🔥 Week 17 Trials

FINAL WEEK - Season 2 Ends Feb 22

Feb 16-23, 2026

⏰ LAST CHANCE CANTINA LEGEND

🚨 FINAL WEEK ALERT

This is your LAST opportunity for Season 2 rewards!

Cantina Legend target: 250,000-280,000 total points
Must reach Hotshot by Monday to qualify for Cantina
Season ends Feb 22, 2026 - No extensions
Expedition Window: Starts after Feb 22

⚡ TL;DR - Fast 3-Star Strategy

Budget method: 2-3 matches, ~60-90 minutes. Use PvE lobbies for easier runs.

🐝 Easiest: Wasps

Any map except Stella

✓ 6 Snitch Scanners
✓ Throw + Wolfpack
✓ Done in 5 min

Budget Friendly!

🌙 Easy: Ticks

Stella Montis Night Raid

✓ Seed Vault only
✓ Free loadout OK
✓ 9 kills needed

Zero Risk!

📦 Easy: Probes

Spaceport EM Storm

✓ 3 probes needed
✓ Groups of 3 spawn
✓ Look for smoke

Quick Run!

🏛️ Medium: Bunker

Spaceport Hidden Bunker

✓ Wait for event
✓ 4 downloads needed
✓ 40 min timer

Time-gated

💀 Hard: Boss

Queen recommended

✓ 2 Deadline Mines
✓ OR 12 Wolfpacks
✓ Don't loot body!

Expensive

🎮 PvE Lobby Tip:
Play 2-3 games WITHOUT shooting anyone first. Behavior-based matchmaking = easier lobbies = 100x faster trials.

📍 Jump to Section

All 5 Challenges Damage Wasps Hidden Bunker Queens/Matriarchs Destroy Ticks Open Probes Budget Loadouts Cantina 250k+

🎯

This Week's 5 Challenges

🐝

Damage Wasps

Flying drones with machine guns

440 pts/wasp (2x modifier)

Need: 10 wasps (4,400 pts)

Location: Any map (not Stella)
Difficulty: Easy with Snitch Scanners

🏛️

Download Bunker Data

Hidden Bunker terminals

1,200 pts/download

Need: 4 downloads (4,800 pts)

Location: Spaceport only
Difficulty: Easy, time-gated

👑

Damage Queens/Matriarchs

Giant boss ARCs

~16,000 pts/boss

Need: 1/4 boss HP (4,000 pts)

Location: Harvester/Matriarch events
Difficulty: Hard, expensive

🦗

Destroy Ticks

Face-hugging crawlers

616 pts/tick (Night Raid)

Need: 7 ticks (4,312 pts)

Location: Stella Montis Seed Vault
Difficulty: Very Easy

📦

Open ARC Probes

Crashed missiles with loot

1,334 pts/probe (EM Storm)

Need: 3 probes (4,002 pts)

Location: Spaceport EM Storm
Difficulty: Easy

🐝 Trial 1: Damage Wasps

EASIEST 5-15 min 2x Modifier Required

💰 Budget 3-Star Method

Collect 6 Snitch Scanners → Throw them → Wolfpack the Wasps that spawn → Extract

Cost: 6 Snitch Scanners + 6 Wolfpacks
Time: 5 minutes
Risk: Minimal

💸 Budget Method: Snitch Scanner Strategy

▼

⚡ Key Facts:
• Each Snitch Scanner spawns 2 Wasps
• 6 scanners = 12 Wasps = 5,280 pts (more than enough)
• Wolfpack grenades one-shot Wasps
• DO NOT throw scanners on top of each other (Wasps crash)

📋 Step-by-Step

Collect 6 Snitch Scanners (before trial raid)
Farm them from Snitches on any map
Load into any map with 2x modifier
Night Raid, EM Storm, etc. (NOT Stella Montis)
Find safe open area
Rooftop or elevated position works best
Throw 1 Snitch Scanner
Wait for alarm sound + beam from sky
2 Wasps spawn → Kill with Wolfpack
One Wolfpack per Wasp = instant kill
Repeat 5 more times
Space out scanners - don't stack them
Extract immediately
You're done! 3 stars secured.

