Mastering Crota's End: Ultimate Cheese Strategies For Destiny Veterans

how to cheese crota

In the world of Destiny, mastering the raid Crota's End requires not only skill but also clever strategies, and one of the most infamous techniques is cheesing Crota. This method involves exploiting mechanics or glitches to bypass the intended challenge, allowing players to defeat Crota, the raid's final boss, with relative ease. While controversial, cheesing Crota has become a popular approach for both casual and experienced players looking to complete the raid quickly or farm rewards efficiently. Understanding how to execute this strategy involves precise timing, coordination, and knowledge of the raid's mechanics, making it a fascinating topic for gamers seeking to optimize their gameplay.

Characteristics Values
Boss Name Crota, Son of Oryx (Destiny 1)
Cheese Method Exploiting mechanics to bypass intended difficulty
Primary Strategy Using the "Sword-Bearer Skip" or "Bridge Skip" to avoid phases
Required Players 6 (full fireteam recommended for coordination)
Recommended Loadout High-damage swords (e.g., Raze-Lighter), sniper rifles, shotguns
Key Mechanics Exploited - Overlapping damage phases
- Skipping Sword-Bearer phase
- Avoiding thrall waves
Difficulty Significantly reduced compared to intended raid mechanics
Patch Status No longer possible in Destiny 1 due to fixes; not applicable in Destiny 2
Community Popularity Widely used during Destiny 1's Crota's End raid lifespan
Risk Factor Low risk of failure if executed correctly
Time Efficiency Faster completion compared to traditional methods
Notable Variants - Bridge Skip (requires precise timing)
- Sword Skip (requires coordinated damage)

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Weapon Selection: Use high-damage, slow-firing weapons like Icebreaker or Black Hammer for maximum impact

In the high-stakes encounter with Crota, weapon selection isn’t just a choice—it’s a strategy. High-damage, slow-firing weapons like Icebreaker or Black Hammer are your best allies here. These weapons pack a punch, delivering maximum damage per shot, which is critical when you’re dealing with a boss as formidable as Crota. Their slow firing rate might seem like a drawback, but in this scenario, it’s a trade-off worth making. Each shot counts, and these weapons ensure that every round fired significantly depletes Crota’s health bar.

Consider the mechanics of the fight: Crota’s shield must be taken down before you can damage him directly. Weapons like Icebreaker, with its explosive rounds, or Black Hammer, with its staggering impact, excel at breaking through this defense. Their high damage output means fewer shots are needed to expose Crota’s vulnerabilities, reducing the time you’re exposed to his deadly attacks. Pair these weapons with a well-coordinated team, and you’ll find the fight becomes far more manageable.

However, using these weapons requires discipline. Their slow firing rate means you must time your shots carefully, ensuring each one lands. Missing a shot isn’t just a waste of ammo—it’s a missed opportunity to deal critical damage. Practice precision aiming, and communicate with your team to synchronize your attacks. For example, have one player focus on weakening Crota’s shield while another lines up the killing blow with a high-damage weapon.

A practical tip: equip these weapons with perks that enhance their effectiveness. For Icebreaker, prioritize perks that increase stability or reload speed to compensate for its slow firing rate. For Black Hammer, look for perks that boost impact or range, maximizing its already impressive damage output. Additionally, ensure your team has a plan for ammo management, as these weapons consume resources quickly.

In conclusion, high-damage, slow-firing weapons like Icebreaker or Black Hammer are game-changers in the Crota fight. Their ability to deliver massive damage with each shot makes them ideal for breaking through his defenses and exploiting his weaknesses. While their slow firing rate demands precision and patience, the payoff is well worth it. Master these weapons, and you’ll turn one of Destiny’s most challenging encounters into a calculated, strategic victory.

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Team Composition: Assign roles: Relic Holder, Damage Dealer, and Defender for efficient coordination

In the high-stakes encounter with Crota, efficient team coordination hinges on clear role assignment. The Relic Holder, Damage Dealer, and Defender roles are not interchangeable luxuries but strategic necessities. Each position demands specific skills, equipment, and positioning, forming a symbiotic trio that maximizes damage output while minimizing risk. Misalignment in these roles often results in wipes, wasted attempts, and frustrated fireteams.

Consider the Relic Holder, the linchpin of the strategy. Their primary task is to activate the oversoul, a delicate process requiring precision timing and awareness. Equip this player with high mobility gear—a lightweight subclass like Hunter’s Nightstalker or Warlock’s Dawnblade—to swiftly navigate Crota’s arena. Pair them with a shotgun or sword for close-quarters defense, but their focus must remain on relic management, not damage. A single mistake here resets the encounter, making this role both critical and unforgiving.

