Mastering Atheon: Ultimate Cheese Strategies For Destiny's Vault Of Glass

Atheon, Time's Conflux, is the final boss of the Vault of Glass raid in Destiny, and cheesing him refers to exploiting mechanics or glitches to defeat him more easily than intended. One of the most infamous strategies involves the relic holder method, where a player with the Relic continuously damages Atheon while the rest of the team avoids his teleportation mechanic. Another popular cheese involves using specific positioning and timing to skip phases or avoid his teleport entirely. While these methods can streamline the encounter, they often require precise coordination and knowledge of the raid's mechanics. However, Bungie has patched many of these exploits over the years, making them less reliable in current versions of the game.

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Exploit Safe Zones: Use specific areas to avoid damage during Time’s Vengeance, ensuring survival

Atheon's Time's Vengeance is a devastating attack that can wipe an entire fireteam in seconds. However, savvy guardians have discovered specific safe zones within the Vault of Glass raid that allow players to avoid damage during this phase. These areas are typically located near the edges of the map, where the cascading time distortions do not reach. By positioning yourself in these zones, you can focus on damaging Atheon without the constant threat of being erased from existence.

To effectively exploit these safe zones, communication and coordination are key. Assign specific areas to each fireteam member, ensuring everyone knows their designated spot. Popular safe zones include the pillars near the Oracle's entrance and the corners of the central platform. During Time's Vengeance, move swiftly to your assigned area, avoiding the expanding time distortions. Remember, these zones are not completely immune to damage, so stay alert for stray attacks from Atheon or his supplicants.

One common mistake is assuming that safe zones are a guaranteed survival tactic. While they significantly reduce damage, they are not foolproof. Atheon's teleportation ability can still bring him close to these areas, and his ranged attacks may occasionally clip through the edges. To mitigate this risk, maintain a safe distance from the zone's boundaries and prioritize suppressing Atheon's teleportation with Relic abilities. Additionally, ensure your fireteam has a designated healer or support class to provide emergency recovery if someone takes unexpected damage.

For maximum efficiency, combine safe zone exploitation with other cheese strategies. For instance, pair this tactic with the "relic holder" method, where one player uses the Relic to suppress Atheon's abilities while the rest of the team focuses on damage from their safe zones. Alternatively, use the "sniper cheese" approach, positioning long-range weapons in safe zones to pick off Atheon from a distance. By integrating these techniques, you can minimize risk and maximize damage output, turning Time's Vengeance into a manageable phase rather than a raid-ending catastrophe.

Relay Defense Skip: Bypass relay defense mechanics to speed up damage phases efficiently

In Destiny 2's Vault of Glass raid, the Atheon encounter is a complex dance of mechanics, but the Relay Defense Skip offers a strategic shortcut. This technique allows teams to bypass the time-consuming relay defense phase, significantly speeding up the damage phases and reducing overall encounter duration. By exploiting specific positioning and timing, players can avoid the need to defend the relays, focusing instead on maximizing damage output.

To execute the Relay Defense Skip, coordination and precision are key. The team must first ensure that all players are positioned correctly before engaging Atheon. One player, typically a Hunter with high mobility, volunteers to be the "runner." This runner must sprint through the portal and immediately turn left, hugging the wall to avoid detection by the Supplicants. The timing is critical: the runner must enter the portal as soon as Atheon begins his teleportation animation, ensuring the encounter progresses without triggering the relay defense phase.

A successful skip relies on several factors. First, the team must manage their damage output to keep Atheon's health at a specific threshold before the skip. If Atheon's health is too low, he will teleport prematurely, disrupting the skip. Second, the runner must have optimal mobility stats and practice the route to ensure consistency. Finally, the team must communicate clearly to synchronize actions, as a single mistake can reset the encounter.

While the Relay Defense Skip is efficient, it is not without risks. Failing to execute the skip correctly can result in a wipe, wasting time and resources. Additionally, this strategy requires a high level of skill and practice, making it less accessible to casual teams. However, for experienced groups, mastering this technique can shave several minutes off the encounter, making it a valuable tool for speed runs and challenge modes.

In conclusion, the Relay Defense Skip is a high-reward strategy for bypassing the relay defense mechanics in the Atheon encounter. It demands precision, coordination, and practice but offers significant time savings for skilled teams. By focusing on positioning, timing, and communication, players can streamline the damage phases and tackle Atheon with greater efficiency. This technique exemplifies the depth of Destiny 2's raid mechanics and the creativity of its player base in optimizing encounters.

Damage Phase Optimization: Coordinate supers and weapons for maximum DPS during vulnerable windows

Atheon's Time's Vengeance is a brutal mechanic, and maximizing damage during his vulnerable windows is crucial for a smooth cheese. Forget random super activations and weapon swaps; success hinges on precise coordination.

Step 1: The Super Symphony

Designate a clear order for super activations. Hunters should prioritize Celestial Nighthawk Golden Gun for massive single-target damage. Warlocks, save your Novas for add control during the damage phase, then unleash a well-timed Nova Bomb for maximum impact. Titans, your Thundercrash is your ace. Coordinate with your team to ensure Atheon is stunned by a well-placed bubble or suppression grenade *just before* the Thundercrash connects.

Aim for a staggered super rotation, avoiding overlap to maintain constant pressure.

