Guardians, prepare to delve into the digital heart of a Vex enigma: the exotic mission known as //NODE.OVRD.AVALON//. This intricate labyrinth, a testament to the Vex's inscrutable designs, guards not only a powerful weapon but also a trove of secrets waiting to be deciphered. This guide will illuminate the path, from the initial cryptic summons to the ultimate mastery of its challenges and the acquisition of the coveted Vexcalibur glaive.
Initiating the Avalon Quest
The journey into the Vex network does not begin with a straightforward directive, but rather with a subtle puzzle, a digital breadcrumb trail left for the observant Guardian. This initial step serves as a fitting prelude to the complex challenges that lie within the Avalon node, subtly attuning the mind to the Vex's way of thinking—patterns, sequences, and hidden triggers.
The Gulch Anomaly: Solving the Vex Cube Puzzle
Your quest begins in the familiar territory of the European Dead Zone (EDZ) on Earth, specifically within the confines of the Gulch. Scattered throughout this region are six holographic Vex cubes, or data nodes. Locating and interacting with the first cube initiates a 30-second timer. Guardians must then find and touch each subsequent cube within this time limit; thankfully, each successful interaction resets the timer, allowing for a continuous chain. While the order of collection is not fixed, a swift Sparrow and a keen eye are essential. Equipping a Strand subclass can be particularly advantageous for reaching some of the more awkwardly placed cubes, such as the one hovering above a road sign.
The locations of these six Vex cubes are as follows:
- Near the Broken Bridge/Road Turning Downhill: From the Gulch landing zone, proceed along the road, cross the broken bridge. As the road begins to descend, look to the right in an area with damaged trees.
- Amidst Broken/Burnt Trees: Located in the central area of the Gulch, surrounded by damaged or burnt trees.
- Above Rusted Road Sign (North/East Road): Found on the northern road, hovering above a rusted road sign.
- Northwest Cliff Wall/Near Cabal Tunnel: Next to a tree up against the northwest cliff wall, close to the entrance of a Cabal tunnel base.
- Southeast Cabal Equipment/Upper Area: On top of Cabal equipment on a hill towards the southeast.
- Under the Broken Bridge/Southeast Cave Area: Found under the broken bridge, notably right next to the cave entrance you'll soon need.
Accessing the Hidden Cave and Mission Start
Successfully collecting all six Vex cubes triggers a distinct visual cue: the message "Simulate terrain subnode //CAVE// deactivated…" appears, and a large Vex data hologram materializes in the sky. This celestial marker guides you to a previously inaccessible cave entrance, typically found in the southeast corner of the Gulch, often very near the location of the sixth Vex cube.
Venture into this cave, and at its depths, you will encounter a non-hostile Harpy. This particular Harpy is not just a generic mission vendor; it's a carefully placed narrative element. For long-time players, its appearance may spark a sense of familiarity, as it serves as a direct link to the character Asher Mir, a researcher who became deeply entangled with, and partially assimilated by, the Vex. This connection immediately deepens the mission's context, suggesting that your intrusion into this Vex construct is not random but a response to a deliberate, if enigmatic, signal.
Navigating the Digital Labyrinth
Once inside //NODE.OVRD.AVALON//, Guardians are thrust into the disorienting and often hostile architecture of the Vex network. Success demands not only combat prowess but also keen observation and precise movement. The very environment of Avalon is an active participant in its defense, a puzzle to be solved before any Vex combatant fires a shot.
Mastering Vex Architecture
The mission commences with a descent into the depths of the Vex network, an environment reminiscent of the Expunge missions from the Season of the Splicer. The initial platforming sections require careful navigation across Vex fluid floors that inflict damage over time, necessitating wall climbing and precise jumps. This design choice immediately establishes that the Vex network is inherently dangerous, its very structure an impediment.
Finding the correct path often involves a degree of environmental puzzle-solving. Guardians must look for small, easily missed gaps in walls or openings that may only be accessible when they cycle open. Following streams of Vex radiolaria or conspicuous light sources can often provide guidance through the network's twists and turns.
Vex Symbol Puzzles
A recurring and central mechanic within //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// involves deciphering Vex symbol puzzles to bypass security protocols. These puzzles represent a direct interaction with the Vex's logical systems, a form of digital "language" that Guardians must learn to interpret.
