The Bristleback is a type of machine enemy in Horizon Forbidden West. Read on to learn more about how to beat them, their item drops, components, Cauldron Override, and map locations!

Bristleback Basic Information

Bristleback
Description	A herd machine that uses its tusks to dig up resources. If provoked, it can unearth scrap and augment it with elemental material for use in ranged and melee attacks.
Cauldron Override	TAU Overrides
Mountable?	Yes
Type	Acquisition
Class	Midweight
Weak Against	Varies
Strong Against	Varies

Variant Information

Variant	Weak Vs.	Strong Vs.
Acid Bristleback	Shock Damage	Acid Damage
Fire Bristleback	Shock Damage	Fire Damage
Apex Acid Bristleback	Purgewater Damage	Acid Damage
Apex Fire Bristleback	Frost Damage	Fire Damage

Bristleback Components

Main Components

Component	Attributes
Body	None
Tusks	Detachable - Component can be detached with Tear damage. Attack Removal - Disables an attack if detached or destroyed. Destroyed when Killed - Component is destroyed if not detached. Key Upgrade Resource - Component is valuable for upgrading weapons or outfits.
Grinder Discs	Detachable - Component can be detached with Tear damage. Ability Removal - Disables an ability if detached or destroyed. Contains Valuable Resources - Tear off components to loot valuable resources Destroyed when Killed - Component is destroyed if not detached.

Variant Components

Component	Attributes
Acid Canister	Chain Reaction - Triggers an elemental explosion if shot with Acid Damage. Detachable - Component can be detached with Tear damage. Contains Valuable Resources - Tear off component to loot valuable resources Destroyed when Killed - Component is destroyed if not detached.
Blaze Canister	Chain Reaction - Triggers an elemental explosion if shot with Fire Damage. Detachable - Component can be detached with Tear damage. Contains Valuable Resources - Tear off component to loot valuable resources Destroyed when Killed - Component is destroyed if not detached.

Bristleback Item Drops

Body Loot

Item Drop Chances
Metalbite (100% - Acid Variant Only)	Metal Shards (100%)	Blaze (100% - Fire Variant Only)
Sturdy Hardplate (68-69%)	Volatile Sludge (50-51% - Apex Variant Only)	Piercing Spike (50-51% - Apex Variant Only)
Apex Bristleback Heart (43-45% - Apex Variant Only)	Machine Muscle (30-31%)	Bristleback Circulator (22-23%)
Braided Wire (20-21%)	Medium Machine Core (17%)	Bristleback Primary Nerve (15-16%)
Metal Bone (10-11%)

Tusks Loot

Item Drop Chances
Bristleback Tusk (100%)

Grinder Discs Loot

Item Drop Chances
Braided Wire (66-68%)	Piercing Spike (50-51%)	Sturdy Hardplate (33-35%)
Bristleback Circulator (10-11%)

Acid Canister Loot - Acid Bristleback Exclusive

Item Drop Chances
Metalbite (100% - Acid Variant only)

Blaze Canister Loot - Fire Bristleback Exclusive

Item Drop Chances
Blaze (100% - Fire Variant Only)

How to Beat Bristleback

Watch out for those Tusks

A Bristleback's Tusks are its primary offensive weapon. They can be used both for melee and ranged attacks. You can either destroy or detach these, but is highly recommended to detach them as they can be used to upgrade outfits and weapons.

Take out the Grinders

After dealing with Tusks, you can disable a Bristleback's ability by taking out its Grinder Discs. After taking out these components, you can start targeting its body while dodging its charges. Alternatively you can target the canisters on its back to trigger a chain reaction.

Bristleback Map Locations

Horizon Forbidden West Related Guides

List of All Enemy Machines

Machine Types

List of All Machines

List of Enemy Machines
Grazer	Burrower	Scrounger
Leaplasher	Scrapper	Spikesnout
Skydrifter	Plowhorn	Charger
Lancehorn	Longleg	Bristleback
Fanghorn	Redeye Watcher	Widemaw
Clawstrider	Corruptor	Bellowback
Glinthawk	Shell-walker	Stalker
Grimhorn	Ravager	Snapmaw
Sunwing	Clamberjaw	Rollerback
Rockbreaker	Behemoth	Dreadwing
Tideripper	Shellsnapper	Stormbird
Thunderjaw	Frostclaw	Scorcher
Slitherfang	Tremortusk	Fireclaw
Slaughterspine	Tallneck	Specter
Specter Prime