Defeating Calus in Destiny 2: Lightfall
Calus, the final boss of the Deep Stone Crypt raid in Destiny 2’s Lightfall expansion, is a formidable opponent that requires strategic thinking and precise execution to defeat. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to defeat Calus and some valuable tips to help you succeed.
Preliminary Steps
Before taking on Calus, make sure your Guardian is well-prepared. You should have a solid understanding of the Deep Stone Crypt raid and its mechanics, including the Gravity Well, Tether, and Teleport abilities.
Here’s a quick rundown of the pre-boss preparations:
- Armories: Make sure you have the right weaponry and gear for the encounter. Bring a mix of primary and special weapon types to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Super: Choose a suitable super ability that complements your team’s roles. For example, a Solar Guardian with a powerful solar attack super can be a game-changer against Calus.
- Ability Rolls: Ensure your abilities are set to the right mode (e.g., Heavy for weapons) and that your subclass abilities are empowered and ready for use.
Calus’s Abilities and Phases
Calus has three distinct phases during the fight, each with its own unique set of abilities and challenges. Familiarize yourself with his attacks to ensure a successful encounter:
**Phase 1: Shield Down**
- Default Attack: Calus’s main attack is a rapid-fire sequence that can be interrupted by hitting the Tether plate near him.
- Grapple Ability: Calus can lasso a player and briefly freeze them in place. This is NOT a killmove – simply release the stunned Guardian to continue fighting.
- Explosion: Calus may launch a massive explosion that knocks Guardians away. Be prepared to quickly move away from the blast radius or find cover.
**Phase 2: Shield Up**
- Grapple Again: Calus redeploys his grapple ability to repeatedly lasso and stun Guardians. Continue to release the stunned Guardians and deal with the remaining members.
- Gravity Well: Calus spawns a Gravity Well, which reduces gravity and slows movement speed for affected Guardians. Try to move slowly and avoid the Well or disrupt it with abilities.
**Phase 3: Teleport Mode**
- Random Targeting: Calus will begin firing a beam of energy that teleports to random players on the raid team. Move quickly to get behind cover or avoid the beam entirely.
- Massive Slap: Calus performs a series of massive slaps that create significant damage and knockback. Watch your positioning and move to avoid taking these hits.
Tips for Success
Here are some general strategies and tips to help you defeat Calus:
• Communication: Coordinate with your raid team to prioritize targets, avoid Grapple shots, and maintain awareness of changing circumstances.
• Keep Moving: Minimize standing still to reduce the risk of getting caught by Gravity Wells or Calus’s default attacks.
• Disrupt Gravity Well: Regularly disrupt the Gravity Well by luring it away from teammates using abilities or dodging back and forth to cancel it out.
• Focus on a Healing Guardian: Prioritize keeping the highest-damage-dealing (and most fragile) Guardian of your team topped up, allowing you to maintain a consistent output against Calus.
• Super Strategicness: Use your super ability judiciously, aiming to minimize invincibility frames and ensure consistent healing or damage output during extended fights.
Calus Weakspots
Here are some valuable strategies for targeting Calus’s weak points during each phase:
| Phase | Weakspot Location |
|---|---|
| 1. Shield Down | Head, specifically behind the left shoulder guard. |
| 2. Shield Up | Knee, accessible during the Grapple Stun sequence. |
| 3. Teleport Mode | Right hip and shoulder area, while the target beam is away from Calus. |
Additional FAQs
Q1: What is the best primary weapon for Calus?
A1: Primary weapons with high damage and accurate auto-aim (like Solar or Arc primaries) excel in this fight.
Q2: Is Calus a challenging boss to beat?
A2: Yes, Calus demands coordination, awareness, and smart weapon choices to succeed. With careful planning and teamwork, however, a well-prepared team can take him down.
Q3: What about strategies for soloing Calus?
A3: While possible, soloing Calus is extremely challenging. Consider playing co-op with experienced teammates for improved chances of success.
Q4: Should I focus on Calus or the adds during Phase 1?
A4: Avoid distracting yourself with adds during Phase 1. Focus on weakening or killing Calus before shifting to the adds.
Q5: When should I use my super during the fight?
A5: Save your super for when Calus uses his Gravity Well ability (Phase 2) or after breaking his shield (Phase 3). This ensures you’ll do significant damage during vulnerable windows.
Q6: How do I disrupt Calus’s Gravity Well in Phase 2?
A6: Lure it away from teammates using abilities like Melee, Magnetic, or Champions to cancel the effect, or simply move the Guardians away from the Well’s effects.
Q7: Can I tank the hits from Calus’s Massive Slaps during Phase 3?
A7: While possible, avoid these massive slaps whenever possible to preserve survivability. Move to cover and avoid taking unnecessary damage.
Q8: Do I need specific abilities for the encounter?
A8: Ability Roll Sets can significantly impact success in this fight. Make sure you set abilities to Heavy mode ( weapons) and empowered subclass abilities (supers).
By following this comprehensive guide and adapting to the demands of each phase, you’ll be better equipped to defeat Calus in the Destiny 2: Lightfall raid, securing a well-deserved sense of accomplishment and bragging rights with your Guardians.