"The lesson will be taught in due time, Aloy. Until then, we wait." This article contains heavy spoilers. Read ahead with caution.
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- "That thing is huge; and built to fight."
- ―Aloy, upon sighting a Thunderjaw
The Thunderjaw is a machine in Horizon Zero Dawn and a returning machine in Horizon Forbidden West and Horizon Call of the Mountain. It is a large Combat Class machine, one of the two largest machines of this class (the other machine being the Tremortusk). Its size, power, and array of heavily damaging weapons make it one of the most feared of all machines.
History[]
Horizon Zero Dawn[]
Unlike the Zero Dawn terraforming machines, which were designed and controlled by GAIA, the Thunderjaw was designed by the AI HEPHAESTUS, which had seized control of the Cauldron facilities and begun aggressive countermeasures to the human practice of machine hunting. Thunderjaws are one of the most extreme examples of HEPHAESTUS' escalating attempts to cull the human population, a phenomenon known to the tribes as the Derangement.
The Carja hunter Ahsis, a Hawk of the Hunters Lodge, is the first known hunter to have killed a Thunderjaw. After the huge machine destroyed the Carja freehold of Morning Light, Ahsis tracked, found and engaged it, narrowly defeating it by using its own Disc Launchers against it. As the largest and most powerful machine ever successfully hunted in the Lodge’s history up to that time, the kill elevated him to the rank of Sunhawk.[1] The body of this Thunderjaw was later retrieved, and is now kept on display in the center of the Lodge.
His achievement was eventually topped by the successful hunt of another Thunderjaw. Known as Redmaw, this Thunderjaw had for years slaughtered every hunter who had attempted to kill it, earning it legendary status among Carja hunters. Eventually, Redmaw was killed by Hawk Talanah Khane Padish and her Thrush Aloy.
The Eclipse was able to corrupt at least two Thunderjaws, one of which was used to track Prince Itamen and Queen Nasadi after their defection from the Shadow Carja, and the second of which was used to raid The Embrace.
The Frozen Wilds[]
HEPHAESTUS also produced Daemonic Thunderjaws, albeit sparingly. When Aloy and her companions, Aratak and Ourea, attempted to breach the Cauldron EPSILON facility, HEPHAESTUS deployed one to guard the entrance. In the end, however, it proved no match for them and was destroyed.
Horizon Forbidden West[]
Alongside their regular variants, Aloy encountered exceptionally powerful Apex Thunderjaws in the Forbidden West, killing one at the entrance to Thebes.
During the final assault on the Far Zenith base, Beta managed to inject HEPHAESTUS into the Zenith printer matrix, allowing it to unleash an army of Thunderjaws and other large Combat machines that engaged a Specter swarm.
Appearance[]
The Thunderjaw is a huge bipedal machine with features akin to those of a Tyrannosaurus Rex: powerful and bulky legs, a long body, and a heavy tail to maintain equilibrium. Its body features symmetrical weaponry: a laser weapon in its mouth, cannons on its jaws, a radar array on its back, and Disc Launchers on its hips.
Behavior[]
Like most large machines, Thunderjaws are found alone. A pair can be found together protecting a herd of Lancehorns in the Glarebreak, west of Free Heap.
When undisturbed, Thunderjaws mill about their respective sites, their footfalls an early warning to anyone wandering too close. They are so massive that they can knock over trees just by walking into them.
Abilities[]
The Thunderjaw’s huge size, power, array of weapons, and capacity to sustain damage make it one of the most formidable machines. It employs a variety of powerful melee and ranged attacks.
Additionally, its radar scanner allows quick detection of hunters hiding in tall grass. Unlike that of a Scrapper, which is able to detect only movement, the Thunderjaw’s radar can detect humans regardless of their motion. In Horizon Zero Dawn, Thunderjaws have no elemental weaknesses, and are resistant to Shock. In Horizon Forbidden West, both Thunderjaw variants are resistant to Shock and Frost damage, with the Apex variant having resistances to every element but Acid.
