Quick Links
The Deluge is one of the trickiest side quests inHorizon Forbidden West. It involves a lot of puzzle-solving with a dash of combat, but some of the necessary steps to complete it can be obscure. First-time players will often find themselves running in circles trying to figure out what to do next!
Related:Horizon Forbidden West: Every Legendary Weapon, Ranked
If you’re having trouble entering the metal towers or operating the crane, or can’t escape The Gouge, you’re not alone. Luckily, this guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough, letting you complete this notorious challenge. The game recommends that you reach Level 15 at minimum before attempting The Deluge, but on higher difficulties you may need to level up a bit more or craft slightly better gear to handle the enemies here.
Where is Bleeding Mark?
Travel north from the Base on the western side of the mountains, and you’ll reach the village of Bleeding Mark near the edge of the map. If you haven’t heard about the trouble in Bleeding Mark elsewhere, Aloy will notice the flooding and the quest will begin regardless.
You’ll need to fulfill several sub-objectives to help the Tenakth here. Start bytraveling along the main road;there is a group of survivors on some rubble nearby. Talk to Natikka here and she’ll tell you what happened.
There’s a Shelter just east of the village in case you need to save, replenish supplies, or change the time of day.
How To Rescue The Survivors On The Watchtower
At the northern end of the village is an open area where a pack of Snapmaws have trapped some survivors on top of the wreckage. Use the stealth grass toquietly eliminate the patrolling Burrowers first,then get ready to fight the Snapmaws.
The Snapmaws areweak against Fire and Shock damage. Shock is slightly better, as it canparalyze the machines, setting you up for a Critical Strike. you’re able to alsodetonate the sacs on theri abdomensto inflict Brittle on them, increasing the overall damage that you deal to the machines for the duration.
Avoid the water - you’ll be helpless against the Snapmaws while swimming!
If you find yourself running low on heals, the peninsulasoutheast of the survivors' towerhas lots of Medicinal Skybrush to grab. There is also a supply cache under therocky arch just west of the tower.When the machines are all destroyed, the Survivors will be able to safely descend from the tower; speak to them and they’ll rejoin Natikka.
How To Move The Crane To Rescue The Survivors Trapped On The Cliff
Northeast of the spot where you talk to Natikka, you’ll be hailed by a group of survivors stuck atop a cliff. You’ll need tomove the large crane nearbyto give them a bridge.
Start byclimbing onto the base of the crane.Use the Pullcaster toremove the debris, pulling on the blue clamp to dislodge it.
Next, go into the water anddive underneath the crane.This is easier if you already have the Diving Mask from the main quest, but it’s not strictly necessary. On the left side of the ramp,you’ll find a patch of Firegleam; detonate it to remove the remaining debris and move the crane into position.
You won’t be able to see the Firegleam from the surface due to the muddy water, but your Focus can pick it up.
Once the crane is moved,climb the small tower just south of its new position.Loot the chests at the bottom and top of the ladder, thenstand on the beam jutting out from the corner at the top.From there, use the Pullcaster tohook the crane’s counterweight, below you.
Glide over to the ladder that’s revealed and climb up. You’ll reach the crane’s main structure. At the far end,shoot the cable mechanismto release the crane fully; you canuse your Focusto easily see which part you need to hit.
When the crane drops, you’ll be able to use it as a bridge to reach the survivors. Speak to them and send them to Natikka.
Related:Horizon Forbidden West: Skill Tree Guide
How To Get Into The Metal Towers
Northwest of Natikka’s location are a group of survivors trapped in one of two water cylinders.Stand between the two towersand look north; you’ll see a dead tree. It’s tricky to spot since it’snot highlighted by your focus, but scanning it will still reveal that it can be pushed over.
Push the tree and use it to climb into the first tower. Inside,hop down to the ledgejutting out from the water. Use the Pullcaster to bring the crate above you down; while it floats in the water, you canuse it as a stepping stone to reach the ladder.
Stand at the edge of the gantry above andlook across the tower;there’s a beam that you can pull down, giving yourself a bridge. Jump across and use the beam to reach the next ladder.
Loot the chest at the top, then walkall the way out onto the yellow edgeso that you can see around the right side of the rubble blocking your path. There’s another beam; pull it down and jump across to it. You’ll find a door that takes you to a platform outside.
Climb the ladder on the outside of the tower.On the roof, get a running start andjump across to the towerwhere the survivors are trapped.Use the ladder in the center to go down to the survivors; Aloy will slip and fall, becoming trapped with them.
Talk to the survivors, thenclimb the wall to the right of them.Work your way clockwise around the tower,using the Pullcaster to move beamswhen you reach dead ends. When you reach the platform with a vent panel in the wall,stand by the ladderand hook it with the Pullcaster to create an exit.
How To Rescue Kentokk
Once all three groups of survivors have been saved,return to Natikka.She’ll give you directions to The Gouge, Kentokk’s last known location. Go to the western side of the village,midway between the metal towers and the spot where you fought the Snapmaws.
The entrance to The Gouge is lit by a lantern, so it’s clearly visible even at night.Use the Pullcaster to remove the two beamssupporting the rubble and clear the way in.
Rappel to the bottom of the mine shaft, where you’ll automatically find Kentokk. After speaking to him,grapple across the waterand stand on the beam that you land on. Use the Pullcaster toopen the venton the other side of the chamber, then grapple across and crawl inside.
Kick open the panel on the other side of the vent shaft, thenpull down the crate on your leftwhen you enter the room beyond. Use the crate to climb to the ledge that it was on andopen the grate in front of you.
The vent past the grate is blocked, so insteadturn leftand jump across the scaffolding to reach the wall on the other side, which is climbable. At the top,jump to the farthest beamand use the Pullcater todestroy the two cross-shaped clampson the opposite wall, revealing a grapple point.
Grapple to the next area andloot the chest at the back of the tunnel.Use the beam at the side of the tunnel entrance to start another climbing course; go all the way to the right andfollow the tunnel.
When the tunnel splits, be sure to check the dead-end to the left for a chest!
Near the end of the tunnel, you’ll find a vent after a short climb;drop through the hole at the end.Before going anywhere,look around for Firegleam.Ignite it to start flooding the cavern completing the quest. This will also drain the floodwater in Bleeding Mark, letting you traverse the village much more easily.
If you return to Bleeding Mark later, rebuilding will have started. You can also find Natikka later at the Memorial Grove to get an update on her story.
