Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Kill Every Enemy Type

Aug 23, 2023

Only on PS4: Dismantle every enemy type with these locations and strategies for all 26 types of robot menace.

Track down and destroy all 26 types of robotic adversaries in Horizon Zero Dawn to become the true master of the hunt. These laser-sporting weapons of destruction can be bested if you know their elemental weaknesses, and it isn't always easy tracking these things down. Most of the common machines can be found simply wandering the environment, but a select few aren't so easy to locate.

Learn where to find all 26 robots, and get our tips and strategies for taking them down with the full bestiary below. The bigger they get, the more you’ll have to rely on wits and combat prowess to survive. Only the weakest can be destroyed with a single Silent Strike. More often, you’ll need Elemental Bombs, Traps, and a good eye for their weak points to easily destroy an enemy. Lookout for Blaze Canisters, Freeze Canisters, or Power Cells — those are common soft spots in the hard armor of your adversaries.

More Horizon Zero Dawn guides on Gameranx:

There are a total of 26 robotic enemies in Horizon Zero Dawn. When you encounter a new enemy, use Focus to scan and add the type to you notebook — you’ll find useful information and weaknesses related to each. Scanning and taking down every enemy type will net you five trophies.

[Work-in-Progress: More pictures and tips coming soon.]

Watcher

The basic Watcher uses numbers to swarm you. Unlock the Lure and Silent Strike Skills to easily take them down. They are a common enemy — wait in a bush, lure one away from the pack and use Silent Strike to finish it off. If you can't use a Silent Strike, aim for the eye.

Strider

Another common enemy type. Instead of attacking, Striders will retreat when threatened so you’ll have to sneak up on them carefully. Like Watchers, they’re susceptible to Lure and Silent Strike kills. In combat, use Focus to spot the Blaze Canister on its back. That's it's weak point.

Grazer

Another robot that's easily spooked. This one will attempt to gorge Aloy with its horns before escaping. This one isn't so easy to lure, so you’ll have to wait for it to turn around. Hide in a bush at a Grazer site, then sneak up behind it and use a Silent Strike. Grazers feature multiple Blaze Canisters, but those are what you’ll want to target in combat. Look for the four rods sticking out of the Grazer's back.

Scrapper

A more deadly robot enemy, these will defend themselves with saws and lasers. Like other common enemies, it is susceptible to Silent Strike. In combat, use Focus to scan it and aim for the Power Cell. The Power Cell is the device nears its butt — the Radar dish is the larger metal object near the neck.

Redeye Watcher

These upgraded Watchers can unleash laser beam blasts from their eyes. Once again, aim for the bright camera-eye in combat. They’re trickier to sneak up on, but are susceptible to Silent Strike.

Broadhead

Large, bull-like robots that can be mounted. They’re skittish and will retreat (and charge) when alerted. Aim for the Blaze canister on the creature's back, or use stealth and Silent Strike to take them down in one hit.

Lancehorn

Confident combat robots that will eagerly attacked when you provoke them. Their drill horns can be destroyed, but you’ll want to target the Freeze Canister on the creature's back. Outside of combat, Silent Strike can kill them in one hit.

Longleg

A powerful sonic-blasted Emu, these bird-like walker doesn't mess around. Aim for the Power Cells between the robot's wings, and try to find a mount. The extra speed will help you circle around. When attacking, you can only aim for the Cells from behind. A single Silent Strike might not be enough to kill it, so finish it off with arrows to the Concussion Sacs on its chest.

Trampler

This Rhino-like beast runs circles around opponents, launching fireball barrages. Use Freeze Bombs to completely stop this thing in its tracks, and target the underbelly where the Power Cell is located.

Sawtooth

This guy is weak to fire. Use fire element arrows and aim for the underbelly Blaze Canister to destroy it in combat, just like the Trampler.

Shell-Walker

This cargo-type machine protects its cargo. It's a tough nut to crack, with no obvious elemental weakness. It's tough against shock, so aim for the well-hidden Power Cells underneath the legs. Or, you can focus on the Cargo claws and other elements after focusing.

