The Vault
Breach the ancient alien fortress and retrieve the prize before the planet swallows you whole.
The Vault is a legendary, heavily fortified structure located deep within the crust of Hoxxes IV, serving as the ultimate objective for dwarf expeditions seeking to secure ancient alien technology. Unlike standard mining sites or enemy nests, this location represents a high-stakes infiltration mission where the goal shifts from resource extraction to the recovery of a specific, highly valuable artifact guarded by the planet's most aggressive fauna and automated defenses.
- Location
- Deep crustal layers of Hoxxes IV
- Primary Threat
- Elite Glyphid forces and automated turrets
- Mission Type
- Special Objective / Infiltration
- Key Reward
- Ancient Technology & High-Tier Resources
- Difficulty Level
- Extreme
- Affiliation
- Deep Rock Galactic (Dwarven Expeditionary Force)
- Status
- Active Target for Recovery
Lore & Background
For the Dwarven Expeditionary Force, a Vault represents the pinnacle of risk and reward. The resources found within are often too unstable or dangerous for standard mining operations, requiring specialized protocols to extract without triggering catastrophic collapses or releasing hazardous containment fields. The vaults themselves are puzzles of ancient engineering, requiring teams to bypass security systems that have remained dormant for millennia until disturbed by the vibrations of dwarf drills.
In Their Own Story
The air in the tunnel was thick with the scent of ozone and rotting chitin as the team approached the massive, sealed doors. 'Hold your fire,' the Gunner grunted, his voice crackling over the comms, 'those turrets are still hot.' A single Glyphid Praetorian skittered into view, its carapace gleaming under the flickering emergency lights of the ancient corridor. The Engineer raised a hand, signaling for silence as they triggered the final bypass sequence. With a groan of shifting metal that echoed like a dying beast, the vault doors parted just enough to reveal the glowing artifact within, surrounded by a nest of waiting horrors.
Reader's Guide
The Vault mission type requires the team to infiltrate a specific location and secure a high-value objective before extracting. Success is determined by reaching the central chamber, interacting with the target mechanism or item, and surviving long enough for the extraction sequence to complete. Failure occurs if all team members are eliminated before the objective is secured, or if the team fails to reach the extraction point after retrieving the prize. The environment often features increased enemy density, including elite variants like Praetorians and Mactera Queens, alongside automated defenses that must be disabled or destroyed. Completing Vault missions advances the narrative of uncovering Hoxxes IV's secrets while unlocking new technology blueprints and rare materials essential for upgrading gear. These high-difficulty runs also contribute significantly to the overall progress of the sector, often serving as gateways to deeper, more dangerous regions of the planet.
Did You Know?
- Vaults are often guarded by unique enemy compositions that do not appear in standard mining sectors.
- The architecture inside a Vault reflects the advanced, non-dwarven technology of Hoxxes IV's extinct civilization.
- Teams must often disable security systems or bypass traps before they can safely retrieve the main objective.
- Successfully completing a Vault mission is considered one of the most prestigious achievements for an expedition team.