Targeted and Prototype gear
Run Escalation for Prototype Gear
Escalation is the primary activity source for Prototype gear, with higher tiers offering better chances and stronger rolls.
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Run Escalation for Prototype Gear
Escalation menu at the Base of Operations, near the Countdown vendor; launch one of the weekly rotating missions or strongholds.
Before you go
- Level 40 endgame Agent.
- A build suitable for the chosen tier and its displayed Mutators or Modifiers.
- The minimum Escalation Token balance for the tier, except where the activity menu shows the free lowest tier.
Farming steps
- Open the Escalation menu at the Base of Operations and inspect the current weekly mission and stronghold rotation.
- Select an activity, then open its tier panel to review token balance requirements, rewards, and active effects.
- Choose a tier that your build can finish in one attempt; higher tiers raise difficulty and reward potential.
- Launch solo, with a group, or through matchmaking for the selected tier.
- Adapt to the displayed Mutators, such as enemies that repair allies or charge an EMP blast when damaged.
- Complete the mission without a wipe or timer failure; Escalation has no checkpoints.
- Inspect the completion rewards and all drops for Prototype gear, then keep useful items or dismantle unwanted Prototypes for cores.
- The October 2026 update changed entry rules: tokens are checked but not consumed, and failure or disconnect does not remove them.
- Check the active modifiers before launching; a build comfortable in a normal mission may struggle with tier effects.
Repeat, collect and use
Repeat on available weekly rotations. The activity is permanent, but its mission selection changes; rewards are earned per completed run.
Common mistakes
- Launching a tier without the required token balance; entry still checks the minimum even though it no longer charges tokens.
- Choosing the highest tier by default; select a tier you can complete because there are no checkpoints.
- Expecting a Prototype on every run; it is a possible drop, not a guaranteed one.
When to stop or switch
Stop when you obtain the Prototype pieces needed or the current tier’s risk and clear time outweigh the improvement; return when a useful rotation appears.
Sources & fact checks
What you can get here
Open a guide to find other locations and see what the item is used for.