Learn how to get, use, and upgrade the powerful Icestorm Boltblaster in Horizon Forbidden West. Includes stats, perks, and ammo types for this rare weapon.
Alright, let's talk about the Icestorm Boltblaster. This is a seriously cool Very Rare boltblaster you'll want to get your hands on. It's a Tenakth weapon that can fire both Frost and Plasma Bolts, and when you fully upgrade it, it gets a sweet bonus for long-range shots!
How to Get the Icestorm Boltblaster
You can snag this beauty from the Hunter located southwest of The Base. Here's what you'll need to cough up:
| Location | Cost |
| The Base Hunter | 1,437 Metal Shards, 1 Bellowback Circulator, 1 Large Machine Core |
So, besides the Metal Shards, you'll need a Bellowback Circulator (which you can get from Bellowbacks, though it's not always a guaranteed drop) and a Large Machine Core. These cores are rarer drops from bigger machines like Tremortusks. Keep an eye out!
How to Use the Icestorm Boltblaster
This boltblaster really shines against larger machines, especially those that are weak to Shock, Plasma, or Frost damage. The real trick is to mix up your ammo types. Start with Shock Bolts to stun your target, then switch to Plasma Bolts. Once the Plasma damage builds up, it'll trigger a big explosion – super satisfying!
How to Upgrade the Icestorm Boltblaster
Upgrading this weapon is key to unlocking its full potential. You'll need a lot of resources, but it's worth it. Here's a breakdown of the ranks and what they do:
| Rank | Effect | Cost |
| I | Increased Weapon Stats, 1x Perk Improvement | Metal Shards x127, Braided Wire x4, Medium Machine Core x1, Small Machine Core x4 |
| II | Increased Weapon Stats, Unlocks Coil Slot | Metal Shards x212, Braided Wire x6, Bellowback Sac Webbing x1, Clamberjaw Tail Duster x2 |
| III | Increased Weapon Stats | Metal Shards x300, Braided Wire x10, Large Machine Core x1, Clamberjaw Circulator x1, Frostclaw Sac Webbing x2 |
| IV | Increased Weapon Stats, 1x Perk Improvement | Metal Shards x450, Large Machine Core x2, Frostclaw Circulator x1, Apex Clamberjaw Heart, Bellowback Primary Nerve x1 |
| V | Increased Weapon Stats, 1x Perk Improvement, Unlocks Coil Slot | Metal Shards x600, Luminous Brainstem x1, Thunderjaw Primary Nerve x1, Dreadwing Metal Fang x4, Apex Scorcher Heart x1 |
Rank I Upgrades
- Metal Shards - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Braided Wire - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Medium Machine Core - Rare Drop from medium sized Machines, such as the Scorcher.
- Small Machine Core - Uncommon Drop from small Machines such as the Grazer.
Rank II Upgrades
- Metal Shards - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Braided Wire - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Bellowback Sac Webbing - Rare Drop from Bellowbacks.
- Clamberjaw Tail Duster - Very Rare drop from Claberjaws.
Rank III Upgrades
- Metal Shards - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Braided Wire - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Large Machine Core - Rare Drop from large Machines, such as the Fireclaw.
- Clamberjaw Circulator - Uncommon Drop from Claberjaws.
- Frostclaw Sac Webbing - Rare Drop from Frostclaws.
Rank IV Upgrades
- Metal Shards - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Large Machine Core - Rare Drop from large Machines, such as the Fireclaw.
- Frostclaw Circulator - Uncommon Drops from Frostclaws.
- Apex Clamberjaw Heart - Very Rare Drop from Apex Clamberjaws.
- Bellowback Primary Nerve - Uncommon Drop from Uncommon Drops Bellowbacks.
Rank V Upgrades
- Metal Shards - Common Drop from all Machines.
- Luminous Brainstem - Very Rare Drop from the toughest Machines the Forbidden West has to offer, such as the Behemoths and Tideripper.
- Thunderjaw Primary Nerve - Rare Drop from Thunderjaws.
- Dreadwing Metal Fang - Very Rare Drop from Dreadwings.
- Apex Scorcher Heart - Very Rare Drop from Apex Scorchers.
Icestorm Boltblaster Stats
Here's how the stats shape up as you upgrade:
| Shock Bolts | Base | Rank I | Rank II | Rank III | Rank IV | Rank V |
| Shock | 18 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 29 |
| Shock Buildup | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 25 |
| Plasma Bolts | Base | Rank I | Rank II | Rank III | Rank IV | Rank V |
| Plasma | 18 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 29 |
| Plasma Buildup | 18 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 25 |
| Frost Bolts | Base | Rank I | Rank II | Rank III | Rank IV | Rank V |
| Frost | 18 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 29 |
| Frost buildup | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 25 |
Icestorm Boltblaster Perks
The perks you can unlock are pretty sweet, especially the Long-Range Damage bonus:
| Perks | Base | Rank I | Rank II | Rank III | Rank IV | Rank V |
| Concentration Damage | +10% | +10% | +10% | +10% | +25% | +25% |
| Overdraw Damage | +15% | +15% | +15% | +15% | +15% | +15% |
| Long-Range Damage | – | — | – | +15% | +15% | +40% |
- Concentration Damage - Makes your shots hit harder when you're using Concentration mode.
- Overdraw Damage - Boosts damage when you use the Overdraw feature with your weapon.
- Long-Range Damage - Increases damage against enemies that are 30m or further away. This is huge for the Rank V upgrade!
Icestorm Boltblaster Ammo Types
Knowing your ammo is crucial:
| Icon | Name | Effect |
| Shock Bolts | Deals Shock Damage and Shock Buildup. Great for stunning enemies that love to move around. | |
| Frost Bolts | Deals Frost damage and Frost Buildup. Use this until the Frost DoT kicks in, then switch to impact ammo for extra damage. | |
| Plasma Bolts | Deals Plasma Damage and Plasma Buildup. This damage builds up and then explodes, so it's perfect for setting up big damage combos. |
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