Bandit

"Anyone but a bandit clan would pull back now."

Bandits are humans who, usually having been cast out of their tribes, are living an independent life in small clans, often causing trouble for the tribes in doing so.

History[]

The earliest record of bandits date back to the reigns of Sun-Kings Khuvadin, Ranan and Nahasis, with records showing the men of Sunfall fought many bandits and scroungers skulking in the Rustwash.^[2]

Nora Braves guarding the border of the Sacred Lands kept bandits from entering their territory.^[3]

A group of jungle bandits, with Ullia among them, once swept through the Sundom, making camp at Blackwing Snag.^[4]

Horizon Zero Dawn[]

After the Proving Massacre and subsequent loss of many Braves, bandits were able enter the Sacred Lands and set up a camp in Devil's Thirst.^[3]

In order to satisfy his bloodlust without retribution, Nil began hunting bandits, as he found machines unsatisfactory to kill and because people complained when he wasted the meat when killing animals.^[5] He eventually found a partner, who met his demise at the hands of the bandits in Devil's Thirst.^[6] Nil met Aloy, who teamed up with him to help clear out the bandits, with Aloy wanting to eliminate the danger they pose, while Nil is doing so purely for sport.

A bandit clan blockaded the Oseram of Free Heap out of their foundry, preventing them from finishing constructing their defenses.^[7] After Aloy was able to recover the power cells and weapon parts needed for the Oseram Cannon, the bandits launched a siege on Free Heap, but were wiped out by the efforts of the Oseram and Aloy armed with the Oseram Cannon.^[1]

After several efforts of Aloy and Nil or just Aloy alone, there were eventually no more bandit camps to raid. Nil mentioned hearing that another clan turned back at the southern plains upon hearing of the legend he and Aloy had carved.^[8]

Locations[]

Bandits can be found in small groups all across the map, often near campfires or along designated roads and gorges. There are several Bandit Camps on the map where many bandits have gathered and fortified the area, creating a base that can be cleared out as an activity. The seven main Bandit Camps are:

Behavior[]

Bandits are hostile to all other parties. They will ambush and attack Aloy and other non-bandits, as well as machines. This can benefit the player greatly, as both parties end up being weakened, allowing for easy kills and looting.

Bandits utilize many of same types of weaponry that most other humans use, such as bows and melee weapons, with some carrying a Firespitter. Though these weapons are powerful, they do not reach the expert craftsmanship and power as most tribes, being seemingly being on par with the Tenakth in their level of craftsmanship.

Bandits are found throughout tribal territories and can be found in random groups across the map.

Enemy Archetypes[]

Melee[]

Unit Type	HP	Attack Type	Damage	Additional Info
Bandit Fighter	50	Light Attack	35 (up to x3 combo)
		Strong Attack	80 (up to x2 combo)
		Leaping Attack	120
Bandit Brawler	65	Explosion	+100 up to 2.5m	The tip of the explosive staff detonates on first successful contact for extra damage (one time only).
		Light Attack	30 (up to x3 combo)
		Strong Attack	80 (up to x2 combo)
		Leaping Attack	100
		Spin Attack	150
		Double Spin Attack	100
		Kick	150
		Overhead Slam	150
Bandit Slugger	105/200*	Light Attack	65/70* (up to x3 combo)	Melee attacks disable the Shield-Weaver's shield in one hit, regardless of difficulty (Frozen Wilds only)
		Strong Attack	156/160* (up to x2 combo)
		Leaping Attack	195/240*
Elite Bandit Fighter	200	Light Attack	70 (up to x3 combo)	Blocks light melee attacks after 1 attack instead of 2. Shorter time between melee attacks.
		Strong Attack	160 (up to x2 combo)
		Leaping Attack	240

Ranged[]