The Damage Dealer, conversely, thrives on aggression. Armed with Gjallarhorn or a high-impact sniper like Black Hammer, their sole objective is to exploit Crota’s vulnerability window. Position them at the ledge overlooking the arena, ensuring a clear line of sight. Communication is key—they must synchronize their attacks with the Relic Holder’s oversoul activation. A well-timed rocket salvo or sniper headshot can deal upwards of 100,000 damage per phase, significantly shortening the fight.

Meanwhile, the Defender anchors the team, providing stability and protection. Titans excel here, utilizing the Defender subclass’s Ward of Dawn to create a safe zone during Crota’s sword attacks. Equip them with a machine gun like Thunderlord for sustained DPS and a high-recovery stat build to withstand incoming damage. Their secondary task is to monitor the thrall waves, using grenades or suppressor grenades to control adds without straying from their defensive position.

Assigning these roles isn’t arbitrary—it’s a calculated decision based on player strengths and loadouts. For instance, a player with exceptional aim but limited mobility is better suited as a Damage Dealer than a Relic Holder. Similarly, a Titan with maxed armor stats naturally fits the Defender role. Pre-fireteam discussions should include loadout reviews and role preferences to avoid mid-encounter confusion.

In practice, this structured approach transforms chaos into choreography. The Relic Holder activates the oversoul, the Damage Dealer unleashes their payload, and the Defender holds the line. Each role complements the others, creating a seamless flow that exploits Crota’s mechanics. Teams that master this coordination can consistently achieve sub-5-minute clears, turning a daunting raid boss into a predictable, even enjoyable, challenge.

Finally, adaptability is key. If a strategy falters—say, the Damage Dealer misses their window—the team must adjust without panic. The Relic Holder can temporarily stall, the Defender can reposition, and the Damage Dealer can regroup for the next cycle. This flexibility, rooted in clear role understanding, ensures that even imperfect executions can lead to victory. In the end, it’s not just about cheesing Crota—it’s about mastering the art of teamwork.

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Relic Timing: Activate the Relic just before Crota’s shield drops to maximize damage windows

In the high-stakes encounter with Crota, every second counts. The Relic, a pivotal tool in this battle, can be the difference between a swift victory and a frustrating wipe. Activating the Relic just before Crota’s shield drops is a precision tactic that maximizes damage windows, ensuring your team capitalizes on every vulnerability. This timing requires coordination, awareness, and a deep understanding of the encounter’s rhythm.

To execute this strategy, assign a dedicated Relic bearer who communicates clearly with the team. The bearer should monitor Crota’s shield timer, which typically drops every 30 seconds during the damage phase. Activate the Relic 2-3 seconds before the shield vanishes, allowing the team to immediately unleash their highest-damage abilities—such as Gjallarhorn rockets, Sleeper Simulant shots, or Blade Barrage supers. This synchronization ensures that no damage is wasted on the shield and that Crota’s health is depleted as efficiently as possible.

One common mistake is activating the Relic too early, leaving the team vulnerable to Crota’s attacks while the shield is still up. Conversely, activating it too late wastes precious seconds of the damage window. Practice is key; use checkpoints to rehearse the timing until it becomes second nature. Tools like stopwatches or in-game timers can aid in precision, but nothing beats muscle memory developed through repetition.

Comparing this tactic to other cheese strategies, Relic timing stands out for its reliability and minimal risk. Unlike methods that exploit glitches or require specific loadouts, this approach works in any team composition and is unaffected by patch updates. It’s a testament to the power of teamwork and timing, turning a challenging encounter into a manageable—even enjoyable—experience. Master this technique, and Crota’s End becomes less of a trial and more of a showcase of your team’s skill.

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Sword Strategy: Use the sword only when Crota is vulnerable to avoid wasting time

In the high-stakes encounter with Crota, every second counts. The Sword Strategy hinges on precision timing: strike only when Crota is vulnerable. This approach maximizes damage output while minimizing risk, ensuring your team conserves resources and avoids unnecessary exposure to his deadly attacks.

Execution Steps:

  • Monitor Vulnerability Windows: Crota becomes vulnerable after performing specific attacks, such as his sword slam or when his shield is down. Use this brief window—typically 3–5 seconds—to close the distance and initiate your strike.
  • Positioning is Key: Assign one player as the designated sword wielder, ensuring they stay within sprinting distance of Crota’s vulnerable position. Other team members should focus on suppressing enemies and calling out vulnerability phases.
  • Strike with Purpose: Aim for Crota’s chest or head for maximum damage. A single well-timed strike with a high-damage sword (e.g., *The Last Word* or *Raze-Lighter*) can deal upwards of 10,000 damage, significantly depleting his health bar.

