TL;DR
- Grasp of Avarice requires completing the Gjallarhorn quest from Xur before accessing the dungeon
- The core mechanic involves collecting engrams to gain Burden of Riches debuff then depositing them at crystals
- Lore items are scattered throughout the dungeon telling Wilhelm-7’s tragic treasure hunting story
- Catalyst chests require dungeon completion before becoming accessible for upgrades
- Strategic engram management prevents timer expiration and ensures progression through encounters
Discover comprehensive strategies for conquering Destiny 2’s Grasp of Avarice dungeon, a challenging activity centered around risk-reward treasure mechanics that will test your greed management skills.
As the flagship content of Bungie’s 30th Anniversary celebration in Destiny 2, the Grasp of Avarice dungeon presents a high-level PvE experience built around the dangerous allure of excessive wealth accumulation. This three-player activity transports guardians beneath the legendary Loot Cave from Destiny’s early history, where you’ll pursue legendary treasures including the iconic Gjallarhorn rocket launcher. Successfully entering the dungeon represents merely the beginning of your journey, with numerous hidden secrets and complex mechanics awaiting discovery.
Our detailed walkthrough covers every Grasp of Avarice encounter with precision, marking all trap locations and cataloging each lore collectible. Everything necessary for solo completion or fireteam coordination is provided below. While exploring beneath the Cosmodrome’s surface, consider consulting our specialized guides for acquiring Gjallarhorn and the Halo-inspired Forerunner Exotic sidearm, plus our comprehensive guide for obtaining the Gjallarhorn Exotic catalyst.
To unlock access to the Grasp of Avarice dungeon, players must first acquire the Gjallarhorn questline. This appears on Xur’s vendor interface within his treasure hoard located in the Eternity destination on your Director map (if unavailable initially, navigate to the second page). After obtaining the quest, visit the Cosmodrome and interact with Shaw Han to progress the objective, which subsequently generates a dedicated Grasp of Avarice access point on your Cosmodrome map interface.
Gaining entry to the Grasp of Avarice dungeon requires penetrating the infamous Loot Cave, which introduces the primary gameplay loop you’ll repeatedly employ throughout the activity. When eliminating enemies emerging from the cave entrance, they discharge yellow engrams resembling Exotic engrams in appearance. Collecting these items applies the “Burden of Riches” debuff accompanied by an escalating timer. Should this timer reach zero, instant death occurs, though gathering additional engrams resets the countdown mechanism.
Your objective involves accumulating as many engrams as possible while neutralizing enemy forces, then advancing into the cave spawning area. Here, you’ll encounter a luminous white crystal structure. Positioning yourself adjacent to this crystal triggers an absorption process where your carried riches transfer to the crystal. This eliminates the debuff (preventing your demise) while causing the crystal to expand progressively. Thus, your strategy should focus on continuously gathering engrams to increase your Burden of Riches stack, then depositing them at the crystal to fuel its growth through absorbed avarice. Once the crystal achieves sufficient size, it will emit a brilliant flash indicating satiation, concluding the encounter and unveiling the dungeon’s true entrance via a newly opened fissure in the Loot Cave floor.
Pro Tip: Maintain approximately 8-10 engrams before depositing to maximize efficiency while minimizing death risk. Advanced players can push to 12 stacks with coordinated team rotation.
Common Mistake: New players often hoard too many engrams, forgetting that timer acceleration occurs with higher stacks. The debuff timer decreases 15% faster with each additional engram beyond 5.
The subsequent cave section reduces combat intensity while increasing puzzle complexity. Initially, observe that the first corridor you traverse houses Message in a Bottle lore item No. 1. Retrieve this item during your passage to initiate the narrative of Wilhelm-7, the doomed Guardian who ventured into these depths seeking fortune and encountered unforeseen consequences.
The initial lore collectible resides within the first narrow passageway, positioned conspicuously to ensure visibility.
Additionally, this introductory area, adorned with additional white crystalline formations, contains the first chest necessary for acquiring the Gjallarhorn Exotic catalyst. Consult our specialized Gjallarhorn catalyst guide for precise activation requirements. First-time dungeon participants needn’t concern themselves with this initially, as completing the activity once is prerequisite for obtaining Gjallarhorn, with catalyst unlocking available upon return visits.
Traverse the crystal that forms a bridge where numerous Hive combatants await and proceed left. You should locate a container of blank engrams positioned against the wall beneath a substantial crystal formation, with Message in a Bottle lore item No. 2 situated among them.
