In Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, gathering machine parts is a key part of survival, upgrading gear, and crafting powerful items. One such component, the Trampler Heart, is a rare and valuable item that players often seek out for trading or upgrading purposes. If you’re progressing through the game and trying to enhance your weapons or purchase items from specialty merchants, chances are you’ll need at least one Trampler Heart. However, finding a Trampler and successfully harvesting its heart can be a bit tricky without proper preparation and knowledge of where to look. This guide covers the best locations, strategies, and tips for finding a Trampler Heart efficiently.
What Is a Trampler?
The Trampler is a large, aggressive machine that resembles a mechanical bull or bison. These machines are classified as heavy transport or combat units and are known for their powerful area-of-effect attacks and dangerous charges. Unlike smaller machines, Trampler encounters require tactical combat, smart use of weapons, and understanding of weak points.
Trampler Behavior and Combat Style
- They often travel in small groups.
- They can shoot fire-based attacks from long range.
- They will charge players when threatened or provoked.
- They feature powerful stomp attacks that can knock players back.
Because of their aggressive nature and durable armor, fighting Trampler machines is best done when you’re properly equipped and leveled up. Trampler Hearts are not guaranteed drops, so farming may be required.
Where to Find Tramplers in Horizon Zero Dawn
If you’re playing the original Horizon Zero Dawn, there are a few reliable places where Tramplers spawn. These areas are generally found in the later parts of the game, where more advanced machines appear. Here are the most well-known Trampler locations:
1. South of the Sun Furrows Hunting Grounds
One of the earliest spots you can find Tramplers is near the Sun Furrows Hunting Grounds. Head south from the camp and you will come across a Trampler site. This area usually spawns multiple Tramplers, giving you a better chance to loot a heart.
2. Near the Grave-Hoard Ruins
Another good farming spot is east of the Grave-Hoard ruins. This mountainous terrain area often has roaming Trampler herds. Approach with caution, as the area can also spawn other dangerous machines like Shell-Walkers or Longlegs.
3. West of the Meridian City Gates
If you’ve progressed to the western part of the map, look just outside the gates of Meridian. There’s a known spawn point for Tramplers here, and the proximity to a fast travel campfire makes this a great farming location.
Where to Find Tramplers in Horizon Forbidden West
In Horizon Forbidden West, Tramplers return as part of the machine ecosystem and are typically found in more dangerous biomes. They remain a good source of machine parts and crafting components. Here are some key spots to locate Tramplers:
1. Lowland Jungle Area (South of Plainsong)
The lush and foggy lowland jungle area south of Plainsong contains a machine site marked for Tramplers. This is one of the most consistent areas to find them and is accessible relatively early in the mid-game.
2. The Stillsands Region
In the desert zones near The Stillsands, Tramplers can be found roaming in small groups. Their tan coloration blends in with the sand, so use your Focus often to tag them. This area also features wide-open space, making combat slightly easier.
3. Mountains North of Scalding Spear
Venture north into the high-altitude areas near Scalding Spear and you’ll come across roaming Trampler herds. The elevated terrain can give you a strategic advantage if you fight from a height.
How to Farm Trampler Hearts Efficiently
Because Trampler Hearts are rare drops, not every kill will reward one. However, there are a few ways to increase your chances of obtaining one more quickly.
Use Precision Weapons
- Use Tearblast Arrows to knock off armor plating.
- Target weak points with Sharpshot Bows for critical damage.
- Strike the Blaze Canisters to trigger explosions and deal high damage.
Use Stealth and Traps
Tramplers often start unaware of your presence. Lay down Blast Traps or Shock Wires to soften them up before they charge. This helps you avoid a head-on brawl and saves resources.
Loot Quickly and Use Quick Saves
Before engaging a group of Tramplers, use a nearby campfire to save your progress. If the fight doesn’t go well or the drop doesn’t contain a heart, you can reload and try again. This method is useful for farming rare items efficiently.
What to Do With Trampler Hearts
Once you acquire a Trampler Heart, it becomes a valuable commodity for several reasons. Here’s what you can do with it:
- Trade with Merchants: Some rare weapons and armor sets require Trampler Hearts as part of the purchase.
- Craft Upgrades: Certain gear upgrades need machine hearts, including those for pouches and traps.
- Sell for Shards: If you’re in need of currency, Trampler Hearts sell for a decent amount of Metal Shards.
Tips to Make the Hunt Easier
Hunting machines like Tramplers can be challenging, especially in Forbidden West where enemy behavior is more dynamic. Keep these general tips in mind:
- Upgrade your Focus: Use it to scan for weak points and lootable components.
- Use mounts to travel faster: Reach Trampler sites quickly by riding machines like Chargers or Bristlebacks.
- Don’t ignore overrides: Overriding a Trampler or another nearby machine can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
- Equip the right armor: Use gear that increases resistance to fire and impact damage.
Why Trampler Hearts Are Worth the Effort
Although it takes effort and planning to hunt down Tramplers and obtain their hearts, the payoff is significant. These items unlock some of the most powerful gear in both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, making combat and exploration much easier. Whether you’re a completionist or simply looking to upgrade your favorite weapon, tracking down Trampler Hearts is a rewarding and necessary part of the game.
Focus your efforts on known spawn locations, prepare before every fight, and use the environment to your advantage. With patience and strategy, collecting Trampler Hearts becomes a reliable part of your resource farming routine.