Mastering The Obsidian Crystal: Easy Cheese Strategies In Destiny 2

In Destiny 2, the Obsidian Crystal is a challenging encounter in the Presage mission, requiring precise mechanics and teamwork to overcome. However, players have discovered a cheese method to bypass some of its complexities, making it more accessible for solo or less experienced fireteams. This strategy often involves exploiting specific mechanics, such as positioning or damage phase skips, to minimize the difficulty of the fight. While cheesing the Obsidian Crystal can streamline the encounter, it’s important to note that it may require practice and coordination to execute effectively. This approach is ideal for those looking to complete the mission quickly or farm rewards without the full challenge of the intended mechanics.

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Exploiting Terrain Advantages

In the Obsidian Crystal encounter of Destiny 2, the environment is your silent ally, offering strategic advantages that can turn the tide of battle. One of the most effective ways to "cheese" this encounter is by exploiting terrain advantages, specifically by positioning your team in areas that minimize damage while maximizing efficiency. The key lies in understanding the layout of the arena and how to manipulate it to your benefit. For instance, the pillars surrounding the central platform can provide cover from the Crystal’s devastating beam attacks, allowing your team to focus on DPS without constant interruption.

To execute this strategy, assign one player to each pillar, ensuring they are spaced evenly to cover all angles. This formation not only protects against the beam but also allows for quick rotation during the Crystal’s spinning attack. Communication is critical here—players must call out when they’re taking damage or need to reposition. Additionally, use the pillars to block the line of sight of the Crystal’s ads, particularly the Psions and Wizards, which can otherwise disrupt your DPS phases. By controlling the battlefield in this manner, you reduce the encounter’s complexity, making it more manageable for both experienced and casual players.

Another terrain-based tactic involves leveraging the elevated platforms on either side of the arena. These platforms offer a safe zone during the Crystal’s ground-based attacks, such as the shockwaves that radiate outward. Positioning a well-equipped sniper or scout rifle user here can provide consistent DPS from a distance while avoiding the chaos below. However, caution is necessary—remaining on the platforms for too long can leave you vulnerable to the Crystal’s targeted beam attacks. Time your movements to coincide with the Crystal’s attack patterns, descending only when it’s safe to do so.

For teams struggling with coordination, a simpler approach is to use the central platform’s edges as a buffer zone. By hugging the outer rim, players can dodge most attacks while staying within DPS range. This method is particularly effective for groups without dedicated communication channels, as it requires minimal coordination. Pair this strategy with a well-timed Super ability, such as a Blade Barrage or Nova Bomb, to capitalize on the Crystal’s exposed moments. While not as foolproof as pillar-based strategies, this approach balances risk and reward, making it accessible for a wider range of fireteams.

In conclusion, exploiting terrain advantages in the Obsidian Crystal encounter is about understanding the environment’s potential and adapting it to your team’s strengths. Whether you’re using pillars for cover, elevated platforms for sniping, or the central rim for simplicity, the key is to minimize exposure while maximizing damage output. Practice and experimentation will reveal which tactics work best for your fireteam, but the underlying principle remains the same: let the arena work for you, not against you. With patience and precision, even the most challenging encounters can be "cheesed" into submission.

Optimal Weapon Loadouts

In the Obsidian Crystal encounter of Destiny 2's Deep Stone Crypt raid, success hinges on maximizing damage during the DPS phase while surviving relentless waves of enemies. Your weapon loadout is the linchpin of this strategy, dictating not only your damage output but also your ability to adapt to the encounter's demands. Here, we dissect the optimal weapon choices, considering both damage potential and utility.

Step 1: Prioritize High-Damage Specials

For the DPS phase, your special weapon should be your primary damage dealer. Anarchy, paired with a high-impact sniper rifle like Izanagi's Burden or Whisper of the Worm, remains the gold standard. Anarchy's damage over time stacks synergize perfectly with precision sniper shots, melting the Obsidian Crystal efficiently. If Anarchy is unavailable, consider Witherhoard for its area damage and ease of use, though it sacrifices some raw DPS.

