Mastering Calus Cheese: Tips, Tricks, And Strategies For Easy Victory

how to cheese calus

In the world of Destiny 2, mastering the encounter with Calus, the final boss of the Leviathan raid, often involves employing strategies that maximize efficiency and minimize risk, commonly referred to as cheesing. Cheesing Calus typically involves exploiting mechanics or positioning to bypass traditional challenges, such as using specific spots to avoid damage or coordinating team strategies to skip phases. These methods require precise execution and communication, making them popular among both casual and hardcore players seeking to streamline the encounter. While some purists prefer tackling Calus head-on, cheesing offers a viable alternative for those focused on rewards or time efficiency, blending creativity with the game's mechanics to achieve victory.

Characteristics Values
Recommended Loadout 1 Kinetic Weapon (Scout Rifle or Sniper), 1 Energy Weapon (Fusion Rifle or Shotgun), 1 Heavy Weapon (Rocket Launcher or Linear Fusion Rifle), Class Item with high Recovery and Discipline stats
Team Composition 6 players (3 for damage, 3 for plate holding and relic carrying)
Damage Phase Strategy Focus on damaging Calus's head with precision shots. Use heavy weapons for maximum damage during damage phases.
Plate Holding Assign 3 players to hold plates during the damage phase to prevent wipes.
Relic Carrier Assign a player with high mobility to carry the relic and quickly deposit it during the damage phase.
Shadow Realm Avoid entering the Shadow Realm unless necessary. If forced, prioritize killing the Psions to exit quickly.
Thaloc the Risen Kill Thaloc quickly to prevent him from summoning additional enemies.
Calus's Shields Destroy the shields in the following order: Left, Right, Front.
Damage Phase Timing Coordinate damage phases with the relic carrier's deposit timing for maximum efficiency.
** Note: This strategy relies on high damage output and precise coordination. Practice and communication are key to success.

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Exploit Safe Room Glitch: Use the safe room to skip phases and avoid damage during the fight

In the Calus encounter, the safe room glitch offers a tactical edge, allowing players to bypass phases and minimize damage. This exploit hinges on precise timing and coordination. When Calus transitions to his throne, players must quickly enter the safe room, triggering an invulnerable state. By staying within this area, the team can avoid his devastating attacks, such as the Shadow of Calus or the Psion wave. This method is particularly effective for groups lacking optimal damage output or struggling with mechanics, as it reduces the fight’s complexity and duration.

Executing the safe room glitch requires clear communication and practice. As Calus begins his throne phase, one player should call out the transition, signaling the team to sprint toward the safe room. The glitch activates when players are inside the room as Calus initiates his attack, effectively skipping the phase. However, timing is critical; entering too early or too late nullifies the exploit. Teams should practice this maneuver in lower-stakes environments to refine their coordination before attempting it in high-pressure runs.

While the safe room glitch is powerful, it’s not without risks. Bungie has historically patched similar exploits, so relying solely on this strategy may become obsolete in future updates. Additionally, staying in the safe room too long can cause Calus to reset, forcing players to re-engage with the fight. Teams should balance exploiting the glitch with maintaining progress, ensuring they’re prepared to resume normal mechanics if necessary. This approach demands adaptability and a backup plan.

From a comparative standpoint, the safe room glitch contrasts with traditional strategies that emphasize damage output and mechanic execution. While conventional methods require mastery of each phase, the glitch streamlines the encounter, making it accessible to less experienced groups. However, it sacrifices the fight’s intended challenge and rewards. Players must weigh the trade-off between efficiency and the satisfaction of completing the encounter as designed. For those prioritizing speed or success over purity, the glitch remains a viable, if controversial, option.

In practice, the safe room glitch is a double-edged sword—a shortcut that simplifies the Calus fight but undermines its integrity. Teams should approach it with caution, ensuring they understand both its benefits and limitations. By mastering this exploit, players can achieve consistent victories, but they must also remain prepared for Bungie’s potential intervention. Ultimately, the glitch serves as a testament to the creativity of Destiny 2’s community, even as it challenges the boundaries of fair play.

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Infinite Heavy Ammo: Farm heavy ammo synths to spam high-damage weapons continuously

Heavy ammo synths are the lifeblood of any Calus cheese strategy centered on high-damage weapons. These synths, when farmed efficiently, allow you to bypass the usual ammo economy, turning your raid into a relentless barrage of rockets, grenades, and linear fusion rifles. The key lies in understanding the mechanics of ammo spawning and exploiting them to your advantage.

