see an upside-down triangle icon. The icon indicates that you're in range to perform a Standard Grapple Strike.

To use a Standard Grapple Strike to open the vent, get in range, then double-tap X. Aloy will perform an impressive flipping move and pry the vent open with a Grapple Strike. With the vent now open, double-tap X once more to grapple inside and continue your journey!

How to Perform a Machine Grapple Strike

Unlike the Standard Grapple Strike, the Machine Grapple Strike needs to be learned before you can use it. To learn the Machine Grapple Strike Skill, press the Touchpad, scroll over to the Skills tab, then go to the very bottom of the Hunter Skill Tree. Though learning Machine Grapple Strike will technically only cost you 2 Skill Points, keep in mind that you need to purchase your way down to this Skill to unlock it. In other words, if you've made little progress completing the Hunter Skill Tree, you'll likely need to spend a substantial amount of Skill Points to learn Machine Grapple Strike.

After learning Machine Grapple Strike, search the Burning Shores for a Machine that can be easily knocked down. Though even the most fearsome foes can be knocked down, we recommend practicing this move on Lancehorns or Redeye Watchers since they're a weaker threat that can be knocked down fairly consistently.

Once the Machine is knocked down, approach it, and when you're in range, an upside-down triangle icon will appear on the fallen enemy. As soon as you see the icon, double-tap X and Aloy will grapple off the Machine and leap into the sky.

While she's in mid-air, you'll receive a quick time event prompting you to press R1. If you press R1 in time, Aloy will energize the Machine to inflict a devastating Resonator Blast!

How to Complete the Use Grapple Strike on Machines Trophy

Now that you've learned how to perform a Machine Grapple Strike, you may be interested in completing the Bronze Trophy titled, Use the Grapple Strike on Machines. To complete this trophy you need to "Use Grapple Strike on five unique enemies". In other words, if you perform a Machine Grapple Strike on a Burrower, then use the move again on one of the Machine's variants, such as a Frost Canister Burrower, this still only counts as one Grapple Strike toward the trophy.

Because performing a Machine Grapple Strike on five different species of Machine can quickly become tricky, here are a few tips to help you complete this trophy:

• Burrowers, Lancehorns, Grazers, and Redeye Watchers are all relatively weak Machines that you can knock down with a couple of Heavy Strikes. Because they can be knocked down fairly reliably and pose little threat on their own, search the Map for sites where these Machines can be found.
• Tying down fearsome enemies with a Ropecaster is one of the most effective ways to ensure a knockdown.
• Speaking of Ropecasters, if you haven't yet completed the Burning Shores Main Story, Seyka is well-trained with a Ropecaster, and she can set you up for Machine Grapple Strikes.
• The Specter Gauntlet can also knock down enemies but you need to be careful not to inflict too much damage or you might accidentally kill the Machine.
• Unlike some trophies, the Use Grapple Strike on Machines trophy does not track your progress, so keep a headcount of the unique enemies you've attacked with this move. Once you've performed a Machine Grapple Strike on five unique enemies, you should get the trophy notification!