Gemini is the toughest to complete to progress in the main story out of the six cauldrons in Horizon Forbidden West. You will get to this cauldron after the 13th mission; many players who tried visiting here early could not play through the mission. Therefore, a recommendation of being at level 30 is mandatory to get the mission and explore the Gemini Cauldron.
During the main quest, you must get help from Beta and Varl to move Gaia. During your last conversation with Gaia, she will ask if you want to visit the cauldron or continue speaking to her. You need to choose the “Let’s go to Gemini” option to proceed to the next area.
The Gemini Cauldron is a complicated area with high-level enemies lurking around. You must take lots of acid and purgewater damage dealing weapons. This guide will help you navigate through the Cauldron: Gemini in Horizon Forbidden West.
Cauldron: Gemini Location in Horizon Forbidden West
During the Gemini main quest, after you have convinced Beta, talk to GAIA and accept her request to go to the cauldron. This cauldron is located between the Arrowhand and Sky’s Sentry Settlements and is on the western side of Tallneck: The Shining Wastes.
After installing Gaia to the core, you need to connect her to the Cauldron Network. This connection will let HEPHAESTUS on the loose. Your first objective would be to protect Beta during the raging attack of Behemoth and Ravager.
Defeating Behemoth and Ravager
Focus on taking out Ravager first and use its cannon against Behemoth.
As soon as you see the Ravager charging in the room, hurry to set traps and equip Hunter Bow. When you see the target near the trap, aim and fire some arrows at the weak point behind it. Once you have weakened the enemy, remove its cannon with tearblast and use it to fire from its behind.
As for Behemoth, you need to use Fire and Acid attacks to trigger elemental explosions that will cause great damage to the machine.
Return to Beta and Varl
Once you have taken out both machines, head back to Beta and Varl and get the next objective of the quest.
Pursue HEPHAESTUS Into the Cauldron
To track HEPHAESTUS, you need to reach the triangular opening near the Cauldron Network. Cross the opening, use Shieldwing to glide to the other side, and then use Pullcaster to reveal a climbing point.
You will find two triangular openings here. The glowing green light will contain some supplies, while the one near the white lights is where you need to go. Machines are working on a containment on the other side of the opening. Use Shieldwing to glide to ground level.
Force HEPHAESTUS Back to the Core
Head toward the northwest opening and climb the poles to get to the moving mechanism to get to the next area. You will encounter some Longlegs and an Apex Leaplasher here.
Clear out the area and get to the Network Uplink at the central top of the area. Hephaestus will again play a smart move, stop the override, and send more enemies for you to fight.
First, you must fight your way through two Leaplashers and a Grimhorn. Both of these machines are weak against Purgewater, and the recommended strategy to tackle all three machines here is to keep rotating and dodging the attacks while focusing on Leaplashers at the beginning and then at the Leaplashers. Once both machines are defeated, interact with the Network Uplink again; this time, it will be overridden.
Head north from the network node, and you will see more machines. Weaken them from a distance and drop down to finish them off, or use poles to bypass them without noticing.
Head toward the north side opening to get to the second chamber. Use the ledge to grapple on the poles so you don’t drop down. From here, you need to get to the platform on the east side.
On the other side, use the pole to reach the platform in the northeast direction and use the cable to get to the second chamber. You will be up against a Spikesnout, a Clawstrider, a Fire Bellowback, and a few Apex Redeye Watchers. Take out all the machines, but deal with Spikesnout first to save yourself from weakening from the Vapor Cloud.
After taking down all of the machines, override the Network Uplink. Your next task is to head to the Assembly Chamber, where you will fight the final boss enemy.
How to Defeat Slaughterspine in Cauldron: Gemini?
Suffice it to say that the level 45 Slaughterspine will be difficult to defeat. Start by using focus to highlight all of the machine’s weak points.
Slaughterspine is weak against the Purgewater and Frost attacks. Anything else will do reduced damage. Watch out for its plasma attacks and use rocks to avoid getting hit. Try to destroy the Plasma Earthblaster first so you’ll be able to throw attacks directly at the core of the machine to deal a ton of damage.
After defeating Slaughterspine, override the last network uplink and return to the core to complete the Cauldron Gemini.
Cauldron Gemini Overrides & Rewards
The Cauldron Gemini provides the following rewards upon completion.
- 24,000 XP
- 2 Skill Points
Along with these rewards, you’ll gain access to an override. Simply interact with the core to gain access to The Sunwing. This is one of the faster override machines in Horizon Forbidden West, so all your hard work has paid off!
