How do you play Machine Strike in Horizon Forbidden West? What is Machine Strike, and how do you win? In certain locations in Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy can compete against other characters in Machine Strike, a strategic board game that's surprisingly in-depth. As part of our Horizon Forbidden West guide, we're going to take you through Machine Strike, explaining its rules, what all the pieces are, how they differ from each other, and more.
Horizon Forbidden West: What Is Machine Strike?
Machine Strike, or just Strike for short, is an in-universe, two-player board game you can play within Horizon Forbidden West. At first glance, it bears some resemblance to classic games like Chess, but it has very different rules and complexities to master.
As you'll see, every challenger in Horizon Forbidden West has unique boards and their own set of pieces. Below, we'll be going over everything you need to know to learn how to play and defeat them all.
All Machine Strike Challenger Locations
There are various Machine Strike players you can find throughout Horizon Forbidden West, all located within settlements and towns. Above pictured is the Machine Strike icon that appears on the map. Visit the following places to play Machine Strike at varying difficulty levels:
- Chainscrape: Beginner
- Barren Light: Beginner
- Plainsong: Beginner
- The Base (Erend): Various
- Arrowhand: Intermediate
- Scalding Spear: Intermediate
- Salt Bite: Intermediate
- Hidden Ember: Skilled
- Fall's Edge: Skilled
- Thornmarsh: Skilled
- The Bulwark: Experienced
- Stone Crest: Experienced
- Cliffwatch: Experienced
- The Maw of the Arena: Expert
- Tide's Reach: Expert
- Legacy's Landfall: Expert
Horizon Forbidden West: Machine Strike - How to Play
Before we get into all the various playing pieces, let's first go over the basics of how to play Machine Strike.
Basic Rules
How to Win
The goal of Machine Strike is to eliminate your opponent's pieces and earn 7 Victory Points. Each piece represents a Machine, and these pieces all have a Victory Points value, awarded to you when you defeat them. To win, you must either be the first player to earn 7 Victory Points, or destroy all your opponent's pieces — whichever comes first.
Starting a Game of Machine Strike
Before a game of Machine Strike can begin, both players must first select a team of pieces to place on the board. Outside of practice matches and tutorials, you will need to choose your pieces manually. However, you cannot just bring all your pieces; you need to create a set.
When preparing for a game, you can create a set, spending up to 10 Setup Points by selecting pieces. Each piece as a setup cost equivalent to their Victory Points value. For example, a Burrower piece costs 1 Setup Point, as per the shot above. You need to decide which pieces will be best while also ensuring you don't go over the maximum of 10 Setup Points.
One other thing to note: you cannot have more than four of the same machine piece in a set, so you'll need to mix it up to a degree.
Once you have created a play set, it will be saved so you can use it in future, or you can make new sets.
First Steps
After choosing your set of pieces, the game will start. Each player must place their pieces onto the board within the two rows nearest to them. Once this is done, the owner of the board (always the opponent) decides who moves first, and then turns alternate.
Basic Movements
You are allowed to move two of your pieces per turn. If you only have one piece in play, you can move it twice. Once your two moves have been made, you can end your turn.
Your basic options are to move a piece or attack an opposing piece, if it's within range. After selecting a piece, you will be able to see its movement range and the tiles where an attack would land. You can also choose to rotate a piece — we'll explain why this can be important later.
Pieces
The pieces in Machine Strike have a lot to them.
While hovering over one of your pieces, you will see a card on the left of the screen. This note card provides you with lots of information. Let's go through it all now from top to bottom, left to right.
Piece Name and Type
In the upper left, you can see the piece's name and, just below that, its type. There are 6 machine types, each one dictating how a piece can behave:
- Melee: Always attacks the first machine in its Attack Range.
- Gunner: Always attacks at the maximum of its Attack Range.
- Ram: Always attacks the first machine in its Attack Range and knocks it backwards. It will then move onto the terrain left behind by the opposing machine.
- Dash: Always moves to the end of its Attack Range and damages every machine in its path, including your own, and rotates them 180 degrees. It must have an empty terrain to land on at the end of its Attack Range in order to attack.
- Swoop: Always attacks the first machine within its Attack Range and moves next to it. Gains +1 Combat Power on all terrains and can ignore all terrain penalties.
- Pull: Always attacks the first machine in its Attack Range and pulls the enemy one terrain closer to it. Gains +1 Combat Power while on Marsh terrain and can traverse through it without hindering its movement.
Victory Points Value
In the upper right of the note card is its Victory Points value. This is the number of Victory Points a player will gain by destroying the piece.
Image
A nice picture of the piece. All the pieces look pretty nice.