The core mechanics are as follows:
A central Vex pillar or conflux will periodically spawn three distinct Vex shapes: typically a cube, a diamond (or octahedron), and a pyramid. Elsewhere in the immediate vicinity, often obscured and requiring a careful search (looking upwards or behind objects is common), a vertical sequence of these holographic symbols, the access code, will be displayed. Guardians must then shoot the corresponding shapes as they appear around the central pillar, in the exact top-to-bottom order indicated by the access code.
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| Cube | Square-shaped symbol |
| Diamond/Octahedron | Diamond-shaped symbol |
| Pyramid | Triangle-shaped symbol |
Combat Encounters
The Vex network does not yield its secrets willingly. Beyond the environmental hazards and logical puzzles, //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// is teeming with hostile Vex constructs, each encounter designed to test a Guardian's adaptability, firepower, and tactical acumen.
Enemy Prioritization and Combat Tips
Guardians venturing into Avalon will face a familiar yet formidable roster of Vex. This includes standard Goblins (some of which are specialized "Dataholders"), Harpies, Hobgoblins (often "Quantum" variants with enhanced capabilities), Minotaurs (also appearing as "Quantum" types), the highly mobile and dangerous Wyverns, resilient Hydras, and powerful Cyclops turrets.
On Legendary difficulty, the threat escalates significantly. Enemies are more durable and inflict greater damage. Prioritization becomes critical:
- Hobgoblin Snipers: These Vex units, especially Quantum Hobgoblins, often occupy elevated positions and can deal devastating damage with their Solar line rifles
- Matching Shields: Many Vex on Legendary difficulty will possess elemental shields (Arc, Solar, Void). Equipping weapons that match these shield types is crucial
- Add Clear: The sheer volume of Vex in many encounters can be overwhelming. Prioritizing add clear helps manage the battlefield
Variant Security Protocol
The first major combat encounter directly integrates the Vex symbol puzzles with sustained enemy assault. This encounter establishes a core gameplay loop for the mission: the need to perform complex logical tasks while under duress.
The primary objective is to successfully input the Vex access codes into the designated confluxes. Throughout this process, Guardians will be beset by waves of Vex, including Goblins, Quantum Hobgoblins perched on floating platforms, and powerful Quantum Minotaurs that often spawn after a code is correctly entered.
After clearing the initial set of confluxes by inputting the required codes (typically three symbols for the first set, then progressing to four and five for later sets), the encounter culminates in a large-scale Vex assault. A formidable Ultra Wyvern, designated the "Digital Variant Tracker," leads the first wave. Upon its defeat, another massive horde appears, this time spearheaded by a "Digital Variant Neutralizer".
The Data Nullifier - Deletion Protocol
Following further platforming through areas like the "Suspended Platforms", Guardians arrive at a large, circular arena, home to the Data Nullifier Hydra and its signature mechanic: the Deletion Cycle. This encounter introduces a high-stakes survival element that is thematically resonant with the Vex's nature – a systematic purge of unauthorized entities.
The core of this fight revolves around the Deletion Cycle: a repeating wipe mechanic that, after a countdown (typically 40-50 seconds), will eliminate all entities within the arena unless specific actions are taken.
- Collect Data Fragments: Defeat specific Vex enemies, usually headless Goblins designated as "Dataholder (Corrupt)". These enemies drop pink or purple data fragments upon defeat.
- Deposit Data: The collected data fragments must be deposited at a central Vex pillar. The number of motes required increases with each cycle: initially 8 motes, then 10 for the next cycle.
- Seek Shelter: Successfully depositing the required data opens a temporary pit in the floor beneath the central pillar. Drop into this hole before the Deletion Cycle timer expires.
- Survive Pit Hazards: While the pit offers protection from the main wipe mechanic, enemies can still target you. Hug the walls for cover.
Brakion, Repurposed Mind
The final confrontation within //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// is against Brakion, Repurposed Mind. This towering Vex Hobgoblin is a familiar foe to veteran Guardians, having previously served as the final boss of the Pyramidion Strike. The battle against Brakion is a multi-stage affair, transitioning across three distinct arenas or phases.
Phase 1: Initial Arena
The goal is to reduce Brakion's health by approximately one-third. This phase is relatively straightforward. Brakion will employ its powerful Line Rifle and can unleash volleys of Void flames that create hazardous burning patches on the ground. It will periodically teleport to different corners of the triangular arena.
