Why do I see so many farming in Fortress - Command Relay?

[Jordan_Peterson]

Its weirdly often, always when I got to Frozen Valley I see 10 times more people doing this mission than anyone doing others or void stuff.

[Rogue]

Materials drop from elites for energy activator I think or is it crystalline catalyst. Can't remember.

[thorin.hannahs]

Originally posted by Rogue:

Materials drop from elites for energy activator I think or is it crystalline catalyst. Can't remember.

It is the activator particle.

[Grimzy]

Originally posted by Jordan Peterson:

Its weirdly often, always when I got to Frozen Valley I see 10 times more people doing this mission than anyone doing others or void stuff.

THey drop a material needed for energy activators and thats the fastest place to get them.

[Mayakii]

Originally posted by Rogue:

Materials drop from elites for energy activator I think or is it crystalline catalyst. Can't remember.

Correct! The first two elites drop Polyatomic Ion particles, which are needed for the activators

[Schalimah]

In addition it has a decent drop rate for whatever that region drops right now.
Currently toxic mechanics reactor with general rounds, which is quite good for Freyna.

[Jordan_Peterson]

Originally posted by Mistwalker Mayakii:

Originally posted by Rogue:

Materials drop from elites for energy activator I think or is it crystalline catalyst. Can't remember.

Correct! The first two elites drop Polyatomic Ion particles, which are needed for the activators :mhwgood:

Activators? Never heard of that thing. Is that some weird End-Game boss with insane low RNG?

*watch out for the sarcasm in here, dont slip on it.*

[HerbertWess]

As ppl say, because of the activator mat. There are other spots, but this is the most time efficient because you got elites and a commander to boot, plus whatever the drops are during the week, so it's worth grinding. Another popular spot is in White-Night Gulch, for the crystallization mat (the bluish neural brain), same type of battlefield, only three elites, no commander.

There may be another relevant one in Hagios, but i am still testing it, because it is a weird mix of eliminating vulgus, then triggering the blockade as usual, and depending on descendant, if you ain't aoe heavy it may be slightly harder than usual to pull off. This one may actually drop code breakers, to be confirmed because i would need to grind the spot for a couple hours to be sure

[Taint Snorkeler]

Originally posted by Jordan Peterson:

Originally posted by Mistwalker Mayakii:

Correct! The first two elites drop Polyatomic Ion particles, which are needed for the activators :mhwgood:

Activators? Never heard of that thing. Is that some weird End-Game boss with insane low RNG?

*watch out for the sarcasm in here, dont slip on it.*

increases weapon and character energy cap for mods. Very much required for endgame.

[Mayakii]

Originally posted by HerbertWess:

Another popular spot is in White-Night Gulch, for the crystallization mat (the bluish neural brain), same type of battlefield, only three elites, no commander.

What you're describing is a bit different, but yes, this is one of the best spots for Advanced Neural Circuits. Currently best place to also farm for Bunny's reactor (last day in this rotation), and I already have around 1,000 of these things! I'm set for a while

[Schalimah]

Originally posted by Taint Snorkeler:

Originally posted by Jordan Peterson:

Activators? Never heard of that thing. Is that some weird End-Game boss with insane low RNG?

*watch out for the sarcasm in here, dont slip on it.*

increases weapon and character energy cap for mods. Very much required for endgame.

Didn't see the sarcasm and promptly sliped on it ;p

[Jordan_Peterson]

Originally posted by Schalimah:

Originally posted by Taint Snorkeler:

increases weapon and character energy cap for mods. Very much required for endgame.

Didn't see the sarcasm and promptly sliped on it ;p

hehe, he sure did! ;)

[Captain Worthy]

Originally posted by Jordan Peterson:

Originally posted by Schalimah:

Didn't see the sarcasm and promptly sliped on it ;p

hehe, he sure did! ;)

Well, that's a lesson learned, I'm sure he'll clean his room too now.

[notElmo]

Supply moisture drops too

[nostrovus]

Honestly, it's the worst mission to pick up Ion particles, There's a mission in the Converter Facility called High-Thermal Source Detected. Very fast mission.

[Mayakii]

Originally posted by nostrovus:

Honestly, it's the worst mission to pick up Ion particles, There's a mission in the Converter Facility called High-Thermal Source Detected. Very fast mission.

I'm always curious about various claims like these and always on the lookout for improving my farming efficiency, so I went ahead and tried out your suggestion!

Farming comparison:

Quick note: I used an end-game bunny build that focuses on range & sustain of MP without the use of any red module.

FORTRESS -> CONVERTOR FACILITY -> HIGH-THERMAL[...]

NM Difficulty

• 1:39 - 5 PIPs;
  
• 1:30 - 7 PIPs;
  
• 1:29 - 8 PIPs;

HM Difficulty

• 1:50 - 8 PIPs;
  
• 1:32 - no drop;
  
• 1:30 - no drop;

Notes: The run requires zigzagging around tight interconnected rooms at the start. Two trigger checkpoints require you to turn around as enemies have delayed spawns. Time/dialogue gated enemy spawns. 1 elite spawn for the drop.

FORTRESS -> FROZEN VALLEY -> COMMAND RELAY

NM Difficulty

• 1:02 - 16 PIPs;
  
• 1:00 - 17 PIPs;
  
• 0:59 - 16 PIPs;

HM Difficulty

• 1:00 - 23 PIPs;
  
• 1:03 - 26 PIPs;
  
• 1:02 - 11 PIPs;

Notes: Very straightforward event in a big, open area. Bunny & Valby can run around in circles, others should stay at the top center to get an overview of the entire field to have a clear shooting view. Two elite spawns for the drop, the first coming in roughly 20 seconds after starting the event.

CONCLUSSION

The "High-thermal Source Detected Zone" mission, compared to "Command Relay" requires a lot more effort to navigate, takes roughly 50% longer, and because there's only one elite, the drop quantity is half of the Command Relay.