While it is unconfirmed, Thunderjaws can supposedly hear a bow shot. While most machines would investigate where the shot landed, a Thunderjaw will investigate where the shot originated from.
Weaknesses[]
A Thunderjaw's major structural weaknesses are its heart and data nexus; ranged weapon strikes on either cause significant damage once they are exposed. Similarly, landing a shot of the corresponding element on exposed elemental canisters will induce their status effects. Its mandibular cannons, disc launchers, tail and radar unit can all be removed with enough Tear damage, disabling their corresponding abilities entirely.
In Horizon Forbidden West, both variants are weak to Acid, and inflicting the Corroding state will make it easier to access its main weak spots.
Attacks[]
Horizon Zero Dawn[]
Melee attacks[]
Name | Primary Damage | Secondary Damage | Trigger Range | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bite Attack | 250 | - | 11m - 17m | Snaps at enemy with mandibles |
Charge | 275 | - | 20m - 80m | Charges and rams enemy |
Foot Stomp | 290 | 50 | 0m - 7m | Stamps on enemy |
Rushing Bite Attack | 250 | - | 18m - 33m | Charges and snaps at enemy |
Tail Slam | 300 | - | 6m - 16m | Vertical bludgeon attack with tail |
Tail Swipe | 300 | - | 17m - 27m | Spinning bludgeon attack with tail |
Ranged attacks[]
Name | Damage Type | Primary Damage | Secondary Damage | Trigger Range | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Disc Launcher - 360 Attack | Explosion | 130 | - | 5m - 25m | Discs strike in a circle around chassis |
Disc Launcher - Barrage | Explosion | 130 | - | 20m - 80m | Discs strike in a barrage |
Disc Launcher - Homing | Explosion | 130 | - | 20m - 80m | Discs track enemy |
Laser Sweep | Laser | 200 | 130 per second | 25m - 60m | Fan-shaped spread of laser beams |
Cannon Burst - Lead Up | Projectile | 60 | - | 20m - 80m | Rapid-fire mandibular cannon shots; head sweeps laterally |
Cannon Burst - Side to Side | Projectile | 60 | - | 20m - 80m | Rapid-fire mandibular cannon shots; cannons repeatedly fire left and right |
Horizon Forbidden West[]
Name | Windup Time | Damage | Trigger Range | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cannon Burst (Lead Up) | Short | 176 Ranged | 20m - 100m | Uses Rapidfire Cannons to fire a stream of projectiles starting at the ground in front of target before moving up to it. |
Cannon Burst (Side to Side) | Short | 176 Ranged | 20m - 100m | Uses Rapidfire Cannons to fire projectiles in a sweeping horizontal motion |
Disc Launcher Homing | Short | 317 Ranged | 20m - 100m | Launches a disc from each Disc Launcher that tracks target before crashing into the ground and exploding. |
Disc Launcher Barrage | Short | 317 Ranged | 20m - 100m | Fires 12 discs from Disc Launchers in a sequential barrage. |
Disc Launcher 360 | Medium | 317 Ranged | 5m - 25m | Launches an array of 6 discs in a defensive 360o formation. |
Laser Sweep | Medium | 317 Ranged
130 Ranged overtime |
25m - 55m | Fan-shaped spread of 9 laser beams. Only triggers if Thunderjaw is below 40% HP.
Attack disabled when Drenched. |
Laser Blast | Short | 317 Ranged | 25m - 70m | Gathers energy in mouth and fires an orb shaped laser blast.
Attack disabled when Drenched. |
Charge | Medium | 417 Melee
Crushed 50 |
20m - 100m | Lowers head and charges at full speed.
