• Guide

Horizon Zero Dawn - How to Override Machines

By overriding machines in Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy can ride them about for faster travel and different combat options.

Shack Staff

February 21, 2017 10:00 AM

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Overriding machines is a powerful mechanic in Horizon Zero Dawn. This ability allows Aloy to tame some of the machine beasts that inhabit the land, and ride them into combat, or have them fight by her side. At the start of the game, only a few can be overriden, but as the game progresses, more can be tamed and controlled by upgrading the override ability. 

How to upgrade override

After the Proving and a small boss fight, Aloy will gain the ability to override Striders in Horizon Zero Dawn. This new override ability is performed by sneaking up behind a machine and pressing the appropriate button. Though she will only be able to ride these horse-like creatures at first, as the game progresses she will be able to control bigger and greater beasts. 

After an override, some machines can be ridden, while most will simply fight for you. They will stay loyal for a limited time, unless you obtain the Combat Override + ability, after which they will become indefinite. Remember that some machines–Deathbringer, Corruptor, and all Corrupted machines–cannot be overridden.

Keep in mind that while all of these will be available to approach once the open world is available in Horizon Zero Dawn, some can be very tough. Pay attention to the suggested level, and come equipped for a fight.

In order to upgrade the override to control these creatures, players will need to find additional override codes from Cauldrons. Cauldrons are stand-alone dungeons, mostly focused on combat with some light puzzle-solving. Here are the override codes and what they allow Aloy to control.

PSI Overrides

• Watcher
• Strider (Mount)
• Redeye Watcher
• Broadhead (Mount)
• Charger (Mount)
• Tallneck (Scan Point)

SIGMA Overrides

• Grazer
• Scrapper
• Lancehorn
• Sawtooth

RHO Overrides

• Longleg
• Trampler
• Shellwalker
• Ravager
• Snapmaw

XI Overrides

• Fire Bellowback
• Freeze Bellowback
• Stalker
• Behemoth
• Glinthawk

ZETA Overrides

• Rockbreaker
• Thunderjaw
• Stormbird

With each Cauldron conquered, your options in combat will open up considerably. You can quietly override a few machines and let them do some of the messy work for you, taking out enemy targets or at least softening them up. Check out our full listing of Horizon Zero Dawn guides for more on the open-world action game from Guerrilla.

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