If your reading this I imagine you've already completely the raid. If not, now would be a good time to go through and experience the mechanics in preparation for hard mode. I've compiled a list of helpful tips and potential strategies for when the patch goes live. 1. Light level While this is a given, this is a massive factor. Based on the fact that the nightfall went up 20 levels, I think it's safe to assume heroic mode will recommend 390 light, making the raid range from 370-400. A light level 400 aksis fight with no revives and additional mechanics will be no easy task in these beginning weeks with most teams around 385-390. So be sure to spend some time prepatch gathering a few engrams and take a minute to run a nightfall before jumping directly into the raid. 2. Versatility Prepare for EVERYTHING! I don't use my red death too often anymore, but I'll be sure to bring one at 385 into the raid. Why? We haven't seen the new mechanics yet, so the best way of preparing for them would be to have an option for every scenario. A few examples would be a red death for instant health, bad juju with memory of skorri to fast charge supers, black spindle still has the highest sustained dps, swords melt captains and even armor. Just because you're running helm of Saint 14 doesn't mean those ruin wings won't come in handy. Stop by the kiosk and at least browse through your exotics. 3. Dont be too quick to wipe. I notice this far too often when hard mode drops for raids. Take some time to not only discover the mechanics, but practice them. Dont jump off the edge at the first sign of defeat, learn from it and gain experience from it. 4. Communicate While this is another obvious one, it's important and very often over looked. I don't really care to hear about your god roll imago loop while where mid fight with phase 2 aksis, hold side conversation for later or during respawn. Give call outs, but be careful to not speak over one another. 5. Have fun This one sounds dumb, but I promise it helps. The raid is suppose to be difficult, there will be some rage and frustrating moments. But when you get anger, you think less rationally which gets you killed. I also regularly hear people yelling into the mic when they die, which is unnecessary as it hinders your teams communication. Even if your team has to take occasional breaks, stay calm and things will flow more smoothly. ___________________________________________ Now for some strategies Phase 1 Vosik Speculated light level: 370 This part is easy, anybody that has completed the raid shouldn't have much difficulty here. My only recommendation would be to only use 2 runners as its still quite effective but it will help with the extra adds that will be coming in. Phase 2 Vosik: Speculated light level: 380 At 385+ your team shouldn't have to much problem here. While we don't know what the hard mode mechanic will be here, it's very likely something to do with the monitors. More specifically the monitors that aren't behind Vosik. One other tip is to avoid head shots on adds as this will release a siva bomb that targets a nearby guardian. If you do get a head shot, be sure to destroy the bomb. Siege engine: Speculated light level: 390 Here's where I imagine things will begin to heat up. We're now slightly under leveled but there will be a sea of enemies, more than likely majors with no respawns. Any deaths here will severely slow the progress of parts getting to the engine. This is where the bad juju/ skorri combo comes into play. Have the person running this combo hold their super to fast charge others. Tethers stun adds, blessing of light for shields, storm trance to clear adds, ext. There will be plenty of orbs to crush through this if executed correctly. Phase 1 aksis: Speculated light level: 390 (400 captains) I honestly don't see this being too difficult. Communicate well and watch out for high damage captain attacks and this should be a fairly easy step. Phase 2 aksis: Speculated light level: 400 Here's the fun part... hopefully your team is already comfortable with the standard boss fight and with a few lucky drops everybody is close to 390. We don't know the extra mechanic yet, but no revives will be an obstacle to overcome as well. My only real thoughts for this is to stay alive at all costs. You have a lot of time during preempowerment to kill adds safely and take your time. Dont rush into anything and die, as this will put your team down one person. I hope this helps, feel free to drop any ideas you may have in the comments. Speculation on new mechanics is always welcome as well as potential load outs and strategies. Good luck to all on the first day of the heroic mode