Horizon Forbidden West: All Cauldron Locations and Rewards

Where are all the Cauldrons in Horizon Forbidden West? What are Cauldrons, and what do you get for completing them? As part of our Horizon Forbidden West guide, we're going to tell you all about Cauldrons, and what you receive for doing them.

Horizon Forbidden West: What Is a Cauldron?

Without spoiling anything, Cauldrons are a type of linear dungeon in Horizon Forbidden West, and they also appeared in Horizon Zero Dawn. Once found, you can go inside, and are tasked with reaching the central core of the Cauldron. Completing Cauldrons will be a test of your platforming and combat skills.

When you successfully finish a Cauldron, you will then be able to override certain types of machine out in the wild. This makes them friendly towards you, meaning they'll fight alongside you against other enemies.

Horizon Forbidden West: All Cauldron Locations and Rewards

Below, we'll be showing you where to find all the Cauldrons in Horizon Forbidden West, and telling you which machines they let you override. There are 4 Cauldrons to find, not including Repair Bay: TAU or Cauldron: GEMINI.

Before you venture inside a Cauldron, remember that once you start it, you will not be able to leave until you complete it. Make sure you're at a suitable level and have all the gear you want before entering.

Repair Bay: TAU

TAU will almost certainly be the first Cauldron you enter; Aloy visits this particular facility during the Main Quest, The Dying Lands. As such, you probably don't need directions, but we've included its location on the map above anyway.

Note: While it looks and acts much like a Cauldron, this is referred to as a Repair Bay in the game, and it does not count towards the Trophies First Core Overridden or All Cores Overridden.

Completion Rewards

• 7,500 XP
• 2 Skill Points

Machine Overrides Unlocked

• Bristleback
• Plowhorn (Partial)
• Grimhorn (Partial)

Cauldron: MU

Cauldron: MU is the first "proper" Cauldron you'll find in Horizon Forbidden West. Located in No Man's Land, Cauldron: MU is found west of Stone Echo and south of Plainsong. Above, you'll see its location on the map.

Recommended Level: 18

Completion Rewards

• 8,000 XP
  
• 3 Skill Points

Machine Overrides Unlocked

• Burrower
• Scrounger
• Grazer
• Scrapper (Partial)
• Fanghorn (Partial)
• Widemaw (Partial)

Cauldron: IOTA

Cauldron: IOTA is found to the very north of the Tenakth Clan Lands — north of Scalding Spear and northeast of Stone Crest. When you reach its icon on the map, you will be tasked with finding an alternative entrance. The location of this alternative entrance is pictured above.

During the course of completing this Cauldron, you will also find and complete Tallneck: Salt Bite.

Recommended Level: 22

Completion Rewards

• 10,000 XP
• 3 Skill Points

Machine Overrides Unlocked

• Leaplasher
• Glinthawk
• Lancehorn
• Longleg
• Clawstrider
• Skydrifter (Partial)
• Bellowback (Partial)
• Ravager (Partial)
• Snapmaw (Partial)
• Rollerback (Partial)

Cauldron: CHI

Cauldron: CHI is found in the Lowlands not too far from the coast, southeast of Thornmarsh. Above is its location on the map. When you reach the main entrance, you'll find that it's blocked, and will need to find another way in. Below is where to find this other entrance:

Recommended Level: 30

Completion Rewards

• 12,500 XP
• 3 Skill Points

Machine Overrides Unlocked

• Frostclaw
• Redeye Watcher
• Shell-Walker
• Clamberjaw
• Behemoth
• Stalker (Partial)
• Shellsnapper (Partial)
• Spikesnout (Partial)
• Scorcher (Partial)
• Fireclaw (Partial)

Cauldron: KAPPA

Cauldron: KAPPA is located on the western coast of the mainland, found northwest of The Greenhouse and west of The Bulwark. Its entrance is submerged underwater. Above is where it appears on the map.

Recommended Level: 40

Completion Rewards

• 12,500 XP
• 3 Skill Points

Machine Overrides Unlocked

• Rockbreaker
• Tideripper
• Tremortusk
• Stormbird
• Thunderjaw (Partial)
• Slitherfang (Partial)
• Dreadwing (Partial)
• Slaughterspine (Partial)

Cauldron: GEMINI

Cauldron: GEMINI is found slap in the middle of the Tenakth Clan Lands. It is found just to the west of Tallneck: The Shining Wastes. On first visit, you may find it's deactivated. You can still go inside, but you can't do anything yet. This particular Cauldron doesn't come into play until much later, during Main Quest, GEMINI. Above is its location on the map.

Note: Like Repair Bay: TAU, Cauldron: GEMINI does not count towards the Trophies First Core Overridden or All Cores Overridden.

Recommended Level: 30

Completion Rewards

• 15,000 XP
• 2 Skill Points

Machine Overrides Unlocked

• Sunwing

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores: All Cauldron Locations and Rewards

In this section, we'll be going through all the Cauldrons found in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores. There is 1 Cauldron in the expansion.

Cauldron: THETA

Cauldron: THETA can be found on the eastern side of the Burning Shores, north of Pangea Park, near the coast where lava has turned to solid rock. It is well guarded by a Fireclaw. Upon finding the main entrance, Aloy will comment that it's locked, and you'll need to find an alternate entrance. Follow the rock inland to the east to find flowing lava, and just beyond it, an entrance to the Cauldron.

Recommended Level: 38

Completion Rewards

• 12,500 XP
• 3 Skill Points

Machine Overrides Unlocked

• Bilegut

And that's all the Cauldrons, where to find them, and what they give you in Horizon Forbidden West. Have you finished them all yet? Tell us in the comments section below, and check out our Horizon Forbidden West guide to learn lots more about the game.