Hunting for the Lodge

Follow our guide to complete the "Hunting for the Lodge" Errand in Horizon Zero Dawn. Learn how to join the Hunters Lodge by defeating specific machines and earning trophies.

Alright, so you want to join the Hunters Lodge in Horizon Zero Dawn? This Errand, "Hunting for the Lodge," is your ticket in. First things first, you'll need to head to any of the Hunting Grounds scattered across the map. The closest one to the Embrace is usually northeast of the Main Embrace Gate. Your initial goal is to successfully complete any three trials at these grounds. If you're looking for some pointers on those, definitely check out the dedicated Hunting Grounds section of the guide – it's got the lowdown on every single one.

Once you've proven your skills at the trials, your next stop is Meridian. You'll naturally reach this city as part of the main story, but for this Errand, you'll want to head to the western side. Look for the Hunters Lodge. As soon as you step inside, you'll be greeted by Ligan. Aloy will present her three Half-Suns, but Ligan explains that to become a full member, a 'Thrush,' you need a sponsor – a 'Hawk.' He'll direct you upstairs to chat with Sunhawk Ahsis. After a bit of a tense exchange between you and Ahsis, she'll introduce you to your potential sponsor.

Downstairs, you'll meet Talanah, your sponsor. She seems to share your dislike for Ahsis, which is a good sign! Talanah will give you your main task: bring back trophies from three Sawtooths, two Ravagers, and one Stalker. The game will mark specific locations on your map where you can find these machines, but don't worry – any regular ones you stumble upon in the wild will also drop the necessary trophies. You've likely tangled with Sawtooths before, and the others might be familiar too.

Now, let's talk about these machines:

• Ravagers: Think of them as Sawtooths with a nasty surprise – a shoulder-mounted cannon. Your priority should be taking out that cannon first. Once it's gone, the fight becomes much more manageable. While they have a Freeze Canister and Power Cell, remember their bodies are still weak to fire, just like Sawtooths.
• Stalkers: These guys are a real pain because they can cloak themselves, making them incredibly hard to track. Their stealth generator is located on their shoulder – blast that off, and they'll be much easier to deal with. Finding them can be tricky; you'll either need to keep an eye out for their faint outline or hope they spot you first. It's a good idea to lay down some Shock Wires beforehand, as Stalkers are weak to that element. Watch out for their quick Dart Gun shots and any mines they might have placed.

A crucial detail: the designated machines won't drop the trophies unless you've progressed to this point in the quest. However, you can hunt them anywhere on the map once you have the objective. After you've collected all the required trophies, return them to Ahsis in Meridian to officially complete the Errand and join the Hunters Lodge!