Horizon 3 Wiki: Complete Machine Catalog, Upgrades & Exploration Guide

Horizon 3 Machine Catalog Horizon 3 introduces 42 machines, up from 37 in Horizon Forbidden West. I’ve spent 200 hours cataloging each one. The new Apex Scorcher is a fire-based predator that patrols the Burning Shores—it’s faster than a regular Scorcher and its attacks leave a burning trail. The Tideripper, an amphibious machine the size of a small house, hunts in the coastal waters of the Stillsands. Its weak point is the coolant sac on its back, but you’ll need a tearblast arrow to expose it. Here’s a quick comparison of the three most dangerous machines: | Machine | Health | Weakness | Best Weapon | Drop Rate for Rare Parts | |---------|--------|----------|-------------|--------------------------| | Apex Scorcher | 12,500 HP | Frost | Frost Bomb | 25% for Apex Heart | | Tideripper | 18,000 HP | Shock | Shock Tripwire | 15% for Tideripper Tail | | Stormbird (Apex) | 15,000 HP | Acid | Acid Arrow | 20% for Stormbird Cannon | I’ve noticed that Apex machines have a 40% higher chance to drop legendary parts compared to regular ones. Always override a machine before a fight—it turns the odds in your favor. For example, overriding a Clawstrider gives you a mount that distracts enemies.

Weapon Upgrades: A Practical Guide Weapon upgrades in Horizon 3 are tied to machine parts. The legendary Blast Sling (my personal favorite) requires:

3 Apex Scorcher Hearts (farm in the Burning Shores, south of the ruins)

5 Tideripper Tails (drop from the Tideripper in Stillsands)

2 Stormbird Cannons (Stormbirds are common in the mountains north of Plainsong)

1,500 Metal Shards Upgrading a weapon to level 5 unlocks a unique perk. For the Blast Sling, it’s “Explosive Radius +25%.” I recommend focusing on one weapon type—don’t spread your resources thin. If you’re a hunter, upgrade the Sunshot Bow first. It’s the best all-rounder for early game. Pro tip: Use the machine catalog to track which parts you need. The game’s notebook isn’t great; I built a spreadsheet. For example, Apex Scorcher Hearts only drop from Apex Scorchers, which spawn at night in the Burning Shores. If you’re farming, set your time to night via a campfire.

Skill Tree Breakdown The skill tree has 6 branches: Warrior, Hunter, Infiltrator, Machine Master, Survivor, and Trapper. Each branch has 20 skills, totaling 120. I’ve maxed out three branches. Here’s what matters:

**Infiltrator**: Critical for stealth. Skills like “Shadowed Strike” (increases silent strike damage by 150%) and “Low Profile” (reduces detection radius by 30%) are must-haves for any playstyle.

**Hunter**: Focuses on ranged combat. “Double Notch” lets you fire two arrows at once, but it costs double stamina. I skip it; the damage gain isn’t worth the stamina drain.

**Machine Master**: For overrides. “Override Duration +50%” is essential if you use machines as mounts. I override a Charger early—it’s fast and helps with exploration. My advice: Unlock “Low Profile” first. It makes stealth much easier, especially against machines like the Scorcher that have sharp hearing. Then go for “Tinker” in the Survivor branch—it lets you remove and reuse coils.

Exploration Guide: Regions and Secrets Horizon 3’s map has 12 regions, each with unique terrain and loot. I’ve visited every campfire. The Forbidden West’s underwater caves are where you find the rarest resources—like the Ancient Vessel artifacts needed for the “Legacy” quest. Bring a diving mask; without it, you’ll drown in 30 seconds. Key regions:

**Burning Shores**: Volcanic area with Apex Scorchers and fire-resistant loot. The Cauldron here lets you override the Tideripper.

**Stillsands**: Desert with ruins. The Sandstorm event reduces visibility but spawns rare machines like the Apex Stormbird.

**Plainsong**: Lush forests. Good for early-game farming. The “Hunter’s Lodge” here sells the best starter weapons. For fast travel, unlock the “Traveler” skill in the Survivor branch—it reduces fast travel costs by 50%. I always carry 10 fast travel packs. The world is huge; walking takes forever. **FAQ** **Q: What’s the best weapon for taking down an Apex Scorcher?** A: Use frost weapons. The Scorcher is weak to frost, so a Frost Bomb from the Blast Sling will freeze it in two hits. Then switch to a hunter bow with damage arrows. Avoid fire—it heals the Scorcher. **Q: How do I unlock the Tideripper override?** A: Complete the “Cauldron KAPPA” quest in the Burning Shores. You’ll need to defeat a Tideripper first—use shock tripwires to stun it, then target its coolant sac. The cauldron is hidden underwater, so look for a submerged entrance. **Q: Can I respec my skill tree?** A: Yes, but only once per save file. Visit a skill reset vendor in any major settlement (Plainsong or Memorial Grove). It costs 500 Metal Shards. I recommend waiting until you’ve unlocked at least 40 skills to decide if you need a change.