Broadhead

The Broadhead is a category of machine in Horizon Zero Dawn. It is a small cow-like Acquisition machine designed to convert grass into Blaze, while also sowing seeds into the ground for plants to regrow. Using the necessary equipment, it can be mounted once overridden.

History
Broadheads were designed by the artificial intelligence GAIA as one of the categories of Zero Dawn terraforming machines designed to detoxify the earth as the first step in the reestablishment of life after its eradication by the Faro Plague. Originally Broadheads were docile, posing no threat to humans.

However, humans began hunting terraforming machines for parts and resources. This caused the AI HEPHAESTUS to reprogram Broadheads as well as other machines from docility to increasing hostility towards humans, altering them so much that they attack humans on sight, in a phenomenon known by humans as the Derangement.

Appearance
Physically, Broadheads are reminiscent of cattle, especially the Longhorn breed, displaying a pair of long, straight and horizontal horns likely used as tools and defense.

The Broadhead seems to share a nearly identical chassis design with the Strider and Charger, with its main difference being the head design. Unlike the other two, the Broadhead has two Blaze cannisters on its back instead of one.

Behaviour
Broadheads have no ranged attacks but, when provoked, will set their stance and then charge at the target with alarming speed, bowling them over and doing high damage. One must take caution when overriding or taking down a Broadhead. A Broadhead's main method of attack is by charging forward and swiping with its large horns. These horns will deal 180-200 damage per swipe, so it is best to roll out of the way. Seeing as a Broadhead has no ranged attacks, picking off the Blaze canisters (with fire-based weapons) and horns (with tear-based weapons) from afar is the best strategy for killing one.

When overriding a Broadhead, it is a good idea to get rid of the horns beforehand, as it will charge if you get too close. Broadheads are also easily killed by a single Silent Strike hit; simply lure it in to where Aloy is hiding.

Attacks
Mounted Combat