Shock Trap
Stuns machines instantly with a burst of repurposed Old World electricity.
The Shock Trap is a tactical device utilized by hunters in the post-Fall world of Horizon Zero Dawn. Crafted from scavenged Old World technology and local resources, this trap delivers a concentrated burst of electrical energy upon activation. It serves as an essential tool for disabling mechanical threats before close-quarters combat begins.
- Type
- Trap
- Element
- Electricity
- Primary Effect
- Stun & Damage
- Crafting Requirement
- Metal, Fiber, and Capacitors
- User Base
- Nora Hunters and Tribal Warriors
- First Appearance
- Horizon Zero Dawn (Base Game)
- Durability
- Single Use
Lore & Background
Tribes across the continent utilize these devices differently based on local threats. The Nora rely on them for hunting dangerous game in the mountains, while other groups use them to defend settlements from roaming packs. Aloy’s journey highlights how mastering elemental weaknesses is key to survival; understanding when to deploy a shock trap over a fire arrow often determines life or death against advanced constructs.
In Their Own Story
The wind rustled through the tall grass as Aloy crouched behind a stone outcrop. Ahead, a Scrapper roared, its metal plating gleaming under the sun. She reached into her pouch and pulled out a small, cylindrical device. With practiced ease, she placed the Shock Trap on the path ahead of the beast. As the machine charged, the trap sparked to life. Blue lightning arced across the ground, seizing the Scrapper's legs mid-stride. In that frozen moment of silence, Aloy drew her bow.
Reader's Guide
The Shock Trap serves as a vital crowd-control device, immobilizing machines with high-voltage bursts derived from Old World capacitors. Players should place these near choke points or before engaging heavily armored foes like Scorpions or Chargers. Unlike Fire Traps which deal continuous damage over time, Shock offers immediate disruption to mechanical systems. Upgrading this gear through the skill tree increases the stun duration and voltage output, allowing it to effectively affect larger beasts that resist lower tiers. Strategic placement is key; activating a trap while a machine charges ensures maximum impact on its momentum. Hunters often carry multiple units to chain reactions during pack hunts against smaller packs like Watchers or Striders. Mastery requires timing the trigger precisely when weak points are exposed for critical hits. This tool bridges the gap between ranged arrows and melee strikes, offering a safe distance for engagement without drawing too much aggro initially. Always ensure escape routes remain clear after deployment, as stunned machines may still thrash violently before falling silent.
Did You Know?
- Shock Traps are particularly effective against machines with exposed metal weak points.
- Upgrading the trap increases the duration of the stun effect significantly.
- They are part of the standard crafting menu available to all tribes.
- The technology inside is repurposed from pre-Collapse electrical equipment.