View Full-size

Override as part of the main story. The Watcher is one of the first machines you will come across in the beginning of the game, whenever you have control of adult Aloy. It is an agile reconnaissance unit that is basically there to keep watch over other machines, although you tend to see this less often in later areas. Despite its basic function, it does pose a little challenge in combat. It typically opens up by charging up its eye and releasing a blinding light, then continues its assault by either trying to lunge at you if you’re far enough away or swinging around its tail if you’re close enough. Also, if you’re really far away or on the other side of water (it can’t cross), then it will fire a single projectile from its eye.

You can pretty much find Watchers almost everywhere in the game, as they tend to be with other machines, especially in the beginning areas. Watchers are one of the easiest machines in the game, simply because it is quite simple to kill them. If you choose stealth, you can use Lure Call to get one’s attention, then aim carefully at its eye, with pretty much the starting bow able to one-shot if it hits. Its body is a little more durable, although it has no weaknesses or strengths. Basically, aim for the eye to quickly take out a Watcher.

There is another variant of the Watcher called the Redeye Watcher. It has the same moves as the normal one, as well as the same drops. The only differences between the two is that the Redeye has more health and defense, and it also seems to shoot its eye laser more often. Shooting it in its eye is still the most effective strategy.