🎯 Pro Tip: If you only want 3-star, stop at 5 scanners. If going for leaderboard, bring 88 scanners as a trio to Blue Gate Locked Gate event.

🏆 Leaderboard Method: 77k+ Points

▼

📍 Best Setup: Blue Gate Locked Gate Event

Why Locked Gate? 40 minutes instead of 30 (+10 min)
Team of 3: Combine up to 88 Snitch Scanners
Scanners = 77,000 pts (remaining from natural spawns)

🗺️ Positioning Strategy

Position	Location	Why
Primary	Maintenance Bunker (top)	360° view, snap hook access, barricades
Split 1	Village → Bearing Clearing → Highway	Catches patrol spawns
Split 2	Reinforced Reception or Pilgrim's Peak	High ground sniping

Team vs Solo:
Split teams gain ~40,000 more points than grouped teams due to catching more natural Wasp patrols.

⚔️ Combat Tips: Killing Wasps Efficiently

▼

🎯 Weak Points

Main body/center mass - NOT the thrusters
Focus center for maximum damage credit
Shooting thrusters off = less damage credit
3 Anvil shots to center = kill

🔫 Best Weapons

Weapon	Shots to Kill	Notes
Wolfpack	1	Best for scanners
Hullcracker	1	Expensive but effective
Anvil	3	Standard choice
Osprey	4-5	Long range precision
Renegade	5-6	Budget friendly

🏛️ Trial 2: Hidden Bunker

EVENT REQUIRED 15-25 min 40 min timer

⚠️ Time-Gated Event

Hidden Bunker only appears at specific times. Check our events tracker for availability before queueing.

🗺️ How to Access Hidden Bunker

▼

Quick Summary:
Activate 4 antennas around map → Bunker opens → Download from terminals → Extract

📋 Step-by-Step Process

Check for Hidden Bunker event on Spaceport
Look for condition icon on map selector
Load into Spaceport
Bring Zipline or Snap Hook (some antennas on roofs)
Locate 4 antennas on your map
White satellite dish icons - random locations each game
Activate each antenna (2-step process):
1st interaction: Establish connection (spawns Wasps/Hornets)
Kill enemies
2nd interaction: Send unlock signal
Once all 4 activated → Bunker opens
Lobby-wide announcement appears
Go to bunker entrance
Southwest of Departure Building (between Fuel Processing & Fuel Lines)

💡 Team Play: Other players can activate antennas for you. You don't need to do all 4 yourself. It's a lobby-wide effort!

💾 Downloading from Terminals (4 needed for 3-star)

▼

📍 Terminal Locations

7 terminals on bottom floor
1 terminal upstairs in circular room (OFTEN MISSED!)
Hard cap: 9,600 points (8 terminals total)

💡 How Terminals Work

🟢 Green Light
Ready to download

🟡 Yellow Light
Download in progress
STAY CLOSE!

🔴 Red Light
Failed or already used

⚠️ Critical Rules

❌ Walking away during download = FAIL (goes red)
✓ Squad members can share downloads (all get credit)
💡 Look for terminals others are using (save time)
📍 DON'T forget upstairs terminal!

⚔️ Bunker Dangers & Defense

▼

⚠️ Heavily Guarded:
Bunker entrance and interior are protected by powerful ARCs and attract PvP players

🤖 ARC Enemies Present

Bastions (minigun heavies)
Bombardiers (rocket ARCs)
Rocketeers (flying)
Hornets and Wasps

🛡️ Survival Tips

✓ Clear ARCs before downloading
✓ Use solid cover during downloads
✓ Watch for other players (high PvP area)
✓ Extract immediately after 4 downloads

👑 Trial 3: Damage Queens/Matriarchs

HARDEST EXPENSIVE Event Required

💀 Boss Fight Required

You need to do 1/4 of boss health (~4,000 damage)

This is THE most expensive trial. Budget options available below.

