Horizon Forbidden West Machines: All New And Returning Machines

Horizon Forbidden West follows Aloy as she embarks to the dangerous and mysterious Forbidden West to uncover the source of a plague that has been killing both living and mechanical life. While exploring the Forbidden West, Aloy encounters deadly new machines and returning ones from Zero Dawn, all of which can be overridden by completing cauldrons. If you’d like to learn more about the new machines appearing in Horizon Forbidden West, just keep on reading.

Please Note: We’ll continue updating this guide as we progress through Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West Machines: Which Are New?

Burrower

Burrowers are machines similar to otters. As a reconnaissance class, Burrowers travel in groups and help Acquisition class machines find land for terraforming and harvesting. Burrowers can explore both land and water, and they can stun enemies, alert allies to danger, and tunnel underground to resurface somewhere else.

Bristleback

Bristlebacks are another machine in Horizon Forbidden West that resembles a warthog. As an acquisition class machine, Bristlebacks harvest resources to assist GAIA’s terraforming program, but they are highly aggressive and, much like the real-life animal, will use their tusks to protect themselves.

Slitherfang

Slitherfangs are cobra and rattlesnake hybrid combat machines that can be found in the desert and tropical regions of the Forbidden West. The machine slithers along the ground and can coil around buildings and ruins. When it comes to attacks, it fires pressurised acid streams, fire arrows, and fire lightning waves from the rattle on its tail.

Shellsnapper

Another new machine appearing in Horizon Forbidden West are Shellsnappers, turtle-like machines seen in the first trailer for Horizon Forbidden West. This combat class machine is covered in natural camouflage and reportedly guards the shores and swamps of the Forbidden West, along with Cauldrons. The machine is fast, can stretch its neck to attack enemies, and can blast targets too.

Plowhorn

Plowhorns are acquisition machines similar to triceratops dinosaurs that are worshipped b the Utaru and referred to as Land-Gods. The machines are responsible for plowing soil and sowing fertiliser and seeds to create fast-growing plants. It has several attacks, most of which deal adhesive damage

Fanghorn

Fanghorns are deer-like machines similar in appearance to Grazers and Lancehorns. As an acquisition machine, Fanghorns are responsible for dissolving resources into biofuel and they’re usually found in herds, fleeing at the sight of any human. When provoked, Fanghorns have several close melee and ranged fire attacks.

Grimhorn

Grimhorns are modified Plowhorn machines made by HEPHAESTUS. The machines are deadlier than Plowhorns as they have been modified for combat and some with several new attacks, including the ability to spew flames and launch rockets.

Leaplasher

Leaplashers are fast transport-based machines that have been designed after kangaroos. The machines can be found throughout the Forbidden West and prove to be a challenge, particularly as they’re usually found in groups of three or more. They can shoot electrical particles at Aloy, unleash hard-to-dodge lasso attacks via their tail, and jam Focuses too.

Scrounger

Scroungers are hyena-based machines that, much like Scavangers, scavenge the corpses of other machines. Scroungers are often found in packs, which means they can quickly gang up on Aloy and deal some damage. Most attacks are used in close-quarters, but it has several shock-based attacks that can easily stun Aloy if not careful.

Skydrifter

Skydrifters are recon machines that patrol areas by flying above and scanning the ground. If they spot any threats, they notify any and all nearby machines. Skydrifters are also capable of combat, so it’s a good idea to try and dispatch them as quickly as possible.

Widemaw

Widemaw’s are machines based on hippos that vacuum resources for processing. They’re gigantic acquisition machines that can unleash devastating ranged and up-close attacks, including the ability to pull you in via its vacuum tube for close melee attacks.

Tremortusk

Tremortusks are mammoth-like combat class machines that made their debut appearance in the first Horizon Forbidden West trailer. These machines are heavily armoured and are controlled by a faction within the Forbidden West known as the Regalla. Tremortusks attack with cannons and a flamethrowing trunk, and paired with their difficulty in being taken down makes them some of the most deadly machines around.

Tideripper

Tiderippers are acquisition machines that resemble plesiosaurs. Like Burrowers, Tiderippers explore both land and water, making it one of the few new aquatic-based machines. According to Guerilla Games, Tiderippers filter sediment for resources and can deliver devastating attacks on land and in water.

Clamberjaw

Clamberjaws are another acquisition class machine found in Horizon Forbidden West. Resembling baboons, Clamberjaws are fierce and fast, and they usually gather in packs, which means you can easily become overwhelmed by them. The machines can climb walls and trees, and use their abilities to weaken enemies. They can also cover their faces with a mask-like component, making it harder for you to land headshots.