Fire Bellowback

Sprays streams of burning hot liquid at enemies that threaten it. Stun it with a Bomb or Trap then shoot at the Blaze Canister on the underbelly with Hardpoint arrows. Engaging these things in direct combat is pretty dangerous, so come prepared with freeze bombs.

Freeze Bellowback

Exactly like the fire-based Bellowbacks, this variant is weak to Fire Bombs. Shock is still a good way to stun, leaving the Freeze Canister exposed. Target the canister to kill it quickly.

Charger

Powerful pack animals with massive horns that attack in groups. Watch out — when threatened, these creatures will work together to take you down. The Blaze Canister near the tale is vulnerable, but these enemies can be killed instantly with a Silent Strike.

Stalker

One of the first enemy types without a Power Cell or Blaze Canister, Stalkers are armed with a dart gun and mine launcher. The Stealth Generator will briefly turn the ambusher invisible. To destroy them, use Silent Strike and then disable with Shock Arrows or Shock Bombs. When it's down, attack — shoot the eye in combat.

Glinthawk

Flying enemies that swoop down and unleash ice-based long-range attacks. They work in groups, too. Aim for the Freeze Sac on the chest. If you do enough damage, they’ll be knocked out of the sky and crash land, giving you more time to finish them off.

Corruptor

These War Machines are tough, so go prepared with Fire Arrows. A Silent Strike will only make them angry. Watch out for Grenades. Destroying the Core helps, but isn't necessary.

Ravager

This war-machine features a mounted gun, allowing it to shoot freely in any direction as it circles you. It features both Power Cells and Freeze Canisters. Slide underneath it to target the Power Cells, or aim for the Canisters on its back. Like other tough opponents, it helps to use a Silent Strike to weaken it.

Snapjaw

Giant crocodile-like machines, they seem slow out of water, but their lunges close the gap faster that you might expect. Stay far back and apply the Fire Elemental Effect with arrows, then use Hardpoint Arrows to destroy the Canister. That should finish off the Snapmaw off before it gets close.

Rockbreaker

Even when you’re spotted, make sure to stay low and don't make too much noise. The Rockbreaker buries itself underground and emerges from below if you’re not quiet. There are two weak points on these things — the Exhaust Ports on the back and the Fuel Sac on the underbelly. Use Freeze Bombs and Arrows to damage it after clearing off the armor plates with Sonic Arrows.

Behemoth

Use Tearblast (Sonic) Arrows to knock the components off the top of the massive Behemoth. That weakens them, leaving them stunned for a period of time. Target the exposed Power Cells on the back, and apply Fire Status Effect. While it isn't weak to fire, the extra damage-over-time will help, and you can simply target the hull. Destroy both Power Cells to bring this thing down.

Thunderjaw

A deadly (and common) War Machine found throughout the open world. These Apex Predators are always a challenge for Aloy, so go prepared. Use Tearblast Arrows to blast the artillery off the giant's back. If you knock the Disc Launchers off, you can collect them and use like a temporary rocket launcher. Grab it off the grand and pelt Thunderjaw with its own discs. Knock off both launches and use them to make short work out of Thunderjaw.

Stormbird

Use Tearblast Arrows to blast the components off this flying menace's wings and chest. Once the components are knocked off, the Power Cells will appear on the Stormbird's back. Use Hardpoint Arrows on the rest of the casters and shock launchers to completely dismantle the bird's offense. Do enough damage and it will crash onto the ground. When it's about to die, or after destroying the chest-mounted shock blaster, it flies up and and slams down onto the ground near you.

Deathbringer

This walking battle tank is armed with an array of military weapons. You’ll automatically encounter more than one as you progress through the story. Destroy the camera components above the automatic turrets on the wings of the machine, then destroy the turrets too. The machine guns are the hardest attack to dodge. Destroy the two gun turrets mounted on top of the machine next. After enough hits, it will eventually go down.

Tallneck

Tallnecks cannot be destroyed. After climbing one, you can override at the top and reveal an entire section of the map. They’re peaceful creatures, and you’re bound to encounter one of them.

Corrupted Machine

Corrupted machines are special variants of other machine lifeforms you’ll encounter as you progress through the story. There's no special way to take these things down, you’ll just need plenty of traps and a powerful bow. Otherwise, you’ll destroy them just like their weaker variants.

Trophies Unlocked

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