Step 2: Choose a Reliable Primary for Add Clearance

While your special weapon handles the boss, your primary must excel at clearing ads to maintain a safe environment. Seventh Seraph SAW or Commando are top picks for their sustained damage and ammo efficiency. Alternatively, a high-damage auto rifle like The Summoner or Gnawing Hunger with a demolitionist perk can pair well with grenade-reloading exotics like Actium War Rig.

Step 3: Tailor Your Heavy Weapon to Team Composition

Heavy weapons should complement your team's strategy. If your fireteam lacks consistent boss damage, Divinity paired with a rocket launcher like Code Duello or Legend of Acrius ensures precision and high burst damage. For solo or smaller teams, Eyes of Tomorrow or Xenophage offer reliable, high-damage options without relying on exotic perks.

Caution: Avoid Overlapping Roles

While it’s tempting to stack high-damage exotics, ensure your loadout doesn’t neglect utility. For instance, running both Anarchy and Witherhoard limits your ability to adapt to different phases. Similarly, relying solely on heavy weapons for DPS leaves you vulnerable during add waves. Balance is key—one high-damage special, a versatile primary, and a heavy weapon that complements your team’s strengths.

The Obsidian Crystal demands more than raw damage; it requires adaptability. Your loadout should address both the DPS phase and the constant threat of ads. By prioritizing synergy between weapons and team roles, you’ll not only cheese the encounter but master it. Remember, the best loadout is one that maximizes your strengths while mitigating the encounter’s challenges.

Team Composition Strategies

In Destiny 2's Obsidian Crystal encounter, team composition isn't just about raw damage output—it's about synergy, role specialization, and exploiting mechanics. A well-coordinated fireteam can trivialize the fight by focusing on specific roles tailored to the crystal's vulnerabilities. For instance, pairing a Void Titan with a Stasis Warlock creates a near-permanent slow and debuff field, amplifying damage windows. This isn't about brute force; it's about strategic layering of abilities to maximize efficiency.

Consider the Anchor Role, typically assigned to a Hunter with the Omnioculus exotic. Their task is to maintain permanent invisibility near the crystal, ensuring the team has constant radar and preventing unexpected enemy spawns. This role requires discipline—no peeking, no engaging in combat, just silent vigilance. Pair this with a Debuff Specialist, like a Voidwalker Warlock using Axion Bolts, to apply debuffs during damage phases. The synergy here is critical: the Anchor keeps the team informed, while the Debuff Specialist ensures every bullet counts.

For Damage Dealers, a Sweet Business Titan with Actium War Rig and a Well of Radiance Warlock form an unstoppable duo. The Titan provides sustained DPS, while the Warlock's Well boosts reload speed and healing. Add a Crowd Control Specialist, such as a Stasis Hunter with Silence and Squall, to freeze and shatter enemies during the crystal's vulnerable phases. This composition ensures consistent damage without sacrificing survivability.

However, caution is key. Overlapping roles or neglecting utility can lead to chaos. For example, too many DPS players without a dedicated Anchor can result in unexpected adds overwhelming the team. Similarly, relying solely on one debuff source leaves the team vulnerable if that player goes down. Balance is paramount—every role must complement the others, not compete.

In conclusion, cheesing the Obsidian Crystal isn't about breaking the game; it's about bending its mechanics to your advantage. A fireteam that understands and embraces role specialization can turn a daunting encounter into a choreographed dance. Test different compositions, refine your strategies, and remember: in Destiny 2, the sum of the team is always greater than its parts.

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Timing Crystal Spawns

In Destiny 2's Obsidian Crystal encounter, timing is everything—especially when it comes to crystal spawns. These crystals are your lifeline, providing the buff needed to damage the boss, but their appearance isn’t random. Understanding their spawn mechanics can turn a chaotic fight into a predictable, cheese-friendly strategy. The key lies in recognizing the encounter’s phases and the precise moments when crystals emerge, allowing your team to position and prioritize efficiently.

