PvE

Overview

PvE (Player vs Environment, refered to as Special Ops (Co-Op PvE) in-game) missions pit a small team of players against the computer controlled NPCs that populate the mission area. There are many different enemies, but the mission generally starts with weaker minions followed by a few stronger ones and ends with a powerful boss. Players start inside a shielded drop-ship for a short time, and are able to change their equipment while they are on board. The ship also contains a Respawn Portal Beacon and it's entry portal - the Beacon will be teleported to a specific location in the instance once a number of Agents have reached the location.

Once the ship opens, the players are able to begin the mission - the team has 15 minutes to destroy the mission's boss. If a player dies during the mission, they are forced to wait a short time before being respawned on the starting drop ship. While there is no limit to the number of deaths that can be incurred, dying should be avoided as much as possible due to the time limit and the Challenge Bonus.

There are several different difficulties for PvE, but all are made for teams of 4 (with the exception of Double Agent, where 2 additional players fight for the Commonwealth). Teams are able to enter missions with fewer than 4 players, however they will not be directly compensated for the increased difficulty.

Challenge Bonus

The Challenge Bonus is a special reward given to the players if they manage to complete the mission while keeping their total deaths below a specified target number. They are awarded with Credits, Tokens, and additional experience, based on the mission difficulty.

Solo Play

The Sandstorm update added the option for players to attempt missions alone. Available in 4 difficulties (Novice, Rookie, Advanced and Expert), they can be used to test new equipment, strategies, as well as a quick source of Crafting materials. Expert difficulty also rewards completion with Rare and Epic equipment!

Difficulty Levels

Low Security

Low Security Missions have been removed with the second Sandstorm update. Starting agents are encouraged to begin the Sonoran Desert Zone quests.

Medium Security

No level requirement, Challenge Target: 4 Deaths

Missions within the Sonoran Desert, including numerous hostile humanoid NPCs or drones, depending on the map. No Xp is gained after level 19. Environments vary between a desert canyon leading to an underground base, to a cybernetic-looking underground burrow in the middle of a flat desert section.

High Security

Requires level 12, Challenge Target: 4 Deaths (Commonwealth Prime)), 6 Deaths (

Considerable numbers of Minion Androids, frequent Elite Agents (sometimes in groups!). At least one Support Robot on each map, with a Prototype Robot/Super Agent as the boss (Viking, Switchblade, Vanguard, Thinktank, Reaper). Environments are high-tech labortories, a few types of high-tech factories, and mines.

Maximum Security

Requires level 22, Challenge Target: 4 Deaths

Similar to High Security, with an increased number of minions and Elite Agents. A new enemy, the Support Scanner, patrols the environment.

Ultra-Max Security

Requires level 22 - Challenge Target: 4 Deaths

A new difficulty added with the Sandstorm update, Ultra-Max presents and even greater challenge than Maximum Security missions. In addtion to an increase in NPC density, Support Scanners will summon reinforcement for each alarm instead of only once!

Double Agent

Requires level 25

A 6-player mission similar to other PvE missions, however two players will be chosen at random to side with the Commonwealth against the other four players. Players that periodically decline missions will be intentionally placed on the non-Double Agent team during matchmaking. Also, Double Agent Medics can heal Commonwealth agents (including all four Elites) as well as Think Tank; while Robotics can heal all mechanical NPCs, including bosses.

NPC list

In addition to the Environmental Hazards found in the mission, the players will need to defeat many different types of hostile NPCs.

Minions

Found during missions at all Security levels, unless otherwise noted.

• Alarm Responders: Found in missions with Retinal Scanners. Teleport in if scanner is triggered, similar to Droids. Teleported in by bosses during High Security missions.

• Minion Android: Found from Low to Max Security missions. Armed with an Assault Rifle, used as cannon fodder.

• Minion Balista: Found on Medium Security and above, armed with 6-pack Grenade Launcher. Each grenade has a large explosive radius.

• Minion Sentinel: Treaded robot with a Rocket Launcher.

• Maintenance Drone: Support unit, heals other enemies, will be summoned by bosses at High Security.

Agents

Fought as bosses at the end of Low Security missions, and as uncommon units in Medium or higher

• Elite Alchemist: Agent with Health Regeneration and Poisoning abilities. Also has an Assault Rifle.

• Elite Assassin: Able to Stealth, can stun in melee. Equipped with a Sword and an SMG. On High Security missions, responds to Retinal Scanner alarms.

• Elite Helot: Agent with a Minigun - slow, but with high Health and deals alot of damage.

• Elite Techro: Agent armed with a Rumbleblaster, able to construct Techro Buff Stations, a flying attack drone. They are also able to heal Mechanical NPCs.

Support class

Fought in Medium Security missions as boss, and as Mini-Bosses in High Security.

• Support Foremen: Mech that can only attack with melee. Picks a target and will not stop until either it or the target is dead. (High Security only)

• Support Destroyer: Bipedal robot equipped with an Auto Cannon and a Shockwave attack.

• Support Guardian: Hovering robot with Machine Gun and a Rocket Launcher. Attempts to dodge shots - can be difficult to hit.

• Support Keeper: Six legged spider-like robot with a circular midsection. Has the same special melee-only attack as the Recluse, however also occasionally fires bouncing energy discs that freeze players. (Summoned by Thinktank only)

• Support Recluse: Six legged robot, fires a low-damage Auto Cannon. Has a special melee-only attack, increasing it's speed.

• Support Scanner: Floating disc-like robot, purplish in color. If it spots a player, it will open up and flash a beam at them - if a player is caught in this beam, a very large number of reinforcements are summoned! (Maximum Security only)

• Support Widow: Quadrupedal robot with a periscope like headpiece. Armed with an Auto-cannon, melee attacks, and the ability to pull targets towards itself. (High Security only)

Prototypes

Fought in High Security missions as bosses. Can summon units.

• Reaper: Squid-like hovering robot that fires homing energy balls.

• Switchblade: Mech with claws and a charge attack. Has a Whirlwind that pulls people in.

• Thinktank: Super Agent that summons more powerful units. Uses a shield to protect herself.

• Vanguard: Bipedal heavy Mech, yellowish color. Pulls primary target towards him and stuns them breifly before peppering them with Auto Cannon fire.

• Viking: Bipedal heavy Mech. Armed with a high-powered Auto Cannon, as well as a rapid-fire energy Rocket Launcher!