Attack disabled when Slowed. |
Bite Attack | Short | 352 Melee | 11m - 28m | Pulls head back and thrusts forward while biting at target. |
Rushing Bite Attack | Short | 352 Melee | 0m - 18m | Lunges diagonally at a 45o angle while biting. |
Foot Stomp | Short | 352 Melee
Crushed 50 |
0m - 7m | Series of up to 3 foot stomps that alternate between legs. Each stomp creates a Tremor effect. |
Tail Swipe | Short | 417 Melee
Crushed 50 |
17m - 44m | Rotates 180o and uses its momentum to swipe with its tail. |
Tail Slam | Medium | 352 Melee
Crushed 50 |
17m - 44m | Lifts tail and slams it on the ground. Impact creates a Tremor effect. |
Components[]
Horizon Zero Dawn[]
Horizon Forbidden West[]
Name | Variant | Image | Description | Attributes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Body | All | Hard outer casing to protect synthetic muscle and operational systems. | None | |
Data Nexus | All | Central processor. Especially vulnerable to damage if exposed. |
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Rapidfire Cannon | All | Twin energy cannons that can quickly fire in horizontal or vertical blasts. |
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Radar | All | Detection device. Emits a pulse that reveals enemies, including those in stealth, and scrambles Focus signals. |
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Antenna | All | Signal transmitter used to call in machine reinforcements. |
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Heart | All | Internal core. Extremely vulnerable to damage if exposed. |
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Chillwater Canister | Standard | Chillwater storage. Tear off to collect this resource or shoot with a Frost Arrow to detonate. |
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Acid Canister | Apex | Metalbite storage. Tear off to collect this resource or shoot with an Acid Arrow to detonate. |
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Disc Launcher | All | A powerful heavy weapon that can launch a barrage of hovering, explosive discs. |
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Glowblast Canister | Standard | Glowblast storage. Tear off to collect this resource or shoot with a Plasma Arrow to detonate. |
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Blaze Canister | Apex | Blaze storage. Tear off to collect this resource or shoot with a Fire Arrow to detonate. |
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Ammo Drum | All | Large storage container for valuable resources. Tear off to collect its contents. |
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Sparker | Standard | Shock storage. Tear off to collect this resource or shoot with a Shock Arrow to detonate. |
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Purgewater Canister | Apex | Purgewater storage. Tear off to collect this resource or shoot with a Purgewater Arrow to detonate. |
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Tail | All | A large metal tail used as a primary melee weapon. Detach or destroy to disable tail attacks. |
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Loot[]
Horizon Zero Dawn[]
Horizon Forbidden West[]
Body
- Glowblast (100%)
- Metal Shards (100%)
- Crystal Braiding (100%)
- Braided Wire (76%)
- Large Machine Core (70%)
- Thunderjaw Circulator (70%)
- Thunderjaw Primary Nerve (62%)
- Volatile Sludge (51%)
- Machine Muscle (45%)
- Luminous Brainstem (29%)
- Metal Bone (29%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (15%)
Data Nexus
- None
Rapidfire Cannon
- Braided Wire (67%)
- Crystal Braiding (50%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (34%)
Radar
- Braided Wire (67%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (34%)
- Luminous Brainstem (11%)
Antenna
- Braided Wire (67%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (34%)
- Thunderjaw Primary Nerve (11%)
Heart
- None
Chillwater Canister
- Chillwater (100%)
Disc Launcher
- Disc Launcher (100%)
Glowblast Canister
- Glowblast (100%)
Ammo Drum
- Braided Wire (89%)
- Machine Muscle (68%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (56%)
- Metal Bone (33%)
- Blastpaste (25%)
- Chillwater (9%)
- Sparker (9%)
- Purgewater (9%)
- Glowblast (9%)
- Blaze (9%)
- Metalbite (8%)
Sparker
- Sparker (100%)
Tail
- Thunderjaw Tail (100%)
Body
- Crystal Braiding (100%)
- Metal Shards (100%)
- Glowblast (100%)
- Luminous Brainstem (100%)
- Apex Thunderjaw Heart (100%)
- Braided Wire (76%)
- Thunderjaw Circulator (70%)
- Large Machine Core (69%)
- Thunderjaw Primary Nerve (63%)
- Volatile Sludge (50%)
- Piercing Spike (49%)
- Machine Muscle (46%)
- Metal Bone (29%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (16%)
Data Nexus
- None
Rapidfire Cannon
- Braided Wire (67%)
- Crystal Braiding (50%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (34%)
Radar
- Braided Wire (67%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (34%)
- Luminous Brainstem (11%)
Antenna
- Braided Wire (67%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (34%)
- Thunderjaw Primary Nerve (10%)
Heart
- None
Acid Canister
- Metalbite (100%)
Disc Launcher
- Disc Launcher (100%)
Blaze Canister
- Blaze (100%)
Ammo Drum
- Braided Wire (89%)
- Machine Muscle (67%)
- Sturdy Hardplate (57%)
- Metal Bone (34%)
- Blastpaste (25%)
- Glowblast (9%)
- Purgewater (9%)
- Sparker (9%)
- Blaze (9%)
- Chillwater (9%)
- Metalbite (9%)
Purgewater Canister
- Purgewater (100%)
Tail
- Thunderjaw Tail (100%)
Variants[]
In Horizon Forbidden West, there are two variants of the Thunderjaw.
