Understanding the Onslaught Environment
Game Mode Mechanics
The vast, ever-evolving universe of Warframe offers a breathtaking array of gameplay experiences. From exploring sprawling open worlds to engaging in intense, fast-paced combat against legions of formidable foes, there’s something to capture the interest of every player. Amongst the numerous activities available, Sanctuary Onslaught shines as a challenging and rewarding game mode, offering a unique test of skill and the chance to obtain valuable resources. This guide dives deep into the mechanics of Sanctuary Onslaught, providing strategies, Warframe recommendations, and essential tips for conquering this thrilling game mode and earning its riches.
Sanctuary Onslaught presents players with a frenetic, time-sensitive challenge. You’re dropped into a constantly shifting environment, tasked with surviving waves of relentless enemies while racing against a rapidly depleting timer. Your objective? To eliminate enemies as swiftly as possible to gather enough “Efficiencies” to complete the cycle and progress to the next round. Reaching higher rounds is the key to unlocking better rewards. This game mode tests your reflexes, your Warframe’s abilities, and your understanding of enemy behavior, making it a rewarding experience for both new and veteran players.
Goals and Objectives
One of the unique aspects of Sanctuary Onslaught is the ‘Conduit’ system. At the beginning of each cycle, you’re given the opportunity to select the Warframe that you want to use. This creates strategic opportunities, allowing you to optimize your team composition if you’re playing in a squad.
The cycle structure is a key element of Sanctuary Onslaught. Each cycle is divided into several rounds. The goal is to clear each round as quickly as possible while eliminating enemies and collecting Efficiencies. A countdown timer constantly ticks down. The faster you clear the round, the more time you have to spend in the next.
“Efficiency” plays a vital role in your success. By eliminating enemies, you accumulate Efficiency points. The efficiency you gather determines whether you complete the cycle. Without enough efficiency you fail the round, and your session ends. The game mode incentivizes aggressive play, forcing you to make split-second decisions.
Both Sanctuary Onslaught and Elite Sanctuary Onslaught exist within Warframe. While the core mechanics remain the same, Elite Sanctuary Onslaught kicks the difficulty up a notch. Enemy levels are higher, enemy spawn rates are increased, and specific enemy types may appear more frequently. Elite Sanctuary Onslaught also offers different, often more valuable, rewards.
Goals and Objectives: How to Thrive
Survival and Advancement
The primary goal of Sanctuary Onslaught is to survive as long as possible while eliminating enemies. This isn’t just about staying alive; it’s about performing with both speed and strategy. The core of the mode is the rush to complete each cycle within the time limit.
Another critical aspect is the accumulation of Efficiencies. These points are earned by defeating enemies. The efficiency bar dictates whether you advance. This is not merely a kill-or-be-killed game; it’s a race against time to generate enough energy to continue.
As you progress through the cycles, the challenge ramps up. Enemies become stronger, and their numbers increase. Reaching higher rounds is a testament to your skill and teamwork (if applicable), and is essential for maximizing your rewards. Understanding how to thrive in the face of increasing pressure is key.
Rewarding the Tenno: What to Expect
Reward Tiers
Sanctuary Onslaught offers a tiered reward system. With each successfully completed cycle, you are given a reward. These can include Relics, Blueprints, and other valuable items.
The quality and rarity of the rewards scale with the rounds you clear. The longer you survive, the better the potential loot. This creates a strong incentive to push yourself, to refine your strategies, and to strive for continuous improvement. The allure of unique rewards keeps players coming back for more.
Selecting Your Arsenal: Warframe Choices and Builds
Warframe Selection
Choosing the right Warframe is critical for success in Sanctuary Onslaught. Certain Warframes excel in this game mode due to their abilities, survivability, and ability to control the battlefield. The right Warframe selection can make all the difference between triumph and defeat.
Best Warframes
Several Warframes consistently perform well in Sanctuary Onslaught.
Octavia: A true powerhouse in Sanctuary Onslaught, Octavia can control the battlefield with her abilities. Her Mallet ability, if placed correctly, can attract enemies and deal massive damage. Her Resonator (Mandachord) ability is capable of drawing enemies to a specific point, making it ideal for both clearing and gathering enemies. Her ability to become invisible provides excellent survivability.
Build Example: Focus on high Ability Strength and Duration for optimal performance. Mods like Transient Fortitude, Intensify, and Primed Continuity are crucial. Her weapons of choice are ones that can deal high damage output.
Saryn: This is another great choice for Sanctuary Onslaught, a Warframe known for her ability to spread damage. Her abilities can devastate crowds of enemies quickly.
Build Example: Build around high Ability Strength and Range to maximize the damage and spread of her abilities. Mods like Strength mods, and Stretch will improve her range.