🤔 Queen vs Matriarch: Which to Fight?

▼

Boss	Pros	Cons	Verdict
Queen	• Faster kill • Less dangerous • Predictable spawn • Recommended by pros	• Requires Harvester event • NOT during Night Raid	✓ CHOOSE THIS
Matriarch	• Easier core access • Good for Deadline strat	• More health • More dangerous • Summons ARCs • Shield phases	⚠️ Only if confident

🎯 Community Consensus: Queen is faster, safer, and cheaper to 3-star. Most guides recommend Queen over Matriarch.

💸 Budget Method: 2 Deadline Mines

▼

🎯 Cheapest 3-Star Method

Cost: 2 Deadline Mines (buy from Apollo)
Time: ~2 minutes
Risk: Medium

📋 Step-by-Step

Wait for Harvester event
Spaceport or Dam Battlegrounds work best
Spawn as close as possible
Wait for closest spawn before loading in
Snap Hook onto Queen's back
Wait until she's low to ground
Place 2 Deadline Mines on underside
Bottom of shell when close to ground
Jump off immediately
Deadline mines don't hurt teammates
Extract at nearest hatch
Bring Raider Hatch Key! (NOT Night Raid)

⚠️ Critical Rules

DO NOT loot the Queen body (risk of griefing)
Bring Raider Hatch Key for instant extract
This is NOT Night Raid - it's Harvester event
2 Deadlines = enough for 3-star (not full kill)

🔫 Alternative Kill Methods

▼

Method	Cost	Time	Best For
2 Deadlines	Cheap (buy Apollo)	2 min	Budget 3-star ✓
12-14 Wolfpacks	Medium	5 min	Ranged damage
1 Deadline + Wolfpacks	Medium	3 min	Mixed approach
1 Deadline + Hullcracker	Low-Medium	4 min	Matriarch core
6 Trailblazers (Matriarch)	Cheap	3 min	Risky budget
Hullcracker IV spam	EXPENSIVE	20 min	Safe but slow

🎯 Boss Weak Points

▼

👑 Queen Weak Points

Yellow leg joints (break to force knockdown)
Red core in main body (after armor destroyed)
Top of head (exposed during laser attacks)

🦏 Matriarch Weak Points

Front face plates (break to expose core)
Red glowing core (after plates destroyed)
Leg joints (for stagger)

⚡ Targeting Priority: For 3-star, focus on Deadline placement or Wolfpack spam. Don't overthink weak points - just deal damage fast and extract.

🦗 Trial 4: Destroy Ticks

VERY EASY FREE LOADOUT OK 10-15 min

🎉

Second Easiest Trial This Week!

Seed Vault has enough Ticks for 3-star in one room. Zero risk with Free Loadout.

⚡ Fastest Method: Seed Vault Only

▼

Key Facts:
• Ticks = 616 pts each (Night Raid)
• Need 7 ticks for 3-star (4,312 pts)
• Seed Vault alone has 9-12 Ticks
• Ticks are EASY to kill (any weapon works)

📋 Step-by-Step

Wait for Stella Montis Night Raid
2x multiplier = half the kills needed
Load in with Free Loadout
Zero risk, zero cost
Hope for Seed Vault spawn
Or run there (southeast corner, lower floor)
Find Fuel Cell near entrance
Usually spawns close to vault door
Insert Fuel Cell → Vault opens
Door unlocks automatically
Kill all Ticks inside
They're on walls/ceilings, make clunking sounds
Extract at Airshaft
Closest extraction right outside Seed Vault

✅ Pro Tips

If you spawn far, someone else might open vault for you
Seed Vault = highest Tick concentration in game
If you need 1-2 more, go to Robotic Sandbox B
Total time: ~5 minutes if Seed Vault spawn

🗺️ Full Route (For High Scores)

▼

📍 Complete Stella Montis Tick Route

Seed Vault (START)
Highest concentration - 9-12 Ticks
Cultural Archives
6-8 Ticks
Business Center
Through vent from Archives
Communications
4-6 Ticks
Lobby
Transition area
Lobby Metro
Back to Seed Vault (respawns ready)

🔄 Respawn Timer:
Ticks respawn in 4 minutes after you leave the area. Must clear all players/ARCs from area to trigger respawn.

