In this guide, we show you how you can solve the notorious puzzle surrounding the Niobe Labs in Destiny 2 on your own. This is how you can get the special ghost shell and the unique emblem.
What is the puzzle surrounding the Niobe Labs all about? The Niobe Lab puzzle was originally supposed to unlock Bergusia, the fourth and final forge of the Black Armory, once it was solved by the first fireteam.
However, the puzzle turned out to be a tough nut to crack. When it couldn’t be solved after more than 24 hours, Bungie opened the fourth forge themselves.
The puzzle itself was only cracked days later by exceptional player Gladd, his fireteam, and a lot of external help (those devils).
However, it is still possible for everyone else to solve this puzzle and secure the rewards. Here’s what you need to do.
All 7 Stages of the Niobe Labs – Here’s How
The puzzle runs like this: The puzzle consists of 7 different stages that must be mastered.
In each stage, enemy waves will appear that you must eliminate:
- Powerful enemies will spawn more smaller foes until defeated.
- Servitors can activate energy fields that will hinder you until the Servitors are taken down.
- Additionally, some enemies and mines are protected by shield drones that you must destroy first. Until the drones are destroyed, all enemies in the room are immune.
Additionally, you need to enter one or more codes in each stage by shooting at specific symbols with certain weapons. This is how you progress from wave to wave.
These requirements should be met: You should approach the Niobe Labs with three players. All three should have unlocked the Völundr, the Gofannon, and the Izanami Forge. Moreover, the fireteam should have the following forge weapons available:
- the heavy machine gun Hammerhead
- the bow The Malicious Tear
- and the sniper rifle Tatara’s Sight
Each player should have at least one of these weapons. Only through the scopes of these weapons can certain symbols be identified, which are essential for code entry and thus for progress. You will need all 3 weapons at the same time.
Additionally, the bow player should also have an Arc weapon, the sniper player should have a Void weapon, and the machine gun player should have a Solar weapon.
How to Start the Bypass
To start the mission, you need to head to the Niobe Labs located far south of the EDZ on Earth. There you need to visit the following room of the Niobe Labs, where the puzzle will take place.
Once there, you must first initiate the bypass. You need to quickly shoot 3 symbols in the correct order:
- Sniper – Stone
- Bow – Wind
- MG – Fire
Which weapon you need for which symbol and where you find the corresponding symbols in the room, you can refer to this overview:
If you hit the symbol correctly, there will be a special spark animation that signals your hit. Once you have activated the three symbols, the next step follows, where all players can simultaneously enter their codes. Here’s what you need to do now:
Sniper:
- Stand on Tiger and shoot at the Fish, Lotus Flower and then at the Temple
- Then stand on the Dragon, shoot at the Gate-Bow, Rabbit, Bamboo and then the Temple
- Stand on the Fish and shoot at the Lotus Flower
MG:
- Stand on the Moon and shoot at T, +, H, R, E, B, F, L, U, +.
Bow:
- Stand on Sun, then shoot at the Letter, Trees, Water and Rose
- Stand on Wind, then shoot 2x at the Letter
Each successful sequence is signaled by a gong. Once all 3 sequences have been entered, the bow player needs to shoot 3x at the Water symbol. After that, the players can activate the switch beneath the platform and start the bypass.
Bypass Level 1
A wave of enemies will spawn. Once you have eliminated them, you need to enter the following code:
- Stand with the MG on the Hand and shoot the letters B, U, T, T, E, R, F, L, Y
With this, the first stage is completed.
Bypass Level 2
Note: As you progress, more and stronger enemies will appear. So you should bring your best equipment.
Once the second wave has been wiped out, you need to enter the following combination:
- MG: Stand on the Hand and shoot at Fire and Storm
- Sniper: Stand on the Fish and shoot at Rabbit and Lotus
Bypass Level 3
Here too, the key is first to withstand the enemy onslaught. Once you have eliminated all the adds, enter the following code (must be entered simultaneously):
- MG: Stand on the Star, shoot at the Fire
- Sniper: Stand on the Dragon’s head and shoot at Bamboo
- Bow: Stand on Wind and shoot at the Water (next to Letter)
Bypass Level 4
If you have problems with the Servitors or the named enemies in between, you can also easily switch your weapons. There are enough enemies and thus usually enough ammunition available, so that your forge weapons are recharged as soon as you switch back.
Once the adds have been eliminated, enter the following:
- MG: Shoot while jumping (important, in the air!) at the letters F, L, Y
Bypass Level 5
This bypass requires maximum communication, as the code entry alternates between the three players. Once you have cleared the enemies, you must communicate to maintain the following sequence:
- MG on Hand
- Bow on Butterfly
- Sniper on Fish
After that, you must communicate to maintain the following sequence:
- A and T with the MG
- Bamboo with Sniper
- Paper, Water, and Trees with the Bow
- Gate-Bow, Rabbit with Sniper
- L and R with the MG
- Gate-Bow, Lotus with Sniper
- S and D with the MG
- Lotus with Sniper
- Rose and Heart with the Bow
Bypass Level 6
Even though players have struggled here for a long time, Stage 6 is actually the easiest of all 7. First, eliminate all enemies.
Then, all players need to equip the forge bow, stand on the butterfly symbol, and then shoot at the trees simultaneously.
Bypass Level 7
Step 7 is the most challenging. The following is important:
- The MG player must now also equip a Solar weapon in addition to the MG
- The bow player needs an additional Arc weapon
- The sniper player needs an additional Void weapon
The players must then use their forge weapons to find the corresponding symbols. Then they switch to the weapon with the corresponding element and shoot at the respective symbols.
- MG: Stand on Hand and shoot with the Solar weapon at +, U, L, F, B, E, R, H, +, T
- Sniper: Stand on Wolf and shoot with the Void weapon at Fish, Lotus, Temple. Then stand on Dragon and shoot with the Void weapon at Gate-Bow, Rabbit, Bamboo, Temple
- Bow: Stand on Butterfly and shoot with the Arc weapon at Trees and Letter. Then stand on Sun and shoot with the Arc weapon at Heart, Heart, Trees and Wings
Once this sequence has been successfully entered, the puzzle is solved, and you will receive the ghost and the emblem for the Niobe Lab puzzle.
The Niobe Lab Puzzle in Video
If you need visual support in addition to the guide or can’t find a symbol, you can watch this video by YouTuber Holy_13 Gaming. The puzzle is explained in detail, along with possible strategies for the fights:
