Ravager

The Ravager is a machine found in North America. It is a medium-sized apex combat machine, feared because of its ferocity and its powerful energy cannon. Like other combat machines, it was designed and developed by artificial intelligence (AI) HEPHAESTUS to protect Zero Dawn terraforming machines from predation by humans.

Utility

AI Use: Ravagers are deployed either as protection for herds of terraforming machines or to patrol near established human travel routes, especially in areas where herds of terraforming machines work. It may be surmised that HEPHAESTUS deploys them in this manner to deter humans from entering areas where herds are working. Ravagers attack humans on sight, opening fire with their cannons before the human even comes close enough to be engaged with melee attacks.
Human Use: Ravagers are used as machines of war and border protection, by the Sundom and Dovahnor to attack humans. They are also used in fighting pits for entertainment. Ravagers are a particular favorite in the Sundom.

Complexity

Ravagers have a similar appearance to Sawtooths: heavyset at the front, with a large, broad chest, neck, and shoulders, powerful legs, and no tail. However a Ravager’s chassis is leaner, and more closely resembles that of a large dog, although not as canine in appearance as that of the Scorcher. Additionally, instead of the metallic longitudinal crest of yellow-tipped spines seen on the backs of Sawtooths, Ravagers have a rapid-fire energy pulse cannon, dubbed a Ravager Cannon. The Ravager can swivel this weapon to aim it. The Ravager is quadrupedal, with clawed feet and a head with a toothy snout. Unlike the Sawtooth, its armor plating overlaps across its head, shoulders, back, and front legs. This increases the armor’s effectiveness. A canister of Chillwater is ensconced in its chest, in a similar manner to a Sawtooth’s Blaze canister. This is possibly used as a coolant. Similar to the Sawtooth, this canister is exposed initially but will be covered in armor plating once it evolves.
Ravagers employ their cannons to attack at range. Up close, they employ the same ferocious melee attacks as a Sawtooth. Additionally, Ravagers employ a defensive electric attack against enemies within a specific radius. However, like Sawtooths, they are vulnerable to weapons that utilize fire.

Discovery

Unlike the Zero Dawn terraforming machines, which were designed and controlled by Zero Dawn’s governing AI GAIA, the Ravager was designed by HEPHAESTUS, which had previously manufactured the machines under GAIA’s direction. When GAIA self-destructed, HEPHAESTUS gained absolute control over machine design and management as well as the manufacture of at least five of Zero Dawn‘s machine manufacturing cauldrons. Hostile toward humans for their predations on the terraforming machines for parts and resources, HEPHAESTUS made the machines hostile to humans, a phenomenon the tribes call the Derangement. It then began producing Ravagers and other combat machines as the next logical step in protection.