Ah, Guardian. So, you want to face the Vanguard Ops playlist alone? A bold choice. The path ahead is full of challenges, but with the right mindset, build, and a bit of a strategic approach, you'll be a one-Guardian army in no time. Let's get you ready to prove your mettle to Zavala.
Step 1: Embracing the Solo Mindset and Understanding the Challenge
First things first, let's talk about why you're doing this. Are you chasing that elusive pinnacle gear, grinding for a specific weapon roll, or simply looking to test your skills without the chaos of a fireteam? Whatever your reason, the key to success is patience and precision. You are no longer just one of three; you are the only one.
You won't have teammates to revive you, to draw aggro, or to cover your flanks. Every decision you make, every enemy you engage, and every step you take needs to be deliberate. The Vanguard Ops playlist, a mix of strikes and battlegrounds, is designed for a fireteam of three. So, going solo means you'll be dealing with the same number of enemies and the same boss health, but with only a third of the firepower.
This is where your build truly shines. You can't rely on randoms to have the right Champion mods or a coordinated super rotation. You are the Champion-stunner, the add-clearer, the boss-damager, and the objective-completer, all rolled into one. Are you ready to embrace the challenge? Good. Let's move on.
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| How To Do Vanguard Ops Solo |
Step 2: Gearing Up - Your Arsenal and Armor
Your gear is the foundation of your solo success. You need a loadout that is versatile, powerful, and synergizes with your subclass.
Sub-heading: Choosing Your Class and Subclass
While any class can solo Vanguard Ops, some are inherently better at it due to their survivability and utility.
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Warlock: The Ultimate Survivor. A Solar Warlock with Well of Radiance is a classic for a reason. The constant healing and damage buff from Well and Restoration make you nearly unkillable in key moments, especially during boss fights. A Void Warlock with the Devour buff is another excellent choice, as every kill regenerates your health and grenade energy, turning you into a grenade-chucking, self-healing machine.
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Hunter: The Master of Evasion. A Void Hunter with the Omnioculus Exotic chest piece is a top-tier choice. The ability to go invisible at will allows you to bypass difficult sections, revive yourself in a pinch, and reposition to safety. An Arc Hunter with Assassin's Cowl for invisibility on melee final blows can also be incredibly potent.
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Titan: The Unmovable Object. A Solar Titan with the Loreley Splendor Helm or a Synthoceps build can be a powerhouse. You can generate Sunspots for healing and damage buffs, and with a good hammer-throwing loop, you'll be an unstoppable force of nature. For sheer resilience, a Void Titan with a focus on Overshields is also a very strong option.
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Sub-heading: Picking Your Weapons and Mods
Your weapon loadout needs to be able to handle both minor enemies and major threats.
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Primary Weapon: A good workhorse primary is essential for clearing out red-bar enemies and generating ammo. A good Auto Rifle, Hand Cannon, or SMG is a great choice. Consider a weapon with a perk like Subsistence or Demolitionist for constant ammo or ability regeneration.
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Special Weapon: This is where you bring the hurt. A good Shotgun or Fusion Rifle is excellent for dealing with majors and for close-quarters boss damage. A Grenade Launcher or Sniper Rifle can be great for a more distanced playstyle.
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Heavy Weapon: Your boss-melting tool. A good Rocket Launcher with Explosive Light or a Machine Gun with Target Lock can make short work of bosses. A Linear Fusion Rifle is also a solid choice for sustained damage.
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Champion Mods: This is critical. Before you even launch the activity, check the modifiers to see which Champion types are present. You must have a way to deal with them. Equip the appropriate Anti-Barrier, Overload, or Unstoppable mods on your arms.
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Solo Run
Now, let's break down the run itself.
Step 3.1: Launching the Activity
Head to the Vanguard Operations playlist in your Director. Don't worry about the matchmaking. You're going in solo, so you'll be the only one in your fireteam. This is exactly what we want.
Step 3.2: Traversing the Strike
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Don't Rush: There's no one to race. Take your time, clear rooms methodically, and use cover. Don't push into a group of enemies without a plan. Peek corners, use your grenades, and thin the herd before you advance.
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Focus on Objectives: Strikes often have objective-based sections. Focus on completing them and don't get sidetracked by enemies you don't need to fight.