Navigation Insight: The crystal bridge section contains hidden platforms on either side that allow bypassing most Hive enemies if you’re speedrunning.
Time Estimate: Lore collection adds approximately 5-7 minutes to your total clear time, while catalyst chests require 10-12 additional minutes on subsequent runs.
The activation button in the collapsing floor chamber reveals an alternative route that requires vertical progression rather than ground-level advancement. Ascend through the circular hatch you initially accessed to reach an upper chamber featuring six cylindrical passages. Each tunnel contains an air propulsion unit at its terminus with activation panels positioned before them. As experienced players will anticipate, five of these panels engage deadly fan mechanisms that propel players from the tunnels with fatal consequences. Only the sixth panel safely advances your progression through the area.
Your objective is the passage positioned at the maximum distance on the right-hand side when facing from your entry point—specifically the rear-right corridor. Successful identification of the correct tunnel provides visual confirmation: you should observe the circular hatch door you recently utilized on the wall surface beneath and slightly to your right. Engaging the pressure mechanism in this specific tunnel activates an overhead hatch in the ceiling, enabling your exit upward.
The tunnel nearest to the circular hatch entrance on the room’s right flank is uniquely equipped without lethal countermeasures.
The subsequent chamber presents a confined space cluttered with debris, requiring precise aerial maneuvers to navigate effectively. Direct your gaze upward to locate an elevated walkway situated along the right corridor, marked by distinctive blue directional indicators. These markers designate the position of activation panels on the raised platform, so when ascending to this level, maintain a rightward trajectory to circumvent triggering additional security measures.
Positioned on this platform, execute a complete reversal to face the entry hatch through which you accessed the room. Ahead on your right flank, you’ll identify another accessible platform adorned with opened container units and inactive engraphic devices. Traverse to this location and discover an aperture in the right wall leading to a concealed recess containing Message in a Bottle lore item No. 4.
Identify the platform situated directly above the entry hatch used after navigating the fan tunnel system. This concealed area houses an additional chamber containing collectible narrative artifacts.
Returning to the platform containing the activation panel, leap across to the forward aperture and proceed through the passage until encountering another control interface with an engagement button. Activate this mechanism to initiate the rotational sequence of the hatch ahead, granting access to a reservoir area featuring multiple hatchways along the perimeter. Cross the connecting structure to the accessible hatch on the chamber’s left side and proceed inward. You’ll encounter hostile entities within this space while remaining vigilant for additional pressure plates that may activate defensive systems; illumination is limited, necessitating careful observation. Eliminate opposition and locate a rear-positioned activation button that cycles the hatch configurations throughout the sector. The chamber contains dual hatch mechanisms, meaning while your entry portal seals, an alternative exit activates to your right.
The initial button within the reservoir chamber unlocks the hatch positioned opposite your location. Proceed inside and neutralize threats to discover another activation mechanism that opens an additional portal on the opposing side. Continue advancement to reach the final chamber on the left flank.
Exiting again into the reservoir area, traverse to the subsequent opened hatch on the chamber’s opposite side and replicate the procedure. This sequence should activate the hatch directly facing your current exit portal. Access the chamber across from your position and temporarily bypass the console button; instead, locate an overhead aperture leading to an externally-illuminated room featuring a windowed exterior. You’ll discover a control console here that activates the genuine progression route.
Before departing the window-illuminated chamber, direct your attention ceilingward. Above one of the antiquated computational consoles, observe an aperture in the room’s corner. Ascend to this opening and navigate through to discover Message in a Bottle lore item No. 5.
Advanced navigation tip: The reservoir hatch system follows a predictable clockwise rotation pattern. Each button activation advances the accessible hatches by one position in sequence, allowing strategic planning of your movement through this challenging Battlefield 6 environment. For comprehensive strategies on managing NATO faction engagements in similar puzzle chambers, consult our BF6 Class Selection Guide to optimize your character’s capabilities.
Common mistake avoidance: Many players incorrectly assume the fan tunnel selection is random. The safe tunnel consistently maintains its position relative to your entry point, regardless of Pax Armata mission variables. The visual confirmation method using the round hatch position provides reliable navigation assistance.
Before ascending into the ceiling ventilation system, thoroughly search the garage walls for an accessible doorway that many players overlook during their initial pass through this area.
