What are all the machines in Horizon Forbidden West? How many machines are there in Horizon Forbidden West, and what are their strengths and weaknesses? How do you override each machine? As part of our Horizon Forbidden West guide, we're going to outline each machine in the game, telling you all about each one. That includes the main game as well as any additional machines found in the DLC, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores.
Note: There are one or two machines on this page that you may want to discover first-hand. If you're browsing this page before finishing the story, proceed with caution!
Horizon Forbidden West: What Are the Machines?
The machines are the robotic animals that populate the world of Horizon Forbidden West. These mechanical monsters are scattered far and wide, and come in all shapes and sizes — from the small Burrower to the enormous Tremortusk. These will be the main enemies you come up against throughout the game, although most of them can eventually be overridden after visiting certain Cauldrons. For more information about Cauldrons, see our guide: Horizon Forbidden West: All Cauldron Locations and Rewards.
There are also a number of Trophies related to scanning and defeating all the machines listed below. For more information about Trophies, visit our guide: Horizon Forbidden West Trophy Guide: All PS5, PS4 Trophies and How to Get the Platinum.
Horizon Forbidden West: How Many Machine Types Are There?
There are 43 machine types in Horizon Forbidden West, and most of these have variations:
- Apex machines are extra powerful versions of the same machine, and are signified by their black armour.
- Elemental machines are versions of machines that have additional elemental abilities and attacks.
Horizon Forbidden West: How Many New Machines Are in the Game?
Some of the machines in Horizon Forbidden West also appeared in Horizon Zero Dawn, but many of them are brand new to the series. Of the 43 machines in the game, 22 of them are new additions to the roster.
Horizon Forbidden West Machines: All Enemies, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Overrides
Below, we will be going through every machine in Horizon Forbidden West, telling you about their strengths and weaknesses, and telling you how to override them.
Grazer
Description: A herd machine that digs up natural resources to convert into biofuel. It is quick to flee from danger, but may attack hostiles to cover the herd's retreat.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: MU.
Strengths: Acid
Weaknesses: Shock
Burrower
Description: A common recon machine that emits a high-pitched sound to alert allies and stun enemies. It can tunnel underground and resurface in unexpected locations.
Class: Recon
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: MU.
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: Fire
Scrounger
Description: An agile scavenger, often seen in packs. It can swiftly consume torn off machine parts, close in to bite enemies, or hurl Shock attacks from afar.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: MU.
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: Frost, Acid
Leaplasher
Description: An acrobatic transport machine often seen in packs. Its cargo can be deployed mid-combat to aid allies or weaponized for its melee attacks.
Class: Transport
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Shock
Weaknesses: Purgewater
Scrapper
Description: An agile scavenger, often seen in packs, that breaks down machine carcasses for recycling. It continually scans for threats and will defend its salvage from intruders.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: MU.
Strengths: Plasma
Weaknesses: Shock
Spikesnout
Description: An acquisition machine that liquefies resources in the soil to extract them. It retreats if provoked, leaving in clouds of vapor that strengthen allies or weaken enemies.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Shock
Weaknesses: Fire, Purgewater
Skydrifter
Description: A gliding machine that easily spots and tracks potential threats. Whether in the air or on the ground, it is fast and agile, and can lash out with its razor-sharp tail and wingtips.
Class: Recon
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Fire
Weaknesses: Frost
Plowhorn
Description: An acquisition machine that plows the soil before sowing fertilizer and seeds. It leaves a trail of fast-growing plants and a cloud of dust that can be used for stealth.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Repair Bay: TAU.
Strengths: Frost, Purgewater
Weaknesses: Acid
Charger
Description: A herd machine that digs up natural resources to convert into biofuel. Although easily startled, it will defend itself before eventually fleeing.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked by default. Mountable when overridden.
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: Shock
Lancehorn
Description: A herd machine that drills for natural resources to convert into useable materials. It is quick to flee from danger, but may attack hostiles to cover the herd's retreat.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Frost
Weaknesses: Fire
Longleg
Description: A fast recon machine that can scan tall grass to locate enemies. Its powerful legs allow it to jump to great heights, while its sound-based attack stuns targets.
Class: Recon
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Acid
Weaknesses: Shock
Bristleback
Description: A herd machine that uses its tusks to dig up resources. If provoked, it can unearth scrap and augment it with elemental material for use in ranged and melee attacks.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Repair Bay: TAU. Mountable when overridden.