Sunwing

Sunwings are acquisition class machines found in the Forbidden West that resemble Pterosaurs with solar panels as wings that are used to store energy. Fast and agile, Sunwings patrol the skies and fly at great heights to collect as much energy as possible. They can be seen in the Horizon Forbidden West machines trailer.

Rollerback

Rollerbacks is a new transport class machine that can roll into a ball and leave a trail of fire in its wake. The machine can roll itself into a ball and propel themselves via its thrusters to crash into a threat. The machine also deals adhesive damage and can use its gravity generator to manipulate its plating, including launching them at enemies.

Clawstrider

Clawstriders are combat class machines that made their first appearance in the Horizon Zero Dawn comic book series, where they attacked the Carja village of Rising Light. The machine moves in packs and is incredibly aggressive as well as territorial. The machines are used by the Regalla as mounts, and Aloy will be able to override them and use them as mounts too.

Spikesnout

Spikesnoughts are new machines in Horizon Forbidden West that liquifies resources to extract them. Similar in appearance to anteaters, Spikesnouts is usually found with other machines and helps other machines, particularly in combat where they can amplify allies. They can also reduce your stamina and deal damage via their unique mist, although the gas sacs can easily be destroyed.

Slaughterspine

Slaughterspines are combat class machines created by HEPHAESTUS to fight humans and Aloy. Similar in appearance to older Spinosaurus depictions, the machine is gigantic and comes with several deadly attacks, most of which deal plasma damage. Thankfully, Slaughterspines are usually only found alone and wandering the coast of the Forbidden West.

Dreadwing

Dreadwings are bat-like combat machines that can be found throughout the Forbidden West hanging upside down from ruins or cliffs. These machines are responsible for deploying the Metal Flowers found throughout the game. Dreadwings are similar to Stalkers, as they can turn invisible and can perform power melee attacks as well as acid-based ranged attacks too.

There are three main Dreadwing locations, and you can check our guide to find them.

Specter

Specters are highly-advanced combat machines with armour that can morph into weapons. These machines can be a huge problem for Aloy, but their weakness to acid and plasma can help tremendously in taking them down.

Machines Returning From Horizon: Zero Dawn

In addition to all of the new machines making their debut appearance in Horizon Forbidden West, several machines from the original game will be returning. While not all of them are coming back, the majority are and you can find a complete list of the Horizon: Zero Dawn machines confirmed to be returning.

Charger

Chargers are acquisition machines similar in behaviour to Striders; they can be found in herds accompanied by Watchers or Longlegs, and they may run at the sight of an enemy, but will do so less often than Broadheads and Striders. When attacking, they charge at and kick enemies.

Glinthawk

Glinthawks are vulture-like acquisition machines that cut and process parts and resources from wrecked and destroyed machines. These machines can usually be found in groups perching or flying, and attack from the air by shooting freeze projectiles or swooping down and attacking with their claws.

Tallneck

Tallnecks are communication class machines that are non-hostile and were designed to enable long-range communication. Similar in appearance to giraffes, Tallnecks are solitary machines that walk in circular paths. Aloy is able to climb these machines and override them atop their disc-like heads to unlock sections of the game’s map.

Longleg

Longlegs are recon machines fashioned after roosters. They’re tall and deadly, and incredibly aggressive. The machine can unleash a sound-based attack that will temporarily stun enemies, so stay alert when fighting them.

Scrapper

Scrappers made their debut in Horizon: Zero Dawn and they’re acquisition machines that scavenge from piles and the corpses of other machines. They’re not too difficult, but like Scoungers, they can come in packs, so make sure you have plenty of ammunition!

Shell-Walker

Shell-Walkers are hermit-crab transport machines that spends its time transporting goods between locations. Usually paired with recon or combat machines, Shell-Walkers can unleash electrical attacks and have energy shields that prevents Aloy from attacking them.

Thunderjaw

Thunderjaws are combat class machines and arguably one of the most famous machines from the series. Taking on the appearance of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, the machine is gigantic and heavy, and usually can be found alone. It utilises lasers, disc launchers, and cannons to take on enemies, and it’s one of the most feared machines within the series.

Snapmaw

Snapmaws are crocodile-like acquisition machines that can be found throughout Horizon: Zero Dawn’s watery regions as they work to purify water. They are agile machines that can shoot Chillwater projectiles at enemies to slow them down. They can also lunge at enemies and use their tails to attack.