Exercise extreme caution when entering this chamber, as a pressure plate trap awaits just inside the entrance. Navigate carefully to the rear section and locate the distinctive white wooden panel resting against the wall. Carefully maneuver behind this panel to discover a floor ventilation shaft leading to a concealed chamber housing Message in a Bottle lore item No. 6, which provides crucial narrative context about the dungeon’s mysterious origins.
This represents another expertly hidden chamber within the complex, specifically designed to reward thorough exploration with valuable collectibles that expand the game’s lore.
Returning to the main garage area, identify the prominent box stack positioned centrally in the room. Scaling these containers reveals an overhead opening into the ventilation network, providing your primary forward progression path. This duct system deposits you into a waterlogged chamber featuring a damaged catwalk running along a left-side pillar. From this initial platform, most players can successfully vault across the water expanse to reach the opposite exit. If this direct approach feels too challenging, investigate the dimly lit right-side corner where additional collapsed catwalk sections offer an alternative, though visibility issues often complicate this route. Tracing the rear wall toward the right flank accesses this secondary catwalk system, positioned slightly nearer to your destination. However, the most reliable method remains executing the leap from the primary location—Hunter class specialists should absolutely equip the ST0MP-EE5 Exotic boots for their enhanced jump boost capabilities that dramatically simplify clearing this obstacle.
Upon exiting the flooded chamber, you’ll encounter your inaugural major boss confrontation. Veteran players will instantly recognize this location as the culminating arena from the Devils’ Lair Strike, where Sepiks Prime traditionally appears. Your approach originates from the previously inaccessible sector of this familiar space, entering from the opposite direction compared to the standard Strike configuration.
Before committing to the chasm leap into the boss battleground, deploy a Rally Flag to maximize your combat readiness. The confrontation with Phry’zhia demands integration of all mechanics mastered thus far, though the encounter remains manageable provided you identify adequate protective positions. The Ogre will continuously assail you with its devastating eye beam assault, and initial immunity to damage necessitates either locating secure cover positions or implementing avoidance tactics like invisibility capabilities to mitigate incoming harm.
As you penetrate the combat zone, Fallen forces materialize in the rear section, featuring a Vandal armed with a Scorch Cannon. Eliminate this priority target immediately and claim the weapon, then examine the room’s perimeter where you’ll identify two machinery-activated doorways similar to the Door 4 mechanism. Sequence doesn’t matter, so activate one and advance inside. These interior spaces contain numerous hostile units that drop engrams applying the Burden of Riches debuff—a stacking mechanic that increases both risk and reward.
Locate the Scorch Cannon in the arena’s rear section, and identify the generator installations positioned overhead on both flanks.
Accumulate as many engrams as possible, then return to the main arena and progress toward your entry point at the room’s forefront. Utilize your Super ability liberally throughout this engagement, as the Hive enemy drops replenish your Super energy rapidly. Collecting 10 engrams automatically restores your Super charge completely. A familiar white crystal matching the Loot Cave activator awaits here—your objective involves gathering maximum Burden of Riches stacks before channeling them into the crystal. This structure can shield you from Phry’zhia’s assaults while your debuff gradually dissipates, though be aware that Hive Thralls will swarm your position during this vulnerable period, so maintain situational awareness to prevent encirclement. 25 total engrams are mandatory to fully develop the crystal; achieving this breaks Phry’zhia’s protective barrier, rendering the Ogre susceptible to damage. Unleash your full arsenal.
During damage phases, linear fusion rifles maintain exceptional effectiveness, particularly when combined with the Season of the Lost’s Particle Disruption modification. Stasis subclasses prove valuable for controlling the boss’s aggression patterns, though fundamentally you need to inflict maximum damage rapidly using premium weaponry. Remain near protective structures along the room’s edges to avoid Phry’zhia’s destructive attacks, or employ protective Supers like Well of Radiance to sustain your fireteam’s survivability. After a brief interval, the boss regenerates its shield, forcing repetition of the engram collection sequence.
When tackling this demanding sparrow section, your vehicle choice becomes absolutely critical for success. The Always On Time exotic sparrow from Scourge of the Past provides a game-changing advantage with its intrinsic perk that dramatically reduces enemy targeting frequency. This defensive benefit proves invaluable as you navigate through hostile territory where conventional sparrows often succumb to concentrated enemy fire. Even skilled drivers will find their mounts frequently destroyed without this specific advantage. You can acquire Always On Time from the Monument to Lost Lights located in the Tower, making it accessible to all players who complete the necessary requirements.
