D2: Vex Offensive

Vex Offensive Boss. Image: Kotaku

Stephen Totilo (Kotaku) and Austin Wood (PCGamer) recently wrote brief articles on this topic, early in the Season of the Undying. These articles provided assistance to players experiencing some confusion about next steps and procedural details. Here's a quick run-down of the Vex Offensive activity.

The Vex Offensive is accomplished in six-player co-op mode, available to all players with a season pass. Prior to hopping directly into the "Offensive" action, players must complete the "Eyes on the Moon" quest, supplied by Ikora Rey (Tower vendor).

Her quest entails taking part in specific public events on the Moon called Vex Invasions. They are quite noticeable when they begin, since they're identified by a dramatic lightening storm. While waiting for these public events to begin, simply stick around the map area where these "storms" occur, keeping the vicinity clear of enemies (a leisurely sport activity to be sure).

Vex Invasion public event. Image: Kotaku

Once a "storm" begins, lots of Vex materialize. Ikora's quest requires that you dispatch 100 Vex (an easy task). The harder challenge is the bullet-sponge Gate Lord that spawns as part of the public event. The more players taking part in this public event, the better your chances of dispatching the "big guy" quickly.

But wait ... beating the first wave will spawn two, or even three more waves (depending on how quickly the waves are completed). In any case, beating one wave will trigger another wave nearby. Jump on your sparrow and hurry over to the next "storm" event ... and rinse and repeat. If you're quick enough (and have good player participation) a final "storm" appears with an extra-tough Hydra as the final boss challenge. Defeat this boss to earn some good loot. A declaration should pop-up that tells you the Vex Offensive is now available to you. You may have to talk to Eris Morn about it.

At this point it's important to note that your choice of weaponry going into the Vex Offensive will determine how effective you will be. The Offensive features basically every type of Vex enemy; there's a mix of close-range and long-range enemies, so you will need to choose weapons from your inventory wisely, to deal with both enemy types. A solid shotgun will deal with close-range enemies, while a sniper rifle, bow or dependable scout rifle will adequately dispatch long-range enemies. As for your heavy weapon choice, your favourite machine gun or grenade launcher will probably serve you well against the boss' shield.

The Vex Offensive itself takes place in the Black Garden (remember D1?), with a recommended power level of 750. Fight clusters of Vex as you move through the Garden map. Some enemies have Barrier or Overload protection, but these can be overcome with specific mods available via the seasonal artifact. The activity climaxes with the Crotheon Gatekeeper boss fight (yes, another bullet-sponge enemy). Defeat the boss and loot the final chest, with double the loot.

Here's a bit of final action detail. During the pre-boss fight in the first area, multiple Minotaur Gate Technicians will spawn, along with six floating Oracles. Killing these Minotaurs will cause them to drop Void lasers, which you will use to break the Oracles. During the second wave (i.e. 2nd wave fight area), the number of Oracles doubles! Once you get to the final boss area (i.e. 3rd wave fight area), hack the central node to force the boss to spawn. Note that if you're into raids, place and use a raid banner before hacking the central node.

In terms of nodes, there are three in the final boss area: one in the back-right, another in the front-right, and one in the middle. Ignore the boss when he first appears, since he's immune. Instead, go to the back-right node and dispatch enemies that spawn around it. The boss will move towards you, and when he arrives, more Minotaur Gate Technicians will spawn. The Minotaurs will again drop Void lasers upon dying ... and this time, use the lasers against the boss' shield. When his shield drops, you will have 30 seconds of DPS time before his shield restores.

Now move to the front-right node. Rinse and repeat. Then move to the middle node. Rinse and repeat. You shouldn't have a problem beating the boss within three nodes, if your fire team is working well.

Talk to Ikora Rey after your encounter in the Black Garden. She will convince you to return to the Vex Offensive activity to gather more data. Naturally.