Redeye Watcher

Watchers are one of the most well-known machines in Horizon: Zero Dawn and although the basic variation of the machine isn’t in Forbidden West, they’re more advanced Redeye variation is. These reconnaissance machines are usually found in groups with other machines and like Burrowers, can alert allies to threats. When fighting, they can attack by throwing themselves at enemies, stunning opponents with a flash of light, and can fire energy projectiles.

Stalker

Stalkers are deadly combat machines Aloy encounters later in the game. Aggressive and agile, these machines use stealth to take on enemies, and can cloak themselves via their Stealth Generator. Stalkers can be found alone or in packs in dense jungles. Their attacks involve shooting deadly darts, dropping proximity mines, and they can unleash devastating melee attacks with their claws and tails.

Grazer

Grazers are deer-like machines similar to Striders and Chargers. These acquisition machines can be found in herds, usually accompanied by Watchers and Longlegs, and flee from damage. If forced to attack, they can charge at enemies, kick targets, and use their antlers.

Ravager

Ravagers are combat machines that are similar in appearance to wolves. Found in drier regions, Ravagers utilise cannons, can leap and attack enemies, and unleash electrical charges that hit enemies within a closed distance.

Stormbird

Stormbirds are solitary and gigantic bird-like combat machines that were created by GAIA to detoxify Earth’s atmosphere. Stormbirds tend to stay high in the air and only land to attack enemies. When they do attack they perform powerful electric attacks, swoop down and unleash devastating melee attacks, and they can crush enemies too.

Check our Stormbird locations guide for details on where to find them.

Scorcher

Scorchers are combat class machines that first appeared in the Horizon: Zero Dawn DLC Frozen Wilds. Similar in appearance to a wolf, Scorchers are incredibly fast and aggressive, coming with several up-close and ranged attacks that can deal incredible amounts of damage.

Lancehorn

Lancehorns are small acquisition machines similar to a gazelle. Usually found in herds, Lancehorns can always be spotted drilling into the ground, making it easy to sneak up on them and perform a stealth attack. Although they usually run from humans, they can attack if provoked and perform several melee attacks using their horns and legs.

Frostclaw

Frostclaws are bear-like acquisition machines from the Frozen Wilds DLC. The machine is quick and highly aggressive, and its attacks all deal frost damage. They can quickly close distances, as well as perform melee and ranged attacks. Fire is incredibly useful when facing these machines.

Fireclaw

Fireclaws are twins to Frostclaws but specialise in fire. They’re larger than Frostclaws and potentially more deadly, performing several fire-based attacks that can deal significant damage. Frost is extremely useful when facing these machines!

Corruptor

Corruptors are machines from Horizon: Zero Dawn from the old Chariot class created by Faro Automated Solutions. Responsible for the Faro Plague, Corruptors are quick and deadly machines that attack on sight and can perform several melee and ranged attacks.

Bellowback

Belowbacks are transport machines that come in several variations, including fire, frost, and acid. These machines generally rely on ranged elemental attacks that can deal lots of damage, but they’re usually also incredibly weak to another form of elemental damage.

Rockbreaker

Rockbreakers are large acquisition class machines and arguably one of the biggest. Similar in appearance to a mole, Rockbreakers tunnel through the ground and frequently shoot boulders from its mouth at enemies. Incredibly rare, Rockbreakers are difficult to tackle due to their size, speed, heavy-hitting attacks, and their ability to tunnel underground.

Behemoth

Behemoths are transport machines that are usually found with other machines. These machines are formidable due to their size and dangerous attacks, and their anti-gravity technology that can be used to throw rocks at enemies. It can also perform several melee attacks as well as ranged attacks.

Horizon: Zero Dawn And DLC Machines Not In Forbidden West

While Horizon Forbidden West introduced a slew of new machines and included several from the original game and its DLC, there are still several machines that have been dropped from the sequel entirely. They include:

• Trampler
• Regular Watcher
• Deathbringer
• Stider
• Sawtooth
• Broadhead

While it’s disappointing that some of the above machines cannot be found in Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel has several machines that are very similar and, in most cases, deadlier than those omitted from the game.

We hope you’ve gained an understanding of the different machines that will be appearing in Horizon Forbidden West. Since the game still hasn’t been released, we may find that some of the machines currently unconfirmed may eventually return and we may also see additional new machines too.