Understanding sparrow durability mechanics is essential – most standard models can withstand approximately 4-6 direct hits before destruction, while Always On Time extends this significantly through reduced enemy accuracy. Plan your route with emergency dismount points in mind, as sometimes abandoning your sparrow strategically can prevent complete mission failure.
As the starting door retracts, immediately veer right to activate your initial light beacon, then sharply cut left beneath the wrecked spacecraft to approach Mine A. Upon entering the cylindrical derelict colony vessel, maintain a leftward trajectory hugging the interior wall. Consistently following this outer perimeter will guarantee you intercept the second light emitter, though you’ll need to quickly recenter your path to navigate the constricted circular portal ahead that leads directly to Mine B.
Departing from Mine B, continue leftward up the stone embankment and re-enter the forward ship section (avoid the right passage containing the Fallen Walker at all costs, as this encounter almost guarantees elimination). The damaged vessel’s circular portal directly ahead houses the third light source, ensuring automatic activation when following this route, with Mine C positioned just beyond within an expansive, corroded chamber.
Target the left-mounted catapult apparatus to engage your ultimate light beacon while progressing toward the concluding mine objective.
Immediately after securing Mine C, proceed through the triangular aperture guarded by Fallen combatants, then angle right, circumventing the central ramp structure. You’ll identify another incline ahead on this area’s right flank, featuring the fourth light beacon at its terminus. Just beyond await two rotating drill-style launchers. Select the elevated left unit, which will propel you toward the skull-visaged cavern ahead while simultaneously carrying you past the terminal light. Mine D resides just inside the grotto and you should touchdown directly atop it, enabling rapid deactivation. Be aware that this marks the conclusion of your sparrow utility, necessitating brief defensive maneuvers against approaching adversaries.
Before exiting the cranial cavern, utilize the crystalline formations along the periphery to ascend into the left optical socket overhead, where you’ll discover an additional concealed cache. From this vantage, descend to the nasal aperture and peer downward into the chasm you traversed via sparrow, focusing on the right wall beneath. You should discern a platform substantially below the skull grotto accessible via careful descent. Upon arrival, reorient yourself facing the skull cavern to locate Message in a Bottle lore artifact No. 8 tucked against the wall, obscured by the overhanging platform’s shadow.
Observe downward from the skull cave’s nasal opening, toward the pit’s right side below, to identify a descent point. The lore fragment rests adjacent to the platform situated slightly above the absolute lowest elevation.
Returning to the skull chamber, scale the pale crystalline structures to access the egress on the room’s right side. You’ll emerge into a vertical shaft permitting descent, but resist descending immediately. Rather, ascend vertically employing the crystals to uncover Message in a Bottle lore item No. 9 positioned against the wall upon the substantial, horizontal crystal overhead. It’s partially concealed in shadow, nestled beneath minor crystalline protrusions extending from the wall above it.
Scale the crystalline shaft instead of descending to locate this lore artifact positioned against the wall visible on the right in this reference.
Many players underestimate the enemy density in this section and attempt rushed approaches that inevitably fail. Instead, maintain consistent speed while weaving slightly to disrupt enemy aim, particularly when passing Fallen shooter positions. The cylindrical ship section requires particular attention – staying too close to the center risks missing lights, while hugging the wall too tightly may cause collision damage.
Advanced navigation involves memorizing the three critical left turns that streamline the route. The first occurs immediately after the starting door, the second when entering the cylindrical ship, and the third after Mine B. Missing any of these directional cues typically results in encountering the deadly Fallen Walker or missing essential light beacons.
Timing your launcher usage proves crucial – approach the final two launchers with moderate speed and angle slightly leftward as you enter the higher unit. This ensures proper trajectory into the skull cave while maximizing your chances of hitting the final light. Upon landing at Mine D, immediately dismount and prepare for 15-20 seconds of combat against spawning Fallen troops.
You’ll need to employ deceased Servitor husks to penetrate the Fallen Barrier within the Submerged Den.
Execute a systematic rotation around the chamber utilizing the available launchers to methodically locate and eliminate the remaining Servitors. This phase presents minimal combat difficulty when approached strategically. Upon successful destruction of all four shield generators and neutralization of the Fallen Shield, proceed directly to the central island platform. You’ll discover a reward chest containing your next equipment upgrade batch for concluding this encounter segment.
