Main Quest Walkthrough – Lessons of the Wild [Horizon Zero Dawn]

As Aloy makes it out from underground, Rost takes her to her first lessons in surviving the wild by learning to hunt for machines in the Main Quest Lessons of the Wild.

Main Quest Walkthrough – Lessons of the Wild

Follow Rost

This Main Quest is mainly a tutorial on how to get by and survive in the wild. Rost serves as your mentor of sorts. When you’ve gained control of Aloy, follow Rost. He’ll first ask you to pick up a berry lying on the grass. Pick it up, and he’ll tell you to eat it. You can also get some juicy info on the main story, which includes information on the different inhabitants of the land.

Wait for the Watcher to Pass

After a bit of walking, Rost will teach you how to hunt machines. You’ll need to crouch when Aloy tells you to, since a machine will be nearby. You’ll also find out how you can use the tall grass in various areas to your advantage, as they can provide good cover as you stalk various machines without being detected. You can watch the Stealth Symbol on the top of the screen to check on how well you are hidden from sight. Continuing following Aloy crouched along the grass. A short cutscene will ensue.

Follow Rost Past the Watchers

After the cutscene, wait for the Watcher to pass, then on Rost’s signal, move and follow him while still remaining low. Once you get to another spot of tall grass, another Watcher will pass by. Keep still and wait for it to pass again. Afterwards, continue following Rost again. He’ll tell you that moving slower will be better for remaining unheard and unseen.

You’ll soon come to another spot of tall grass where a Watcher will pass by again. Just remember to stop moving whenever Rost stops too. After the Watcher passes by, move and follow Rost down the short slope down. From here, Rost will stand up again, indicating that danger is fairly away now, so you can stand up as well.

Follow Rost

Continue following Rost again and a short cutscene will ensue. After the cutscene, follow him again down the path. You can grab the Medicinal Salvebrush along the way. As you come up before the bridge, Rost will stop and look over the herd of machines that are easily startled. When the herd has passed, cross the bridge with Rost. After you’ve crossed the birdge, gather all the Rocks on the next area. Further into the next area are some more rocks as well as 12% Health that adds to your Medicine Pouch from a red plant nearby. Further up the path is 9% Health.

When you’ve gathered all the rocks, sprint to catch-up to Rost ahead. Rost will stop at an overlook near a tree up ahead where a cutscene will ensue.

Throw Rocks to Lure the Watcher to Rost

When Rost drops down, aim the rock at the indicated spot using the Down Directional Pad. When you’ve done so, the Watcher will be alerted and move towards the noise. Rost will then take out the Watcher.

Loot the Watcher Carcass

After Rost has taken out the Watcher, you can loot its remains for parts, resources and materials. You can obtain 1 Sparker and 4 Metal Shards from it, as well as the Rock you threw earlier.

Gather Ridge-Wood

Next, Rost will tell you to gather two pieces of Ridge-Wood nearby. Collect them, as well as the 6% Health from the red plant near the second Ridge-Wood.

Craft Hunter Arrows

Open the Weapon Wheel using the L1 button and follow the procedure on crafting them. Afterwards, follow Rost again. You’ll come to another spot of tall grass. Follow Rost while still crouched where a cutscene will ensue.

Identify the Strider’s Weak Points

Use the Scanner and lock the reticule on the Strider to see its other weak point (besides its eye). The other weak point is the canister on its back.

Kill the Strider

Aim for the canister on its back. When it lodges off, quickly aim for its eye, which will be facing you directly after you’ve hit it once. Aim for the eye and take it out.

Loot The Strider Carcass

After you’ve dealt with the Strider, approach it and collect 1 Metal Shard and 1 Wire. Be sure to also grab the Blaze lying on the ground nearby.

Follow Rost

Proceed to follow Rost again. You’ll come up to the edge of a cliff and a cutscene will ensue.

Sneak to the Wounded Boy

When you’ve gained control of Aloy, use the Focus on a nearby Watcher to see the path that it will walk. The first will be very close to where you’re standing, so pay attention. Once it passes, move to the next spot of tall grass just ahead. From there, stop and wait for another Watcher to pass by. Once you’ve made it to the next spot, look to your right. A Watcher will be coming from there, so decide if you have time to move. If not, wait for it to turn around and leave

Head for the next spot of tall grass ahead that’s a little to the right. This is a safe spot of grass with no nearby watchers and is near a shallow river line. Take note that after you cross the river path, there will be a Watcher up head. Wait for it to walk to the far left side of the map, then move to the tall grass spot ahead. Stop when you get there, as the Watcher will still be on patrol. Wait for it to pass to the far right before crossing to the next spot of tall grass. When it passes, move to the next bushes and behind the tree will be the wounded boy.

Lead the Boy Back to Safety

The next objective is rather simple. Move to the first spot of tall grass in front of you, taking note of just one Watcher ahead that follows a really long patrol path. It will face your direction at first, but will turn around and walk ahead. When it does, just stealthily move from spot to spot of the tall grass, taking note of the boy behind you and the Stealth Symbol. The Watcher will occasionally look around, so keep still when it does. In no time, you should be able to escort the boy to safety.