Horizon Forbidden West expands on the epic post-apocalyptic world of Horizon Zero Dawn, offering players a vast landscape filled with mechanical beasts, dense forests, and ancient ruins. One of the most exciting gameplay elements is the ability to mount certain machines, transforming these mechanical creatures into powerful allies for exploration, combat, and traversal across the varied terrain. Understanding all mountable machines in Forbidden West enhances the player’s strategic options, allowing for faster travel, greater mobility in combat, and unique tactical advantages. This guide provides an in-depth overview of all mountable machines, their capabilities, and tips for effectively utilizing them in the game.
Overview of Mountable Machines
Mountable machines are a select group of mechanical creatures in Forbidden West that players can override and ride. Overriding requires using Aloy’s Focus and hacking skills to gain temporary or permanent control over the machine. Once mounted, these machines provide speed, firepower, and agility, transforming traversal and combat strategies. Each machine type has unique abilities, strengths, and limitations, making it important to understand which mounts are best suited for specific scenarios.
Benefits of Mounting Machines
Mounting machines offers several advantages. First, it allows players to move across the expansive map quickly, avoiding obstacles and dangerous terrain. Second, mountable machines often come equipped with offensive capabilities such as ranged attacks or melee strikes, providing combat support. Third, certain mounts can traverse difficult environments, like climbing steep cliffs or crossing rivers. Strategically using mountable machines enhances gameplay efficiency, making exploration, combat, and mission completion more dynamic and engaging.
Types of Mountable Machines
In Forbidden West, mountable machines can be categorized based on their size, function, and environment. Understanding these categories helps players select the right mount for each task.
Small and Agile Mounts
These machines are fast, maneuverable, and ideal for scouting or quick escapes. Examples include
- StridersQuadrupedal machines that are commonly found in open plains. They are fast, easy to mount, and perfect for traversing large distances quickly.
- GlinthawksWhile primarily flying enemies, some variants can be overridden for short-range aerial mobility, allowing access to high terrain or distant locations.
Medium-Sized Combat Mounts
These mounts balance mobility with combat effectiveness, making them versatile for both exploration and fighting
- Grazer VariantsNormally peaceful herd machines, some can be overridden in certain areas, providing moderate speed and defensive capabilities.
- ScrappersAggressive machines that can be mounted after defeating and overriding them. They are durable and can deal significant melee damage while moving.
Large and Powerful Mounts
These mounts are slower but offer formidable combat advantages, especially in open-field battles
- ThunderjawsOne of the most iconic and powerful mountable machines. Equipped with devastating ranged attacks and high health, they are ideal for engaging groups of enemies or taking on other large machines.
- RockbreakersMassive underground machines that can be overridden for high durability and melee strength, useful for breaking enemy defenses or traversing rocky terrain.
Special Environment Mounts
Certain mountable machines are adapted to specific environmental conditions, providing unique traversal benefits
- Scorcher VariantsFire-resistant machines that can be mounted in volcanic regions or hazardous areas where other mounts would be ineffective.
- SnapmawsAmphibious machines capable of navigating rivers and lakes while mounted, allowing access to regions that are otherwise difficult to reach on foot.
How to Override and Mount Machines
Overriding machines is a core mechanic that allows Aloy to take control of mountable creatures. The process involves several steps that require preparation, skill, and timing.
Steps to Override
- Locate the machine you wish to override and scan it using Aloy’s Focus to determine mountability.
- Attack or weaken aggressive machines until they are vulnerable for override.
- Use the Override ability to take control. Some machines require higher skill levels or specific upgrades to override successfully.
- Once overridden, approach the machine to mount it, gaining control over movement and attacks.
Tips for Effective Mounting
Maximizing the benefits of mountable machines requires understanding their behavior and combat abilities. Key tips include
- Upgrade Aloy’s Override skill early to control stronger and more advanced machines.
- Choose mounts based on terrain; agile machines for exploration, heavy machines for combat.
- Use mounted attacks strategically in battles, combining movement with ranged or melee abilities for maximum effect.
- Be mindful of mount health, as damage can force Aloy to dismount, leaving her vulnerable.
Combat Strategies with Mountable Machines
Mounted combat in Forbidden West provides a dynamic layer to encounters. Each machine offers unique attack patterns and movement capabilities, allowing players to approach battles creatively.
Hit-and-Run Tactics
Smaller and faster mounts like Striders or overridden Grazer variants excel in hit-and-run tactics. Players can move quickly, attack, and retreat before enemies retaliate, making these mounts effective against groups of weaker enemies or in open plains where mobility is key.
Frontline Assaults
Large machines like Thunderjaws or Rockbreakers serve as frontline combatants. Their high durability allows Aloy to charge into enemy groups, using the mount’s attacks to deal massive damage while soaking up hits that would otherwise harm her. Coordinating mounted attacks with ranged abilities enhances combat effectiveness.
Environmental Advantages
Using mountable machines to navigate specific environments, such as Snapmaws for water traversal or Scorcher variants for hazardous zones, provides tactical advantages. Mounted mobility allows for surprise attacks, efficient escape routes, and access to hidden loot or objectives.
Unlocking All Mountable Machines
Not all machines are mountable from the start. Unlocking the full roster requires exploration, completing quests, and upgrading Aloy’s skills. Players should focus on the following steps
- Progress through the main story to gain access to regions with higher-tier machines.
- Upgrade Aloy’s Override skills and abilities to control advanced machines like Thunderjaws.
- Explore side quests and hunting grounds to encounter rare or environment-specific machines.
- Experiment with different mounts to understand each machine’s unique advantages and combat style.
Mountable machines in Horizon Forbidden West are an essential aspect of gameplay, offering unparalleled mobility, combat power, and strategic opportunities. From agile Striders to powerful Thunderjaws, each mount provides distinct advantages that can transform exploration and battles. Understanding all mountable machines, mastering the Override mechanic, and using the mounts strategically allows players to traverse the world efficiently, dominate combat encounters, and fully experience the game’s immersive open world. By exploring, upgrading skills, and experimenting with different mounts, players can gain a comprehensive understanding of Forbidden West’s mechanical ecosystem, making every journey across the post-apocalyptic landscape exciting, dynamic, and rewarding.