Infiltrate the Dreadnaught
This guide covers the mission "Infiltrate the Dreadnaught," which serves as your Guardian's harrowing first steps onto Oryx's colossal flagship. Unlike the previous mission, "The Coming War," which involved a Cabal base on Phobos, this mission plunges you directly into the heart of the Taken King's domain. Your primary objective is to gain a foothold on the Dreadnaught and establish a transmat zone for future operations.
Prepare for a relentless engagement against both the Cabal and the Taken, as these two forces are locked in a brutal struggle for control of the Dreadnaught. You'll often find yourself caught in the crossfire, or strategically using their conflict to your advantage.
Mission Walkthrough: Establishing a Foothold
Upon transmatting onto the Dreadnaught, you'll find yourself in a desolate, war-torn corridor. The air is thick with the scent of ozone and the distant sounds of battle. Your Ghost will immediately begin scanning for a suitable transmat zone, but the path forward is anything but clear.
- Initial Engagement & The Hull Breach:
- Location: Dreadnaught Hull Breach.
- Enemies: Expect an immediate ambush from Cabal Phalanxes, Legionaries, and Psions. These are standard Cabal units, but their numbers can be significant.
- Strategy: Utilize the abundant cover. Prioritize Psions to prevent their devastating Psion Blasts and duplication abilities. Phalanxes with their shields can be bypassed with grenades or flanked.
- Objective: Clear the initial area and proceed through the damaged hull.
- The Warring Factions:
- Location: Intersecting corridors and larger chambers within the Dreadnaught's outer layers.
- Enemies: This is where you'll first witness the brutal conflict between the Cabal and the Taken. You'll encounter Taken Psions, Taken Phalanxes, and Taken Acolytes, often fighting alongside or against Cabal Legionaries and Centurions.
- Strategy: Observe the battle. Sometimes, letting the two factions weaken each other before you engage can be highly effective. Focus fire on the more immediate threat or the more dangerous enemy types (e.g., Taken Psions' Axion Darts, Taken Phalanxes' shield blasts). Be mindful of the Taken's unique abilities, such as teleportation and blinding effects.
- Common Pitfall: Getting caught between both forces. Use long-range weapons to pick off enemies from a distance before closing in.
- Navigating the Dreadnaught's Interior:
- Location: Deeper into the Dreadnaught, through winding passages and larger, more ornate chambers.
- Enemies: The enemy composition will become more varied, introducing Taken Knights, Taken Wizards, and Cabal Colossi.
- Strategy:
- Taken Knights: Their shields are formidable. Use elemental damage that matches their shield (Solar for Hive/Taken Knights) or focus fire with high-impact weapons.
- Taken Wizards: These are high-priority targets due to their Void blasts and ability to summon additional Taken. Disrupt their attacks and take them down quickly.
- Cabal Colossi: Their heavy machine guns can suppress you effectively. Aim for their weak spots (the coolant tanks on their backs) or use grenades to stagger them.
- Environmental Hazards: Look out for explosive barrels and energy conduits that can be used to your advantage. Some areas may have environmental traps or energy fields that need to be navigated carefully.
- Securing the Transmat Zone:
- Location: A large, open chamber, often with a central platform or console.
- Enemies: This will be a more intense, multi-wave encounter. Expect a mix of all previously encountered Cabal and Taken units, including several high-tier enemies like Taken Captains (with their blinding darkness blasts) and Cabal Centurions.
- Objective: Your Ghost will need to hack a console or activate a beacon to establish the transmat zone. This process will take time, during which you must defend the area.
- Strategy:
- Area Control: Use Supers and heavy weapons to clear waves quickly. Grenades are excellent for crowd control.
- Prioritize Threats: Focus on enemies that can disrupt your Ghost's progress or deal significant damage (e.g., Taken Captains, Wizards, Colossi).
- Maintain Cover: The area will be swarming. Stick to cover and use your abilities strategically. Don't be afraid to retreat to a safer position if overwhelmed.
Recommended Loadout & Strategy Tips
- Primary Weapon: An Auto Rifle or Pulse Rifle is excellent for managing multiple enemies and sustained fire. Scout Rifles can be effective for picking off targets at range in larger chambers.
- Special Weapon: A Shotgun is invaluable for close-quarters engagements against Phalanxes or when dealing with swarms of enemies. A Fusion Rifle can also be effective against shielded targets.
- Heavy Weapon: A Machine Gun for sustained damage against high-health targets or Rocket Launcher for clearing groups.
- Subclass Choice:
- Hunter: Nightstalker (Shadowshot for crowd control and orb generation) or Gunslinger (Golden Gun for high-priority targets).
- Titan: Defender (Ward of Dawn for protection during transmat zone defense) or Striker (Fist of Havoc for clearing groups).
- Warlock: Sunsinger (Radiance for self-resurrection or increased ability cooldowns) or Stormcaller (Stormtrance for clearing multiple enemies).
- Artifacts: Consider artifacts that boost intellect or discipline for more frequent Super and grenade use.
- Teamwork (if applicable): If playing with a fireteam, coordinate Supers and focus fire on priority targets. Have one player focus on clearing adds while another handles tougher enemies.
Common Pitfalls & What to Watch Out For
- Taken Psion Duplication: These enemies can quickly overwhelm you if not dealt with. Prioritize them immediately.
- Taken Captain Blinds: The blinding effect from Taken Captains can be disorienting and leave you vulnerable. Try to take them down from a distance or use grenades to stagger them.
- Cabal Phalanx Shields: Don't waste precious ammo on their shields head-on. Flank them, use grenades, or aim for their exposed feet.
- Environmental Awareness: The Dreadnaught is a dangerous place. Be aware of explosive objects, bottomless pits, and areas where enemies can flank you easily.
- Running out of Ammo: Keep an eye on your ammo reserves, especially for heavy weapons. Utilize primary weapons for weaker enemies to conserve special and heavy ammo for tougher encounters.
Successfully completing "Infiltrate the Dreadnaught" marks a significant milestone in your fight against Oryx. You've established a vital beachhead, opening up the Dreadnaught for further exploration and operations. Prepare for even greater challenges as you delve deeper into the Taken King's fortress.