Strengths: Acid
Weaknesses: Shock
Fanghorn
Description: A herd machine that dissolves natural resources to convert into biofuel. Its horns can clap shut with great force and shoot Fire attacks over long distances.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: MU.
Strengths: Fire
Weaknesses: Frost
Redeye Watcher
Description: A common recon machine that alerts its allies of danger. It has limited melee and ranged attacks, and is dangerous when encountered in larger groups.
Class: Recon
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Fire, Plasma
Weaknesses: Shock
Widemaw
Description: An amphibious machine that vacuums up resources into its jaws for processing. In combat, it turns this ability into a variety of dangerous attacks.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: MU.
Strengths: Fire, Frost, Shock, Acid, Plasma
Weaknesses: Purgewater
Clawstrider
Description: A fast and agile combat machine often encountered in packs. It is capable of deadly melee attacks, while its elemental variants can lob powerful elemental bombs.
Class: Combat
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA. Mountable when overridden.
Strengths: Acid
Weaknesses: Shock
Corruptor
Description: An agile, deadly war machine from the Old World. It can fire powerful ranged attacks and utilizes its talon-like tail against enemies at close range.
Class: Combat
Override: N/A
Strengths: Berserk
Weaknesses: Fire
Bellowback
Description: A medium-sized transport machine that carries large quantities of volatile liquid on its back, which it uses for its elemental attacks to create areas of residual damage.
Class: Transport
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Fire
Weaknesses: Frost
Glinthawk
Description: A flying scavenger that is often seen in small groups. It can pick up small machine carcasses for recycling and fire Frost attacks from long range.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Frost
Weaknesses: Fire, Shock
Shell-Walker
Description: A resilient transport machine. It prioritizes defending the cargo on its back by activating an energy shield with one claw while firing Shock attacks with the other.
Class: Transport
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Fire, Shock
Weaknesses: Acid
Stalker
Description: A fast combat machine that can cloak itself to become nearly invisible. It uses mines and alarm flares to ambush enemies before following up with ranged and melee attacks.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Fire, Acid
Weaknesses: Shock
Grimhorn
Description: A Plowhorn that has been modified for combat. It is equipped with powerful ranged weapons and Fire attacks.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Repair Bay: TAU.
Strengths: Fire, Shock
Weaknesses: Purgewater, Acid
Ravager
Description: A deadly combat machine often found on its own or in small groups. It uses its deadly melee and ranged attacks to aggressively guard a location or other machines.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Frost, Shock
Weaknesses: Purgewater, Acid
Snapmaw
Description: An amphibious machine that processes resources from bodies of water and deposits them on land. Fast and territorial, it uses its jaws, tail, and elemental materials to attack.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Frost, Purgewater
Weaknesses: Fire, Shock
Sunwing
Description: A flying machine that absorbs solar energy and is often found in groups. It has a variety of Plasma attacks, while its energy shields and maneuverability make it hard to hit.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: GEMINI. Mountable when overridden.
Strengths: Plasma
Weaknesses: Purgewater
Clamberjaw
Description: A fierce and agile scavenger that uses its claws and tail to salvage scrap. It clings to walls with ease and uses powerful Fire attacks against enemies.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Fire, Plasma
Weaknesses: Purgewater
Rollerback
Description: A heavily armored transport machine that can launch into a rolling attack. Its Gravity Generator allows it to reattach armor plates after they have been torn off.
Class: Transport
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: IOTA.
Strengths: Frost, Shock
Weaknesses: Acid
Rockbreaker
Description: An acquisition machine that mines underground resources and stores them in aboveground mounds. It can move quickly underground and surprise enemies from below.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Fire
Weaknesses: Frost, Shock
Behemoth
Description: A large, formidable transport machine that collects resources from smaller machines. When provoked, it uses its anti-gravity system to hurl massive boulders at its attackers.
Class: Transport
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Frost, Shock
Weaknesses: Fire, Acid
Dreadwing
Description: A large and powerful flying combat machine. Its attacks include a range of disruptive status effects, making it a dangerous and tenacious enemy.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Frost, Shock, Acid
Weaknesses: Fire
Tideripper
Description: A large and powerful acquisition machine that filters sediment for resources. Whether on land or in water, it weaponizes Purgewater for devastating attacks.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Fire, Purgewater
Weaknesses: Frost, Shock
Shellsnapper
Description: A large combat machine equipped with a shell that absorbs attacks, converting and storing the energy to power devastating attacks.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Frost, Plasma
Weaknesses: Fire, Acid
Stormbird
Description: A mighty combat machine that embodies the power of storms. Capable of flying at high altitudes, diving at breakneck speeds, and deadly melee and Shock attacks.