⚔️ Fighting Ticks

▼

🎯 Tick Behavior

Spawn on walls and ceilings
Make distinctive clunking sounds
Jump onto your face if close
Deal damage over time while attached
VERY WEAK - any weapon one-shots them

💡 Combat Tips

✓ Press interact button to remove if attached
✓ Dive roll also removes Ticks (NEW feature!)
🎧 Listen for clunking to find hidden ones
🔦 Check ceilings in dark rooms

🎒 Recommended Augment: Looting Mk.2 - Passive removes Ticks faster when you loot. Especially useful if Shredders are in the area.

📦 Trial 5: Open ARC Probes

EASY 10-20 min EM Storm Best

🎯 Simple Objective

Find 3 crashed probes → Open them → Extract. They spawn in groups during EM Storm.

🔍 How to Find ARC Probes

▼

👁️ Visual Identification

Thick black smoke rising from ground
Missile-like shape (standing or tipped over)
Beeping sound when close
Icon on map when nearby (open map to see)

⚠️ Don't Confuse With:
• First Wave Husks (different shape)
• Couriers (larger, boxy)
Only the missile-shaped probes count!

🗺️ Best Locations

Map	Condition	Probe Count	Notes
Spaceport	EM Storm	High	Groups of 3 — use our map
Dam Battlegrounds	EM Storm	Highest	Most consistent — use our map
Any map	Prospecting Probes event	Very High	Special event (not always available)

📍 Hot Spots:
• Spaceport: Testing Annex roof (2-3 probes during EM Storm)
• Dam: Red Lakes area (consistent spawns)

⚡ Quick 3-Star Strategy

▼

Wait for Spaceport EM Storm
Or Dam Battlegrounds EM Storm (more spawns)
Bring mobility tools
Adrenaline Shots + Zipline OR Snap Hook (many on roofs)
Look for black smoke plumes
Or open map near buildings to see icons
Open 3 probes (breach all panels)
Standing probes = 3 panels, crashed = 1 panel
Extract immediately
You're done! 4,002 pts secured.

⚠️ Opening Probes:
• Emits loud beacon (attracts ARCs and players)
• Already looted? Still get points!
• Quick in-and-out = safest approach

💎 What's Inside Probes?

▼

Common Drops

ARC Alloy
ARC Circuitry
ARC Motion Cores
ARC Powercells

These materials are useful for crafting, but for Trials, you only care about OPENING them, not looting them.

🎒

Budget Loadout Guide

🐝 Wasps (Budget 3-Star)

Essential

6 Snitch Scanners

Pre-farm these. 2 Wasps each.

Essential

6+ Wolfpacks

One per Wasp. Instant kills.

Backup

Anvil / Renegade

If Wolfpacks run out.

🏛️ Hidden Bunker

Important

Zipline or Snap Hook

Some antennas on roofs.

Recommended

Combat Weapon

Clear Bastions/Bombardiers.

Optional

Health Stims

Heavy ARC presence.

👑 Queen/Matriarch (CHOOSE ONE)

Budget Best

2 Deadline Mines

Buy from Apollo. Cheapest 3-star.

Alternative

12-14 Wolfpacks

Ranged option. More expensive.

Mixed

1 Deadline + Hullcracker

Place mine, shoot legs.

Must Have

Snap Hook

Get on Queen's back.

Must Have

Raider Hatch Key

Instant extract after kill.

Backup

Anvil

Kill summoned ARCs.

🦗 Ticks

Best Choice

FREE LOADOUT

Zero risk. Ticks are easy.

Optional

Looting Mk.2

Quick Tick removal.

📦 ARC Probes

Important

Adrenaline Shots

Speed between probes.