Armored and Weak Points
On the bottom left of the central image, you'll see a symbol with red and blue segments. The red parts are Weak Points, and the blue parts are Armored Points. These affect the amount of damage a piece will take when being attacked. Assuming yours is the defending piece:
- Your piece will gain +1 Combat Power if an Armored Point is being attacked.
- Your piece will lose -1 Combat Power if a Weak Point is being attacked.
This is why rotating pieces can make a difference; if you're looking to defend, you should rotate your pieces so that any Weak Points are protected from opposing pieces, or at least harder to reach.
Skill
While not all of them do, some machine pieces will have a Skill, viewable on the note card below the main image. These Skills take effect automatically, and can provide some interesting advantages in combat.
In the above example, the Lancehorn's Skill is Climb, which means it gains an additional +1 Combat Power when attacking from Hill terrain. Check out each of your pieces and take note of any Skills you can make use of.
Attack Power, Attack Range, Movement Range, and Health
At the bottom of the note card, you'll see four symbols and numbers. From left to right, these are:
- Attack Power: How much damage the piece deals by default.
- Attack Range: How far the piece's attack will reach by default.
- Movement Range: How far the piece can travel by default.
- Health: The piece's default amount of health.
Active Effects
Below the note card, you may see various symbols. These denote any active effects on the piece. Among these, you will always see a symbol on the left that tells you what terrain the piece is standing on, and how this affects its Combat Power.
The Board
Playing boards in Machine Strike are made up of various types of tile arranged in an eight by eight grid. The different elevations and colours of the tiles represent different terrain. These terrains affect a piece's Combat Power. They are as follows:
- Chasm: The lowest terrain, and only accessible by flying machines. Impacts Combat Power by -2.
- Marsh Terrain: Impedes movement upon landing. Impacts Combat Power by -1.
- Grassland Terrain: Level terrain and most common. Impacts Combat Power by 0.
- Forest Terrain: Up a level from Grassland Terrain. Impacts Combat Power by +1.
- Hill Terrain: Up a level from Forest Terrain. Impacts Combat Power by +2.
- Mountain Terrain: Up a level from Hill Terrain. Impacts Combat Power by +3.
Combat
You and your opponent's pieces will eventually come to blows. Let's go through what you need to remember when engaging in combat in Machine Strike.
Combat Power
An attacking piece's Combat Power is the combination of its base Attack Power and the terrain value as outlined above. For example, if a piece's Attack Power is 2, and it's currently stood on Forest terrain (providing a +1 boost), its Combat Power will be 3. Likewise, if the same piece is on Marsh terrain, its Combat Power will become 1.
A defending piece's Combat Power is only the Terrain value.
Damage
The attacking piece's Combat Power is pitted against the defending piece's Combat Power, and the difference will be the damage dealt. So, if your piece has a Combat Power of 2 and the defending piece has a Combat Power of 1, you will deal 1 point of damage to that piece's Health.
Advanced Moves
Machine Strike also has a couple of other moves to consider while playing.
Sprinting
When moving a piece, you will be able to see its whole range of movement. The outer limits of this shown range, the tiles with a dotted circle, are where you can Sprint to. Sprinting is when you move a piece one space beyond its normal movement limit. If you Sprint, you cannot follow up with an attack — unless you Overcharge.
Overcharging
As outlined above, a single piece can only move and attack once in a turn. However, you can choose to Overcharge that piece, which allows you to move that piece or attack with it a second time. However, to do so, that piece must sacrifice 2 Health points. This damage is dealt after the Overcharge action is taken.
Special Attacks
There are a couple of special attack effects you should be aware of before you commit to an attack.
Defense Break: If an attacking piece has an equal or lower Combat Power than a defending piece, both pieces will lose 1 Health point, and the defending piece will be knocked back one space.
Knockback: A piece that is knocked back moves one spot away from the attacking piece. If it isn't possible for the affected piece to move back, it will lose a point of Health instead. If the space behind the affected piece is already occupied, both of these pieces will lose a point of Health.
Skills
Certain pieces in Machine Strike will have a Skill, a unique effect or advantage that can change how it moves or how it affects other pieces. You can see what a piece's Skill is, if it has one, on its note card on the left side of your screen.
Horizon Forbidden West: Machine Strike - All Pieces and Where to Get Them
Below, we've outlined all the Machine Strike pieces you can find in Horizon Forbidden West, as well as where you get them from.
Burrower Strike Piece
Location
- x2 Received from Salma after completing her Machine Strike tutorial in Chainscrape.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Daunt and The Maw of the Arena: costs 20 Metal Shards and 1 Burrower Circulator.
Grazer Strike Piece
Location
- x2 Received from Salma after completing her Machine Strike tutorial in Chainscrape.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 20 Metal Shards and 1 Grazer Circulator.
Leaplasher Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 20 Metal Shards and 1 Leaplasher Circulator.