Step 2: Weapon Harmony

Ditch the special ammo crutch. During the damage phase, focus on high-impact, high-damage primaries. Linear fusion rifles like Arbalest or Reed's Regret excel at piercing Atheon's shields. For a more aggressive approach, swords like Falling Guillotine or Crown-Splitter can deal significant damage during the short vulnerable window.

Step 3: The Dance of Positioning

Positioning is key. Designate a "damage dealer" to stand directly in front of Atheon, maximizing their weapon's effectiveness. Other team members should flank, focusing on add control and providing support supers. Remember, staying within the relic's buff range is crucial for survival.

Caution: Avoid clustering too closely. Atheon's attacks can decimate a tightly packed group.

The Takeaway:

Damage phase optimization is a delicate ballet of supers, weapons, and positioning. By meticulously planning your team's abilities and roles, you can transform Atheon's vulnerable windows into a symphony of destruction, paving the way for a successful cheese.

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Oracle Prioritization: Focus on oracles in a specific order to prevent wipes and save time

In the Atheon encounter, oracles demand immediate attention, as leaving them unchecked triggers a wipe. However, not all oracles are created equal. Prioritizing them in a specific order minimizes risk and streamlines the fight. Start with the leftmost oracle (from Atheon’s perspective) during the first set. This oracle spawns closest to the center platform, making it the most accessible and reducing the time Guardians spend exposed to Time’s Vengeance. Next, target the rightmost oracle, as it’s often the farthest and requires precise positioning to avoid falling into the abyss. Leave the center oracle for last, as its location allows for quick cleanup without forcing players into dangerous positions.

This strategy isn’t just about location—it’s about risk management. The left and right oracles, when left unattended, force players into tight spaces or expose them to environmental hazards. By eliminating these first, you reduce the chance of accidental deaths or missteps. Additionally, focusing on the center oracle last ensures that any remaining damage can be quickly addressed without disrupting the team’s flow. For example, if a Warlock uses a Well of Radiance, placing it near the center oracle allows for efficient cleanup while maintaining buff coverage.

A common mistake is targeting oracles based on convenience rather than strategy. Shooting the closest oracle first might feel intuitive, but it often leads to Guardians clustering in unsafe zones or neglecting high-risk targets. Instead, assign roles: have one Guardian call out oracle order and ensure everyone adheres to it. Use a timed rotation—for instance, left oracle at 10 seconds, right at 20 seconds, and center at 30 seconds—to keep the team synchronized. This structured approach prevents chaos and ensures no oracle is overlooked.

Finally, consider the encounter phase when prioritizing. During the first set of oracles, strict adherence to the left-right-center order is critical. However, in later phases, when Time’s Vengeance pressure increases, flexibility becomes key. If a Guardian is trapped in the past, adjust the order to focus on the oracle closest to the remaining players. This adaptive prioritization balances efficiency with survival, ensuring the team can handle unexpected setbacks without wiping. Master this order, and you’ll not only save time but also transform a chaotic encounter into a controlled, repeatable strategy.

Supers for Stasis Freeze: Use stasis supers to freeze Atheon, extending damage phase duration

Stasis Supers offer a tactical edge in the fight against Atheon, Time's Conflux, by leveraging freeze effects to prolong the damage phase. Warlocks with Shadebinder, Titans wielding Behemoth, and Hunters using Revenant can all contribute to this strategy. The key lies in coordinating Super activations to maximize freeze duration, ensuring Atheon remains immobilized for extended periods. This approach not only increases DPS windows but also reduces the risk of wipes caused by his teleport or detonation mechanics.

To execute this effectively, prioritize Super energy management throughout the encounter. Warlocks should focus on generating shards via Penumbral Blast or Winter’s Wrath to fuel Glacial Harvest, while Titans and Hunters must balance melee abilities and ability cooldowns to charge their Supers efficiently. A well-timed Shatterdive from a Revenant Hunter can also reset freeze durations, further extending the damage phase. Communication is critical—ensure all Stasis users are aware of the rotation order to avoid overlapping Supers and wasting freeze potential.

One practical tip is to pair Stasis Supers with high-damage, slow-recharge weapons like Izanagi's Burden or Divinity. While one player freezes Atheon, others can focus on maximizing precision damage. Caution must be taken, however, as over-reliance on Stasis can lead to Super energy depletion, leaving the team vulnerable during later phases. Balance freeze tactics with traditional DPS strategies to maintain pressure without sacrificing sustainability.

Comparatively, this method outshines traditional DPS-focused approaches by addressing Atheon’s time-limited damage phases directly. While strategies like relic chaining or well-timed Thundercrash can deal significant damage, they lack the control and consistency of Stasis freezes. By freezing Atheon, teams gain flexibility to adapt to mistakes, reposition, or recover from mechanics like Oracle spawns without losing DPS time. This makes Stasis Supers a reliable cornerstone for both experienced and learning groups.

In conclusion, leveraging Stasis Supers to freeze Atheon is a game-changing tactic that transforms the encounter’s pacing. With proper coordination, energy management, and weapon pairing, teams can extend damage phases to unprecedented lengths. While it requires practice and discipline, the payoff in consistency and safety makes it a must-try strategy for any raid group looking to optimize their Atheon takedown.

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