Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Quickly Beat A Stormbird

Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Quickly Beat A Stormbird

As a seasoned survivor of the post-apocalyptic wasteland that is Horizon Zero Dawn, I can confidently say that taking down a Stormbird is no walk in the park. But fear not, fellow traveler! With these tried and tested strategies, you’ll be soaring through the skies like a mechanical eagle in no time.


Nothing is more chilling than recognizing the approach of a colossal mechanical vulture overhead, homing in on your position from above, leaving you with little choice but to evade its relentless pursuit. The Stormbirds in Horizon Zero Dawn are formidable mechanical enemies, boasting substantial health reserves and unpredictable flight patterns, making them extremely challenging to defeat.

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that slipping by these formidable beings without being spotted is a challenge almost insurmountable. Their keen senses make Aloy conspicuous, leaving little room for stealth. However, when circumstances force us into a corner and the only option left is to bring down a Stormbird, I’ve put together a concise strategy guide to help you through it.

How to Beat a Stormbird in Horizon Zero Dawn Quickly

In the game Horizon Zero Dawn, players can come across the formidable foes known as Stormbirds by fast-traveling to their locations once they advance into the region called Sundom. These aerial adversaries can be spotted circling lazily until they sense Aloy, at which point they switch to aggressive lightning and melee attacks that can prove tricky to dodge. But with the right strategies, defeating Stormbirds becomes less challenging.

In Horizon Zero Dawn, there are several locations known as Stormbird sites. By taking control of the Tallnecks, you can clear the veil of mystery covering the map and uncover these sites.

Best Weapons to Use Against Stormbirds

Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Quickly Beat A Stormbird

The Stormbird is quite agile and causing harm to it isn’t straightforward. The most effective tools for taking it down are the Carja Sling, the Shadow Sharpshot Bow, and the Lodge Ropecaster.

  • The Carja Sling is great as it can launch Freeze Bombs at the Stormbird. Putting the machine under the freeze status effect will increase the damage players deal to the machine.
  • The Ropecaster will help players ground the Stormbird as it’s difficult to damage while airborne.

When players master Stormbird’s movement patterns, they can inflict damage on its vulnerable spots by firing accurate arrows using the Shadow Sharpshot Bow.

Using Focus to Identify Stormbird’s Weak Points

Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Quickly Beat A Stormbird

Before taking on a Stormbird, I always recommend zeroing in with Focus to pinpoint its vulnerabilities. Knowing these weak points beforehand allows me to strategize effectively and avoid getting pummeled by the machine’s relentless barrage of lightning spheres. You’ll find several glowing weaknesses under the wings, which are actually the Stormbird’s jet propulsion vents. But the chest area of the machine is particularly vulnerable – it’s a prime target for the first attack.

Aim at the Center of Stormbird’s Chest

As I engage in battle with Stormbird, one tactic that always stands out is its ability to amass bolts of electricity into orbs and hurl them towards me. This powerful move seems to be charged right at its chest, making it a crucial spot for me to target first when attempting to take this beast down.

Employ your Hunter Reflexes or Focus to momentarily pause time and accurately strike Stormbird’s vulnerable spot on its chest. The chest consists of two sections: the breastplate and the foundation. You have two options for attacking: either fire precise arrows at the circular area on the chest, or remove the breastplate first using Tear arrows. In any case, the most accessible weak point on a Stormbird is this location, and sufficient damage should cause it to lose altitude.

Ignite the Blaze Canisters on Its Sides

Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Quickly Beat A Stormbird

When the Stormbird is knocked unconscious, quickly move towards its backside and aim your Fire arrows precisely at the two Blaze (green fluid) Containers located on its hindquarters. Hitting them requires hearing a “clink” sound as the arrow strikes the container’s glass. If you can’t reach the containers in time before the Stormbird recovers from its stunned state and attempts to fly away, use your Lodge Ropecaster to tether it to the ground instead. By firing 3-4 ropes at the machine, it should become immobilized, allowing you more time to focus on those canisters.

Following the successful detonation of the Blaze Canisters on its rear, it’ll trigger a pair of massive, fiery blasts that should be avoided at all costs, as they have the potential to cause extensive damage to the Stormbird.

Keep Targeting Weak Points Until the Stormbird is Down

Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Quickly Beat A Stormbird

Following the detonation of the Blaze Containers and depleting Stormbird’s health by half, focus on hitting its vulnerable areas until it is completely destroyed. Remember to fire 3-4 ice bombs from the Carja Sling at the mechanical beast to apply a freezing status effect for extra damage. Here are some key weak points to aim for during this stage:

  • Destroy the shielding on its side to reveal a Blue Canister that you can destroy.
  • Jet propulsion flaps under each of its wings.
  • The red-glowing eyes of the Stormbird.
  • The exposed chest piece.

After dealing enough damage, the Stormbird will be destroyed, allowing players to salvage the loot.

Rewards for Taking Down a Stormbird

Horizon Zero Dawn: How To Quickly Beat A Stormbird

Players can acquire rare weapon enhancements, Stormbird components, and crucial resources from the machine. The exact loot obtained by players is determined by their luck or RNG system. Nevertheless, common items that can be salvaged from the Stormbird in Horizon Zero Dawn include:

  • Metal Shards
  • Epic Weapon Mods (Coils)
  • Stormbird’s Heart
  • Stormbird’s Lens
  • Machine Core – Large
  • Crystal Braiding
  • Common Components (Blaze, Chillwater, Echo Shell, etc.)

Video Walkthrough Of How To Defeat A Stormbird

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2024-11-10 22:03