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. 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?
Guerrilla Games has so far confirmed several new machines for Horizon Forbidden West. While these may not be the complete list of machines appearing in the sequel, this is everything we know about the machines confirmed so far.
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, according to Guerrilla Games, can stun enemies, alert allies to danger via high-pitched sounds, and tunnel underground to resurface in unexpected locations.
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.
Grimhorn
Grimhorns are Plowhorn machines – similar in appearance to triceratops dinosaurs – that have been modified for combat. These combat-based machines are gigantic and can unleash devastating attacks if not careful.
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.
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.
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.
Widemaw
Widemaw’s are machines based on hippos. They’re gigantic acquisition machines that can unleash devastating ranged and up-close 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 have been described by Guerilla Games as fierce, agile, and fast. They gather in packs, can climb walls and trees, and use their abilities to weaken enemies. Clamberjaws can also cover their faces with a mask-like component, making it harder to face them head-on.
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 are new Transport class machines that can roll into a ball and leave a trail of fire in its wake. The machine first appeared in the Horizon Forbidden West machines trailer, and according to Guerrilla Games, Rollerbacks can repair themselves by attracting removed armour plating back onto their body.
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.
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.
Watcher
Watchers are one of the most well-known machines in Horizon: Zero Dawn and they’re returning for the sequel. These Reconnaissance machines are based on small dinosaurs and were initially used by GAIA to assist in terraforming, but are generally used as patrol guards. Watchers are generally found in groups. They alert allies and herds of machines after spotting a threat, and they attack by throwing themselves at enemies, stunning opponents with a flash of light, and they can fire energy projectiles.
Strider
Striders are horse-like machines that Aloy can override and mount for quick transportation. These Acquisition machines are often found in herds and are often accompanied by recon machines like Watchers and Longlegs. They tend to run at the sight of an enemy or when alerted by a Watcher or Longleg. If they do attack, they usually do so by kicking and charging at enemies.
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.
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.
Horizon: Zero Dawn And DLC Machines Unconfirmed For Forbidden West
While a lot of the Horizon: Zero Dawn machines have been confirmed to be returning for Horizon Forbidden West, a lot of machines have yet to be confirmed the sequel. Below, you’ll find a list of the Horizon: Zero Dawn machines including DLC that Guerilla Games haven’t confirmed for Forbidden West.
- Bellowback
- Rockbreaker
- Trampler
- Behemoth
- Redeye Watcher
- Corrupter
- Deathbringer
- Scorcher (Frozen Wilds DLC)
- Frostclaw (Frozen Wilds DLC)
- Fireclaw (Frozen Wilds DLC)
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.
Horizon Forbidden West will release on February 18th, 2022, for PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles. You can pre-order it today. While waiting for its release, you can take a look at our page on everything we know about Horizon Forbidden West.
