To find an Apex Thunderjaw in Horizon Forbidden West, go to a Thunderjaw machine site and visit it at night. Apex variants are reported to appear mostly at night, but they do not spawn on every visit, and no source gives a guaranteed site, exact coordinates, or a kill count that unlocks one. Expect to make several night trips before one appears.
What an Apex Thunderjaw is
The Apex Thunderjaw is a variant of the Thunderjaw machine, not a separate species or a scripted boss. PowerPyx’s Thunderjaw reference lists both the standard and Apex versions as variants of the same machine (PowerPyx, Horizon Forbidden West: Thunderjaw). That matters for the search: you are looking for a rarer version of a machine that already roams the same regions, so the standard Thunderjaw is your starting point.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition - PS5™ | $50.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Horizon Forbidden West Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 | $41.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Horizon Forbidden West Standard Edition - PlayStation 4 | $29.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Horizon Forbidden West (PS4) | $32.30 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
PlayStation Horizon Forbidden West Aloy 6" Deluxe Figure | $24.18 | Buy on Amazon |
Where to look
Thunderjaws are found at machine sites, and the variant that spawns there is mostly random. Work through the sites in this order:
- Pick a Thunderjaw site on your map. Use the Machine Catalogue and PowerPyx’s machine location guide to confirm that Thunderjaws are among the machines you can meet, then mark a site you can reach without a long detour. PowerPyx’s All Machine Locations page is dated 2022, so check that the site still holds a Thunderjaw when you arrive.
- Set the time to night. Rest at a campfire or shelter to advance the clock. PowerPyx says Apex variants appear mostly at night.
- Travel to the site and check what spawns. If you find an Apex, scan it and start the fight. If you find a standard Thunderjaw and you need its loot, defeat it and return at a later night.
- Repeat with another night visit or another site. If no Apex appears, try again on a later night or move to a different Thunderjaw site, and keep a note of which sites and times you have already tried.
Why you may need several visits
The spawn is not guaranteed, and a single visit tells you little. PowerPyx describes variant spawns as mostly random, so a daytime visit or a standard Thunderjaw does not mean the site is wrong. Community players on Steam describe the same inconsistency (Steam Community, “can’t find an apex thunderjaw help!”, 2025). Plan on several night visits across more than one site rather than waiting at a single location.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience the epic Horizon Forbidden West in its entirety, including bonus content and the Burning Shores expansion:
- Brave an expansive open world – discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier – explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers – engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries – uncover the secret behind Earth’s imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past… one that will change Aloy forever.
Does defeating regular Thunderjaws help?
Some players report that killing standard Thunderjaws makes an Apex more likely, and a video guide for Thunderjaw locations covers the same routine of revisiting sites (Quick Guides, “THUNDERJAW LOCATION Horizon 2 Forbidden West”, 2022). Treat this as a player tip, not a rule. The reports are anecdotal, they disagree about how many standard kills are needed, and no source establishes a threshold for a site or for the game as a whole. Defeating standard machines is still worth doing when you need their parts, because it gives you a return visit anyway.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Confirming the parts you need
PlayStation recommends scanning machines before you fight them. Its official Horizon Forbidden West page says: “Take some time to properly scan the machines and enemies of the Forbidden West; doing so will reveal vast amounts of information” (PlayStation, Horizon Forbidden West). Scanning a machine reveals its parts and tags them, which makes it easier to tell whether the Thunderjaw you found is the Apex and what it will drop.
Rank #2
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
PowerPyx’s Thunderjaw page lists the Apex Thunderjaw Heart among the Thunderjaw’s loot, so the heart is the component to confirm in the Machine Catalogue before you commit to a long hunt.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DELUXE 6 INCH ALOY FIGURE: Aloy comes to life with over 250 unique finishes and textures to bring this hero figure from the world of Horizon Forbidden West right into your hands
- 42 POINTS OF ARTICULATION: Pose Aloy dynamically with articulated fiery red hair, joints and more to recreate action scenes from the PS5 games
- 15 ACCESSORIES: Aloy is battle-ready with 6 face plates, 6 hand sets, and her hunting essentials—bow, spear, arrow, and quiver—to face the wild machines. Customize her entire arsenal
- DELUXE DISPLAY BOX: Showcase Aloy and additional PlayStation action figures (sold separately) like from The Last of Us and God of War in this fold open design, an official licensed product of PlayStation
- TOYS & GAMES FOR ALL: Presented by Spin Master, the creators of kids toys for boys & toys for girls who love collectibles, toy figures & playsets. Ideal holiday gift, or birthday gifts for all ages
Rank #4
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past… one that will change Aloy forever.
Rank #3
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
What the sources do and do not establish
- Established: the Apex is a variant of the Thunderjaw, Apex variants are reported to appear mostly at night, and the Apex Thunderjaw Heart is listed as Thunderjaw loot.
- Not established: a guaranteed Apex site, exact map coordinates, a spawn-rate percentage, or a required number of standard kills.
- Dating: the location guide and Thunderjaw reference are from 2022, and the Steam thread is from 2025. Spawn behavior can change with game updates, so treat the night-and-retry approach as the practical method rather than a confirmed rule.
“
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
