The world of Horizon Zero Dawn is populated by a vast array of sentient machines, with each one ready to attack any humans that stray too far into their territory. As Aloy, players will come up against virtually all the different types of machines in the game, with some much more difficult to take down than others.
Different machines have different strengths and weaknesses in the game, meaning players have to adapt their plan of attack accordingly. While every machine causes its own problems, a select few are much more powerful than the rest; the Thunderjaw, the Rockbreaker, the Fireclaw, and the Stalker.
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The last of those might seem like an outlier, given how much smaller it is than the rest, but Stalkers are a dangerous enemy in the game, largely because of how annoyingly sneaky they are.
These machines can manipulate the light around them, making them seem invisible. They also lay down traps in their territories, which serve as a kind of flare signal whenever the player gets too close, letting the Stalkers know Aloy is near. In combat, they drop mines and shoot rapid darts from range. Stalkers are also very quick and can close distance in an instant, making them a very powerful machine, especially when they hunt in packs.
One machine that tends to fight alone is the Rockbreaker, though it rarely needs the assistance of other machines. This enormous beast is the only machine in the game that can burrow underground, meaning it’s always got a backup plan to fall back on. It hunts using the vibrations Aloy causes in the ground when she moves, and the Rockbreaker then bursts out of the ground, smashing Aloy with a heavy blow, before immediately submerging underground again. Add to this that the Rockbreaker is impervious to most elemental weapons in the game, and it becomes clear to see why it should generally be left alone if possible.
If one machine were to be made the poster boy for Horizon Zero Dawn, it would probably be the Thunderjaw. Specifically designed for combat, this gigantic machine is clearly based off the Tyrannosaurus Rex, just without the tiny arms. Its size makes it a threat up close; it’s fast and will burrow its head down and charge at Aloy before attempting to trample her with its enormous feet.
However, it’s the ranged weapons the Thunderjaw is kitted out with that make it so dangerous. With cannons attached to either side of its face and disc launchers on its hips, this machine doesn’t need much time at all to obliterate its enemies. It also has a built-in radar that allows it to scan its immediate vicinity, making it impossible to hide from the thing.
Though the Stalker, Rockbreaker and Thunderjaw are all formidable foes, none are harder to kill than the Fireclaw. Introduced with The Frozen Wilds DLC, this bear-like behemoth takes a ridiculously long time to fell as it is resilient to most forms of attack. Rather than exploiting a weakness with one type of weapon, players must bring a Fireclaw down with attrition and patience, not to mention using a lot of ammo.
The Fireclaw is also extremely dangerous. Deceptively fast, this machine can deal a lot of damage with just one swipe of its claws, though it tends to attack with four or five in combination. There is a lot of rolling involved in fighting a Fireclaw. They can also tear huge chunks out of the ground, launch them at Aloy, and create localized volcanic explosions right under her feet, making it the most powerful machine in the game.
Some players are likely to have an easier time than others when taking on these machines. Still, it seems indisputable that the Stalker, Rockbreaker, Thunderjaw and Fireclaw are some of the most powerful in the game.
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