Important

Zipline or Snap Hook

Many probes on rooftops.

Optional

Light Weapon

Defend if needed.

🏆

Cantina Legend Push (250k-280k)

⚠️ Last Week for Cantina Legend!

This is your FINAL opportunity to reach Cantina Legend for Season 2.

Target Score: 250,000-280,000 total points across all 5 trials
Must be Hotshot by Monday to qualify for Cantina
Requires advanced strategies on all trials
Heavy investment in gear and time

🐝 Wasps Max Score: 77k+ (Scanners) + Natural Spawns

▼

Blue Gate Locked Gate event (40 min timer)
Team of 3 with 88 Snitch Scanners combined
Scanners = 77,000 pts cap
Rest from natural spawns and patrols
Split = +40k points vs grouped

🏛️ Hidden Bunker Max Score: 9,600 (Hard Cap)

▼

Download all 8 terminals = 9,600 pts
This is the hard cap (can't go higher)
Don't forget upstairs terminal!
Coordinate with squad for efficiency

👑 Queens/Matriarchs Max Score: Full Kills

▼

7 Deadline Mines = full Queen kill (~16,000 pts)
Can place 2 at a time
Wait for Harvester on Spaceport or Dam
Get closest spawn possible

🦗 Ticks Max Score: Full Route Loops

▼

Run complete Stella route multiple times
4-minute respawn timer
Seed Vault → Archives → Business → Comms → Metro → Loop
Solo: 40k+ possible
Trio split: 60k+ possible

📦 Probes Max Score: Map Coverage

▼

Spaceport OR Dam EM Storm
Team splits to cover entire map
Already looted probes still give points
Fast extraction runs for multiple attempts

✅

Quick Checklist

🎮 Before ANY Trials

Play 2-3 PvE games first (no shooting)
Farm 6+ Snitch Scanners
Check event timers for 2x modifiers
Craft Wolfpacks and Deadline Mines
Stock up on Adrenaline Shots

✅ Easy Trials (Do First)

Wasps: 6 scanners + Wolfpacks
Ticks: Seed Vault with Free Loadout
Probes: 3 probes during EM Storm
Total time: ~30-40 minutes

⚠️ Hard Trials (Save For Last)

Hidden Bunker: Wait for event
Queen: 2 Deadlines + Snap Hook
Bring Raider Hatch Key
Don't loot Queen body!
Extract immediately after 4k points

⏰ CRITICAL: Extract to Save Points

Your points ONLY count if you successfully extract. Death = ZERO points. Once you hit 4,000 on any trial, extract immediately. Don't get greedy.

💡

Final Pro Tips

🎮 PvE Lobbies
Behavior-based matchmaking is REAL. Don't shoot anyone for 2-3 games = easier lobbies = faster trials.

⚡ 2x Multipliers Required
Normal mode = double the kills needed. ALWAYS wait for major map conditions.

💰 Budget First
Get your 3-stars cheaply, then decide if you want to push for leaderboard.

👥 Squad Sharing
Everyone gets points for same objectives. Team trials are way more efficient.

🗺️ Use Our Maps
ArcMaps interactive maps have exact spawn locations for sentinels, resources, and extraction points.

⏰ This is THE END
After Feb 22, Season 2 is OVER. No extensions. Get your rewards NOW.

📚

More Guides

🎯 Live Events Tracker

Real-time event schedule with countdowns — essential for 2x trials points

🛠️ Blueprint Farming Guide

Combine blueprint runs with trials matches for max efficiency

⚡ All Trials Guides

Archive of every weekly trials walkthrough from Season 2

🚀 Spaceport Map

Key map for Hidden Bunker, Probes, and Queen fights

🏔️ Stella Montis Map

Seed Vault Tick farming and Matriarch spawn locations

Previous Week Guides

Week 17 (Current) Week 16 Week 15

🔥 FINAL WEEK - Season 2 Ends February 22, 2026

Last Updated: March 3, 2026

Next: Expedition Window (Starting Feb 23)

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