Horizon Forbidden West: To the Brink - walkthrough Horizon Forbidden West guide, walkthrough

This page of the guide to Horizon Forbidden West contains a walkthrough of the main mission To the Brink - finding Erenda, the Tripcaster, and the Bristlebacks.

Last update: 21 February 2022

This page of the Horizon 2 Forbidden West game guide contains a walkthrough of the To the Brink quest that requires you to solve the problem with the Bristlebacks that appeared in The Daunt. Our walkthrough explains, among other things, the points of interest in Chainscrape, how to get the Tripcaster, where to find Erend, and how to effectively eliminate the Bristlebacks.

• Quest rewards
• Go to Chainscrape
• Upgrade your bow
• Find Erend
• Kill the machines
• Talk to Erend
• Go to the source of the explosions
• Talk to Ulvund

Quest rewards

1. 2,500 XP
2. 2 skill points
3. Unlocking The Daunt area - this is the first region on the world map where you can do side activities in addition to completing main quests
4. Fast travel packs - you can use and craft these as soon as you arrive in The Daunt
5. The Tripcaster - this type of weapon is ideal for setting traps with ropes, the version you get is also able to shock opponents
6. Unlocking the Embassy main quest

Go to Chainscrape

This quest begins with a mine cart ride, during which you don't need to do anything. Once you reach the bottom, you will encounter Vuadis and Joruf. You will also get an additional objective related to Erend, but you should head to Chainscrape first.

Chainscrape is the name of the first settlement inhabited by friendly NPCs. You need to reach its main entrance. After a brief conversation with the guards, you will be allowed inside.

Upgrade your bow

Aloy will meet Petra in the Chainscrape area (you will later have the chance to complete her side quest). Check out the workshop and try to upgrade the starter hunter bow. This upgrade can give it access to two types of arrows - normal and acid.

You can optionally look around the settlement and, among other things, talk to several characters, take part in a mini-game called Machine Strike, participate in arena battles or receive optional quests (green exclamation marks). At this time, Aloy can't trade with the merchants in Chainscrape. They will be unlocked a little later.

Find Erend

During your search for Erend, you need to head south of Chainscrape. You will reach a location where the trapper is hiding from the machines running around in the area. Also note that there are several rope traps laid out here.

Don't disarm the traps, just use them to make the battle easier - stand in front of them, draw the machines' attention to you, and then lead them into the traps to weaken them.

Once the battle is over, you can either search the battlefield and disarm unused traps or talk to Thurlis the trapper right away. He will give Aloy the Tripcaster, which can fire shock ammo. You can ask Thurlis additional questions or resume your search for Erend right away.

You need to use concentration mode (press the right analog stick) to find Erend's tracks. Once you locate his blue silhouette, press R1 to highlight it - this will simply make more tracks appear for you to follow. Aloy will eventually arrive at the location where Erend is fighting the machines.

Kill the machines

The main character will be forced to join the battle against the machines. When it comes to the Bristlebacks, the best strategy is to use acid arrows to hit the green tanks on their backs (pictured in the screenshot above). To do this, you can use your previously upgraded hunter bow, but remember to use the weapon wheel to switch the type of ammo you're using.

Upon being hit, the tank will leak and explode, killing the machine or bringing it to the brink of death.

If you don't have the option to use acid arrows, you can use the recently acquired Tripcaster to set rope traps. The Bristlebacks are weak to shock damage.

Using nearby environmental traps can also be an interesting way to chip away at the machines. You may accidentally release logs of wood that can fall on enemies. Just make sure that Aloy herself doesn't get caught in the trap.

Talk to Erend

After the battle, collect loot from the area and talk to Erend. This is another conversation in which you can choose Aloy's reaction based on your preferred character traits without affecting the rest of the campaign. Erend will help you later in the game even if you choose the more aggressive option.

Go to the source of the explosions

You need to explore the area southwest of Chainscrape. This is a new large location in which the inhabitants of The Daunt constantly fight against the Bristlebacks. Use the techniques you learned earlier, i.e. focus mainly on hitting the green tanks on the backs of the machines with acid arrows.

You will find more environmental traps nearby, which can be used to help you crack down on the machines. Try to attack those machines that are busy fighting your allies, that way they won't be focusing their attention on trying to kill Aloy. After the fight, talk to Belna.

Talk to Ulvund

You have to return to Chainscrape. You will find Ulvund by one of the tents in the settlement. You may want to select additional dialogue options first or go straight to specifics.

The merchants in Chainscape will become available. This will allow you to make your first purchases, including ranged weapons, outfits, crafting resources, food (temporary stat bonuses) or potions. You can also sell unnecessary items from your inventory to the traders.

To complete the quest, meet up with Vuadis in the northwestern part of Chainscrape.