The Skydrifter 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!

Skydrifter Basic Information

Skydrifter
Description	A gliding machine that easily spots and tracks potential threats. Whether in the ar or on the ground, it is fast and agile, and can lash out with its razor-sharp tail and wingtips.
Cauldron Override	IOTA Overrides
Type	Recon
Class	Lightweight
Weak Against	Frost Damage
Strong Against	Fire Damage

Variant Information

Variant	Weak Vs.	Strong Vs.
Apex Skydrifter	Frost Damage	Fire Damage

Skydrifter Components

Main Components

Component	Attributes
Body	None
Scanning Unit	Detachable - Component can be detached with Tear Damage. Ability Removal -Disables an ability if detached or destroyed. Contains Valuable Resources - Tear off component to loot valuable resources. Destroyed When Killed - Component is destroyed if not detached.
Tracking Container	Detachable - Component can be detached with Tear Damage. Ability Removal -Disables an ability if detached or destroyed. Contains Valuable Resources - Tear off component to loot valuable resources. Destroyed When Killed - Component is destroyed if not detached.
Booster	Indestructible - Component cannot be destroyed. Weak Spot - Component is vulnerable to damage.
Antenna	Detachable - Component can be detached with Tear damage. Reinforcement Call Removal - Disables machine reinforcements if detached or destroyed. Contains Valuable Resources - Tear off components to loot valuable resources Destroyed when Killed - Component is destroyed if not detached.
Sparker	Chain Reaction - Triggers an elemental explosion if shot with Shock 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.
Razor Tail	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.

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.

Skydrifter Item Drops

Body Loot

Item Drop Chances
Echo Shell (100%)	Metal Shards (100%)	Skydrifter Circulator (66%)
Apex Skydrifter Heart (60% - Apex Variant Only)	Volatile Sludge (51% - Apex Variant Only)	Piercing Spike (50%)
Skydrifter Primary Nerve (33%)	Machine Muscle (31%)	Braided Wire (21%)
Small Machine Core (17%)	Metal Bone (10%)	Sturdy Hardplate (10%)

Scanning Unit Loot

Item Drop Chances
Braided Wire (67%)	Sturdy Hardplate (34%)	Skydrifter Circulator (10%)

Tracking Container Loot

Item Drop Chances
Braided Wire (66%)	Sturdy Hardplate (35%)	Skydrifter Primary Nerve (10%)

Antenna Loot

Item Drop Chances
Braided Wire (67%)	Sturdy Hardplate (34%)	Skydrifter Primary Nerve (11%)

Sparker Loot

Item Drop Chances
Sparker (100%)

Razor Tail Loot

Item Drop Chances
Skydrifter Razor Tail (100%)

Acid Canister Loot - Apex Skydrifter Exclusive

Item Drop Chances
Metalbite (100%)

How to Beat Skydrifter

Watch out for that Tail

The Razor Tail is the Skydrifter's primary melee weapon. Detach it immediately to disable the Skydrifter's close-range attack. Be careful not to destroy it because this is a valuable resource material for upgrading weapons and outfits.

Take out Scanning Unit

It is always better to approach these machines with Stealth. Destroy the scanning unit to remain undetected and take them out with Precisions Arrows from the shadows.

Avoid Close-Range Combat

These machines are very agile and will out manuever you at close range. If you fail to take out its Razor Tail before it closes the distance, it makes matters worse. Get some distance between you and the Skydrifter and shoot from afar.

Skydrifter 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