Can You Do Rhulk Cheese on Normal? The Definitive Guide
In short, yes, the “classic Rhulk cheese,” involving pushing him off the arena, is no longer possible in Destiny 2, regardless of difficulty. However, alternative, less reliable “cheese” strategies might be attempted on Normal difficulty, although success is highly unlikely and not recommended.
Rhulk: The Disciple of the Witness and a Nightmare Encounter
Rhulk, the Disciple of the Witness, is the final boss of the Vow of the Disciple raid in Destiny 2. Known for his unforgiving mechanics and intricate damage phases, he is considered one of the most challenging raid bosses in the game. For a long time, players sought ways to circumvent the intended mechanics, resorting to “cheese” strategies to achieve victory with relative ease. This article delves into whether these methods, particularly the infamous arena-pushing cheese, remain viable on Normal difficulty.
The Rise and Fall of the Rhulk Arena Push Cheese
Before major game updates, it was possible to exploit Rhulk’s pathing and the environment to force him off the arena. This involved using specific abilities or weapons to manipulate his position near the edge, causing him to fall to his death. This strategy bypassed the complex mechanics of the encounter, offering a significantly easier victory. However, Bungie has patched this exploit, rendering it virtually impossible.
Understanding Normal Difficulty: Easier, But Still Challenging
Normal difficulty in the Vow of the Disciple raid presents a slightly less demanding version of the encounter. Enemy health and damage output are reduced, and some mechanics may be slightly simplified. However, it still requires coordination and understanding of the core mechanics. While simpler than Master difficulty, it is not a walk in the park.
Alternative “Cheese” Strategies: A Desperate Gambit
While the arena-pushing cheese is gone, some players might attempt other less reliable strategies to cheese Rhulk on Normal. These might involve:
- Exploiting specific weapon or ability combinations: Certain builds might offer significantly higher damage output, potentially allowing for quicker damage phases and reducing the need to engage fully with the mechanics. However, these are often patched out quickly.
- Manipulating enemy AI: Attempts to trick Rhulk’s AI into behaving predictably or getting stuck in specific locations might be made. These are rarely consistent.
- Taking advantage of glitches: Discovering and exploiting unintentional glitches in the game environment or mechanics is always a possibility, but these are highly unpredictable and unreliable.
Why “Cheesing” is Generally Not Recommended
While tempting, “cheesing” Rhulk, especially on Normal difficulty, is generally discouraged for several reasons:
- Missed learning opportunity: Engaging with the mechanics teaches players valuable skills and strategies applicable to other challenging encounters. Bypassing these mechanics hinders skill development.
- Risk of failure: Many “cheese” strategies are unreliable and can easily fail, leading to wasted time and frustration.
- Potential for punishment: Bungie actively discourages exploits, and while unlikely, accounts that consistently abuse them could face repercussions.
- It’s not fun!: Overcoming the challenge through skill and teamwork is a more rewarding experience than relying on exploits.
Table Comparing “Cheese” Viability
| Cheese Strategy | Viability on Normal | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Arena Push | Impossible | Patched by Bungie; no longer functional. |
| Weapon/Ability Exploits | Possible, Unreliable | Requires specific builds and is subject to patching. |
| AI Manipulation | Possible, Very Unlikely | Highly inconsistent and difficult to execute. |
| Glitch Exploitation | Possible, Extremely Unlikely | Depends on the discovery of new, unpatched glitches, which are rare and often short-lived. |
| Optimal Damage Builds (Legit) | Viable | Focusing on powerful builds and team coordination is the most reliable “cheese” in the current state. |
Bullet List: Factors Affecting Rhulk Difficulty
- Team composition and coordination
- Player skill and understanding of mechanics
- Gear level and weapon choices
- The presence of active glitches or exploits
- Server stability and latency
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Rhulk Sword Fly cheese still working?
No, the Rhulk Sword Fly cheese, which involved using a Sword and specific timing to launch players across the arena and bypass certain encounters, is no longer viable. Bungie has addressed this exploit in recent updates.
What is the easiest way to beat Rhulk now?
The easiest way to beat Rhulk now is to focus on optimizing your damage output with strong weapon loadouts and coordinating with your team to execute the encounter mechanics efficiently. Utilizing builds focused on maximizing your damage is the most effective “cheese” available.
Can I solo Rhulk with a cheese strategy?
While some highly skilled players might theoretically be able to solo parts of the raid with complex and situational exploits, soloing Rhulk, especially with a cheese strategy, is extremely difficult and not recommended for the vast majority of players. It’s highly impractical, and any working method would likely be short lived before being patched.
Does Normal difficulty remove the need to understand the mechanics?
No, Normal difficulty does not eliminate the need to understand Rhulk’s mechanics. While the encounter is more forgiving, you still need to correctly perform the symbol calls, pass the Leeching Force, and deal damage during the damage phases to succeed.
What weapons are best for damaging Rhulk?
Currently, high-damage weapons such as linear fusion rifles with damage-boosting perks, like Firing Line or Reconstruction, are generally considered the most effective for damaging Rhulk. Using optimal builds is also very important.
How important is team coordination in the Rhulk encounter?
Team coordination is crucial for the Rhulk encounter, even on Normal difficulty. Clear communication of symbol calls, efficient passing of Leeching Force, and synchronized damage phases are essential for a successful run.
Are there any known “cheese” strategies that work in 2024?
As of late 2024, there are no widely known and reliable “cheese” strategies for Rhulk. Any newly discovered exploits are usually quickly patched by Bungie. The best strategy is to learn the mechanics and execute them well.
What happens if a player dies during the Rhulk encounter?
If a player dies during the Rhulk encounter, they can be revived by another player within a certain time limit. If the entire fireteam wipes, the encounter resets to the beginning of the current phase.
Is it possible to one-phase Rhulk on Normal difficulty?
Yes, it is possible to one-phase Rhulk on Normal difficulty with a well-coordinated team using optimized damage builds and focusing on critical hits. However, this requires significant preparation and coordination.
What are some common mistakes players make during the Rhulk encounter?
Common mistakes include misreading the symbols, failing to pass the Leeching Force correctly, poor positioning during damage phases, and lack of coordination with the rest of the team.
What rewards can I expect from defeating Rhulk on Normal difficulty?
Defeating Rhulk on Normal difficulty rewards players with raid-specific weapons and armor, as well as materials for crafting and upgrading gear. You’ll also earn progress towards completing the Vow of the Disciple raid triumphs.
Does the difficulty level affect the loot drops in the Vow of the Disciple raid?
While the specific loot pool remains the same, Master difficulty offers an increased chance for Adept weapons, which possess enhanced stats and can be upgraded with Adept mods. Normal difficulty does not offer Adept weapons.