Phase 2: The Firewall Arena
In this arena, Brakion is initially protected by an impenetrable firewall or energy shield. To lower this shield and create a damage opportunity, Guardians must:
- Defeat an "Encryption Daemon" Hydra major that spawns alongside other Vex reinforcements
- Locate the Vex access code hidden beneath transparent triangular sections of flooring
- Input the correct sequence of symbols at the central Vex spire
Phase 3: Final Arena
The final phase strips away complex puzzle mechanics and cover. Brakion becomes highly aggressive, relentlessly chasing down players in a relatively open arena with minimal cover options. When Brakion's health drops to around 25%, its head will be destroyed, exposing a new critical hit spot on its chest.
Acquiring Vexcalibur
Victory over Brakion yields the ultimate prize of the //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// mission: the Exotic Glaive, Vexcalibur. This unique weapon is not merely a trophy but a key to unlocking further secrets within the Vex network.
Claiming Your Prize
The Vexcalibur Exotic Glaive is awarded upon the first successful completion of the //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// mission. After Brakion is defeated, Guardians must interact with the nascent Glaive itself, or with an object that appears floating near a prominent pillar of Radiolaria, to collect it.
A significant feature of Vexcalibur is that it is a craftable Exotic weapon. The initial completion of the Avalon mission guarantees a Deepsight Resonance version of the weapon, and only one pattern is needed to unlock its crafting capabilities. Guardians should extract this pattern, which then allows Vexcalibur to be crafted and reshaped at the Relic in the Enclave on Mars.
Vexcalibur's Perks and Combat Utility
Vexcalibur stands out due to its unique set of perks that encourage a dynamic and synergistic playstyle. It is a Rapid-Fire Frame Glaive dealing Void damage.
Fires a spread of projectiles. Equipped with a quick-draining shield. Blocking incoming damage gradually bestows Void overshields to the wielder and nearby allies.
Trait - Perpetual Loophole:While protected by an overshield, deals additional melee damage. Defeating targets with melee final blows while overshield is active refreshes the overshield's duration.
Hidden Chests and Mysteries
The depths of //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// conceal more than just its final boss and the Vexcalibur. Scattered throughout its perplexing architecture are seven hidden chests, often referred to as "Mysteries". These chests are not mere collectibles; they are part of an intricate system designed to reward continued exploration and mastery of the mission.
| Chest Name | Location | Requirements | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substrate Chest | First jumping puzzle | Authorization Override mod | Find switch above Vex fluid stream, activate, use Vexcalibur block to enter barrier-protected room |
| Aberrant Chest | After Vex fluid stream | Basic interaction | Enter wall crack, find two switches to free caged Hobgoblin and spawn chest |
| Disposal Chest | After first encounter | Expert Authorization Override | Use Vexcalibur to breach barrier, solve laser chamber puzzle with code from diagonal wall |
| Hard Data Deposit | Before Data Nullifier | Authorization Override | Go right in Radiolarian corridor, escort orb from Vex cell to deposit point |
| Quarantine Subject | Before gravity cannon | Expert Authorization Override | Activate switch at cannon, free two caged Goblins using Vexcalibur |
| Cannonball Chest | After gravity cannon | Expert Authorization Override | Destroy three pyramid icons with Vexcalibur projectiles in specific locations |
| Accurate Prediction | Brakion boss arena | Expert Authorization Override | Destroy pyramid symbols under three Radiolarian pillars before looting main reward |
Upgrades and Catalysts
Vexcalibur is not a static reward; it is a weapon designed to evolve alongside the Guardian's mastery of the Avalon node. This evolution is facilitated through a series of intrinsic upgrades and powerful Exotic Catalysts.
M1R Distribution Matrix Upgrades
The core performance of Vexcalibur can be enhanced through three intrinsic upgrades: M1R Distribution Matrix II, III, and IV. These upgrades primarily unlock additional perk slots for the weapon's Haft, Magazine, and Stock, allowing for deeper customization.
Exotic Catalysts
Vexcalibur can be further augmented with three distinct Exotic Catalysts, each offering a unique enhancement to its combat performance. These catalysts provide specialized benefits that can tailor Vexcalibur to different playstyles and combat scenarios.
| Catalyst Name | Perk Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Immovable Refit | Dealing ranged damage grants increased weapon energy while stationary with shield raised | Defensive, entrenched playstyle |
| Robber Refit | Melee final blows reload weapon's magazine from reserves | Aggressive melee combat |
| Feedback Refit | Blocking damage partially reloads magazine from reserves (1-second cooldown) | Prolonged engagements |
Weekly Rotation and Availability
Like many of Destiny 2's unique Exotic missions, //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// is not permanently accessible. Its availability is governed by the Exotic Mission Rotator system, which cycles through a selection of past Exotic quests.
