To effectively beat Unstoppable Champions in Destiny 2, you must first stagger them, either by utilizing Unstoppable Champion mods on your weapons or abilities, or by applying powerful Ignition or Shatter effects.
Unstoppable Champions are formidable enemies encountered in higher-difficulty Destiny 2 content. They possess increased health and are notoriously difficult to flinch, often charging down Guardians with relentless aggression. Successfully countering them is crucial for mission success.
Understanding Unstoppable Champions
Unstoppable Champions are distinguished by their aggressive charging attacks and high damage resistance to normal attacks. They are immune to most forms of flinch and crowd control until their "Unstoppable" buff is disrupted. Once staggered, they become vulnerable to all damage types for a short period, making them susceptible to burst damage.
Primary Methods to Counter Unstoppable Champions
Successfully defeating an Unstoppable Champion relies on applying a specific debuff that causes them to stagger, interrupting their attack and opening them up for damage.
Unstoppable Champion Mods
The most common and reliable method involves equipping Unstoppable Champion mods from the seasonal artifact onto your weapons. These mods are typically available for specific weapon types each season (e.g., Hand Cannons, Pulse Rifles, Bows, Glaives).
- How it Works: When an Unstoppable mod is active on your weapon, sustained fire or a single shot (depending on the weapon type and mod description) will apply an Unstoppable stagger to the Champion.
- Strategic Tip: It is highly recommended to have a staggering primary weapon available, as it allows for consistent counterplay without relying on ability cooldowns.
Ignition and Shatter Effects
Beyond weapon mods, certain elemental effects are incredibly potent counters, capable of both stunning and dealing significant damage.
- Ignition (Solar): Damage from Ignitions is more than enough to stop Unstoppables. Ignitions are powerful Solar 3.0 explosions triggered by building up enough Scorch stacks on an enemy. When an Ignition occurs on an Unstoppable Champion, it will stagger them and inflict substantial damage to the Champion and nearby foes.
- Examples: Solar grenades, Incandescent weapon perk, specific Solar abilities (e.g., Fusion Grenades with specific Aspects/Fragments).
- Shatter (Stasis): Similarly, damage from Shattering is also effective for stopping Unstoppables. Shattering occurs when Stasis crystals are broken or a frozen enemy takes enough damage to shatter. If an Unstoppable Champion is frozen and then shattered, or caught in the blast of a shattering Stasis crystal, they will be staggered.
- Examples: Glacial Grenades, abilities that create Stasis crystals, or weapons with the Headstone perk.
Recommended Strategies and Loadouts
To maximize your effectiveness against Unstoppable Champions, consider the following:
- Prioritize a Staggering Weapon: Always ensure at least one Guardian in your fireteam has an Unstoppable counter. A primary weapon with an Unstoppable mod is often the most consistent choice.
- Leverage Subclass Synergies:
- Solar Builds: Focus on abilities and perks that quickly generate Scorch stacks for rapid Ignitions.
- Stasis Builds: Utilize abilities that freeze and create Stasis crystals to set up powerful Shatter effects.
- Coordinate with Teammates: In high-difficulty activities, communicate which Champion types each player is responsible for countering to avoid overlap or gaps in coverage.
- Burst Damage: Once an Unstoppable Champion is staggered, immediately unleash your most powerful damage sources, such as heavy weapons (Rocket Launchers, Linear Fusion Rifles) and Supers, to eliminate them quickly before they recover.
- Exotic Weapons: Some exotic weapons inherently carry an Unstoppable perk, negating the need for an artifact mod. Examples include Leviathan's Breath or Divinity (when used in a team setting).
Unstoppable Counterplay Overview
| Method | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Unstoppable Mods | Equip a seasonal artifact mod on a specific weapon type (e.g., Hand Cannon, Pulse Rifle, Glaive) to stun Champions with sustained fire or a single shot. | Reliable, direct counter. Often available on primary weapons. |
| Ignition (Solar) | Build up Scorch stacks on an enemy to trigger an Ignition. This powerful Solar explosion stuns Unstoppables and deals high area-of-effect damage. | High damage, area denial, effective against groups. Often built into subclass abilities. |
| Shatter (Stasis) | Freeze Unstoppable Champions or create Stasis crystals near them, then destroy them. The resulting Shatter effect stuns the Champion and deals significant damage. | High damage, strong crowd control, effective against individual threats. |
| Specific Exotics | Certain exotic weapons inherently possess the Unstoppable perk, such as Leviathan's Breath or Divinity. | Consistent counter, frees up artifact mod slots for other perks. |
Further Resources
For more detailed information on Champion types and their counters in Destiny 2, consult comprehensive guides on reputable Destiny 2 wikis and community sites.
