- Chassis: Icefields of Riddah – 15 Wave Defense
- Systems: Mine of Karishh – 800 Cryotic Excavation
- > Neuroptics: Archaeo-Freighter – 20 Minute Survival
Unlocking the Mission
The Archaeo-Freighter on Europa is one of the 3 Grendel missions and awards you the Grendel Neuroptics blueprint. To unlock the Archaeo-Freighter mission, you will need to purchase a Grendel Neuroptics Locator from the Arbitration Honor vendor in the Arbiters of Hexis room on any relay. This item will cost 25 Vitus Essence (obtainable through Arbitrations), but is not consumed until you complete the mission; you will be able to attempt the mission as many times as you would like until you get the reward for winning.
The Build
Warframe – Hildryn
Most Warframes will run out of energy very quickly on these no-mod missions, and even if they do get abilities off, those abilities will not do anything close to what their modded versions do. This build bypasses the energy issue by using Hildryn, who uses her shields as energy. The shield you gain from casting Pillage (#2) will be greater than the cost, allowing you to spam the ability.
While most mods do not effect you during these missions, augment mods still augment abilities. This build uses the augmented version of Hildryn’s Pillage, Blazing Pillage, to deal damage and restore shields. To benefit from Blazing Pillage, you will need to have Haven (#3) up and be close enough for it to be effecting the enemy you want to burn. This augment will be the main source of damage. Without it, you won’t kill enemies fast enough to sustain life support.
The build also uses the augmented version of Balefire (#1), Balefire Surge, specifically to deal with nullifiers. Nullifiers would normally be immune to the damage from Blazing Pillage, but this augment removes their bubble forever. This augment is not needed, but makes the occasional nullifier much less threatening.
Melee Weapon – Fragor Prime
Most weapons will feel very underwhelming with no mods. You won’t be able to equip Blood Rush, so combo counter stacking won’t do much. The most effective weapons are those with innate elements (especially toxin for bypassing shields), a helpful moveset, or strong base damage.
The weapon I used to deal with Bursas and other tanky enemies was Fragor Prime. Even unmodded, this weapon has a great slam attack that does decent damage and knocks down in a wide area.
The Strategy – Spam Pillage
Kill Them Quick While Healing Yourself
Your main source of damage is augmented Pillage (#2). For this augment to deal damage, the enemy will need to be in range of Haven (#3). Pillage should give you more than enough shields back to spam it indefinitely, but you will need to be relatively close to the enemy to actually deal damage. Try to stack enemies up, jump into the middle of them, and spam Pillage.
Like most survival missions, try to kill enemies as fast as possible to generate life support. Unlike normal survival missions, you will likely need to use many of the supplied canisters, so don’t feel like you’re behind for using them.
Notable Enemies
You will fight Bursas near the end. They can mostly be avoided, but they can be a nuisance. Use you Fragor to take the Bursas down, using Pillage to refill your shields as needed.
Nullifier Crewman will stop your Pillage from dealing damage or giving you shields. Use a full charge shot from Balefire (#1) augmented with Balefire Surge. This will permanently break their nullify bubble, making the just normal crewmen.
Other Grendel Missions
- Chassis: Icefields of Riddah – 15 Wave Defense
- Systems: Mine of Karishh – 800 Cryotic Excavation
- > Neuroptics: Archaeo-Freighter – 20 Minute Survival