Class: Combat
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Fire, Shock
Weaknesses: Acid, Plasma
Thunderjaw
Description: A hulking, heavily armed and armored combat machine. It moves and strikes with speed and ferocity, while relentlessly deploying its array of powerful weapons.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Frost, Shock
Weaknesses: Purgewater, Acid
Frostclaw
Description: An extremely fierce acquisition machine that moves far more quickly than its size suggests. Its vast stores of Chillwater powers its deadly Frost attacks.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Frost
Weaknesses: Fire, Shock
Scorcher
Description: An uncompromising combat machine. It uses devastating Fire attacks and can launch across the battlefield with its powerful melee attacks.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Fire
Weaknesses: Frost, Shock
Slitherfang
Description: An enormous, fast combat machine that can lash out from long range. Once it assumes a coiled stance, it has access to its full arsenal as its rotating body parts snap into place.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Shock, Purgewater, Acid
Weaknesses: Fire, Frost, Plasma
Tremortusk
Description: An enormous combat machine whose slow speed is offset by thick armor plates and multiple ranged weapon systems.
Class: Combat
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Fire
Weaknesses: Frost
Fireclaw
Description: A large, extremely dangerous acquisition machine that refines resources in its internal furnace. It draws on its vast Blaze stores to power its devastating Fire attacks.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: CHI.
Strengths: Fire
Weaknesses: Frost, Purgewater
Slaughterspine
Description: A formidable and deadly combat machine. After its Plasma Energizers charge up, its attacks are enhanced with Plasma and it can unleash devastating special abilities.
Class: Combat
Override: Partially unlocked after completing Cauldron: KAPPA.
Strengths: Fire, Shock, Acid, Plasma
Weaknesses: Frost, Purgewater
Tallneck
Description: A giant observation machine that is oblivious to interruption. It circles a large area, monitoring machines and collecting data on the local area.
Class: Recon
Override: Tallnecks are the only machine in the game that cannot be killed, but they can be overridden. They serve a very important extra function in the game that means you'll want to seek them all out and override them. For a more in-depth look at Tallnecks, see our guide: Horizon Forbidden West: How to Reach and Override All Tallnecks.
Strengths: N/A
Weaknesses: N/A
Specter
Description: A highly advanced, mobile combat drone. Its gold armor-like plates can morph into highly lethal weapons and can gravitationally reattach when torn off.
Class: Combat
Override: N/A
Strengths: Fire, Shock, Purgewater
Weaknesses: Acid, Plasma
Specter Prime
Description: The ultimate Far Zenith exoframe. It can morph into multiple forms, while gold armor-like plates can become devastating weapons and gravitationally reattach when torn off.
Class: Combat
Override: N/A
Strengths: Fire, Shock, Purgewater
Weaknesses: Acid, Plasma
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores Machines: All Enemies, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Overrides
In this section of the guide, we'll be going over all the machines added to the game in the expansion, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores.
Bilegut
Description: A large and hazardous acquisition machine. Launches Acid to uncover Old World scrap and produces swarms of Stingspawn to collect resources.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked after completing Cauldron: THETA.
Strengths: Purgewater, Acid
Weaknesses: Fire, Frost
Stingspawn
Description: A small machine produced by a Bilegut to support its resource acquisition. Its primary function is to retrieve and deliver resources.
Class: Acquisition
Override: N/A
Strengths: Acid
Weaknesses: Shock
Waterwing
Description: A medium-sized flying machine that can dive deep underwater. It is highly maneuverable and, when disturbed, is an unrelenting foe.
Class: Acquisition
Override: Unlocked as part of the main story
Strengths: Shock, Purgewater
Weaknesses: Fire
Horus
Description: The ultimate weapon of destruction from the Old World. Capable of devastating attacks and machine production, though its ancient systems are prone to overheating.
Class: Chariot
Override: N/A
Strengths: All
Weaknesses: None
That's our guide to all the machines in Horizon Forbidden West. Which one is your favourite? Tell us in the comments section below, and check out our Horizon Forbidden West guide for lots more.
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