Horizon Forbidden West: How to Win Gauntlet Runs

There are four Gauntlet Runs to complete in Horizon Forbidden West, and winning each race will award players a unique and powerful legendary weapon. These races are completed by riding on the back of a Charger and getting to the goal before all of the other competitors. Gauntlet Runs can be difficult, but there are a few strategies players can use to have a much better chance of winning them.

Gauntlet Runs are competitive races held by the Tenakth Tribe in Horizon Forbidden West. All of the Gauntlet Runs are one full lap, and Aloy must run through each checkpoint and come in first place to win the race. The four Gauntlet Runs can be found in Dry Yearn, Cliffs of the Cry, Bonewhite Tear, and The Stillstands, and the races will need to be completed in that order for Aloy to move on to the next challenge. After completing a Gauntlet Run, the challenge can be played again at any time.

There are a few basic mechanics players should understand before jumping into a Gauntlet Run. Aloy will start at the back of the group of competitors and need to work her way to the front. Players will start with a limited number of arrows that can be used to knock other racers off of their Charger mounts in Horizon Forbidden West. Quivers can be picked up throughout the race to replenish Aloy’s ammunition, and Blaze Boosts can be picked up as well. While racing around tight corners and dodging obstacles, players can also use Blaze Boosts to get ahead, but they will also need to brace for damage when necessary.

Use Practice Mode To Find Shortcuts

Along with the competitive races at each track, there is also a practice mode. Players can use a practice race to familiarize themselves with the layout of each track and locate the shortcuts hidden along the way. Taking some time to know the twists and turns of a track can help players shift their focus to taking out the competition during a real race without worrying about unexpected turns. When ready, players can start the real Gauntlet Run and prepare to collect items while pushing ahead to the front of the group.

Use Arrows to Eliminate Other Riders

Horizon Forbidden West‘s Aloy can use spear attacks to knock down opponents riding close to her and bow attacks to slow or knock off any rivals further away. Aloy starts with a limited amount of ammunition for her bow, but there are arrow resupplies hanging from ropes throughout each track. At any time, Aloy can shoot another rider to damage and potentially knock them off of their Charger. While in the front, Aloy can also throw traps backward to stun enemies that are gaining on her.

How to Brace to Prevent Incoming Attacks

One of the easiest ways to fall behind in a Gauntlet Run is taking damage from incoming attacks. These strikes are indicated by an exclamation point on the screen, and players should be ready to brace each time an attack comes. Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West will avoid taking damage from any incoming attack as long as players brace for it before it hits. Players should also be aware that they will need to brace for damage even when using Blaze Boosts, so watching out for incoming attacks is vital to winning. The Square button can be used to brace for attacks in Gauntlet Runs.

When to Use a Boost

Boosts are essential to winning Gauntlet Runs, but there are optimal times to use these them. Blaze Boosts can be collected from the hanging ropes scattered around the track and they appear as green items with black stripes. Gaining speed can make turning around tight corners difficult, so players should use them strategically when there’s a long stretch or parts of the track with fewer sharp turns. Blaze Boosts are also needed to get through shortcuts without Horizon Forbidden West‘s Aloy being slowed down. Each shortcut has a barrier, so boosting through the entrance will help counter the stun effect inflicted for breaking through them.

Temporarily Lower the Game Difficulty

If Gauntlet Runs are consistently too difficult to win, players can decrease their game difficulty to Normal or Easy. The difficulty settings can be changed by clicking the Options button, going into the settings menu, and switching to an easier setting under the Difficulty section. After finishing a Gauntlet Run, the difficulty can be changed right back. Temporarily lowering the difficulty can also be a good way to practice for those that want to beat the Gauntlet Runs on Hard or Very Hard.

Rewards For Completing Every Gauntlet Run

After winning all four Gauntlet Runs, Aloy will be awarded Carja’s Bane, a Legendary Warrior Bow with a few valuable perks. Carja’s Bane can add agility and corroding damage, as well as increase knockdown power and melee follow up. Some of the perks will need to be unlocked through weapons upgrades at the workbench. Since Carja’s Bane is a legendary weapon in Horizon Forbidden West, it can be upgraded up to five times to increase the percentages of each perk. Completing all four Gauntlet Runs rewards players with one of Horizon Forbidden West‘s powerful legendary weapons.

Horizon Forbidden West is available for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

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