Prison of Elders

A team of Guardians in the Prison of Elders

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The Prison of Elders is a prison facility in The Reef, under the oversight of Variks, the Loyal. It is based on the House of Judgement's traditions for settling disputes between Fallen. The Archon Priest Aksor was previously a prisoner before later being retrieved and having his soul restored by the House of Winter on Venus. The Prison of Elders is also known to contain many royals from the House of Wolves, though it also contains Hive, Vex and Cabal inmates who have attacked the Reef. These prisoners are considered "trophies" by the Reef, though since Skolas' rebellion, the Queen now wants the prison cleared out, and has recruited the Guardians to do it.

Gameplay

The Prison is featured in the House of Wolves as part of the new Arena game mode. It will be limited to 3 players. Four missions are available each week at different levels. The level 28 mission includes matchmaking and is always random. The other three "challenge" missions are at levels 32, 34, and 35, and require pre-made fireteams. The level 32 and 34 missions rotate weekly; the level 34 mission will be replaced with something new, while the level 32 mission will feature the previous week's level 34 mission. The level 35 mission is always Skolas's Revenge.

A single session consists of 5 rounds of 3 waves each, except for Skolas's Revenge which features 6 rounds. Players spawn in the Airlock, a small central room that connects to the Prison's four chambers, each home to one of the four enemy races. Once a round begins, a modifier is activated and players are directed to one of the chambers. After completing a round, players must return to the Airlock to begin the next round.

Once the final round is complete, players each receive a Treasure Key and return to the Airlock, where a path to a lower level of the Prison has opened. Players arrive at a room with a number of chests that reward random loot, including items exclusive to the Prison of Elders and other legendary and exotic gear.

Missions

• Broken Legion - "Valus Trau'ug seeks to prove his might by crushing all who challenge him."
• Cult of the Worm - "Gulrot, Unclean has been summoned by the Worm Keepers. Don't let the beast's filth spread beyond the prison."
• Machine Wrath - "Archon Servants have raised their own corrupted Servitor-god, Kaliks Reborn. Defeat it and be rewarded."
• Skolas's Revenge (level 35 only) - "Skolas and his crew challenge the Guardians who captured him. Face him with a Fireteam of three. End him."
• The Forever Eater - "Qodron, a Vex chronovore, sees only one outcome: your demise. Prove it wrong."
• Urrox's Grudge - "The Flame Prince Urrox vows to burn the Light until all that remains is Darkness and bone."

Round Modifiers

Each round features a specific modifier that can force Guardians to adapt their strategy. The modifier is active for the entirety of the round. Skolas's Revenge features two modifiers per round.

• Airborne - Players deal more damage in the air.
• Arc Burn - All Arc damage attacks are more powerful
• Brawler - Player melee attacks are more powerful
• Catapult - Grenades recharge at an increased rate
• Exposure - Player shields are increased, but don't replenish
• Grounded - Player takes more damage while in the air.
• Juggler - Ammo does not drop for the weapon you are using
• Lightswitch - Enemy melee attacks are more powerful
• Small Arms - Primary weapons are more powerful
• Solar Burn - All Solar damage attacks are more powerful
• Specialist - Special weapons are more powerful
• Trickle - Abilities recharge at a reduced rate
• Void Burn - All Void damage attacks are more powerful

Critical Objectives

During some waves, Variks will issue a time-sensitive Critical Objective that Guardians must complete during the battle. Failing to complete a Critical Objective will cause Variks to invoke Warden's Punishment, a debuff that immediately kills the Guardians and forces them to restart the round.

• Destroy Splinter Mines - Mines will appear around the arena. Destroy them within 30 seconds.
• Defusing Splinter Mines - Capture zones that appear one at a time across the arena. Once a zone appears, players have 30 seconds to capture it.
• Eliminate Target - Kill a powerful enemy before he escapes the arena.

Gifts from Variks

Occasionally, at the start of a wave Variks will send Guardians a helpful item.

• Scorch Cannon - a pickup weapon that can fire explosive shells with a timer.
• Heavy Ammo crate - a single-use ammo crate like those found in the Crucible.

Unique Enemies

• Wretched Knight

Bosses

• Gulrot, Unclean
• Kaliks Reborn
• Skolas, Kell of Kells
• Qodron, Gate Lord
• Urrox, Flame Prince
• Val Aru'un
• Valus Trau'ug

Rewards

• Level 28
  • House of Judgment reputation
  • 1 Cryptarch Engram
  • +6 Vanguard Marks
  • +25 Vanguard reputation

• Level 32
  • +200 House of Judgment reputation
  • 1 Armor Core
  • Treasure Key

• Level 34
  • +300 House of Judgment reputation
  • 1 Weapon Core
  • 1 Etheric Light
  • Treasure Key

• Level 35
  • +500 House of Judgment reputation
  • 1 Armor Core
  • 1 Weapon Core
  • 1 Etheric Light
  • Treasure Key

Treasure Chest

If the players have a treasure key, they can open the big chest at the end. This chest has a chance to drop an Exotic piece of Gear, a Queen-themed legendary piece of gear, Fallen-themed cosmetic items, strange coins, and motes of light. The chest can only be opened once per run, so players may have to repeat one of the challenge modes if they have multiple keys. The chest is not on a weekly reset, unlike the challenge mode rewards.

Former prisoners

• Aksor, Archon Priest - freed by the House of Winter
• Beltrik, the Veiled - escaped during Skolas's uprising

List of appearances

• Destiny
  • House of Wolves (First appearance)