In the grim, surveillance-ridden city of Höllvania, a new legend is forged in fire and steel. The Drifter, having allied with the enigmatic protoframe warriors known as The Hex, faces the oppressive might of the Scaldra faction. These soldiers, armed with potent chemical weapons, patrol the streets, but a greater threat lurks in the shadows—a secret, far more deadly version of the already formidable H-09 Efervon Tank. For the most daring Tenno, the true test begins not in the open battle, but in the hidden terminals of a Steel Path Assassination mission, where the H-09 Apex Tank awaits.

The path to this ultimate confrontation is shrouded in secrecy. To summon the Apex variant, one must venture into the Höllvania Assassination node exclusively on the punishing Steel Path difficulty. The mission proceeds as usual until the first gate is breached. Here, the hunter must become a seeker. Before opening the second gate, two distinct computer terminals must be located. These are not the common terminals marked by blue infestation on the map; they glow with an eerie green light and feature a distinctive purple interface. Using a transponder to hack into both terminals and successfully completing the minigame triggers a chain reaction. The panicked voice of Lt. Viktor Vodyanoi crackles over the comms, signaling his desperate response: the deployment of the H-09 Apex Tank, a machine of war elevated to a new tier of destruction.

️ The Battle Unfolds: Phase One

The fight against the H-09 Apex Tank is a brutal dance of survival, structured in two intense phases but executed with far greater ferocity than its standard counterpart. The first phase presents an immediate puzzle: the tank is completely invulnerable. Its weakness lies in eight brightly glowing green vents scattered across its armored hull. Destroying these vents is the sole objective, but the Apex Tank is not a passive target. It unleashes a relentless barrage of attacks while Scaldra ground troops flood the arena, spreading the hazardous Efervon compound.

Survival Strategy for Phase One:

• Priority Target: Focus all fire on the eight glowing vents. Ignore everything else unless absolutely necessary.

• Movement is Life: Never stop moving. The tank's close-range attacks can stagger and knockdown, while its long-range assaults can inflict a Magnetic proc, disabling your Warframe's abilities for a critical 3 seconds.

• Minion Management: Do not get bogged down fighting Scaldra units unless they are overwhelming you. Your goal is to expose the tank's core.

• The Key Weapon: Once the vents are destroyed, the tank's armor plating shifts. Look for rocket launchers dropped by fallen Scaldra soldiers—these are essential for dealing significant damage to the now-vulnerable machine.

After a relentless assault, the tank's massive health bars, protected by immense armor buffs, finally begin to chip away. Armor-stripping weaponry is not just advised; it is mandatory for any hope of a timely victory. Once the second health bar is depleted, a prompt to deliver the final blow appears. But the H-09 Apex Tank has one last surprise: the arena floor collapses, plunging the combatants into a deeper, more chaotic stage of the fight.

The Infested Evolution: Phase Two

The second phase begins with a horrific transformation. The battered H-09 Apex Tank, now fused with writhing Techrot tendrils, becomes an infested monstrosity. It gains new abilities, summoning Techrot Eximus enemies to harass you while its own attack patterns evolve. The AoE attacks become wider and more annoying, and the tank exhibits a frightening new behavior: a focus on swift, devastating melee assaults.

Crucial Tactics for Phase Two:

• Enhanced Mobility: The need for constant, unpredictable movement becomes even more paramount. The tank's speed and melee focus demand perfect situational awareness.

• Weak Point: Shift your aim to the pulsating Prosboscis nodes now visible on its infested body. Striking these nodes deals massive chunks of damage to the tank's health pool.

• The Healing Mechanic: After depleting the first two health bars in this phase, the tank will attempt a desperate self-repair sequence. It spawns a wave of Techrot enemies; you must eliminate all of them to interrupt the healing process. Failure to do so will undo your hard-fought progress.

• Persistence: Continue the cycle: avoid attacks, destroy Prosboscis nodes, eliminate healing waves, and wear down the beast until its final, shuddering collapse.

️ Recommended Arsenal for Victory

This battle challenges the conventional Warframe playbook. Due to the ever-present threat of Magnetic procs and the sheer durability of the target, a specialized loadout is required.

Core Philosophy: You cannot rely on Warframe abilities as a primary strategy. Build for weapon-based damage and survival.

Key Loadout Notes:

• The Latron Incarnon is exceptional for systematically stripping armor from a distance.

• The Magistar Incarnon's heavy slam attacks can devastate the tank's health bars once its armor is gone.

• Always mod for maximum damage against armored targets (e.g., Corrosive or Slash-based builds).

🏆 The Rewards of the Apex Hunter

Overcoming the H-09 Apex Tank is a feat worthy of legendary rewards, a testament to a Tenno's skill and preparation.

Standard Rewards for All Victors:

• H-09 Apex Turret Sumdali: A powerful, unique cosmetic attachment for your Heavy Weapon, showcasing your victory over Höllvania's greatest mechanical terror.

• Steel Essence: The coveted currency of the Steel Path, used to acquire powerful mods and resources from Teshin's store.

**The Ultimate Challenge: Secret Glyphs **

For those who seek the pinnacle of prestige, a hidden challenge awaits. If you defeat the H-09 Apex Tank in Solo Mode while using one of the following original Warframes, you will be granted a special glyph honoring The Hex:

• ⚔️ Excalibur

• 🧠 Nyx

• 🧲 Mag

• ⚡ Volt

• 💖 Trinity

• 🤖 Cyte-09

Each glyph uniquely depicts the corresponding member of The Hex, offering a rare and beautiful badge of honor for mastering the game's roots and its toughest challenge. In 2025, the battle for Höllvania continues, and the legend of the Tenno who felled the Apex Tank grows with every shuddering explosion of the Scaldra's greatest weapon.