So. You are out fighting the good fight in the Lawless Frontier and suddenly, you come across another Guardian trying to ruin your day and you're not quite sure what to do. Worry not, I have you covered, fellow Lights. Tips and tricks on how to survive the Lawless Frontier, from one Renegade and Undertaker-earner to my fellow Renegades. [u]Section 1: How to Survive Getting Invaded[/u] Getting invaded is a very different ballpark to doing the actual invasions. But a good load out is key. If you can coordinate with the rest of your fireteam, even better, but I know that's not always possible. 1. Is your build capable of performing in both a PvE and PvP setting? Sometimes, the invader will catch you out and you will have nothing but your own guns and abilities to rely on. Long range weapons and abilities will be your friend here. 2. Always assume the enemy has a Behemoth and access to a super (via Revitalize). The former is very important. Behemoths are the meta for invasions right now and they are quite difficult, though not impossible, to beat. With that in mind: 3. Load out to counter Behemoth in invasion nodes at all times. If you can coordinate abilities, I recommend (all abilities at level 7 if possible): - Recon Shank - Revitalize - Vex Shield, Strafing Run or Drop Pod depending playstyle - Everyone runs their own Behemoth. Secondary consideration to the Falcon, especially the Strand Pike upgrade. If you can't coordinate loadouts, I recommend taking Recon Shank and Behemoth. In the ideal scenario, the Revitalize is dropped at the start of the mission so that you all have super immediately. The Recon Shank is dropped as soon as you hit the first objective (just in case there is a secondary objective that jams your abilities). The Behemoths or Strand Pike are dropped as soon as that invader alarm sounds or you hear an NPC pass comment about an invasion. The other abilities are to use as needed against the invader. 4. Behemoths are only really damaged by the following: - Behemoths - Falcon (the Strand Pike upgrade can even immobilise them!) - Rocket Pulses (including New Malpais) - Blade Barrage, Nova Bomb, a full Chaos Reach and Thundercrash (with Falling Star, this normally one shots the Behemoth) - Drop Pod (a direct hit instant kills the Behemoth) - Strafing Run (a couple of direct hits will take it out). If you do take out the Behemoth, remember to kill the Guardian inside, as the Behemoth will safely eject it's pilot upon it's destruction (as hinted in the campaign!) If you take out the Guardian out of their Behemoth, steal their Behemoth if possible. Should they get the ability to summon another, they can't do so if their current one is still on the field, even under your control. Of course, if retrieval is impossible, then the safest action is to deny them access back to their vehicle. 5. If you have a Recon Shank, don't be afraid to go after the invader. Nine times out of ten, they'll still be trying to prepare their abilities and you will catch them off guard. Give them as little time to prepare as possible. 6. If facing a Behemoth, narrow caves are your friend. Selina Morass and Forging Matrix are good maps for this. If the place is too narrow, a Behemoth can't follow you. Use it to your advantage. 7. And if you are unlucky enough to die to an invader, don't despair. A good invader will be wanting crests as well as kills to get it over faster, so they will probably only take three revives from you at most, and they can only invade once in the first objective. Once they are gone, by your hand or their own, breathe, take it on the chin, and get the mission done. You will be okay! [u]Section 2: Invading - Killing Before You Get Killed [/u] Invading is split into two types: against a crew, or a double cross (1v1). In my experience, I find it best to approach both the same way. 1. Again, loadout is very important, except more geared towards PvP this time. The syndicate combatants can't hurt you if you happen to drop in against a crew so treat it like invading in gambit or a PvP match. Long range weapons, abilities and stealth are going to be your friend here. 2. There is no advantage to waiting in the ready room once the portal opens. That just gives your opponents more time to set up their abilities. Have your renegades abilities already at the ready to go (yes, you can do this in the ready room!) and jump through the portal asap and immediately throw down your abilities. 3. Again, assume everyone has a Behemoth. The same damage rules apply, however, if invading, it requires a different approach, as you don't have the luxury of teammates abilities to help you out. I recommend the following abilities: - Behemoth (mandatory) - Revitalize - Secondary considerations given to Falcon/Strand Pike, Strafing Run and Vex Shield. The same supers are going to work well here, but I will give a shout-out to both forms of Shadowshot as they can shut down other supers. Mobius Quiver is especially nasty as it can track targets and it is a guaranteed kill if two of the arrows in the volley connect with a Guardian on foot. DON'T use it against Behemoths, though. It does nothing to them. 4. If you are against a crew, they will likely ping you with a Recon Shank, bit remember, you can see them too for a short while. Drop your abilities asap, predict where they are going to go, and meet them head on as soon as you can. 5. If you are using a Behemoth, don't get out unless you have to. Your opponent can steal it, it is easier to destroy while you aren't in it and you can still collect crests in it. Only get out to pass by terrain your vehicle can't or to pull off a crazy feinting strategy. 6. Speaking of crests, remember to pick them up! If your opponents die while your are on the field, they will still drop a crest for you to grab. Pick them up if it is safe for you to do so. 7. Don't wager more than 1 deathmark unless you really want that triumph. The reward gains are minimal even in a flawless, 6 point run. And it doesn't increase the red crystal drop rate. 8. And, finally, if you fail horribly at invade, don't worry. The crystal has a chance to drop, success or not. Just have fun with it!