Horizon Zero Dawn Hatcheries & Bridges: Locations

In this Horizon Zero Dawn hatchery guide, you'll learn:

  • What hatcheries are available
  • Where to find the hatcheries
  • How to bypass the machines

Any friendly creature is a real boon in Horizon Zero Dawn's open world - especially for the inexperienced. We'll help you out elsewhere with our big guide to the machines in Horizon Zero Dawn. In the following, we'll take a look at the spawning grounds in the action role-playing game. We'll explain where they are located and have also sorted them by increasing difficulty.

You'll have to visit the hatcheries to learn how to bypass the different types of machines and thus become your (rideable) allies. In total, there are four hatcheries scattered throughout the open game world : SIGMA, RHO, XI and ZETA. In the course of the main quest, you'll get to the PSI overrides anyway, which allow you to use some machines as mounts.

How does the bridging work?

Stealth is the key word here. Once you have advanced to the core of a Hatchery and bypassed it, you can use Aloy's Spear to turn machines into friendly creatures thanks to the override. To do this, you'll have to sneak up on your chosen specimen without attracting its attention or that of other nearby machines. In such situations, you'll be covered by the tall grass that grows everywhere in the world of Horizon Zero Dawn.

To successfully bypass a machine, you'll have to get close enough to perform the "Silent Strike" attack. As another option, you will then be shown the possibility to make the respective enemy type usable for you through an override, if you have previously completed the corresponding hatchery. Then press the triangle button and don't release it until the bar activated by it is completely filled. After that, Aloy's spear needs some time to recharge. So running through the open world and seamlessly bridging machines is not possible.

By the way, the technology itself is not without its dangers. Because you have to get so close to machines for overrides, you risk quite a bit in the process. Aloy is generally not designed for close combat, and if you are attacked by other enemies while bridging, it will interrupt the process. After that, the spear has to recharge first. For another, machines are rarely alone in Horizon Zero Dawn or can at least call for support quickly.

Main quest "The Body of the Mountain" and PSI overrides

After a few hours of the main quest, you'll be stuck in the mission "The Body of the Mountain". If you complete it, you'll get the opportunity to perform the PSI class over rides. In other words, you'll gain the following machines through these overrides: longneck, guard, broadhead, runner and striker.

The last three you can use as riding machines to get from A to B faster in Horizon Zero Dawn's open game world. Longnecks, on the other hand, you'll have to bridge to clear the map. Apart from this species, the other four machine types will also assist you in combat once they are bridged.

Quest to the SIGMA Hatchery

Once the PSI overrides are in your possession, you will have to continuously explore hatcheries to unlock new overrides. The first of these is SIGMA. Fittingly, it also has a quest called "SIGMA Hatchery." This becomes active when you talk to a female NPC in Mother's Crown. Her identifying mark is a scar on her face.

SIGMA is located north of Mother's Crown. Keep your eyes open for a triangular door in a rock wall guarded by guards. To get to the core, you should proceed with caution - as in all other hatcheries. Because these environments are partly twisted and generally difficult to see. Use Aloy's focus if you get stuck on the puzzles to be solved.

The core in the SIGMA Hatchery is protected by two guards and a Fire Roar Ridge. Take out these enemies to bypass it and unlock the overrides for Lance Horn, Graser, Sawtooth, and Scavenger. None of these machines are rideable, but will fight for you if you override them.

The right tactics for Hatchery RHO

South of Tagturm lies Hatchery RHO, for which you must have completed SIGMA. Once again, you need to find a triangular door in front of which some guards are making their rounds. You can find the entrance by rappelling down in front of it and climbing down until you can enter RHO. Brains in puzzles and caution when approaching fights are also trumps here.

Look for the triangular door south of Tagturm.

Before jumping into the fray around the core of Hatchery RHO, it's a good idea to bypass one of the guards roaming around. This will give you a big advantage in the upcoming boss fight against Devastators and Snappmal in a small space. After your triumph, it's time to bridge the core and get out. Once you've completed RHO, you'll be able to perform overrides on the Snapmaw, Longleg, Armored Walker, Trampler, and Devastator machine types. None of these machines are rideable, but are on your side by override.

How to get the key to Hatchery XI

To gain access here, you must have successfully completed SIGMA and RHO. Hatchery XI is hidden in the deepest jungle south of Meridian. Before you can enter, you must kill one (or all) of the cultists just outside its entrance. Among the loot you will receive is a key to this breeding ground. Instead of machines, you'll find more cultists in XI, and you should quietly take out as many of them as possible.

Go to the southern jungle of Meridian for Hatchery XI.

The core of Hatchery XI is surrounded by six cultists, one of whom is armed with a Deathbringer Rifle. It's best to take him out with a stealth attack to save yourself trouble with the other five. Take the heavy weapon when all human enemies are defeated and bypass the core of the hatchery. After that, more cultists and, a little later, machines will rush towards you.

The way back is not as easy as in the previous breeding grounds, but if you are alert and use Aloy's focus, you will find your way back into the open. Leaving XI now victorious, you can perform overrides on the Behemoth, Fire/Ice Roar Ridge, Gray Goshawk, and Stalker machines. None of these machines are rideable, but will assist you in combat when bridged.

How do I defeat the Thunder Jaw in Hatchery ZETA?

In the northeast of Horizon Zero Dawn's world is ZETA, which requires you to get past all the other Hatcheries. It is also the Hatchery that has the highest difficulty and should only be entered when you are level 20 or higher.

Hatchery ZETA in the northeast has the highest difficulty.

The first thing to do near ZETA is to take out a horde of stalkers. Override one of them to have an advantage, but be careful in any case, these machines can be deadly - especially in large numbers. The main entrance to the hatchery is blocked. To find a side entrance, look for white rock edges and yellow ropes and handholds that invite you to a short climb there.

Getting to the core in Hatchery ZETA is a breeze, quite the opposite of the boss fight. Take out two guards or bypass them for support and then skillfully place trip and booby traps to give you even more advantage. Having a good rope thrower in your luggage doesn't hurt either. Then start the fight for the core of ZETA against a thunder jaw.

If it goes down, you'll be able to bridge the core of ZETA. You will get the overrides for Petrel, Stonebreaker and Thunderjaw. They cannot be used as mounts by Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn, but they are useful allies in battles.

More useful guides to Horizon Zero Dawn:

Visit us on Facebook and Instagram and discuss your favorite games with us.