Corrupted Machines

Learn how to identify and overcome Corrupted Machines in Horizon Zero Dawn. This guide covers their weaknesses and strategies for taking them down.

Hey there! So, you've run into some machines that aren't quite right, huh? These are the Corrupted Machines, and they're definitely a step up in difficulty from their regular counterparts. They're basically infected by some kind of nanite plague, making them more aggressive and dangerous. Don't worry, though; with a bit of know-how, you can handle them!

What Makes Them Different?

Corrupted Machines are tougher, hit harder, and sometimes have new attack patterns. You'll usually spot them by their glowing red eyes and a sort of sickly, corrupted aura around them. They're found in areas where the corruption is strong, often marked on your map. While they're more menacing, they also drop some unique resources that are super useful for crafting and upgrades.

How to Fight Them

The key to beating Corrupted Machines is understanding their weaknesses. Just like regular machines, they have specific components you can target to disable their attacks or make them easier to take down. For instance, targeting their corrupted 'hearts' or energy sources can often stagger them or even cause an explosion that damages them further. Elemental weaknesses are also still a thing, so if a machine is normally weak to fire, a corrupted version likely will be too, just maybe less so.

General Strategy Tips:

• Identify Weaknesses: Always scan the machine first with your Focus. This will highlight its weak spots and elemental vulnerabilities.
• Elemental Damage: Exploit their elemental weaknesses. Fire, shock, and frost can all be effective depending on the machine.
• Target Components: Aim for specific components that, when destroyed, will cripple their abilities or cause them to explode.
• Keep Moving: Corrupted Machines are fast and aggressive. Don't stand still; keep dodging and repositioning.
• Use Traps: Setting up traps before engaging can give you a significant advantage, especially against tougher corrupted variants.
• Craft Special Ammo: Make sure you've got plenty of ammo types that exploit their weaknesses.

It might seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of spotting their tells and hitting their weak points, you'll be clearing out corrupted zones like a pro. Good luck out there!