Horizon Zero Dawn Bosses

Sawtooth

Sawtooth is one of the early machine enemies you encounter and the first Horizon Zero Dawn boss. It is a large, robotic saber-toothed tiger and is significantly more challenging than the Striders and Watchers you meet early in the game.

You first encounter a Sawtooth during the main story mission The Point of the Spear. During this mission, Aloy, under the guidance of Rost, is tasked with dealing with the Sawtooth that has been terrorizing the Nora tribe’s lands.

As your level gets higher, you will occasionally encounter other Sawtooth machines in the open world, but they will no longer pose as serious a threat as the first time around.

Corruptor

Corruptor is the second boss in Horizon Zero Dawn that has the ability to corrupt other machines, making them hostile towards you. Corruptor resembles a large, spider-like entity with powerful melee and ranged attacks.

You first encounter a Corruptor during the main story quest named The Womb of the Mountain. This mission occurs after the Proving, an important rite of passage for the Nora tribe’s youth, which Aloy participates in.

After you defeat the Corruptor, you will meet it in several further missions like a general machine.

Stalker

Stalker is a type of machine in Horizon Zero Dawn that has invisibility, making it a challenging machine to fight. It is also armed with ranged weapons and proximity mines.

You may stumble upon Stalkers while exploring, doing side quests, or undertaking errands and hunter challenges.

However, one of the first areas where you might encounter Stalkers is in the eastern part of the game map, near the Carja border. These encounters can be quite a surprise and hard for the first time. That is why Stalker is worthy to be called as one of the Horizon Zero Dawn bosses.

Rockbreaker

Rockbreaker is a giant mole-like machine with the ability to burrow underground and attack from beneath. The Rockbreaker can launch rocks at high speed and has a devastating melee attack if you get too close.

Your first guaranteed encounter with a Rockbreaker occurs during the side quest named Heap of Trouble. This quest is given by Petra at the Free Heap settlement, which is located to the northeast of the map.

You may also meet several Rockbreakers in different parts of the map, mostly in the desert.

HADES

HADES is a key antagonist in Horizon Zero Dawn and not a machine that you battle in the traditional sense like the other machines mentioned. HADES is an artificial intelligence (AI) with a primary function that is integral to the game’s overarching storyline.

The first direct encounter with HADES occurs during a main quest called The Grave-Hoard. In this mission, you uncover an ancient facility and learn more about the Old World.

The confrontation and the ultimate resolution of the conflict with HADES unfold throughout the game, culminating in the main quest The Face of Extinction. This is a huge boss fight where you and your allies make a stand against HADES and its forces in a battle to save the world from being purged. However, is not a fight against a single entity, but against an array of corrupted machines.

Frostclaw

The Frostclaw is a machine you encounter in the Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds DLC. This bear-like machine is one of the new types introduced in the DLC and has several ice-based attacks.

Your first encounter with a Frostclaw is during the main questline of The Frozen Wilds DLC, specifically in the mission The Shaman’s Path.

The battle against the Frostclaw is a significant challenge. That is why Frostclaw is definitely one of the strongest Horizon Zero Dawn bosses.

Fireclaw

The Fireclaw is the upgraded version of the Frostclaw, distinguished by its fire-based attacks. It’s one of the most challenging opponents in the game, capable of dealing massive damage through a variety of fiery attacks, including lava bombs, fire streams, and melee swipes.

Your first encounter with a Fireclaw occurs towards the end of The Frozen Wilds storyline, in a quest named Firebreak. However, the hardest fight with a Fireclaw happens during the quest For the Werak, which follows the events of Firebreak.

In For the Werak, you should face and defeat a Fireclaw that poses a threat to the Banuk tribe. This time you will fight against the Fireclaw alone, so be ready for the hard battle.

Deathbringer

The Deathbringer is a war machine and the final boss in Horizon Zero Dawn. It is a fully mechanical, heavily armed, and armored combat platform, originally designed for warfare. Deathbringer is equipped with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, missile launchers, and mortars.

You first encounter a Deathbringer during the main story mission The Grave-Hoard. This time the Deathbringer will be a bit broken, and unable to move.

The next and last fight against Deathbringer will be during the final quest The Face of Extinction, where you should fight the Deathbringer and several other machines at once. This time he will be able to move.

As for me, Deathbringer is not the strongest machine in the game, but it is the final boss in Horizon Zero Dawn.

Stormbird

Stormbird is an aerial machine, resembling a gigantic bird of prey. It’s a challenging machine to defeat due to its ability to attack from the air.

The first scripted fight with the Stormbird occurs during the main quest line in a mission named The Sun Shall Fall. However, you might also meet the Stormbirds in various locations across the game world.

The Stormbird is hard to kill and it may take a lot of time and resources. It has lots of attacks and huge damage. So, I recommend to be well-prepared before the fight.

Thunderjaw

The Thunderjaw is one of the most iconic and dangerous machines in Horizon Zero Dawn. It has heavy armor and a powerful arsenal, including disc launchers, a mouth laser, and missile barrages.

A notable side quest that involves a Thunderjaw as a final boss, and might serve as many players’ first encounter is the Hunter’s Lodge quest Hunting For the Lodge. During the quest, Aloy should obtain trophies from several high-level machines, including a Thunderjaw.

Or you may meet the Thunderjaw for the first time during the side quest Cauldron ZETA, which ends with a battle against a Thunderjaw in a confined space.

Moreover, you can meet Thunderjaw in various locations around the game’s open world.