Horizon: Zero Dawn The Frozen Wilds Skill Tree Guide

Horizon: Zero Dawn‘s first batch of new content, The Frozen Wilds DLC, brings a lot of new content to the base game. From new weapons and areas to new armor and quest lines, there’s a lot for new and veteran HZD players to enjoy about The Frozen Wilds, and the DLC has some of the best skills in the game.

But one of the biggest new additions to HZD‘s core gameplay comes in the form of a brand new skill tree: the Traveler. Introducing eight new perks to Aloy’s repertoire, the Traveler skill tree focuses on mounts, whether that be repairing them or interacting with them in various ways. 

In this guide, we’ll go over what each of the new eight skills can help you accomplish during your journey into HZD‘s great white north, as well as what you’ll need to get them.

What The Frozen Wilds‘ Traveler Skill Tree Brings to the Table

Even if the Traveler skill tree’s new perks don’t replace those from the HZD‘s base game, each of them is worth checking out. Some, like Mounted Pickup are essential additions that fans have been clamoring for since the game’s release. Others, such as Machine Repair, aren’t entirely necessary to completing The Frozen Wilds, but they are nice quality of life upgrades that might come in handy in a pinch. 

Mounted Pickup 

Skill points required: 1

Before The Frozen Wilds released, HZD players had to dismount their Broadhead or Strider steeds in order to pick up items. It was an irritating wrinkle in an otherwise excellent — and engrossing — experience. But with the Mounted Pickup perk from the Traveler skill tree, players no longer have to do that. Instead, they can pick up any item while still riding their mount. 

Shard Salvager

Skill points required: 1

The Shard Salvager perk allows you to break down mods and other resources. Doing so nets you 50% of their intrinsic value. While this is nice in theory, you can almost always get more from simply selling these items. The upside comes when you’re out in the wild — it’s a great perk for more efficient inventory management. But overall, your precious skill points might be better spent somewhere else. 

Expert Carver

Skill points required: 2

If you’ve already played Horizon: Zero Dawn, you know how important upgrade materials are for your satchels and bow quivers. You also already know that getting rare loot can help you acquire more metal shards and powerful weapons. This perk makes finding rare loot and upgrade materials even easier

Mount Repair

Skill points required: 2

Another perk that adds to Aloy’s quality of life, Mount Repair does exactly what it sounds like it does: repair your mounts using metal shards. However, since metal shards can be used for so many other things in HZD and The Frozen Wilds, and you can essentially call a new mount to your side at any time, this perk might be one of the last you acquire from the Traveler skill tree. 

Machine Repair

Skill points required: 3

Another perk that does exactly what it sounds like it does, Machine Repair gives Aloy the ability to restore functionality to disabled machines.  

Hoarder

Skill points required: 3

The Hoarder perk is one that could — and probably will — come in handy during your time in The Frozen Wilds. If you struggle with inventory space, this perk increases the number of items you can hold at any one time by 20%. That means you won’t have to visit villages and vendors as often — and you’ll have more room for ammo. 

Dismount Strike

Skill points required: 3

If you’ve ever wanted to launch from your mount to down a human adversary or a dismantle a small, infermal machine, then the Dismount Perk is something you’re going to want to invest in. This perk allows Aloy to jump off her mount to dole out damage in a medium strike. 

Mount Repair +

Skill points required: 3

This perk is an upgraded version of the Mount Repair perk. Using it will increase the speed at which Aloy is able to repair mounts. It also lets you increase the overall health of any and all of your mounts. But the same caveats apply to Mounted Repair + as they do to Mounted Repair. 

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There you have it: everything you need to know about the new Traveler skill tree — and its perks — in Horizon: Zero Dawn‘s first DLC, The Frozen Wilds. If you’re looking for more tips, tricks, and strategies, make sure to check out our other HZD guides!