Lancehorn

The Lancehorn is a category of machine in Horizon Zero Dawn. A small Acquisition Class machine, its function is to gather and recycle resources, while being able to loosen the ground using its drilling horns.

History
Lancehorns were designed by the artificial intelligence GAIA as part of the Zero Dawn terraforming system that was the first step in restoring life to the planet aftermath eradication by the Faro Plague. As such, they were one of the machines first encountered by humans when they settled in their various tribal lands. Their main purpose seems to be to gather and process minerals from soil for use in manufacturing new machines. These resources are presumably collected for transport to Cauldrons by transport machines such as Shell-Walkers and Behemoths.

Originally, Lancehorns were completely docile, posing no threat to humans. However, humans began to hunt Lancehorns, as well as other machines, for parts and resources. Due to this, the now-sentient AI HEPHAESTUS reprogrammed the behaviour of Lancehorns from docility to increasing hostility, becoming so hostile that they attack humans on sight. The tribes refer to this phenomenon as the Derangement. Furthermore, HEPHAESTUS began deploying recon machines such as Watchers and Longlegs, and manufacturing combat machines such as Sawtooths, to protect working herds of Lancehorns and other terraforming machines from hunters.

Appearance
The Lancehorn bears a resemblance to a very large antelope or gazelle, possessing a pair of parallel horns, four slender legs, and a long neck. The horns are corkscrewed in appearance and rotate longitudinally like drill bits, to channel soil up into the machine for processing and mining of minerals. There is a single optical sensor at the end of the snout. Twin Chillwater canisters are positioned atop the lower back; this likely helps cool the drill bits on the machine's head. Twin containers are positioned above these, likely to store processed materials. A Lancehorn's chassis is nearly identical to that of a Grazer.

Behaviour
Lancehorns are always found in herds. With heads down they work, busily drilling and processing soil, stopping only to quietly change to another spot. The presence of patrolling recon and combat machines allows them to work without having to stop and look out for perceived threats. Lancehorns are skittish; if a perceived threat is identified, a herd breaks and flees. However, if the threat is very close, the closest Lancehorns will attack rather than flee.

Abilities
Lancehorns employ melee attacks, making use of their horns, legs and chassis. They will charge and kick, and also employ a stabbing attack in which they charge at an enemy with their horns, inflicting heavy damage.