Overview
This guide covers Aloy's time in the Nora Sacred Lands:
- Core main quests up to leaving the Embrace
- Side activities worth doing early
- Machine combat fundamentals
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Phase 1 – Proving Prep
1. Complete young Aloy's tutorial section.
2. As adult Aloy, focus on:
- Learning **stealth takedowns**
- Using the **Focus** to tag machine paths
Tip: Practice tripwire setups on simple machines to learn spacing.
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Phase 2 – Side Quests Before the Proving
Recommended:
- **The Odd Grata**
- **In Her Mother's Footsteps**
- Early **Hunting Grounds** trials
These quests:
- Teach vertical navigation and stealth.
- Reward valuable **Weave mods** and XP.
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Phase 3 – Machines 101
Key early machines:
- **Watchers** – treat them as alarms; kill silently first.
- **Striders** – great for testing overrides once unlocked.
- **Scrappers** – watch their scanning beams and flank them.
Secret: Many machine sites hide metal flowers or ancient vessels just off the main path; grab these for later merchant trades.
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Phase 4 – Leaving the Embrace
Once the story pushes you out:
- You should have:
- Upgraded bow and armor once or twice
- A few good mods slotted
- Comfort with traps, tripwires, and elemental arrows
Leaving the Nora lands prepared lets you treat the broader world as a hunting ground, not a gauntlet.