Not long after unlocking the base and restoring GAIA,Horizon Forbidden Westplayers will start to notice strange drones buzzing around the map. There are ten of these Survey Drones in total, and, together, they serve as one ofthe game’s many collectible sets. Unlike some of the other sets, however, finding these Survey Drones is only the beginning and arguably the least challenging part of collecting them.
RELATED:Horizon Forbidden West: Every Legendary Armor Set (& Where To Find Them)
This is because before they can actually “collect” the Survey Drones, players will first need to bring them down to the ground. Unfortunately, this can at times be incredibly tricky, particularly as many of the drones are located near the spawn points for some ofthe toughest machinesinHorizon Forbidden West. However, with enough perseverance and some well-timed jumps, players should be able to get their hands on all ten drones.
How to Catch Survey Drones in Horizon Forbidden West
It’s important to note that players aren’t actually collecting the drones themselves. What they really need is the data that the drone shave been recording, which can only be obtained by looting a downed drone. To bring a Survey Drone down to the ground, players will need to jump towards it and grab onto the yellow bar on the side. This will gradually weigh the drone down, after which, players can harvest its data by approaching it and pressing the Triangle button.
In order to figure out where exactly they need to grab onto the drone, players can scan it using Aloy’s Focus to reveal its flight path, though it’s just as easy to observe it for a cycle or two and see where it stops. Some Survey Drones can be reached via multiple spots, while others will only be reachable from one. Those who aren’t in too much of a hurry to collect the Survey Drones should consider waiting until after they haveunlocked the special mount, as this will make reaching some of the drones considerably easier.
Survey Drone: No Man’s Land (Module 024)
Players can find theNo Man’s LandSurvey Drone to the east of the Jagged Deep Rebel Outpost, not too far from a Thunderjaw Site. Players should climb the large rock near the area where the Thunderjaw is patrolling and look for a wooden platform onto which they can climb. Once there, they’ll be able to jump onto the drone and bring it down.
Survey Drone: Plainsong (Module 047)
ThePlainsongSurvey Drone is to the northeast of the Plainsong settlement near an abandoned old fort. Players will need to ignitethe Firegleam crystalon the front gate to get inside, after which, they’ll be able to climb onto the wall and then leap onto the drone.
Survey Done: The Dry Yearn (Module 143)
Players will find the Dry Yearn Survey Drone near a Shellsnapper Site to the northeast ofthe Dry Yearn Relic Ruins. Once they arrive at the map marker, they should look for a manmade structure to the northwest of the marker, as it’s very easy to reach the drone from there.
Survey Drone: The Greenswell (Module 287)
The Greenswell Survey Drone can be found flying around near a Plowhorn Site to the northeast of Scalding Spear. Upon their arrival at the map marker, players should look for a wooden platform attached to the side of a nearby cliff. After climbing up to it, they’ll be able to leap over to the drone and bring it down.
Survey Drone: The Stillsands (Module 367)
Players will run into theStillsandsSurvey Drone to the south of the Tower of Tears, not too far from the southern edge of the map. After finding it, they should look for a stone tower with a castle-like turret that can be climbed using Aloy’s Pullcaster. Once on top, players will then be able to leap across to the drone and bring it down to the ground.
Survey Drone: Thornmarsh (Module 549)
The Thornmarsh Survey Drone is near a campfire to the northeast of the Thornmarsh settlement, to the south ofthe Long Coast Relic Ruins. Players should use the Pullcaster to grapple onto one of the dead trees near the drone’s flight path, and, once on top, jump over to the Survey Drone when it stops nearby.
Survey Drone: The Graypeak (Module 678)
Players will find the Graypeak Survey Drone near a Slaughterspine Site in the snowy mountains that separate Memorial Grove from the Stand of the Sentinels. There are a few different spots from which they can get to the drone, but the easiest is the wooden platform on the cliffside to the west of the Slaughterspine Site map marker.
Survey Drone: Stand of the Sentinels (Module 398)
The Stand of the Sentinels Survey Drone is in a forest to the east of the Tide’s Reach settlement. Once there, players should look for a tree that’s fallen over not far from aMetal Flower. By climbing along the fallen tree, they’ll be able to get up into the trees, and, by using the various grapple points and climbing ropes, make their way to a platform near where the drone stops. Jumping over to the Survey Drone can seem impossible at first, but, if playershit the Square button to start glidingafter taking a running jump, they should have enough momentum to reach it. Just in case, players should ensure to lower the nearby ladder before they try the jump so that it’s easier to get back up onto the platform if they fail at the first time of asking.
Survey Drone: The Sheerside Mountains (Module 739)
Players will find the Sheerside Mountains Survey Drone to the north of The Bulwark, not far from the northern edge of the map. Once there, they should make their way to theTenakthlookout platform, and, after waiting for the drone to fly by, jump across and grab it. Just like the last one, they may need to glide a little just to make sure that they’re able to reach it.
Survey Drone: Isle of Spires (Module 863)
The Isle of Spires Survey Drone can be found flying around near a building to the north ofthe Isle of Spires Relic Ruins. To reach the drone, players will need to climb to the top of the building using the various grapple and climbing points and then look for a yellow beam that can be pulled down using the Pullcaster. This will allow Aloy to keep climbing up, which will eventually lead her to a yellow pipe hanging straight off the edge of the roof. From here, it’s simply a case of waiting until the drone flies by and grabbing it when it does.
What are Survey Drones Used For in Horizon Forbidden West?
UnlikeSignal Lensesand Black Boxes, which can be traded in for useful items, Survey Drones don’t really have any monetary value. That’s not to say that they are completely worthless though, as,like the Ornaments found in Relic Ruins, players can use them to experience some pretty unique visual effects.
To do so, players will need to make their way over to The Base and the room containingGAIA. Interacting with this console on the left side of the room will allow players to connect any collected Survey Drones back up to the system. For each Survey Drone that they connect, players will be able to change the room’s background to match the area in which the drone was found, with all ten Survey Drones offerings something a little different.
Horizon Forbidden Westis available now on PS4 and PS5.