Unit Type	HP	Attack Type	Damage	Additional Info
Bandit Sniper	35	Fire Arrow	70 Projectile 10 Fire damage 15 Fire severity	Perception range is increased by 5m when idle or suspicious and 40m when engaged in combat.
Bandit Sniper	35	Bash/Kick	100
Bandit Thug	50	Hunter Arrow	50
Bandit Thug	50	Bash/Kick	100
Bandit Marksman	75/120*	Fire Arrow	91 Projectile 13 Fire damage 19.5 Fire severity	Higher accuracy (Frozen Wilds only)
Bandit Marksman	75/120*	Bash/Kick	130	Higher accuracy (Frozen Wilds only)
Bandit Warrior	90/150*	Hardpoint Arrow	97.5/50*
Bandit Warrior	90/150*	Bash/Kick	130/100*
Elite Bandit Sniper	135	Explosive Arrow	39 Projectile 130 Explosive	Perception range is increased by 5m when idle or suspicious and 40m when engaged in combat. Blocks light melee attacks after 1 attack instead of 2. Perfect accuracy and faster rate of fire.
Elite Bandit Sniper	135	Bash/Kick	130
Elite Bandit Archer	160/400*	Hunter Arrow	100/150*	Blocks light melee attacks after 1 attack instead of 2. Faster dodging reaction when aimed at, and less time between dodges. Higher accuracy and faster rate of fire. Reinforced headpiece negates damage from headshots, knocked off after enough damage taken (Frozen Wilds only) Hunter Arrows disable the Shield-Weaver's shield in one hit, regardless of difficulty (Frozen Wilds only)
Elite Bandit Archer	160/400*	Bash/Kick	200
Scanner Bandit*	200	Hunter Arrow	100	Periodically scans area at random if at a Bandit Camp entrance Random chance of scanner malfunction and explosion if the wearer attempts to scan for Aloy after detecting her previously with their scanner; explosion kills the wearer and damages anyone nearby Scanner can be overloaded by Shock Arrows, triggering an electrical explosion
Scanner Bandit*	200	Bash/Kick	200

Heavy[]

Unit Type	HP	Attack Type	Damage	Additional Info
Bandit Heavy	125/350*	Firespitter	20 Projectile damage, 120 Explosive damage per shot 30 Projectile damage, 180 Explosive damage per shot*	Blocks light melee attacks after 1 attack instead of 2. Reinforced headpiece negates damage from headshots, knocked off after enough damage taken (Frozen Wilds only)
Bandit Heavy	125/350*	Bash/Kick	200/300*
Elite Bandit Heavy	250	Firespitter	25 Projectile damage, 150 Explosive damage per shot	Blocks light melee attacks after 1 attack instead of 2. Higher accuracy.
Elite Bandit Heavy	250	Bash/Kick	250
Bandit Brute	150	Precision Arrow	200	Uses the 'Triple Shot' skill Blocks light melee attacks after 1 attack instead of 2.
		Light Attack	140 (up to x3 combo)
		Strong Attack	300 (up to x2 combo)
		Leaping Attack	340
		Kick	140
		Overhead Slam	300
Elite Bandit Brute	300	Precision Arrow	200	Uses the 'Triple Shot' skill Blocks light melee attacks after 1 attack instead of 2.
		Light Attack	140 (up to x3 combo)
		Strong Attack	300 (up to x2 combo)
		Leaping Attack	340
		Kick	140
		Overhead Slam	300

* - This represents the stats of bandits encountered in The Cut.

Associated Quests[]

Horizon Zero Dawn[]

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds[]

The Shaman's Path (mentioned only)
Stone Yield Bandit Camp

Known Bandits[]

Deceased Bandits[]

Trivia[]

Low tier bandits are commonly seen barefoot while higher level bandits have footwear. This seems to be due to their power caste system, with the strongest getting the best armor.
Poor health conditions also seen with many Bandits wearing bandages and coughing violently.
Bandit Brawlers will only appear as reinforcements for Bandit Camps if the alarm signal is lit. The only exception is in Stone Yield Bandit Camp, where different reinforcements are summoned. However, they can also be found with random groups throughout the world.
In the Horizon Forbidden West State of Play, bandits were briefly mentioned by a Tenakth Rebel as they were looting Erend's camp in the Isle of Spires, telling their teammates to make it look like bandits were there. However, this is non-canon.
- However, the only bandit encountered in the final game is a deceased individual in the Restless Weald Sunken Cavern, along with some that appear dead near a campfire if the player chooses to fast travel there.