How to run the loot gauntlet in the Awakening the Machine world event

Awakening the Machine is one of the new World Events in The War Within that offers weekly rewards. The event can be started in Gundargaz within The Ringing Deeps, and it’s a bit different from other World Events as there isn’t a set schedule — you can begin the event at any time. Another difference is that you’re on your own since Awakening the Machine is a solo event rather than a group activity. Currently the event can be started by any level character, but because it is scaled for level 80, you’re unlikely to earn many rewards until you’re at least close to max level.

The event itself takes place within one of the many devices that the machine speakers are tasked with maintaining. You are paired with Speaker Kuldas, an Earthen Awakener whose specific job is to ensure that the oldest and most inactive machines in The Ringing Deeps are in working order as they come back online after long periods of slumber. When you begin you’ll be transported to a small chamber in the Halls of Awakening for some percussive maintenance — you’re tasked with protecting Kuldas from successive waves of enemies until his ritual is complete.

There are 20 waves of mobs that you’ll need to fend off while keeping Speaker Kuldas alive. Unlike our intrepid Delve sidekick Brann Bronzebeard, you can’t count on the Speaker for combat help — he’ll be busy channeling his good-morning-machine spell. There is a brief pause between waves that allows for just a few seconds of recovery, and after every fifth wave there is a longer break that only ends when you let Kuldas know you’re ready to continue. During those longer intermissions you also have the chance to let Kuldas know that you’d like to leave, but beware — you’ll re-enter the event at Wave 1.

The encounter starts off straightforward, with small swarming robots that walk directly towards Kuldas. The event increases in complexity and difficulty with each successive wave, adding enemies that need to be interrupted, kited away from the Speaker, have their energy beam stood in, and more. The final wave consists of the encounter’s boss, the Awakened Phalanx, who you’ll need to keep away from Kuldas and nuke down before its Bellowing Slam caves the chamber in. Defeating the phalanx will grant the It’s Not Much, But It’s Honest Work achievement.

There are two separate rewards for completing Awakening the Machine. The first is the four chests that are next to Kuldas in Gundargaz. One will unlock when you complete the 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th wave. So for completing the event you’ll get all four treasures, which can contain everything you’d expect from a weekly event reward (Valorstones, Resonance Crystals, reputation with Assembly of the Deeps, crafting sparks). These chests also have a chance of containing the Machine Defense Unit 1-11 mount, which gives me real Mega Man X vibes.

There is also a weekly quest, Gearing Up for Trouble, that you can pick up from Gnawbles the kobold at the southern end of Gundargaz. This requires 20 waves to be completed, but not necessarily all at once. If you leave the event area or get killed, you can go back in and start from Wave 1 and continue earning progress towards the quest. The reward here is one of the caches that is shared across all of the events and outdoor activities in The War Within. The first two that you open each week will contain gear (Adventurer this week, and Veteran during Season 1), and the first four will contain a Restored Coffer Key that opens the chest at the end of a Bountiful Delve.

I really like the idea of a weekly event that players can do not only on their own time, but completely on their own. There is a bit of a learning curve to knowing which enemies to deal with first, especially in the later waves, but I feel like this event will be something that I’ll look forward to each week more than some of the others that involve more waiting around. How have you fared within Awakening the Machine so far? Are you looking forward to a weekly wake-up session with our Earthen allies?