During the Calus encounter, heavy ammo bricks spawn at predictable intervals and locations. By assigning a dedicated team member to collect these bricks and distribute synths, you ensure a constant flow of heavy ammo to the damage dealers. This role, often overlooked, is crucial for maximizing DPS phases.

Farming heavy ammo synths requires coordination and discipline. Designate a "synth runner" whose sole responsibility is to collect bricks and distribute synths. This player should prioritize speed and efficiency, using abilities like Titan skates or Hunter dodge to quickly reach spawn points. Communication is key – call out brick locations and ensure the synth runner isn't caught in the crossfire.

Remember, greed is the enemy. Don't hoard synths; distribute them evenly to maximize team damage. A well-coordinated synth farming strategy can turn the tide of battle, allowing you to melt Calus's shields and defeat him with surprising speed.

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Skip Damage Phases: Use specific positioning to bypass Calus’s damage-over-time phases entirely

In the battle against Calus, every second counts, and minimizing damage is crucial for survival. One ingenious strategy to cheese Calus involves exploiting specific positioning to bypass his damage-over-time phases entirely. By understanding the mechanics of these phases and the layout of the arena, players can strategically place themselves in safe zones, effectively skipping the need to endure or mitigate damage. This approach not only conserves resources but also streamlines the encounter, making it more manageable for both experienced and novice teams.

To execute this tactic, players must first identify the damage-over-time phases in the Calus encounter. These phases typically involve environmental hazards, such as the Shadow of Calus or the damage zones during the "Baths" section. The key is to locate positions within the arena that are unaffected by these hazards. For instance, during the Shadow of Calus phase, players can position themselves on the elevated platforms at the edges of the arena, where the shadow does not reach. Similarly, in the Baths, standing on the narrow ledges along the walls can avoid the damaging water. Precise movement and communication are essential, as missteps can lead to unintended damage.

A comparative analysis of this strategy reveals its efficiency. Traditional methods of dealing with damage-over-time phases often involve using abilities, supers, or consumables to mitigate damage, which can deplete valuable resources. In contrast, skipping these phases entirely eliminates the need for such expenditures, allowing players to save their abilities for more critical moments, such as damage phases or add clears. This approach is particularly beneficial for teams with limited recovery or those aiming for speed runs. However, it requires a deep understanding of the arena’s geometry and precise execution, making it less forgiving for uncoordinated groups.

For practical implementation, teams should assign roles and positions before engaging Calus. One effective setup involves dividing the team into pairs, with each pair responsible for a specific safe zone. For example, during the Shadow phase, two players can hold the left platform while the other two secure the right. Clear communication is vital to ensure everyone moves to their designated spots promptly. Additionally, players should practice the positioning in lower-stakes scenarios to build muscle memory and confidence. While this strategy may seem straightforward, its success hinges on flawless execution and adaptability to Calus’s unpredictable movements.

In conclusion, skipping Calus’s damage-over-time phases through strategic positioning is a high-reward tactic that can significantly streamline the encounter. By identifying safe zones, coordinating team movements, and practicing precise execution, players can conserve resources and focus on more critical aspects of the fight. While this method demands preparation and teamwork, its efficiency makes it a valuable addition to any cheese strategy arsenal. Whether aiming for a flawless run or simply looking to survive, mastering this technique can elevate a team’s performance against Calus.

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Plate Cheese Strategy: Assign one player to plates while others focus on damage for efficiency

In the high-stakes encounter with Calus, every second counts, and efficiency is paramount. The Plate Cheese Strategy emerges as a tactical gem, dividing responsibilities to maximize damage output while maintaining control over the arena. Here’s how it works: assign one player exclusively to managing the plates, ensuring they remain activated throughout the fight. This player becomes the linchpin, freeing the other three to focus solely on dealing damage to Calus and his adds. The result? A streamlined approach that minimizes downtime and amplifies DPS, turning a chaotic battle into a calculated strike.

Executing this strategy requires precision and communication. The designated plate player must prioritize staying alive and rotating between plates efficiently, ideally using a build that boosts mobility and survivability. Hunters with Stompees or Titans with Lion Rampants excel here, as their class abilities allow for quick plate activations. Meanwhile, the damage team should coordinate their supers and heavy ammo usage, targeting Calus during his vulnerable phases. A well-timed Blade Barrage or Nova Bomb can shave off significant health, but only if the plates are consistently active.