Mesa: Mesa is a great choice, known for her Peacemaker ability. Mesa can deal with swarms of enemies with her devastating ultimate. Mesa’s ability to provide shields is also incredibly beneficial.
Build Example: Build to focus on Ability Strength to increase the damage of Peacemaker.
Nidus: Nidus is another powerhouse. His abilities are built around building stacks and creating massive damage.
Build Example: Build around Ability Strength and Efficiency, this will help get Nidus’s abilities built up.
The ideal build varies depending on the Warframe. However, mods that increase Ability Strength, Ability Range, and Ability Efficiency are generally valuable. You should experiment to find the builds that you enjoy the most.
Sanctuary Onslaught has a constantly moving nature that may require a shift in tactics. You have to constantly change your plans depending on what is thrown at you. Consider which Warframes work best for that.
It is also worth noting that you can always coordinate with your teammates if you have any, to determine which warframes work best with one another.
Support Warframes
Trinity: Trinity is an excellent support Warframe. Her ability to provide energy regeneration and healing is essential for long runs.
Build Example: Mods focusing on Ability Efficiency and Range are beneficial to assist in energy regeneration.
Harrow: Harrow is another great support Warframe. He can boost critical hits and grant energy, playing an important role.
Build Example: Focus on efficiency and duration. This will help him stay efficient in supporting the team.
Weapon Considerations: The Tools of the Trade
Weapon Selection
Your weapon selection is as important as your Warframe choice. The best weapons complement your Warframe’s abilities, allowing you to eliminate enemies quickly and efficiently.
Choosing weapons that deal high damage, have a wide area of effect, or can effectively target specific enemy types is key.
Consider weapons with high status chance to inflict debilitating effects on enemies or weapons that can easily clear groups.
Strategies for Thriving
Movement and Engagement
Beyond Warframe and weapon selection, strategic gameplay is the bedrock of success in Sanctuary Onslaught.
General Guidelines
Movement and positioning are critical. Sanctuary Onslaught is a dynamic environment. Continuously moving makes you a harder target and allows you to quickly respond to enemy spawns. Understanding the map layouts will help you strategize movement.
Efficiently eliminating enemies is essential for completing cycles within the time limit. Prioritize enemies based on their threat level and weakness.
If you are playing in a group, communication and coordination are essential.
In-Depth Strategy
Collecting Efficiencies requires more than simply shooting; it means staying on the move, engaging enemies, and strategically using your Warframe abilities. It is important to be fast and effective, clearing enemies as quickly as possible.
Dealing with difficult enemy types, such as high-level armored units or those with powerful abilities, requires specific tactics. Understanding the weaknesses of each enemy type and exploiting them is crucial.
Knowing when to extract from the mission is essential. While reaching higher rounds yields better rewards, you should extract if you are running low on time or the challenge becomes too difficult.
Advanced Gameplay
The core principle of modding in Warframe can have a high impact on your performance. Experiment with your Warframe’s abilities and weapons to maximize their effectiveness.
Using different focus schools and their abilities for support can be beneficial.
Understanding enemy types and their weaknesses allows you to exploit specific vulnerabilities.
Elite Sanctuary Onslaught: Pushing the Limits
Enhanced Difficulty
Elite Sanctuary Onslaught offers a significantly more challenging experience. The rewards are also richer.
The increased difficulty will require adjustments in your builds, loadouts, and teamwork.
For Elite Sanctuary Onslaught, consider Warframes that can withstand more attacks, and also Warframes that offer additional utility, such as crowd control.
In Elite Sanctuary Onslaught, you will need to coordinate with your team to ensure that everyone is contributing effectively.
Elite Mode Rewards
Elite Sanctuary Onslaught has unique rewards.
Conclusion
Mastering Sanctuary Onslaught requires a combination of strategic Warframe selection, strategic weapon choice, efficient gameplay, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. By focusing on improving your skills, experimenting with different strategies, and adapting to the ever-changing challenges of this dynamic game mode, you can significantly improve your chances of success.
Remember, the key to success in Sanctuary Onslaught is the continuous process of learning and refinement. Experiment with different Warframes, weapons, and builds to find the combinations that best suit your playstyle. Practice, learn from your mistakes, and strive to improve with each run.
Sanctuary Onslaught is a demanding yet exhilarating experience. Embrace the challenge, hone your skills, and discover the rewards. The more you play and adapt to the mode’s challenges, the better you’ll become.
Further Steps
Experiment and find the Warframes that you enjoy and that match your playstyle.
This is a great way to obtain some of the items that you may be looking for.
Warframe is a constantly evolving game, so remain informed about any new updates.
