This guide will show you where to find every Tallneck in Horizon Forbidden West and how to override them and earn the related achievements.
This guide does NOT contain spoilers from the main story of the game, except for the a minor one in “The Shining Wastes” Tallneck walkthrough at the very end.
How Tallnecks work in Horizon Forbidden West
Tallnecks are the most recognizable machines of the Horizon franchise. They look very similar to a giraffe but they’re a lot bigger. Despite their huge size and invulnerability, they’re not a threat to Aloy or other humans.
The purpose of the Tallnecks is to show all the map markers in a section of the map, even if you haven’t explored that section. The next image shows the map in its three different states.
In the right lower corner (image above), the map has been explored. The middle section shows the map markers but there’s still fog covering it because the player hasn’t reached that zone yet, this is how it looks after overriding a nearby Tallneck. The left section is completely covered in fog because the Tallneck in that area hasn’t been overridden nor the player has been close to that area.
There’s a total of six different Tallnecks in Horizon Forbidden West. The “First Tallneck Overridden” achievement is unlocked after doing exactly what its name suggests.
The “All Tallnecks Overridden” achievement is unlocked after finding and overriding all six Tallnecks. The order in which you decide to unlock them doesn’t affect any major aspects of the game but ideally you’ll do them as soon as possible.
Things in Horizon Forbidden West work a little differently compared to Horizon Zero Dawn when it comes to overriding Tallnecks. You can’t simply climb on top of them. Most of them require a small puzzle to solve before being able to override them.
These puzzles aren’t remotely compared to those in the Relic Ruins but still require some effort. Here’s where to find and how to get to the top of each Tallneck’s head.
Below is the table of contents for the Tallneck walkthroughs segment of this guide. Click on a button to read the walkthrough for a specific tallneck to find out where to find it and how to solve its puzzle to override it.
Cinnabar Sands Tallneck Location and Puzzle
The first Tallneck you'll encounter in the game after reaching the Forbidden West is the Cinnabar Sands one. It is located southeast of Plainsong. It is easy to spot thanks to the big satellite dish that the Tallneck is roaming around.
Instructions
- Head to the Satellite dish at the location marked on the map.
- Find the ladder that's close to the ground. Shoot an arrow to destroy and then climb to the top. There's a console, but first, you must power it. Continue to the upper level.
- After reaching the platform, look for the ladder that's shown in the picture below. Climb down and use the climbing nodes to get to the energy cell.
- Take the energy cell and place it in the generator that's below the structure.
- Head back to the console, you are now able to activate it.
- This will move the dish close to its correct position but you still have to do one more thing. Turn to the left (use the console as a reference) and use the climbing nodes to get to the ladder.
- There are two power cables preventing the dish from being fully aligned. Use your bow to break both cables.
- Once it's done, the dish will finally be in the right position. Find the big ladder that's on the center of the structure and use it to get to the top.
- Find the tallest point of the dish, jump, and glide to the Tallneck. Timing it properly can be tricky so be patient and take as much time as you need.
- Once you're on top of it, override the Tallneck to partially reveal the nearby area on the map. Aloy will get 7,500 XP and 2 extra skill points.
The Stillsands Tallneck Location and Puzzle
The Tallneck can be found south of Camp Nowhere and northeast of Hidden Ember. After getting close, Aloy mentions how damaged it is. You can't climb it through the pieces of the neck. You have to find a way around this.
Instructions
- Head to the Satellite dish at the location marked on the map.
- Examine the machine's carcass, you'll notice that it's close to an Oseram camp. These Oseram were trying to strip the Tallneck for parts with a ballista. It's just a few steps away from the machine, walk towards it.
- The Oseram were using these ballistas as harpoons to weigh down the Tallneck before getting attacked by machines. Interact with the ballista, aim at the Tallneck and fire. The Tallneck is going to slow down, but it's still not enough. For it to work, you must find two more ballistas.
- The second ballista is fairly close to the first one. Turn left and you'll be able to spot it, walk in a straight line to get there. Repeat the process of firing the ballista to slow down the Tallneck.
- Immediately after shooting the second ballista, two Skydrifters and an Acid Bellowback will attack. Once the machines are down, return to the spot where the second ballista is located.
- Turn to the right of the ballista, the third and last one can be spotted near the rocky mountains. You can just walk in a straight line, it shouldn't be a problem to get there.
- Use the Pullcaster to get to the platform where the third ballista is located and fire it.
- Just like an AT-AT, the Tallneck will fall after getting harpooned. Now's the time to override it. Get on top of its head and override it to reveal the nearby section of the map. Aloy will get 7,500 XP and 2 extra skill points.
The Stand of the Sentinels Tallneck Location and Puzzle
The Tallneck can be found east of Tide’s Reach and west of Cliffwatch. It is walking around an abandoned Tenakth settlement.
Instructions
- Head to the Satellite dish at the location marked on the map. This zone is filled with Stalkers. Be very careful when you’re not over the trees.
- The Tenakth built this settlement on the trees to stay safe from predators. Look for the campfire that's on the platforms, you can get there with the Pullcaster.
- These platforms aren't connected, getting to the next one requires jumping, gliding, climbing, or using a zip line. Look for the closest platform to your current position, the trees that support it have climbing nodes. Jump and glide to get there.
- Jump to the nodes on your left and climb to the top.
- Find the broken bridge, and cross it by walking on the ropes. Get to the edge that's facing another platform.
- Wait for the Tallneck to pass through this area. When it's close enough, jump to it and then get to the other side. This Tallneck's neck doesn't have the pieces that allow you to climb to its head. That's why you must continue to the next platform.