One common pitfall is neglecting the plate player’s safety. Without proper support, they can become an easy target for Calus’s devastating attacks. To mitigate this, the damage team should periodically check on the plate player, providing cover fire or healing when necessary. Additionally, the plate player should carry a weapon with high add-clear capabilities, such as a Trinity Ghoul or Riskrunner, to handle enemies that spawn near the plates. This dual focus ensures the strategy remains viable even under pressure.

Comparing this method to traditional approaches reveals its efficiency. In standard runs, players often juggle plate activations with damage, leading to wasted time and suboptimal DPS. The Plate Cheese Strategy eliminates this inefficiency by compartmentalizing roles, allowing each player to excel in their assigned task. While it requires discipline and practice, the payoff is undeniable: faster clears, higher damage numbers, and a smoother overall experience. For teams aiming to master the Calus encounter, this strategy is not just a tactic—it’s a game-changer.

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Shadow Thrall Skip: Use Shadow Thrall to skip ads and focus solely on Calus

In the realm of Destiny 2's Leviathan raid, the Shadow Thrall Skip is a game-changer for those looking to streamline their encounter with Calus. This technique leverages the abilities of the Shadow Thrall, a Taken enemy type, to bypass the tedious and often time-consuming process of dealing with ads, allowing your fireteam to focus solely on the boss. By understanding and executing this skip, you can significantly reduce the overall time and effort required to complete the encounter, making it an essential strategy for both speedrunners and casual raiders alike.

To execute the Shadow Thrall Skip, begin by having your fireteam position themselves in the center of the arena, near the large pillar. As the encounter starts, immediately send one player to the left side of the map, where the Shadow Thrall spawn. This player’s role is critical: they must aggro the Shadow Thrall and lead them back toward the center. Timing is crucial here—the Thrall must reach the center just as the first set of ads would normally spawn. When the Shadow Thrall are in position, have the rest of the team focus on damaging Calus while the designated player keeps the Thrall occupied. This prevents additional ads from spawning, effectively "skipping" the need to clear them.

One of the key advantages of this strategy is its efficiency. By eliminating the need to deal with waves of ads, your fireteam can maintain constant pressure on Calus, reducing the encounter's duration by up to 30%. However, this method requires precise coordination and communication. The player handling the Shadow Thrall must be adept at crowd control, using abilities like stasis grenades or void subclasses to keep the Thrall grouped and distracted. Additionally, the team must be mindful of Calus's mechanics, ensuring they don't neglect critical tasks like plate defense or shadow realm duties.

While the Shadow Thrall Skip is highly effective, it’s not without risks. Mismanaging the Thrall can lead to them scattering, potentially triggering additional ads or even wiping the team. It’s also worth noting that this strategy works best with a well-practiced fireteam; newer players may struggle with the timing and positioning required. For optimal results, practice the skip in a controlled environment before attempting it in a full raid setting. Pairing this strategy with high-damage builds, such as those utilizing Izanagi's Burden or Divinity, can further enhance its effectiveness.

In conclusion, the Shadow Thrall Skip is a powerful tool for any fireteam looking to optimize their Calus encounter. Its ability to bypass ads and maintain focus on the boss makes it a staple in speedrunning and efficient raid completions. While it demands skill and coordination, the payoff in time saved and overall smoothness of the encounter is well worth the effort. Master this technique, and you’ll find yourself breezing through the Leviathan raid with newfound speed and precision.

Frequently asked questions

"Cheesing" Calus refers to using strategies or exploits to defeat the Calus boss in the Leviathan raid with minimal effort, often bypassing intended mechanics or phases.

Common methods include using sniper rifles to bypass the damage gate, exploiting out-of-bounds areas to avoid ads, or using specific loadouts to quickly burn the boss.

Some cheese strategies may no longer work due to updates and patches, but players occasionally discover new methods. Always check for the latest information.

Cheesing may bypass certain mechanics, potentially preventing specific rewards tied to completing the encounter as intended. It also doesn’t count for certain triumphs or challenges.

Opinions vary. While some view it as a fun way to speedrun, others consider it unfair to teammates or against the spirit of the game. Always communicate with your fireteam before attempting it.

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