Variant | Weak Vs. | Strong Vs. |
---|---|---|
Thunderjaw | Acid | Frost |
Apex Thunderjaw | Acid | Fire |
Appearances in other media[]
The Thunderjaw appears in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart as an object dropped from another dimension into Ratchet & Clank's using the RYNO 8.[2]
Trivia[]
- Although Thunderjaws are shown in the Embrace at the start of the game, their presence during Aloy's infancy would be nine years before they were first observed by the Carja. It seems likely that their appearance in this scene is non-canon, and only intended to showcase the prominent machines of the game.
- According to game designer Mathijs de Jonge, Thunderjaws are 24 meters long and 9 meters tall.[3]
- Thunderjaws are perhaps the most well-known machines in Horizon Zero Dawn. Aloy's battle against a Thunderjaw first showcased the game at E3 2015, a massive poster of one was draped on the side of a building in Los Angeles to advertise the game at E3 2016, and the game's box art depicts Aloy hunting one.
- Thunderjaws (as of Horizon Zero Dawn) have 271 animations, 93 destructible armor plates, 12 unique attacks, 67 visual effects and 550,000 polygons.[4]
- According to Hermen Hulst, the Thunderjaw was the first machine implemented in the game and was used to prototype the game's combat. The total development time took a year and a half.
- Thunderjaws are more common compared to other large-sized machines.
- When playing on Ultra Hard Difficulty in Zero Dawn, the Disc Launchers are made especially resistant to Tearblast Arrows, though other sources of Tear, such as the Tearblaster, will still deal the same amount.
- During development, the Thunderjaw was referred to as the Raptor.[5]
- If any Tremortusk sites are found before the Aether mission, the Tremortusk will be replaced by a Thunderjaw.
- According to Special Item descriptions in Acquired Taste, Thunderjaw blood is "thick" and "viscous".
Gallery[]
In-game[]
Concept art[]
References[]
Machines | |
---|---|
Horizon Zero Dawn | |
Acquisition Class | Broadhead - Charger - Fireclaw - Frostclaw - Glinthawk - Grazer - Lancehorn - Rockbreaker - Scrapper - Snapmaw - Strider - Trampler |
Chariot Class | Corruptor - Deathbringer - Metal Devil |
Combat Class | Ravager - Sawtooth - Scorcher - Stalker - Stormbird - Thunderjaw |
Communication Class | Tallneck |
Recon Class | Longleg - Watcher (Redeye Watcher) |
Transport Class | Behemoth - Bellowback - Shell-Walker |
Unknown Class | Control Tower |
Horizon Forbidden West | |
Acquisition Class | Bilegut - Bristleback - Clamberjaw - Fanghorn - Plowhorn - Scrounger - Spikesnout - Stingspawn - Sunwing - Tideripper - Waterwing - Widemaw |
Combat Class | Clawstrider - Dreadwing - Grimhorn - Shellsnapper - Slaughterspine - Slitherfang - Specter - Specter Prime - Tremortusk |
Recon Class | Burrower - Skydrifter |
Transport Class | Leaplasher - Rollerback |
Unknown Class | Defense Drone |