Imperious Task Force/Advanced Mode

Main Article: Imperious Task Force

General Faction Changes

Cimeroran Traitors

The Cimeroran Traitors have been empowered by the Path of the Dark, and use the versions of the enemies found in Sister Valeria's story arc. In general, this adds several Nictus (Warshade) powers to the faction.

• Immunes Surgeons are a priority target, as they retain their percentage-based healing, can now apply Fortitude and Adrenalin Boost, and can also use Shadow Step to teleport to and from targets.
• Centurions may transform into a Dark Nova or Dark Dwarf at low health.
• Legatus Legionis Elite Bosses now spawn in regular mob groups.
• Praefectus Castrorum and Legatus Legionis may spawn a Hostless Nictus Essence Elite Boss upon defeat.
  • A Hostless Nictus Essence will attempt to find a nearby player and begin to take over their body, teleporting them next to the Essence and inflicting a high magnitude Hold. When a player is captured, a message appears on-screen to notify allies.
    • If the Essence is not defeated before it reaches 100% (See the floating text that pops up above its head), it will instantly defeat that player, and spawn a Nictus Doppelganger Elite Boss of that player, with their name.
    • Nictus Doppelgangers have the powers of a player doppelganger, in addition to Nictus powers.

Nictus

• Dark Nova Alpha and Dark Dwarf Alpha Elite Bosses now spawn in regular Nictus mob groups.
• Dark Dwarf enemies now taunt.

5th Column

• Romulus Phalanx bosses spawn in 5th Column groups, with what appear to be their usual powers.
• Raserei Ubermenschen Oberst Bosses can call in two Steel Valkyries.
• Ewige Mitternacht Kommandant Elite Bosses spawn in 5th Column groups, which use Nictus powers.

Mission 1

Aside from the alterations to the enemies, there are no significant changes to this mission in ☆ & ☆☆ difficulties.

Mission 2

• Shadow Crystal explosions deal very high damage. Tanks can often survive this damage, but ATs with few defensive options can be wiped out in the blast.

Mission 3

Upon bringing the Romulus Phalanx Control to 25%, a cutscene will play, triggering the additional encounter.

After the cutscene concludes, the battle resumes, with the Control activating its usual Stage Three defenses.

Mission 3 Additional Encounter: The Aereus Colossi

During the battle, Vandal will ambush the group while fighting the Colossi.

Mission 4

The general flow of Mission 4, up to the battle with Romulus, remains unchanged aside of the alterations to the enemies in ☆ & ☆☆ difficulties.

Mission 4 Revised Encounter: Romulus Augustus

This encounter with Romulus bears several new mechanics atop the existing one.

• Nictus Essences: The Nictus Essences in this version of the fight are immune to all attacks.
• Death Throw: When Romulus sacrifices a Nictus essence, the resulting Death Throw, which stuns on normal mode, will now instantly defeat any ally within line of sight.
• Barrier Novas: Romulus summons 4 Barrier Novas to the field, which protect him from all damage. These Novas have moderate-to-high defense against the 'wrong' attack vectors.
  • The Topaz (Yellow) Barrier Nova is more easily hit by Melee Attacks.
  • The Sapphire (Blue) Barrier Nova is more easily hit by Ranged Attacks.
  • The Ruby (Red) Barrier Nova is more easily hit by Area of Effect (AoE) Attacks.
  • The Emerald (Green) Barrer Nova is intended to be controlled, but not defeated, as it gains massive resistance bonuses when under control, but renders it unable to protect Romulus, while impacting his regeneration.
    • For teams lacking control, it is trivial to defeat this Barrier Nova on lower difficulties in order to remove Romulus' protection, though he will retain his regeneration.
• Shadow Slip & Void Judgement Combo: Romulus teleports all of his enemies into melee range of him, before preparing Void Judgement. All players should move away before this devastating attack.

After sacrificing the third Nictus Essence, Romulus will use Shadow Step to retreat from the battle, into...

Mission 4 Extended Finale: Chamber of the Emperor

Romulus Augustus: How can this be? Even wielding the great power of the Dark Ones, these champions have turned my blade aside.
Emerald Barrier Nova: It seems clear that it is you who has been found lacking, Romulus.
Romulus Augustus: No! I have not yet failed!
Romulus Augustus: How has this come to pass? Is it fate's will that everything I am is to be undone?
Caption: Your purpose has not yet been fulfilled... You have been deceived, Romulus Augustus, betrayed by those who sought to use you for their own ends...
Romulus Augustus: What manner of devilry is this?!
Caption: These self-proclaimed 'allies' have discarded you, their oaths left broken... Unfulfilled... Is it not clear what must be done? Embrace your true purpose and power shall be yours!
Romulus Augustus: Yes... Your words... I cannot deny the truth of them... I shall have it... I must have-
Romulus Augustus: VENGEANCE!
Romulus Augustus: Come then champions! You shall face my fury, and be made to suffer for this indignation!

Romulus, having been abandoned by the Nictus and hearing the call of the Talons of Vengeance, will now battle you with renewed strength.

• Talons of Vengeance Lore Summon - Romulus uses a variant of this Incarnate Power to summon a small number of essences later on in the fight on ☆ and ☆☆ difficulty.

The arena has new hazards:

• Black Hole Bombs - These have a moderate area of effect and deal heavy damage.
• Talons of Vengeance Ambush - four Elite Bosses, the Envoys of Vengeance, will spawn during the fight (on ☆ & ☆☆ difficulties - more may spawn at higher levels).
  • These are Elite Boss versions of the existing Bosses of the faction.