- Now you must get to the platform marked in the following picture. Just follow the path, it requires a little bit of jumping but nothing difficult.
- You can reach the following platform by jumping but first locate and eliminate the two Fire Clamberjaws. Using the element of surprise to attack from the distance is a good idea but I don't recommend staying in a single spot for too long. Their range attacks deal splash damage and it won't be too long before the entire floor is covered in fire.
- With the Clamberjaws down you can look for a ladder that's in the middle. Shoot an arrow to break the lock.
- Climb up and take the zip line.
- Jump to the nearby climbing nodes and get to the top.
- Find the spot where the Tallneck will pass. Keep in mind that it takes some time for the Tallneck to walk around the entire settlement, if you don't see it just be patient.
- Aim for the head, it might look like it but it's easier to get there than the neck.
- Override the Tallneck to reveal more map markers on the map. Aloy will get 7,500 XP and 2 extra skill points.
Landfall Tallneck Location and Puzzle
The Tallneck can be found on the far west of the map. It is located southwest of Legacy's Landfall.
Instructions
- Reach the location of the Landfall Tallneck marked on the map below. The Tallneck can be found on the far west of the map. It is located southwest of Legacy's Landfall. The body and neck of the Tallneck are underwater. It is also not moving, dive to learn what's the issue.
- After scanning it, you'll learn that there are two missing power converters. These two missing pieces are preventing the Tallneck from working.
- Swim over to the ruins north of the Tallneck's location.
- Break the ladder's lock with an arrow. There's a Glinthawk at the top, you decide when to take it down.
- Pull the crate to the water. Standing next to the structure or inside it, you can use the Pullcaster to position the crate closer to the ladder. Get on top of the crate and jump to the ladder. Climb up.
- Walk on the rope, then turn right and continue walking until you find a Glinthawk nest.
- This scrap pile doesn't look special, but one of the power converters is here. Take down the Glinthawk and loot the items.
- By turning backward, you'll notice another structure on the right side. This is where the second Glinthawk nest is located.
- I suggest that you get there through the side that's closest to the shores. There are two Snapmaws swimming underwater and there aren't many places to escape if they manage to get you before reaching the ground.
- It might take an extra minute, but I suggest you get to the ruins from the back. Use the pile of rubble to reach the upper level. The Glinthawk nest is at the back of the structure.
- There are a few scrap piles, the one with the power convert is on the second level. Take the stairs or the grapple point.
- Use the nearby zipline to return to the first ruins. After that just swim back to the Tallneck.
- Dive and install both power converters. The Tallneck will start working again.
- You still need to override the Tallneck. Despite its slow steps, Aloy can't reach the Tallneck by swimming. There is a group of ruins that the Tallneck will walk around. Dive underwater to find the entrance to these ruins.
- Go to the edge of the ruins. Wait patiently and jump when the Tallneck is close. This one has all the pieces on the neck so don't worry about landing on its body.
- Override the Tallneck and unlock new map markers. Aloy will get 7,500 XP and 2 extra skill points.
Salt Bite Tallneck Location and Puzzle
This Tallneck is a little different compared to the others. It will only appear on the map after unlocking it. And to unlock it, you must complete the IOTA Cauldron, which is at the same location. North of Scalding Spear to be precise.
Instructions
- Head for the location marked on the map below. This is the entrance to the IOTA Cauldron.
- The entrance is very different compared to the other Cauldrons. Aloy can't open it so you must find a different entrance. The game will update your marker with a new location, which is not far. This is the actual entry point for the Tallneck puzzle.
- There are Apex Burrowers near the entrance, be careful when heading inside. This Cauldron is pretty straightforward, the game will show you where to go.
- The machine that this Cauldron is building is the Tallneck you're looking for. It is not properly working so it's your job to make sure that the Tallneck is built. Burrowers, Bellowbacks, and a Rollerback are the machines you must defeat before overriding the Cauldron's Network Uplink.
- Next, you have to override the core and follow the Tallneck head. Remove the debris and defeat the Shell-Walkers, Burrowers, and Scroungers that appear.
- After the Tallneck is assembled, you can finally override it. Aloy will get 7,500 XP and 2 extra skill points.
- The Cauldron's main entrance is going to open and the Tallneck may now roam Salt Bite.
Notes
Completing the IOTA Cauldron gives the Override Unlocks for the following machines: Clawstrider, Glinthawk, Lancehorn, Leaplasher, Bellowback, Ravager, Rollerback, Skydrifter, and Snapmaw.]
Clawstriders can now be overridden and used as mounts.
The Shining Wastes Tallneck Location and Puzzle
This Tallneck is located in the desert. It can be found early in the story but it is unreachable before completing the main mission "Wings of the Ten".
Instructions
The only way to get to this Tallneck's head is with a Sunwing. Which is the first flying mount of the game that you can obtain. There are many Ravagers in this area, they will use their cannons to shoot you down and destroy your Sunwing if you're not careful. Their accuracy is surprisingly good, even if you're far away so please be very careful.
Drop on top of the Tallneck and override it. Aloy will get 7,500 XP and 2 extra skill points.
Notes
You can unlock every Tallneck with the exception of the Salt Bite one (and the Landfall, to some extend) with this method. That is if you don't mind spending a considerable amount of time with many map markers hidden. If that doesn't bother you then go ahead, it is very easy and fast to do it this way.
This concludes my complete guide on how to find and override all Tallnecks in Horizon Forbidden West! If you are playing on a PC with Keyboard and Mouse, I strongly recommend reading our Controls Guide for Horizon Forbidden West. And you should also read our guide on what settings to change and why to get a smoother experience with the game.
