Ravager

The Ravager is a category of machine in Horizon Zero Dawn. A medium-sized apex Combat Class machine, the Ravager is essentially an upgraded version of the Sawtooth, being equipped with rapid melee attacks as well as a mounted gun for ranged engagement. It was designed and developed by the AI HEPHAESTUS to protect Zero Dawn terraforming machines from human predation.

History
Unlike the Zero Dawn terraforming machines, which were designed and controlled by Zero Dawn’s governing AI GAIA, the Ravager was designed by HEPHAESTUS, which had previously manufactured the machines under GAIA’s direction. When GAIA self-destructed, HEPHAESTUS gained absolute control over machine design and management as well as manufacture. Hostile toward humans for their predations on the terraforming machines for parts and resources, HEPHAESTUS made the machines hostile to humans, a phenomenon the tribes call the Derangement. It then began producing Ravagers and other combat machines as the next logical step in protection.

Appearance
Ravagers have a similar appearance to Sawtooths: heavyset at the front, with a large, broad chest, neck, and shoulders, powerful legs and no tail. However a Ravager’s chassis is leaner, and more closely resembles that of a large dog, although not as canine in appearance as that of the Scorcher. Additionally, instead of the metallic longitudinal crest on the back that is present in Sawtooths, Ravagers have a rapid-fire energy pulse cannon, dubbed a Ravager Cannon. The Ravager is quadrupedal, with clawed feet and a head with a toothy snout. Unlike the Sawtooth, its armour plating overlaps across its head, shoulders, back, and front legs. This increases the armour’s effectiveness. A canister of Chillwater is ensconced in its chest, in a similar manner to a Sawtooth’s Blaze canister. This is possibly used as a coolant. However, unlike the Sawtooth, this canister is fully covered by armour plating.

Behaviour
Ravagers are virtually exclusive to the arid regions of the Carja Sundom north of the Carja capital Meridian. They are deployed either as protection for herds of terraforming machines, or to patrol near established human travel routes, especially in areas where herds of terraforming machines work. It may be surmised that HEPHAESTUS deploys them in this manner to deter humans from entering areas where herds are working. Ravagers attack humans on sight, opening fire with their cannons before the human even comes close enough to be engaged with melee attacks. If the cannon is disabled or removed, for example via tearblast arrows, the Ravager becomes more aggressive with its melee attacks.

Abiliites
Ravagers employ their cannons to attack at range. Up close, they employ the same ferocious melee attacks as a Sawtooth. Additionally, Ravagers employ a defensive electric attack against enemies within a specific radius. However, like Sawtooths, they are vulnerable to weapons that utilize fire.