The Broadhead is a small cow-like machine in Horizon Zero Dawn.
Appearance[]
Physically, Broadheads are reminiscent of cattle, especially the Longhorn breed, displaying a pair of long, straight and horizontal horns likely used as tools and defense. A pair of rotary tools located below each horn help it convert plant matter into biofuel.
The Broadhead seems to share a nearly identical chassis design with the Strider and Charger, with its main difference being the head design. Unlike the other two, the Broadhead has two Blaze canisters on its back instead of one.
History[]
Like the Strider and Grazer, Broadheads seem to consume small amounts of plant matter to produce Blaze.
While it's unknown when Broadheads were first released, they became commonplace in the northern Sacred Lands and Sundom. However, they haven't been found further north than these territories, or any further west than Sunfall.
Post-Derangement[]
At the advent of the Derangement, almost all machines started becoming increasingly aggressive, including the Broadhead. By the time Aloy reached adulthood, Broadheads attacked humans on sight, especially if warned first by nearby Watchers.
Horizon Zero Dawn[]
Upon gaining access to the PSI overrides by looting a Corruptor for its override module, Aloy became able to override Broadheads and use them as mounts.[1]
With the spreading of corruption in the Sundom, some Broadheads, as well as Behemoths, in the Rustwash became corrupted. They were subsequently destroyed by Aloy.
Abilities[]
Broadheads have no ranged attacks but, when provoked, will set their stance and then charge at the target with alarming speed, bowling them over and doing high damage. One must take caution when overriding or taking down a Broadhead.
A Broadhead's main method of attack is by charging forward and swiping with its large horns. These horns will deal significant damage per swipe, so it is best to roll out of the way.
Seeing as a Broadhead has no ranged attacks, picking off the Blaze canisters (with fire-based weapons) and horns (with tear-based weapons) from afar is a great strategy for killing one. When overriding a Broadhead, it is a good idea to get rid of the horns beforehand, as it will charge if you get too close. Broadheads are also easily killed by a single Silent Strike hit; simply lure it in to where Aloy is hiding or sneak up behind it.
Attacks[]
| Attack Name | Damage Type | Primary Damage |
Trigger Range |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | Melee | 142 | 15m - 50m | Charges at the target with its horns, knocking it over |
| Double Strike | Melee | 150 | 0m - 7m | Rears up and strikes with front legs twice |
| Hind Leg Strike | Melee | 125 | 1.5m - 3.5m | Kicks backward and knocks the target over |
| Rodeo Kick | Melee | 110 | 0m - 2.5m | Repeatedly bucks in several directions |
| Spin Kick | Melee | 100 | 1.5m - 3.5m | Pivots around and kicks backward |
Mounted Combat[]
| Attack Name | Trigger | Direct Damage | Impact Severity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | Contact while Sprinting | 35 | 150 | Damage depends on how fast mount is moving |
| Double Strike | R1 | 35 | 100 | Rears up and strikes with front legs twice |
| Hind Leg Strike | R1 + left stick backwards | 70 | 100 | Kicks backward and knocks the target over |
| Pivot Kick | R2 | 70 | 100 | Pivots around and kicks backward |
Components[]
| Component | Image | Information | Weakness | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body | 
|
Hard outer casing to protect synthetic muscle and operational systems. | None | None |
| Blaze Canister | 
|
Blaze Storage Container. Shooting canister with Fire arrows will result in an explosion. Shoot off this component to collect the resource inside. |  Fire Tear
|
None |
| Horns | 
|
Destroying this component will disable Charge attacks. | Tear
|
None |
Loot[]
Trivia[]
- During development, Broadheads were referred to as Longhorns.[2]
- Broadheads are one of the few machines from Horizon Zero Dawn that did not reappear in Horizon Forbidden West, presumably because of their similarity to Chargers in both form and function.
Gallery[]
