How Many Tallnecks Are There in Horizon Forbidden West? A Complete Guide

There are a total of six Tallnecks scattered across the diverse and dangerous landscape of Horizon Forbidden West. These majestic machines serve as vital communication towers and provide valuable information for Aloy’s quest. Locating and overriding them is a key part of exploring the world and unveiling its secrets.

Understanding the Role of Tallnecks

Tallnecks are more than just impressive sights; they’re essentially mobile survey units. Each Tallneck passively scans its surrounding environment, gathering data and transmitting it to other machines. For Aloy, overriding a Tallneck unlocks a significant portion of the map, revealing points of interest, resource locations, and enemy patrol routes within its broadcast radius. This makes them incredibly valuable for navigation and strategic planning. Unlike most machines in the game, Tallnecks are completely non-hostile.

The Six Tallneck Locations

Here’s a breakdown of where you can find each of the six Tallnecks in Horizon Forbidden West:

1. Cinnabar Sands: Located in the sandy region southeast of Plainsong, this is often the first Tallneck players encounter.
2. The Shining Wastes: This Tallneck roams a more open area, requiring a different approach to climb and override.
3. The Stillsands: Finding a way to reach this Tallneck involves navigating a derelict settlement and using its structures.
4. Salt Bite: This Tallneck is unique as it’s hidden within the IOTA Cauldron. Completing the Cauldron automatically overrides it.
5. The Sand of the Sentinels: Located on a coastal area, the Sand of the Sentinels Tallneck’s override point can be difficult to access.
6. Landfall: This is the final Tallneck, and players gain access to it late in the main story.

How to Override a Tallneck: A Step-by-Step Guide

While the specific method for overriding each Tallneck varies, the general principle remains the same: you need to find a way to reach the override point on its head. This usually involves a combination of climbing, gliding, and interacting with the surrounding environment.

1. Locate the Tallneck: Use your Focus to track its movements and identify potential climbing points.
2. Identify Access Points: Scan the area for structures, platforms, or machines that can aid your ascent.
3. Plan Your Route: Consider the Tallneck’s patrol path and how you can time your movements to avoid being trampled.
4. Climb and Navigate: Use Aloy’s climbing skills and Focus to overcome obstacles and reach higher ground.
5. Jump and Glide: When necessary, use your glider to bridge gaps and reach platforms closer to the Tallneck.
6. Override: Once you’re close enough, jump onto the Tallneck’s head and override it to unlock the surrounding map data.

Tallneck Challenges: More Than Just Climbing

Each Tallneck presents a unique puzzle to solve. Some might require activating ancient machinery, while others involve using nearby machines to reach new heights. These challenges add an element of problem-solving and exploration to the gameplay, making each Tallneck encounter memorable. The Cauldron IOTA Tallneck is a prime example, requiring players to complete a complex dungeon before they can access it.

Why are Tallnecks Important?

Tallnecks are vital for several reasons:

• Map Revelation: Overriding a Tallneck unveils a large portion of the map, making exploration significantly easier.
• Strategic Advantage: Knowing enemy locations and resource hotspots allows you to plan your attacks and gather resources more effectively.
• Story Progression: Some Tallneck encounters are tied to main quests and side activities, contributing to the overall narrative.
• Immersive Experience: Seeing these colossal machines navigate the landscape adds to the immersive experience of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tallnecks

Here are some commonly asked questions about Tallnecks in Horizon Forbidden West:

How many Tallnecks are required to complete the game?

While not strictly required to finish the main story, overriding all six Tallnecks significantly enhances the gameplay experience and provides valuable map data.

Can you kill a Tallneck?

No, Tallnecks are non-hostile and cannot be killed. They are designed to be passively scanning the environment, not engaging in combat.

What is the purpose of the data collected by Tallnecks?

The data collected by Tallnecks is used to maintain the machine network and monitor the environment. For Aloy, it translates to valuable map information.

Does overriding a Tallneck affect the game’s ending?

No, overriding Tallnecks does not directly affect the game’s ending. However, the knowledge gained from them can help you complete side quests and uncover secrets that enrich your understanding of the story. Horizon Forbidden West will only have one possible ending. This is consistent with 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn which also had a single ending.

Are there any Tallnecks in the DLC Burning Shores?

Yes, the Burning Shores DLC adds one new Tallneck.

Is the Tallneck in the IOTA Cauldron different from the others?

Yes, the Salt Bite Tallneck found inside Cauldron IOTA is unique in that you acquire it automatically upon completing the Cauldron. It also offers a unique narrative experience.

What happens if you fall off a Tallneck?

If you fall off a Tallneck, you will take fall damage and respawn at the nearest safe location. You will then need to re-attempt the climbing puzzle.

How do you find the IOTA Cauldron?

The IOTA Cauldron is located in the northern fringes of the map, specifically north of Scalding Spear.

Are there any special rewards for overriding all Tallnecks?

While there isn’t a specific achievement tied solely to overriding all Tallnecks, the knowledge and resources gained make completing other tasks much easier.

Do Tallnecks respawn after being overridden?

No, once a Tallneck is overridden, it remains overridden for the rest of the game.

Can you fast travel to overridden Tallnecks?

No, you cannot fast travel directly to overridden Tallnecks.

What’s the best strategy for dealing with enemies near Tallnecks?

Clear out any hostile machines in the area before attempting to climb a Tallneck. This will prevent you from being interrupted or knocked off during your ascent.

Can you use the Pullcaster on Tallnecks?

Yes, you can use the Pullcaster to interact with certain structures and create pathways to reach higher points on or around Tallnecks.

How tall are Tallnecks in Horizon Forbidden West?

While the exact height isn’t explicitly stated in the game, they are undoubtedly colossal, towering over most other machines and structures. The buildable Horizon Tallneck model measures over 13.5 in.

Are Tallnecks inspired by real-world animals?

Yes, Tallnecks resemble giraffes in both anatomy and gait. In the early development of Horizon, it was called “comm giraffe”.

Conclusion: Embark on Your Tallneck Adventure

The Tallnecks of Horizon Forbidden West offer a compelling blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic advantage. Finding and overriding all six of these majestic machines is a rewarding experience that enriches the gameplay and deepens your connection to the world. So, gear up, sharpen your skills, and embark on your Tallneck adventure today. For more on gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore the intersection of education and entertainment.