Before advancing to the next area, navigate to the chamber’s left perimeter with your orientation facing the initial entry point. Identify the outpost structure adjacent to the left barrier, distinguished by a substantial turbine-resembling apparatus suspended overhead. Ascend to this mechanical component and enter its interior to acquire Message in a Bottle lore collectible No. 10.
The collectible artifact resides within the elevated machinery assembly, requiring launcher utilization to reach that outpost position and secure it.
Subsequently, proceed to the central island’s launch mechanism, then orient your view toward the outpost’s core section, featuring the constructed edifice. You’ll observe accessibility beneath the elevated portion of this primary island. Investigate under the platform supporting the structure to locate a container holding engram resources and Message in a Bottle lore collectible No. 11.
Examine the substructure beneath the central island building within Sunken Lair to discover your second-to-last narrative artifact.
Returning to the central island’s propulsion device, recalibrate its trajectory to target vertically through the overhead aperture, then activate it to project yourself upward. You’ve now entered Wilhelm’s Hoard for the dungeon’s culminating segment—the ultimate boss confrontation.
Before initiating the boss engagement by moving toward the room’s center, conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment to understand the combat parameters. This arena reactivates the Burden of Riches engram system alongside Scorch Cannon generator mechanics. Positioned centrally is the substantial crystal that requires engram deposition once you’ve acquired the Burden of Riches impairment. To obtain these resources, you must locate Scorch Cannons to discharge one of three generator units, affixed to the large circular structures targeting the left, right, and forward chamber sectors.
The Avarokk engagement diverges from previous dungeon encounters, as you won’t harvest engrams from hostile entities. Instead, they’re housed within wall-mounted containers on the ship’s interior. To access these receptacles, you need to energize any generator multiple times using a Scorch Cannon. Interestingly, activating any single generator appears to influence all containers across the three room locations simultaneously; once sufficiently charged, they discharge substantial engram quantities onto the flooring for collection.
Consistent with earlier engagements, accumulate engrams to obtain the Burdened by Riches impairment, then apply it to energize the central crystal, rendering Avarokk susceptible to damage.
Your primary objective involves transporting your Burdened by Riches impairment to the room’s center, where Avarokk positions himself, while evading his attacks sufficiently to expand the crystal adjacent to his location. Amplify the crystal with 60 cumulative engrams, and as previously, this will disable Avarokk’s protective barriers, creating vulnerability. He’ll relocate to the chamber’s rear and remain stationary, enabling you to unleash your complete arsenal against him for a brief interval. When his shields regenerate, you’ll reiterate this procedural sequence.
Action Checklist
- Acquire Gjallarhorn quest from Xur in Eternity treasure hoard
- Complete initial Loot Cave encounter by managing Burden of Riches stacks strategically
- Collect all Message in a Bottle lore items during your first complete run
- Return after initial completion to unlock catalyst chests and pursue master difficulty
- Ascend through round hatch and identify back-right fan tunnel using visual confirmation of entry hatch position
- Activate pressure plate in safe tunnel to open ceiling hatch
- Navigate garbage room platforms while avoiding pressure plates, collect Message in a Bottle No. 4
- Clear reservoir room enemies while systematically cycling hatches using console buttons
- Before leaving windowed room, locate ceiling hole to collect Message in a Bottle No. 5
- Locate hidden doorway in garage wall before vent access
- Navigate pressure plate room carefully to collect Message in a Bottle #6
- Equip ST0MP-EE5 boots for flooded room gap crossing
- Deploy Rally Flag and secure Scorch Cannon before boss engagement
- Collect 25 engrams with Burden of Riches to break Phry’zhia’s shield
- Use linear fusion rifles with Particle Disruption during damage phase
- Equip Always On Time sparrow from Monument to Lost Lights
- Execute the three critical left turns: after start door, in cylindrical ship, after Mine B
- Collect all hidden items in skull cave (chest, lore #8, lore #9)
- Use left higher launcher for final approach to Mine D
- Prepare for immediate combat defense after Mine D completion
- Systematically rotate using launchers to eliminate all Servitors and destroy four shield generators
- Collect lore item #10 from turbine machinery on left wall outpost
- Retrieve lore item #11 from beneath central island platform
- Configure central launcher vertically and ascend to Wilhelm’s Hoard
- Use Scorch Cannons to charge generators, releasing engrams from wall containers
- Collect 60 engrams to charge central crystal and damage Avarokk during vulnerability phases
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