Cautions:

  • Avoid over-eagerness. Striking outside vulnerability phases wastes time and leaves the sword wielder exposed to Crota’s retaliatory attacks.
  • Ensure the sword wielder has full health and armor before engaging, as Crota’s attacks can one-shot unprepared players.

Comparative Advantage:

Unlike shotgun or sniper strategies, the Sword Strategy offers consistent, high-damage output without relying on ammo drops or precision aiming. It’s particularly effective in teams with coordinated communication, where vulnerability phases are called out clearly.

Practical Tip:

Equip the sword wielder with a class ability that enhances mobility (e.g., Hunter’s *Blink* or Titan’s *Lion Rampant*) to quickly close the gap during vulnerability windows.

By adhering to this strategy, teams can streamline the Crota encounter, reducing the fight’s duration by up to 30% compared to less disciplined approaches. Master the timing, and Crota’s demise becomes a matter of when, not if.

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Boomer Strategy: Focus on killing boomers quickly to prevent them from reviving Crota

In the depths of the Hellmouth, where Crota's End raid challenges even the most seasoned Guardians, a critical yet often overlooked strategy emerges: neutralizing the Boomers. These floating, explosive enemies are not just nuisances; they are Crota's lifeline. Each Boomer has the ability to revive the overseer, turning a manageable encounter into a chaotic scramble. The Boomer Strategy, therefore, hinges on one principle: eliminate them swiftly to sever Crota's tether to immortality. This approach demands precision, coordination, and a deep understanding of enemy mechanics, making it a cornerstone of any successful cheese attempt.

To execute the Boomer Strategy effectively, prioritize target acquisition and loadout optimization. Equip weapons with high single-target damage, such as sniper rifles or fusion rifles, to take down Boomers before they reach Crota. Assign a dedicated team member to monitor their spawn points—typically near the lamps in the center of the arena. Communication is key; call out Boomer locations immediately to ensure swift elimination. For maximum efficiency, pair this strategy with a Void burn modifier, as Boomers are susceptible to Void damage. Remember, every second counts; a single Boomer reaching Crota can reset progress and drain team morale.

A common pitfall in this strategy is underestimating the Boomer's resilience. Unlike other adds, Boomers have moderate health pools and can withstand a surprising amount of damage. Avoid relying solely on primary weapons; special or heavy ammo should be conserved for these targets. Additionally, be mindful of their explosive death throes—positioning is crucial to avoid collateral damage. If a Boomer detonates near Crota, it can deal significant harm to your team, negating the effort spent on its elimination. Practice makes perfect; rehearse Boomer prioritization in earlier encounters to refine timing and coordination.

Comparing the Boomer Strategy to other cheese methods, its strength lies in its simplicity and reliability. Unlike strategies that exploit glitches or require precise timing, focusing on Boomers aligns with the raid's intended mechanics. It complements other tactics, such as the Sword-Bearer method, by reducing the risk of unexpected revives. While it may not be as flashy as a well-executed rocket cheese, its consistency makes it a staple for both experienced and novice teams. By mastering this approach, Guardians can transform a daunting encounter into a controlled, methodical takedown.

In conclusion, the Boomer Strategy is more than just a tactic—it’s a mindset. It shifts the focus from Crota himself to the unseen forces sustaining him. By treating Boomers as high-priority targets, teams can disrupt the overseer's revival cycle, paving the way for a smoother, more efficient cheese. This strategy requires discipline, communication, and a willingness to adapt, but the payoff is undeniable. In the battle against Crota, sometimes the key to victory lies not in brute force, but in the calculated elimination of his most loyal servants.

Frequently asked questions

The "Crota's End" cheese strategy refers to exploiting mechanics or glitches to defeat Crota, the final boss, without following the intended encounter steps. Common methods include using specific positioning or abilities to bypass phases of the fight.

To perform the sword-bearing cheese, the sword bearer stands in a specific spot (often near the center of the map) and waits for Crota to spawn. Teammates then damage Crota from a safe distance while avoiding his attacks, allowing the sword bearer to finish him quickly.

The original Crota cheese strategies from Destiny 1 are no longer viable in Destiny 2 due to changes in mechanics and map design. However, players occasionally discover new exploits or strategies to simplify the encounter in Destiny 2's version of Crota's End.

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