You’re wandering through the Chalk Peak region, minding your own business, when you stumble upon the Securement Silo - PSI. It looks like just another dungeon run until you hit the basement. Then you see it. A literal, giant claw machine. Most players call it the Once Human defeat the claw machine silo challenge, but officially, it’s a bizarre, physics-defying boss fight against a sentient piece of arcade equipment known as the Rosetta Containment Unit.
It’s weird. It’s frustrating. It’s exactly the kind of eccentric horror that makes Starry Studio’s survival shooter stand out in a sea of generic post-apocalyptic clones.
If you’ve tried to brute force this fight, you probably died. Fast. The machine doesn’t care about your DPS if you’re standing in the wrong spot, and those grabber claws have a reach that feels downright unfair. This isn't just about shooting a glowing red eye; it’s about understanding a rhythm that feels more like a deadly dance than a standard firefight. Honestly, once you get the mechanics down, you’ll realize the game is basically trolling you with environmental hazards while you’re just trying to get your loot and get out.
Why the PSI Silo Boss is Different
Most bosses in Once Human follow a predictable pattern: dodge the big telegraphed move, shoot the weak point, repeat until the health bar hits zero. The Claw Machine—or the "Arachnoid Crane" as some community members have dubbed it—flips the script. It uses the environment as a weapon. You aren't just fighting a machine; you're fighting the room itself.
The first thing you’ll notice is the verticality. You can’t just sit on the ground level and expect to survive. The machine uses its claws to sweep the floor, and if you get caught, it’s a massive chunk of your HP gone, followed by a potential toss into a lethal zone. You've got to use the walkways. You've got to keep moving. High-level players often fail here because they rely too much on their gear score and not enough on their positioning.
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The Core Mechanics of the Fight
Let's break down what's actually happening when you try to defeat the claw machine silo. The boss has three primary phases, though they bleed into each other depending on how fast you're stripping its health.
First, there’s the Sweep. The claw descends and drags across the floor. To avoid this, you need to be on the elevated platforms or use the pillars for cover, though cover is temporary. The machine can and will smash through light obstacles.
Then come the adds. Rosetta soldiers will swarm the area. These guys aren't just a nuisance; they are a resource. In many Once Human encounters, adds are just there to provide ammo drops, but here, they serve to distract you from the claw’s overhead slam. If you focus too much on the ground troops, you’ll get squashed by the crane.
The "Grab" is the mechanic that gives people nightmares. The machine will target a player, descend rapidly, and attempt to lift them. If you’re playing solo, this is often a run-ender if you don't have enough stamina to dodge-roll out of the target circle. In a group, your teammates can actually shoot the claw to force it to release you, but in a solo run? You’re on your own.
Strategy: Gear and Positioning
Don't go in there with a sniper rifle as your primary. You need mobility. A solid SMG or an Assault Rifle with a high fire rate is your best friend here. Why? Because the weak points on the claw machine are relatively small and they move constantly. You need to be able to "spray and pray" a little bit while you’re sprinting between platforms.
- Bring plenty of Activating Gels. You’re going to take chip damage from the Rosetta soldiers.
- Adrenaline Shots are a must. Especially if you're soloing the PSI silo for the first time.
- Focus on the joints. The glowing blue/purple sections of the crane arms are where you do the real damage.
I’ve seen players try to use the "Frost" or "Burn" builds effectively here, but honestly, raw physical damage or "Shrapnel" builds tend to perform better because the boss doesn't seem to have the same elemental vulnerabilities as the biological Deviants you find in other silos.
Step-by-Step Breakdown to Defeat the Claw Machine Silo
- Enter the Arena and Clear the Perimeter: Don't even look at the claw yet. Take out the snipers on the upper rails. If you leave them alive, they will stagger you right as the claw is about to slam down, leading to an easy death.
- Trigger the First Phase: Damage the central column until the claw starts moving. Once it’s active, get to the middle-tier platforms.
- The Bait and Switch: Wait for the claw to commit to a slam. You’ll see a red circular indicator on the floor. The moment it hits the ground, it stays stationary for about 3 to 5 seconds. This is your window. Dump your entire magazine into the hydraulic joints.
- Managing the Overheat: Occasionally, the machine will vent steam. This obscures your vision and applies a DoT (Damage over Time) effect if you’re too close. Back off. Use this time to reload and pop a healing item.
- The Final Push: When the boss hits 25% health, it goes into a frenzy. The claws move faster, and it starts spawning elite Rosetta units. Don't panic. Stay on the move. Use your tactical items—turrets or drones—to keep the adds busy while you focus purely on the machine’s core.
Common Mistakes People Make
The biggest mistake? Staying in one spot. This isn't a "stand behind a shield" kind of fight. The claw machine is designed to punish static gameplay. If you stand still for more than three seconds, you’re a target.
Another huge error is ignoring the sound cues. Once Human has actually done a great job with the audio design in the PSI silo. You can hear the gears grinding and the steam hissing right before a major attack. If you play with the sound off or with loud music, you’re handicapping yourself. Listen for that high-pitched mechanical whine; that’s your cue to roll.
Some players also forget to check their Sanity levels. The environment in the silo drains your sanity over time, which lowers your max HP. If you've been in there too long trying to figure out the puzzle, you might find yourself with only 40% of your health bar available by the time the boss fight actually starts. Carry Sanity Gummies. Use them frequently.
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The Rewards: Is It Worth the Hassle?
So, why bother? Why put yourself through the ringer to defeat the claw machine silo?
The loot, obviously. The PSI silo is one of the best places to farm for high-tier Weapon and Armor Mods, specifically those that focus on "Elemental Damage" and "Crit Rate." Additionally, you have a chance to drop the "Mini-Feast" Deviant or other rare securement items that are essential for late-game base building and combat buffs.
Beyond the loot, there’s the satisfaction. This is widely considered one of the more "skill-based" encounters in the current build of Once Human. Beating it proves you aren't just a gear-carried player; you actually know how to read mechanics and respond to dynamic threats.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Run
To make your next attempt smoother, keep these final tips in mind:
- Spec into Stamina: Use food buffs that increase your max stamina or stamina regeneration. You will be sprinting and rolling more than you do in almost any other boss fight.
- Use the Pillars: The thick concrete pillars can block the "Sweep" attack, but they won't save you from the "Slam." Know which cover works for which move.
- Upgrade your Cradle: Make sure your Cradle overrides are set to deal extra damage to "Mechanical" or "Rosetta" enemies. It makes a noticeable difference in how many cycles the fight takes.
- Check the Weekly Mod Rotations: If you're looking for a specific legendary mod, check the silo's drop table before heading in. The rewards rotate, and you don't want to burn your controllers on a day when the loot doesn't match your build.
The Claw Machine is a gatekeeper. It stops players who are just clicking on heads and forces them to actually play a survival game. It’s annoying, sure, but it’s also one of the most memorable moments in the Chalk Peak progression. Get your Sanity Gummies ready, check your ammo count, and stop standing in the red circles. You’ll have it down in a couple of tries.
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Next Steps for Players:
Start by checking your current gear for "Physical DMG" buffs, as these are most effective against the machine's casing. Ensure you have at least three "Sanity Gummies" and five "Activating Gels" in your quick-slot bar. Head to the PSI Silo in Chalk Peak and focus exclusively on the snipers during the first 60 seconds of the boss encounter to clear your line of sight.