Uploaded August 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

---

Game: Dungeon Defenders II
Port: PC
Mastery Diff: M1
Map: Gates of Dragonfall

Welcome to the world of Mastery. Where your knowledge of the game, strategy and skills will be put the test for rewards such as Flair, Medals, Gold and even the powerful Hyper Shards.

Each level will have a set of 5 requirements that must be met within 1 match in order to achieve 5 stars. My video series will give you assistance or ideas to help you complete Mastery on your own. I recommend having every hero purchased and your equipment in order with all of them before you begin undertaking Mastery. You don't need AP (Ancient Power) to handle this, but it helps greatly if you have it.

In Chaos 1, you will be facing the default enemies but now there are Shield Goblins or Vanguards to worry about. Although they are larger than most Goblins, their health pool is small. However, their massive shields can cause any incoming projectile attack to deal 0 damage, no matter how strong it is. You must either use melee, Auras, Traps, Nodes, Shield piercing defenses or Piercer Servos and Chips to bypass this check or angle your defenses so they hit the back or side.

The first map isn't too rough, but you must make sure all your defenses withstand the entire game.

5 STAR REQUIREMENTS
====================
- Survive all 5 waves
- The Crystal Cart must stay above 90% health at all times
- No defenses can be destroyed
- You must complete all Combat Phases within 3 minutes or less
- Do all the above in 1 run

PLAN
=====
Due to the size of the map, you will not have to worry about the timed Combat Phase as enemies come pretty fast. However, you will need to factor in bosses that come at the end of the waves, especially if Malthius spawns with them. Having heroes with Anti-Ranged, Miniboss or Support servos will help kill these threats.

When placing defenses, make sure they cannot be targeted by the ground forces and repair them before they get destroyed. If you have any Protective Downgrade and Hardened Servos, your Blockades will be able to take extra punishment. Make sure you also don't place a Viper's Fangs or World Tree in the middle lane as the central hitbox will cause Javelin Throwers to throw their weaponry at an angle that can hit the blockade but also pierce the structures behind and the core itself.

The Obelisk can be useful as it's Smite can decimate most enemies at this point in the game and a fully appeased Mystic can turn it into a Flamethrower to repel attackers. The Volcano can also be useful given the size of the map. The Volcano can still do damage to Shield Goblins. Both can also be moved around when necessary. Dryad Defenses and Weapon Manufacturers can be placed to handle multiple lanes to help with DU Splitting.

Spread out your anti-Shield Goblin choices across the lanes. Any projectile towers will need Piercer Servos or placed at an angle that will shoot the back or sides without the defense itself being targeted by other enemies.

To help with DU Splitting, merge the Southeastern Lane by placing your Blockade setup so that it is 1 lane. You can then double down defenses or hold the line yourself. Don't forget to pay attention to the other lanes for damaged towers or for leaks.

While you aren't dealing with the more dangerous foes yet, you will need be aware of Kobolds, Javelin Throwers, Drakin and your defenses wasting time on Shield Goblins. Make sure you dispatch the more difficult targets first before you go for the small fry. Also keep an eye out on your Life so you don't get slain.

HYPER SHARD RECOMMENDATION
=============================
Hyper Destruction - Any tower that is either facing bosses or handling multiple lanes or a specific one that is in most or all lanes.

CHARACTERS
============
Yojimbo (Squire, Hero DPS) - Spike Blockade
Tsumiko Kuri (Initiate, AP DPS) - Flame Aura, Skyguard Tower
Shilf (Huntress, AP DPS) - Poison Dart Tower
Jenocres (Abyss Lord, AP DPS) - Ramster