Metal Shards are an item and the main form of currency in Horizon Zero Dawn. They can be obtained easily by looting crates or machine corpses, or selling items to any merchant.
Acquisition
Metal Shards can be acquired through various means. They can be looted from downed machines and human enemies, obtained by selling items to merchants, completing errands, completing trials at Hunting Grounds, collected from treasure boxes, and searching the countless supply crates scattered throughout settlements. Most small machines will drop 1-5 shards as loot, whilst most medium-sized machines drop from about 15-90 shards. Large machines will drop between 100-300 shards, with the most profitable kill being the Deathbringer. Regular human enemies, such as Bandits and Eclipse Cultists, will drop 1-5 shards, whilst elite human enemies can drop up to 200 shards.
Buying
This item is needed to purchase the majority of the weapons and outfits in game.
Crafting
This item is needed to craft the following items.
Ammunition
This item is needed to craft the vast majority of ammunition types.
Carry Capacity Upgrades
Resources Satchel, Traps Pouch, Weapons Satchel, Modifications Satchel, and Outfits Satchel
- Upgrade 1 (15 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 2 (35 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 3 (70 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 4 (125 Metal Shards)
Ammo Pouches/Quivers
- Upgrade 1 (5 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 2 (20 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 3 (125 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 4 (500 Metal Shards)
Frozen Wilds Ammo Pouches
- Upgrade 1 (50 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 2 (100 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 3 (200 Metal Shards)
- Upgrade 4 (500 Metal Shards)