Understanding the Rotator
The Exotic Mission Rotator was introduced in Season 22 (Season of the Witch) as a way to bring back beloved past Exotic missions and their associated rewards. //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// is one of the missions featured in this rotation, alongside others such as Presage (Dead Man's Tale), Vox Obscura (Dead Messenger), Operation: Seraph's Shield (Revision Zero), and Starcrossed (Wish-Keeper).
When Avalon is the active mission in the rotator, it can be launched from the "Legends" node within the Director screen. The rotation typically changes weekly at the Tuesday reset (18:00 CET / 13:00 EST). To participate in the Avalon mission and earn Vexcalibur, players must own the content associated with its original release, which is Season of Defiance.
Farming Strategies
Given that //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// is only available for a limited time when it's featured in the weekly rotation, Guardians looking to acquire Vexcalibur, its upgrades, or its catalysts should plan their efforts accordingly.
- Priorities: If Vexcalibur or its catalysts are missing, focus on Legendary difficulty runs first
- Intrinsic Upgrades: Combine catalyst runs with chest hunting for maximum efficiency
- Preparation: Familiarize yourself with puzzle solutions and boss strategies before the active week
Speedrun Strategies
For Guardians who wish to test their limits or simply complete the mission with maximum efficiency, understanding speedrun tactics for //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// can be invaluable. Strategies differ between Normal and Legendary difficulties, with the latter often relying on specific "cheese" tactics to overcome its heightened challenge.
Normal Mode Optimization
Speedrunning //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// on Normal difficulty primarily revolves around flawless execution of intended mechanics, rapid objective completion, and optimized movement.
- Mobility: Strand subclasses with Grapple ability offer significant advantages in traversing platforming sections quickly
- Puzzle Efficiency: Memorize Vex symbol puzzle solutions and access code locations
- Combat Speed: Efficiently clear enemy waves without unnecessary delays
Legendary Mode Tactics
Legendary speedruns of Avalon are a different beast, often incorporating community-discovered "cheese" strategies to mitigate the extreme difficulty and the lack of checkpoints.
Data Nullifier Legendary Tactics
- Utilize arena trenches for improved survivability
- Deploy Ward of Dawn directly on the central data deposit pylon
- Use Strand's Suspend abilities to control dangerous Wyverns
- Leverage artifact perks for Orb generation when breaking elemental shields
Brakion Legendary Strategies
For the final phase, the Vex milk waterfall strategy is highly effective. Position your fireteam behind the large Vex milk waterfalls (typically on the right side of the arena). This structure provides surprising cover from Brakion and many adds, allowing for relatively safe damage phases.
Alternative strategies include coordinated Titan Bubble rotation and prioritizing add clear when Brakion enters "purple fire mode" before re-engaging the boss.
Mastering the Digital Wonderland
The //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// exotic mission stands as a significant piece of content within Destiny 2, offering a rich blend of challenging platforming, intricate Vex-themed puzzles, and demanding combat encounters. From the initial cryptic summons in the EDZ's Gulch to the final confrontation with the Repurposed Mind, Brakion, Avalon tests a Guardian's observation, agility, and tactical prowess.
The acquisition of Vexcalibur is merely the first step into a larger mystery. The weapon itself, with its unique synergistic perks and craftable nature, becomes a key to unlocking the deeper secrets of the Avalon node. The layered system of hidden chests, intrinsic upgrades tied to weekly quests and exploration, and powerful catalysts earned through mastering the Legendary difficulty ensures that Avalon remains a compelling destination long after the first clear.
The mission's design, from the damaging radiolaria floors that emphasize environmental awareness to the symbol-based access codes that require deciphering Vex logic, consistently reinforces its thematic identity. Encounters like the Data Nullifier's Deletion Protocol and Brakion's multi-phase battle are memorable for their unique mechanics and the intense pressure they exert.
As part of the Exotic Mission Rotator, //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// continues to offer its challenges and rewards to both new and veteran Guardians, ensuring that the secrets of this digital Vex wonderland, and the power of Vexcalibur, remain accessible. Whether you are a lore enthusiast deciphering Asher Mir's fate, a completionist hunting every secret, or a raider seeking the ultimate challenge, Avalon promises a journey into the heart of the Vex network unlike any other.