In Horizon Forbidden West, players are introduced to a wide range of weapons, each with unique traits and strategic uses. Among them, the Sun Scourge stands out as a particularly powerful bow that blends speed, versatility, and status effect application. Unlike other weapons that serve specialized roles, the Sun Scourge is a true multi-tool in Aloy’s arsenal. Whether you’re fighting massive machines, agile enemies, or in need of a status-inflicting opener, this bow delivers. Understanding its stats, how to unlock it, and when to use it can give you a major edge in combat across the diverse regions of the Forbidden West.
What is the Sun Scourge?
A Legendary Hunter Bow
The Sun Scourge is classified as a legendary-tier hunter bow, placing it among the most elite weapons in the game. As a hunter bow, it excels at mid-range combat and is capable of firing a variety of elemental arrows. This makes it highly effective against machines with multiple vulnerabilities, allowing Aloy to adapt her tactics on the fly during fast-paced encounters.
What makes the Sun Scourge especially notable is its triple elemental capability. It can shoot arrows imbued with:
- Poison (Acid)
- Fire
- Plasma
This elemental diversity turns the Sun Scourge into a flexible tool that suits nearly every encounter, particularly when facing machines with armor that can be weakened or removed by elemental effects.
Where to Get the Sun Scourge
To obtain the Sun Scourge, players must complete a side quest called First Forge. This mission only becomes available after defeating all three Rebel Camps in the game: Devil’s Grasp, Breached Rock, and The Hive. Once these camps are cleared, a final quest marker will appear, initiating the ultimate Rebel Camp mission. Upon completing the mission and defeating the camp leader, you will be rewarded with the Sun Scourge.
This makes it a reward not just for combat prowess, but for thorough exploration and perseverance through enemy-controlled territory.
Sun Scourge Stats and Perks
Base Weapon Stats
As a legendary hunter bow, the Sun Scourge starts with strong base stats and gets even better when fully upgraded. Some key attributes include:
- High elemental buildup on hit
- Fast draw and reload speed
- Decent base damage even without elements
When fully upgraded at a workbench, the bow gains additional coil slots, boosts to its damage, and increased elemental application speed. These upgrades transform it into one of the best all-around bows in the game, especially for players who want to switch between different damage types quickly.
Weapon Perks
The Sun Scourge comes equipped with powerful perks that enhance its combat capabilities:
- Overdraw Damage Increases damage when the bowstring is held for longer before release.
- Elemental Accumulation Speeds up the application of elemental effects.
- Reload Speed Allows for faster follow-up shots, essential in fast-paced battles.
These perks synergize especially well with aggressive playstyles, enabling players to quickly inflict status effects on multiple machines and tear through armor segments with efficiency.
Combat Strategy with Sun Scourge
Exploiting Elemental Weaknesses
One of the most strategic elements of using the Sun Scourge is its ability to apply different elemental statuses depending on your target’s vulnerabilities. Some machines are particularly weak to acid, while others react explosively to fire or plasma. By selecting the right arrow type, players can stagger, immobilize, or overheat machines, creating huge openings for further attacks.
Machine Part Removal
Plasma arrows are particularly good for breaking off specific machine parts, which is essential if you’re hunting components for upgrades or crafting. Targeting weak spots with charged plasma shots can remove powerful weapons or components from machines, reducing their threat level mid-fight.
Mobility and Speed
Unlike heavier bows like the Sharpshot or Blastslings, the Sun Scourge is light and quick, allowing for seamless movement in combat. You can shoot while dodging, reposition quickly, and reload between enemy attacks without much downtime. This agility makes it ideal for players who prefer a hit-and-run or high-mobility playstyle.
Upgrading the Sun Scourge
Workbench Requirements
To bring out the full potential of the Sun Scourge, you’ll need to invest in upgrades at a workbench. Each tier of upgrade requires rare materials, many of which are dropped from mid- to high-level machines such as Ravagers, Snapmaws, and Clawstriders. You’ll need components like:
- Ravager Circulators
- Plasma Coils
- Machine Muscle
- Sparker Units
These upgrades will unlock additional arrow types, boost your damage per shot, and allow you to slot powerful coils to further customize the weapon to your build.
Choosing the Right Coils
To optimize your Sun Scourge, consider equipping coils that enhance your preferred playstyle:
- Elemental Coil Boosts elemental buildup for acid, fire, or plasma damage.
- Draw Speed Coil Allows faster nocking and firing of arrows, perfect for close combat.
- Critical Hit Coil Increases damage on critical strike zones for high burst damage.
Tailoring your coils can make a big difference in combat, especially when facing enemies that require specific strategies or damage types.
Comparing Sun Scourge to Other Legendary Bows
Versatility Above All
Compared to other legendary hunter bows in Forbidden West, the Sun Scourge stands out due to its ability to adapt. While other weapons may focus on pure damage or a single element, the Sun Scourge gives players multiple tactical options in one package. This makes it perfect for those who don’t want to constantly switch weapons mid-battle.
Drawbacks
No weapon is without its limitations. While the Sun Scourge excels in status infliction and versatility, it may not deliver the same raw damage per shot as a Sharpshot bow. Players focused on long-range sniping or single-shot eliminations might prefer other tools for those specific encounters.
Endgame and New Game+ Use
Sun Scourge in Late Game
In the late stages of Forbidden West, enemies become more resistant and faster. The Sun Scourge’s quick draw speed and multi-element functionality remain valuable, especially when facing elite variants like Apex machines. Its status effects can turn the tide in otherwise overwhelming battles, providing consistent crowd control and weakening enemy armor.
Viability in New Game+
If you begin a New Game+ run, the Sun Scourge remains a top-tier choice, especially when paired with NG+ exclusive armor sets and weaves. It scales well with endgame builds and continues to perform even against the hardest challenges in the game, including Ultra Hard mode.
The Sun Scourge is one of the most well-rounded and potent weapons in Horizon Forbidden West. Its ability to combine fast firing, elemental versatility, and potent perks makes it a favorite among players who value flexibility and consistent performance in any situation. While it may not be the strongest in raw numbers compared to more specialized bows, its ability to respond to almost any enemy or challenge secures its place as a must-have weapon. Whether you’re exploring the ruins of ancient cities, battling giant machines, or taking down enemy rebels, the Sun Scourge is a reliable companion every step of the way.