Scrapper Strike Piece
Location
- x2 Received from Salma after completing her Machine Strike tutorial in Chainscrape.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Scrapper Circulator.
Scrounger Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Daunt and The Maw of the Arena: costs 20 Metal Shards and 1 Scrounger Circulator.
Spikesnout Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 20 Metal Shards and 1 Spikesnout Circulator.
Tracker Burrower Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Tracker Burrower Circulator.
Bellowback Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Scalding Spear.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 60 Metal Shards and 2 Bellowback Circulators.
Bristleback Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Chainscrape.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Daunt and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Bristleback Circulator.
Charger Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Barren Light.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Daunt and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Charger Circulator.
Clawstrider Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Cliffwatch.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 60 Metal Shards and 2 Clawstrider Circulators.
Fanghorn Strike Piece
Location
- x2 Received from Salma after completing her Machine Strike tutorial in Chainscrape.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Daunt and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Fanghorn Circulator.
Glinthawk Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Glinthawk Circulator.
Lancehorn Strike Piece
Location
- x2 Received from Salma after completing her Machine Strike tutorial in Chainscrape.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Lancehorn Circulator.
Longleg Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Salt Bite.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Longleg Circulator.
Plowhorn Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Plainsong.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Plowhorn Circulator.
Ravager Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in The Bulwark.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 80 Metal Shards and 2 Ravager Circulators.
Redeye Watcher Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 60 Metal Shards and 2 Redeye Watcher Circulators.
Shell-Walker Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 60 Metal Shards and 2 Shell-Walker Circulators.
Skydrifter Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Arrowhand.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 40 Metal Shards and 1 Skydrifter Circulator.
Snapmaw Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 60 Metal Shards and 2 Snapmaw Circulators.
Sunwing Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Fall's Edge.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 60 Metal Shards and 2 Sunwing Circulators.
Widemaw Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Stone Crest.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Plainsong and The Maw of the Arena: costs 60 Metal Shards and 2 Widemaw Circulators.
Behemoth Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 100 Metal Shards and 2 Behemoth Circulators.
Clamberjaw Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 80 Metal Shards and 2 Clamberjaw Circulators.
Dreadwing Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 100 Metal Shards and 2 Dreadwing Circulators.
Elemental Clawstrider Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in The Maw of the Arena.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 80 Metal Shards and 2 Elemental Clawstrider Circulators.
Frostclaw Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 140 Metal Shards and 2 Frostclaw Circulators.
Rockbreaker Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Legacy's Landfall.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 120 Metal Shards and 2 Rockbreaker Circulators.
Rollerback Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Hidden Ember.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 80 Metal Shards and 2 Rollerback Circulators.
Scorcher Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Tide's Reach.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: Sheerside Mountains and The Maw of the Arena: costs 160 Metal Shards and 3 Scorcher Circulators.
Shellsnapper Strike Piece
Location
- x1 Rewarded for beating all the Machine Strike challenges in Thornmarsh.
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 120 Metal Shards and 2 Shellsnapper Circulators.
Slitherfang Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 180 Metal Shards and 3 Slitherfang Circulators.
Stalker Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 80 Metal Shards and 2 Stalker Circulators.
Stormbird Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 120 Metal Shards and 2 Stormbird Circulators.
Thunderjaw Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 120 Metal Shards and 2 Thunderjaw Circulators.
Tideripper Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 120 Metal Shards and 2 Tideripper Circulators.
Tremortusk Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 100 Metal Shards and 2 Tremortusk Circulators.
Fireclaw Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at Hunting Grounds: The Raintrace and The Maw of the Arena: costs 140 Metal Shards and 2 Fireclaw Circulators.
Slaughterspine Strike Piece
Location
- Sold by the Strike Carver at The Maw of the Arena: costs 200 Metal Shards and 2 Slaughterspine Circulators.
And that's our guide on Machine Strike in Horizon Forbidden West. Have you been enjoying this mini-game? Tell us in the comments section below, and check out our Horizon Forbidden West guide for lots more.
Comments 4
Thanks for the article, helped a lot. Could you upload the stats for each Strike piece, I havent found it anywhere on the internet, the in game descriptions use only wordly description of cost, combat power... which is not accurate, because low can mean 1 but they use the word low even for the pieces which cost 2. Thanks
@Quintumply Bit late to the party here Stephen, just trying to clear up the trophies, do you know if the practice run you do initially with Machine Strike (I think it was in Chainscrape) counts towards the 2 wins?
@Mostik As far as I remember, you need to play regular boards for the Trophy, but that includes the tutorial woman in Chainscrape. So do the tutorials with her and then any one of her challenge boards. Then go to Barren Light and challenge the Strike player there — these are the two easiest
@Quintumply Awesome thank you, that was the response I was hoping for 👍
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