Prepare
As most guardians have already discovered, Destiny‘s newest challenge Prison of Elders is one tough activity. The levels, waves, and critical objectives are meant to test each guardians individual ability, as well as their efficiency as part of a small fireteam. One prime example is the Prison of Elders boss Valus Trau’ug.
This nasty Cabal commander brings all of the toughness that the alien race is known for, but with an added annoyance that will have many guardians questioning their resolve. Valus Trau’ug has the ability to change the element of his shield. This makes coordinating attacks a must, but it also makes weapon choices extremely important.
Outside of general preparation for the Prison of Elders, prior to the boss fight, both yourself and your two teammates need to select one of the three burns (Void, Arc, and Solar) and stick to it. The boss fight itself doesn’t allow much breathing room so switching weapons during the battle will not be a viable strategy unless you have a Defender that time out a Ward of Dawn for you. It’s best to be in control of one specific element for the duration of the fight. Also, everyone should have at least one solar weapon since cabal majors (like the Centurions) tend to charge you with their solar shields. Most other enemy types will keep their distance so they won’t be too much of a problem.
If there is a Titan in your team, make sure they are using their Defender Subclass, it will become very useful during the waves of additional enemies. Once your weapons, and subclasses are straight, you’re ready to get started.
Enter the Arena
Upon entering the Cabal arena in the Prison of Elders you will find yourself inside of a relatively closed space with doorways leading into the larger area. This closed space is where you and your fellow guardians will want to remain for two main reasons.
The first reason is that there will be tons of additional enemies, most wielding explosive weapons. Also Valus Trau’ug likes to get close whenever possible, but he is unable to fit into the closed area along with most of the other enemies. Defending this small area will allow the fireteam to control the waves, while also taking quick shots at the boss himself.
Secondly, staying in this area will keep the enemies grouped up. Why is this important? Well, if things get a bit hairy as the fireteam defends the small area, they will need an out of some type in order to catch a breather, something the Prison of Elders doesn’t always offer. If all of the enemies remain grouped up, the fireteam can run out and circle around the relatively clear arena. There is plenty of cover scattered about, when players can rotate out of one side, take cover to heal, grab some ammo, eliminate some of the smaller enemies, then return from the opposite side. Just don’t stay out there too long, make it quick.
Figure out Valus Trau’ug’s Shield and Take it Out
As mentioned before, this particular Prison of Elders boss has the ability to change his shield, often times rendering weapons next to useless. But, if you followed the first step, each one of your fireteam members will be decked out with a specific damage type. The first thing that needs be done is Valus Trau’ug must be quickly located so that the team can know exactly what shield they’re dealing with first.
Once that’s figured out, have whichever team member is in charge of that damage type focus solely upon Valus Trau’ug while the other two keep the additional enemies to a minimum. Valus Trau’ug tends to move around a lot so having this person focused on eliminating the shield while being covered by the other two makes the fight go much quicker than it normally would.
Once the shield is down it’s time to switch focus.
The Dynamic 2/1 Combo
Once the shield is down, it’s time to handle your business. Have a second fireteam member shift focus away from handling the smaller enemies to delivering as much damage as possible to the boss. Now would be a good time for any Defender in the team to drop a bubble, especially if it has the Weapons of Light buff. This bubble will help keep the two focused on Valus safe, as well as cover the back of the one handling all of the additional enemies. Feel free to switch to Blessing of Light if you find yourself taking too much damage for the added protection.
The two guardians that are focused on the Valus Trau’ug should alternate fire. While this Prison of Elders inmate does have the ability to switch his shields, he still must follow the same rules as every other enemy in the game. If his shield is down, it will stay down as long as he keeps receiving damage. However, his shield regenerates pretty quickly, so making sure one of the two guardians is hitting him at all times is critical. While one player reloads, the other delivers a steady stream of fire. If you’re using a gun with a high rate of fire, control your output so that you don’t run out while your partner is reloading.
Keep in mind that he will try and hide behind his forces when his shield is down, and he moves very quickly.Just maintain your focus and you’ll be fine
Emerge Victorious and Claim Your Rewards
This Prison of Elders battle is far from the easiest, but with this strategy you’ll be able to take Valus Trau’ug in absolutely no time. The key is preparation and timing. Having the right weapons is extremely important during this fight, more so than a lot of other encounters in Destiny. Working as a team at all times is imperative for taking down this extraordinarily tough foe, so make sure to always communicate and keep your fellow guardians aware of all risks.
Of course, this battle isn’t all for naught. On top of an elusive Grimoire card, and some much deserved bragging rights, you will have a chance to once again open a chest beneath the Prison of Elders. There are tons of new loot, including some sweet exotics, so go forth and build your legend.
How did you fare against Valus Trau’ug? Is the Prison of Elders the challenge you’ve been wanting? Share your thoughts in the comments. And, be sure to check out or Destiny House of Wolves Wiki Guide for more tips & tricks.
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