Horizon Forbidden West: Apex Dreadwing Location Guide – Horizon Forbidden West expands on the awe-inspiring world of Aloy with new machines, hidden challenges, and a variety of tough enemies, including rare and challenging variants called “Apex” machines. Among these, the Apex Dreadwing stands out as one of the most elusive and formidable foes. This guide covers everything you need to know to locate, prepare for, and defeat the Apex Dreadwing in Horizon Forbidden West, helping you collect rare resources, complete challenges, and earn achievements.

About the Apex Dreadwing

The Apex Dreadwing is a rare, upgraded variant of the standard Dreadwing, and it only appears under specific circumstances. Unlike the regular Dreadwing, this Apex version is far stronger, more aggressive, and comes equipped with unique attributes that make it a substantial challenge. It typically spawns at night and boasts enhanced armor, greater health, and heightened attacks compared to its standard counterpart.

Locating an Apex Dreadwing is necessary if you’re aiming to complete specific challenges or gather rare machine parts used for high-level gear upgrades. Knowing where and when to find this machine, as well as how to counter its attack patterns, will give you a significant advantage in your journey across the Forbidden West.

Where to Find the Apex Dreadwing in Horizon Forbidden West

Finding the Apex Dreadwing requires patience, as it doesn’t appear as frequently as other machines. Here are the primary locations and tips for tracking down an Apex Dreadwing:

1. Main Locations to Check
   The Apex Dreadwing is known to spawn in specific locations where regular Dreadwings also appear, particularly in the jungles and dense forested areas of the map. Some popular Dreadwing spawn points include:
   • The Raintrace: This area, located northwest of Thornmarsh, has a few Dreadwing encounters, especially during nighttime.
   • The Shining Wastes: In the arid regions, particularly near rebel camps, you may encounter Dreadwings. At night, there’s a chance that an Apex Dreadwing could spawn.
   • The Stand of the Sentinels: Known for its variety of dangerous machines, this location sometimes spawns an Apex Dreadwing, particularly if you’re exploring at dusk or nighttime.
2. Time of Day: Nighttime Hunting
   Apex machines, including the Dreadwing, are more likely to spawn after sunset. If you’re searching during the day, you’re less likely to encounter Apex variants. Use a campfire to fast-forward time to night, maximizing your chances of finding an Apex Dreadwing.
3. Other Factors Affecting Apex Spawns
   • Difficulty Level: Higher difficulty settings tend to increase the likelihood of encountering Apex machines. If you’re up for the challenge, consider setting the game to Hard or Very Hard to increase spawn rates.
   • Player Level: If Aloy is at a higher level, there’s a greater chance of Apex Dreadwing encounters. Progressing through the game and leveling up can make the spawn rate more favorable.

How to Prepare for an Apex Dreadwing Battle

The Apex Dreadwing is one of the toughest flying machines in the game. It uses poison gas, powerful melee attacks, and cloaking to stay hidden before it strikes. Here are essential steps to prepare for the encounter:

1. Load Up on Anti-Venom and Healing Items
   The Apex Dreadwing’s attacks often inflict poison damage, which depletes your health over time. Carry antidotes and have plenty of healing items on hand, as you’ll likely need them during the fight.
2. Stock Up on Ammunition and Traps
   Craft plenty of ammunition, including Shock and Purgewater arrows. Shock damage is particularly effective at disabling the Dreadwing’s cloaking device, giving you an opportunity to unleash powerful attacks. Purgewater arrows help neutralize its elemental defenses, leaving it vulnerable to other attacks.
3. Equip and Upgrade Armor
   Wearing armor with strong resistance to poison and physical attacks is crucial. Consider outfits that enhance stealth or resist poison to help you withstand its poison-based attacks longer. The Nora Sentinel outfit or similar gear works well here.
4. Use a High-Damage Bow and Long-Range Weapons
   The Apex Dreadwing can be difficult to target up close, so having a powerful long-range weapon, like the Sharpshot Bow, will give you an advantage. Precision shots to its weak points can disrupt its attacks and make it easier to manage in battle.

Battle Strategy: How to Defeat the Apex Dreadwing

Once you locate the Apex Dreadwing, follow these tactics to maximize your chances of victory:

1. Target the Weak Points
   The Apex Dreadwing has specific weak points, such as its chest, wing tips, and tail canisters. Aim for these parts to inflict significant damage and possibly remove its ability to poison you. Breaking its poison sacs prevents it from using this toxic attack.
2. Disable Cloaking with Shock Damage
   The Dreadwing’s cloaking ability can make it hard to track, so use Shock arrows to disable this ability. Once shocked, the Dreadwing will become more visible, allowing you to target it more effectively.
3. Dodge Poison Attacks and Keep Moving
   The Apex Dreadwing often releases poison clouds, which linger in the area and cause heavy damage over time. Dodge these attacks and reposition yourself frequently. Keeping Aloy on the move will also help you avoid its other powerful melee attacks.
4. Lay Traps and Lure It into Vulnerable Positions
   Place shock traps or other elemental traps in open areas where you can lure the Dreadwing. This strategy is especially helpful if you’re dealing with multiple enemies, as the traps can help you temporarily stun or damage the Dreadwing without taking direct hits.
5. Use Valor Surges and Special Abilities
   Valor Surges like Resonator Blast and Power Shots can deal extra damage, especially when the Apex Dreadwing is stunned. Use these special abilities during the battle to take advantage of its temporary vulnerability.

Rewards for Defeating the Apex Dreadwing

Defeating an Apex Dreadwing yields several valuable resources, including rare machine parts and components specific to Apex variants. Here’s a breakdown of what you can gain:

• Apex Dreadwing Heart: This rare item is essential for crafting high-level gear and upgrading some of Aloy’s most powerful armor and weapons.
• Metal Shards: Useful for crafting, trading, and upgrading.
• Machine Muscles, Lenses, and Other Components: These are used for weapon and armor upgrades, as well as crafting specialized ammunition types.
• Unique Loot for High-Level Gear: Many of the rare items dropped by the Apex Dreadwing are essential for end-game crafting and upgrading, making the effort to locate and defeat this machine worthwhile.

Additional Tips for Farming the Apex Dreadwing

If you’re looking to farm Apex Dreadwings for crafting materials, here are some final pointers:

1. Respawn Locations
   After defeating an Apex Dreadwing, leave the area and fast-travel to a nearby campfire, then return to the spawn point. This may cause another Dreadwing, potentially an Apex variant, to appear again.
2. Cycle Between Spawn Points
   Moving between Dreadwing spawn points at night increases your chances of encountering more Apex versions. Travel between The Raintrace, The Shining Wastes, and The Stand of the Sentinels to maximize encounters.
3. Difficulty Levels and RNG
   Keep in mind that the appearance of Apex machines relies on the game’s random number generation (RNG) system. Increasing difficulty and playing at higher levels improves the odds, but some luck is always involved.

In Summary

Locating and defeating the Apex Dreadwing in Horizon Forbidden West is both a challenge and a rewarding experience. By understanding the locations, preparation strategies, and effective combat techniques, you’ll be able to take on this powerful machine with confidence. Whether you’re looking to complete all achievements, gather rare resources, or simply test your skills, the Apex Dreadwing is one foe worth hunting. Good luck, and happy hunting in the Forbidden West!