Analyzing the spawn pattern reveals a rhythm tied to the boss’s health thresholds. At 75%, 50%, and 25% health, the Obsidian Crystal activates, and shortly after, crystals spawn in specific locations. These locations rotate in a predictable sequence: left, right, and center. By memorizing this order, your team can pre-position players near the next spawn point, ensuring quick collection and minimizing downtime. For example, if the first crystal spawns on the left, the next will appear on the right, giving your team ample time to move into position.

However, timing isn’t just about knowing where the crystals will spawn—it’s also about coordinating with the boss’s mechanics. During the crystal phase, the boss becomes immune and summons ads, including the dangerous Unstoppable Ogres. A common cheese strategy involves assigning one player to focus solely on crystal collection while the rest handle ads and damage. This division of labor requires precise timing: the crystal collector must grab the buff just as the team clears the immediate threat, ensuring no time is wasted.

A practical tip for mastering this timing is to use in-game audio cues. The boss emits a distinct sound when transitioning phases, signaling the imminent spawn of a crystal. Pair this with a countdown in team chat (e.g., “Crystal in 5…4…3…”) to synchronize movement and collection. For newer players or teams without perfect communication, marking the spawn location with a ghost or calling it out clearly can prevent confusion.

In conclusion, timing crystal spawns in the Obsidian Crystal encounter is less about luck and more about pattern recognition and coordination. By understanding the spawn sequence, syncing with the boss’s mechanics, and leveraging audio cues, teams can streamline the fight and maximize efficiency. This approach not only reduces the encounter’s difficulty but also opens the door to cheese strategies that rely on precision and teamwork. Master the timing, and the Obsidian Crystal becomes a predictable—and beatable—challenge.

Using Abilities Efficiently

In the Obsidian Crystal encounter of Destiny 2, every second counts, and your abilities are the linchpin of survival. Efficient ability usage isn’t just about maximizing damage—it’s about timing, coordination, and resource management. For instance, a well-timed Warlock’s Well of Radiance can turn the tide during a critical DPS phase, but casting it too early leaves your team vulnerable to the next wave of enemies. The key is to sync your cooldowns with the encounter’s rhythm, ensuring you’re not caught with empty hands when the Crystal’s shields regenerate.

Consider the Hunter’s Blade Barrage or the Titan’s Thundercrash—both are high-damage abilities, but their effectiveness hinges on positioning and timing. Blade Barrage, for example, requires a clear line of sight and a clustered group of enemies, making it ideal for clearing adds during the Crystal’s vulnerable phase. Thundercrash, on the other hand, excels when paired with a melee buff like Knockout, but its long cooldown means you must choose your moments wisely. Pair these abilities with a coordinated team strategy, such as a Void Titan’s Banner Shield to provide damage resistance during risky pushes, and you’ll find the encounter becomes far more manageable.

A common mistake is burning all abilities at once, leaving nothing for the next phase. Instead, stagger your cooldowns to maintain consistent pressure. For example, a Voidwalker’s Nova Bomb can be used early to clear adds, while their Super is reserved for the Crystal’s final stand. Similarly, a Sentinel Titan’s Code of the Commander build can provide constant healing and damage buffs through careful use of Shield Throw and Sentinel Shield. The goal is to create a sustainable rotation where your team always has an ability ready to counter the encounter’s challenges.

Finally, don’t overlook the power of synergy between abilities and weapons. Pairing a Hunter’s Tether with a high-damage weapon like Izanagi’s Burden can melt the Crystal’s shields, while a Warlock’s Chaos Reach benefits from a Titan’s Bubble for maximum uptime. Communication is critical here—ensure your team knows when to hold abilities and when to unleash them. By treating your abilities as finite resources and planning their use around the encounter’s mechanics, you’ll transform the Obsidian Crystal from a daunting challenge into a choreographed dance of efficiency.

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