Horizon Forbidden West Cauldrons are particularly useful finds, as they allow you to override machines so you can use them as mounts, or turn them so they fight on your side instead of against you. Each one will only provide you with access to particular machines, so you'll want to work your way through the complete set if you want to take control of the many robots you'll encounter.
All of the Cauldrons in Horizon Forbidden West share a few things in common - they're all heavy on climbing puzzles, and usually end with a boss fight. Get through all of that and you can claim some rewards as well as the machine overrides in Horizon Forbidden West.
Coming up below we've got details on where to find every Horizon Forbidden West Cauldron in the game, and what they all unlock when you complete them.
How Horizon Forbidden West Cauldron and Overrides work
Completing a Horizon Forbidden West Cauldron unlocks certain machine overrides you can then use in the world to control the robots you unlock. It usually involves a lot of climbing puzzles to reach the heart of a Cauldron, and often a boss fight at the end. But, get through all that and you'll be able to use the machines you find in the world. You'll have to sneak up on them unseen to use the ability, or try your luck when they're stunned, but it can make a huge difference. Any machine you override will fight for you in a battle, but only these machines can be used as mounts to ride on:
- Charger
- Clawstrider
- Bristleback
- Sunwing
You don't always get a 'full' override from a Cauldron, as some facilities give you a mix of ready to use offerings, and partial ones that need to be fully crafted at your base using parts from the machine you want to hack before you can use them. In the picture above for example you can see the Scrapper Override needs two Scrapper Radars and one Scrapper Primary Nerve to make. So, if you want to override a Thunderjaw you're going to have to take a few on to make that happen.
Horizon Forbidden West Cauldron locations and overrides
These are all the Horizon Forbidden West Cauldrons in the game, and what you get for completing them. However, some are story specific, and not all of them count towards game completion as a result.
- Cauldron MU (Level 18)
- Full overrides: Burrower, Scrounger, Grazer
- Crafting required: Scrapper, Fanghorn, Widemaw
- Repair Bay Tau (Level 15)
- Full overrides: Bristleback
- Crafting required: Plowhorn, Grimhorn
- Cauldron Gemini (Level 30)
- Full overrides: Sunwing
- Cauldron Iota (Level 22)
- Full overrides: Leaplasher, Glinthawk, Lancehorn, Longleg, Clawstrider
- Crafting required: Skydrifter, Bellowback, Ravager, Snapmaw, Rollerback
- Cauldron Chi (Level 30)
- Full overrides: Frostclaw, Redeye Watcher, Shell-Walker, Clamberjaw, Behemoth
- Crafting required: Stalker, Shellsnapper , Spikesnout, Scorcher, Fireclaw
- Cauldron Kappa (Level 40)
- Full overrides: Rockbreaker, Tideripper, Tremortusk, Stormbird
- Crafting required: Thunderjaw, Slitherfang, Dreadwing, Slaughterspine
Here's a quick rundown of some more specific details for each one:
1. Cauldron MU (Level 18)
This will probably the first 'real' Cauldon you'll encounter by exploring and an optional one that will count towards your total game completion.
2. Repair Bay Tau (Level 15)
Cauldron Tau, or Repair Bay Tau, is linked the story and you will probably find this one first, depending on how much you explore.
3. Cauldron Gemini (Level 30)
While you might find Cauldron Gemini on your own, it's best to leave it until the story takes you there. Mainly because you won't be able to do anything with it until that point, so don't worry about trying to do it before then. It won't count towards completion either because it's a story event.
4. Cauldron Iota (Level 22)
Cauldron Iota is one of the best in the game as it contains a secret Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck. So it's a fun change from the usual activities, and ticks off two objectives as you'll be able to override the Tallneck once it's released. However, when you find the main entrance you'll discover you can't get in that way and will need to find another way in that's just to the south.
5. Cauldron Chi (Level 30)
This is another Cauldron where you'll have to find another way in, which is to the right of the main door. This varies up the usual climbing with a focus on getting the power back on and find batteries.
6. Cauldron Kappa (Level 40)
Unsurprisingly, for a Level 40 Cauldron, Kappa is the most challenging in the game. You'll need to get in via an underwater entrance and be prepared for some tough climbing, while changing water levels to proceed. There's also a big fight at the end so don't take this one on lightly.
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