Flashpoint

A flashpoint is a mechanic that supports the dialogue and story in Horizon Zero Dawn.

Flashpoints occur at key moments in dialogue during quests. They give the player an opportunity to develop Aloy's personality by choosing between three different reactions. Each flashpoint choice will produce some unique dialogue, but only a small number of decisions impact the story itself.

Description

Flashpoints can be distinguished from regular dialogue options because they will include three icons representing the three possible ways for Aloy to respond: with heart, intellect, or threat.

Icon	Choice
	Choosing the heart option will cause Aloy to express compassion and understanding.
	Choosing the brain option will cause Aloy to use her insight to find a clever solution.
	Choosing the fist option will cause Aloy to confront the challenge abrasively.

Flashpoints

"The lesson will be taught in due time, Aloy. Until then, we wait."

This article contains heavy spoilers, and may reveal plot or quest information.

Flashpoints with consequences

Main Quests

Prompt		Result
During Lessons of the Wild
Bast throws a rock at Aloy.	Drop your rock	Changes Aloy's response to Bast's taunts during Mother's Heart.
	Knock the rock from his hands
	Aim for his head
During Mother's Heart
Rost: "This is goodbye."	I understand	Changes Aloy's dialogue during her first visit to Rost's Grave.
	But I will find you
	Then good riddance
During The City of the Sun
Decide Olin's fate.	Redeem yourself	Changes the events of the errand Collateral (as well as whether Olin lives or dies).
	This is complicated
	Your life is forfeit
During The Sun Shall Fall
Avad: "I could use someone like you at my side."	I need to go my own way	Changes Avad's dialogue during his next encounter with Aloy.
	I'm not a substitute
	Like you "used" Ersa?
During The Heart of the Nora
Lansra: "We must stop her!"	Let go of your fear, Lansra	Changes Lansra's dialogue after Aloy exits ELEUTHIA-9.
	Ignore them and enter the Hatch
	You're not stopping me

Side Quests and Errands

Prompt		Result
During The Survivor
White Teeth Chieftain: "Convince me what an outlander's word is worth."	She's endured more than most	Changes optional dialogue with Mailen.
	By the rules of the ordeal, she survived
	She gave up everything for your rules
During The Hunters Three
Tulemak: "What will you remember of us?"	What you've endured	Determines the name of the hunters' werak.
	What you fight for
	What you've accomplished
During Frontier Justice
Inatut: "Where else would I go?"	Go where you feel you belong	Changes the circumstances of Aloy's next encounter with Inatut.
	Maybe you're in a good position
	You don't owe the werak anything

Other Flashpoints

Main Quest

Prompt	Choices
During The Womb of the Mountain
Resh: "No wonder a curse is upon us and children lie dead under cairns of stone."		You dishonor the dead
		You're a nobody
		Watch your tongue

Sidequests and Errands

Prompt	Choices
During The Forge of Winter
Aloy: "You're asking me if you should lie to them." CYAN: "Broadly, yes."		Take it gently
		Use your judgement
		You're got to tell them the truth

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