Loadout and gear
Choose Breaker Cleave for 2.9 m base reach or Aegis Slash for 2.35 m. Use Shield Bash, Bulwark, Aegis Rush, and Bastion Protocol. Four Cryo Warden pieces add Integrity and barrier strength. Two Heliograph pieces add attack. Aegis Matrix adds Shield Bash ricochets against groups.
Pack and guardian rotation
Move to the edge of a pack, raise Bulwark before the close exchange, and aim Shield Bash at the highest-threat target. Follow with primary swings when the path stays clear. Keep an Aegis Rush charge to cross an open lane or leave a hazard.
At the guardian, alternate Bulwark and Bastion Protocol instead of spending both at the start. Bash through a clear angle and save Rush for a committed telegraph. Use terrain to stop a second group from entering the fight at the same time.
Leveling priorities
Start with the full four-skill kit at level 1. Prioritize a usable weapon and then Integrity slots so a failed trade does not end your run. Keep one Bulwark charge while pushing through a pack. Class rank changes at levels 7, 13, 19 and 25 and improves the base Rift cooldowns.
Extraction and recovery
Heal before the next guardian if the Nano Injector is ready. Check Bag space for the guaranteed hardware before the portal. Descend only when you want to continue the run.