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Generate Orbs of Power: Use your super and grenade abilities to generate Orbs of Power. These will fuel your super and other abilities, so pick them up whenever possible.
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Know the Modifiers: Before you start, check the modifiers. Surges increase your elemental damage, and Threats increase the incoming elemental damage from enemies. Adjust your build accordingly. For example, if there's a Solar Surge, make sure you're using a Solar subclass and weapons.
Step 3.3: Handling Champions
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
Champions are your biggest hurdle. They can regenerate health, shut down your abilities, or simply overwhelm you.
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Be Prepared: Before you enter an area with a Champion, have your anti-Champion weapon ready and your ability charged.
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Use Your Stun: Stun the Champion as soon as you can. This will give you a window to do massive damage.
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Focus Fire: Once stunned, unload all your heavy and special weapon ammo into them. Don't waste time on anything else.
Step 3.4: Conquering the Boss
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This is the final test of your solo run.
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Phase it Out: Most bosses have distinct phases. Learn the boss's attack patterns and what triggers the next phase.
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Use Cover: Don't stand in the open. Find a safe spot to take cover and deal damage from.
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Manage Adds: The boss fight will often have waves of adds. Clear the adds first. They can easily overwhelm you if you ignore them.
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Unleash the Super: Use your super on the boss when you have a clear shot and a damage window. A good super can easily take out a large chunk of their health.
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Be Patient: The boss fight will take longer than it would with a fireteam. Don't get greedy with your damage. A few well-placed shots from a safe position are better than a reckless push that gets you killed.
Step 4: The Aftermath and Your Reward
You did it! You've successfully completed a Vanguard Op solo. Now, enjoy your rewards. Your reputation with Zavala will increase, and you'll get a nice loot drop at the end. Rinse and repeat to get those sweet loot rolls and to prove to yourself that you are a force to be reckoned with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to choose the best subclass for solo Vanguard Ops?
Choosing the best subclass depends on your playstyle. For survivability, Warlock's Well of Radiance or Void with Devour are top-tier. For evasion and utility, Hunter's invisibility is unmatched. For brute force, a Solar Titan with a strong melee build is excellent.
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
How to deal with all three Champion types solo?
You need to equip the appropriate anti-Champion mods on your arms. Use an Anti-Barrier weapon for Barrier Champions, a weapon with the Overload mod for Overload Champions, and a weapon with the Unstoppable mod for Unstoppable Champions. You can't rely on your fireteam, so you need to be able to handle all of them yourself.
How to get a good build for solo play?
Focus on armor mods that provide ability regeneration, healing, or damage resistance. Mods like "Well of Life," "Elemental Ordnance," and "Protective Light" are great for solo survivability. Look for armor with high resilience, recovery, and discipline stats.
How to make boss fights more manageable?
Prioritize clearing out the adds, as they can quickly overwhelm you. Use cover, learn the boss's attack patterns, and use your heavy weapon and super during damage phases. Don't be afraid to retreat and heal if needed.
How to find the weekly Vanguard modifiers?
You can see the weekly modifiers by hovering over the Vanguard Ops playlist in the Director before you launch the activity. This is crucial for planning your build and weapon loadout.
QuickTip: Stop and think when you learn something new.
How to deal with tough sections without dying?
Use your super and abilities to clear out waves of enemies. Don't be afraid to use your super for survivability or to escape a difficult situation. Invisibility (on Hunter) is a lifesaver for getting out of sticky situations.
How to get the Vanguard reputation streak bonus?
Simply stay in the Vanguard Ops playlist and complete strikes back-to-back. Do not go to a different destination or log out, as this will reset your streak. You can go to the Tower or H.E.L.M. without breaking it.
How to make the runs faster?
While speed isn't the primary goal, a good build and a solid understanding of the strike's layout will make your runs more efficient. Use your mobility abilities and supers to traverse the map quickly and clear groups of enemies.
How to avoid getting overrun by enemies?
Use crowd control abilities like grenades and supers to control the battlefield. Don't get surrounded. Always have an escape route or a piece of cover to fall back to.
How to practice for solo Grandmaster Nightfalls?
Soloing regular Vanguard Ops is a great way to hone your skills for higher-level content like Grandmaster Nightfalls. Start with regular strikes, then move on to Hero or Legend difficulty Nightfalls to get a feel for the modifiers and Champions at a higher power level.
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