Hammerburst Boltblaster (Rare)

Discover how to get, use, and upgrade the powerful Hammerburst Boltblaster in Horizon Forbidden West. Learn its stats, perks, and ammo types to dominate machines.

Alright, let's talk about the Hammerburst Boltblaster (Rare). This Oseram invention is a real sparkler, firing off quick bursts of bolts that can really lay into bigger machines. You can even upgrade it to pack some explosive punch and land critical hits more often. It's a solid addition to your arsenal, especially when you're facing down some of the tougher robotic beasts.

Where to Find It:

You can snag this beauty from the Hunter at The Bulwark. Just be ready to trade in 549 Metal Shards and a Sunwing Circulator. That Sunwing Circulator is an Uncommon Drop from Sunwings, so you might need to do a bit of hunting for that first.

How to Use It Effectively:

This weapon really shines against those large, aggressive machines. Load up some Explosive Bolts and you can cause them to stagger, which is perfect for weakening specific armor pieces. Once that armor is weakened, switch to Impact Bolts to really pile on the damage. It's all about controlling the fight and breaking down your enemy piece by piece.

Let's Talk Upgrades:

Like most weapons in Horizon Forbidden West, the Hammerburst Boltblaster can be upgraded through four ranks, each boosting its stats and unlocking new capabilities. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need:

• Rank I: Get ready for Increased Weapon Stats and a Perk Improvement. You'll need 75 Metal Shards, 2 Braided Wire, and 2 Small Machine Cores. Small Machine Cores are uncommon drops from smaller machines like the Grazer.
• Rank II: More Increased Weapon Stats and another Perk Improvement. This one costs 112 Metal Shards, 2 Braided Wire, 1 Rollerback Hammer Tail (a Legendary Drop from Rollerbacks), and 2 Sunwing Shield Casters (a Rare Drop from Sunwings).
• Rank III: Expect Increased Weapon Stats and a new ammo type unlocked! You'll need 150 Metal Shards, 3 Braided Wire, 2 Medium Machine Cores (rare drops from medium machines like the Scorcher), and 1 Rollerback Circulator (an uncommon drop from Rollerbacks).
• Rank IV: The final upgrade brings Increased Weapon Stats, a Perk Improvement, and an unlocked Coil Slot. This is the priciest one: 250 Metal Shards, 6 Braided Wire, 3 Medium Machine Cores, 1 Rollerback Primary Nerve (rare drop from Rollerbacks), and 1 Slitherfang Earthgrinder (a very rare drop from Slitherfangs).

Stats at a Glance:

The Hammerburst Boltblaster's damage increases with each rank. For Impact Bolts, you'll go from a base of 15 damage up to 23 at Rank IV. Explosive Bolts, unlocked at Rank III, start at 20 Impact Damage and 27 Explosive Damage, increasing to 23 Impact and 25 Explosive Damage at Rank IV.

Perks to Watch For:

• Critical Hit Chance: Starts at a base of 0% and gets a nice boost, reaching +15% at Rank III and IV.
• Overdraw Damage: This perk increases damage when using Overdraw, starting at +15% from Rank II onwards.

Ammo Types:

• Impact Bolts: Your standard bolt, good for general ranged damage.
• Explosive Bolts: These pack a punch, dealing both Impact and Explosive damage, and they're great for causing knockback.

So, there you have it! The Hammerburst Boltblaster is a versatile weapon that can be a real game-changer once you've got it upgraded and understand how to use its different ammo types. Happy hunting!