Battle: Appetite for Destruction

The Torgue Arena is a large circular gladiator pit that features an open sandy field in the center and three structures on the periphery made up of various Torgue cargo containers and stairs. The center of the Arena is a death-trap and should be avoided at all costs, unless moving in to kill the final enemies in a given wave. Otherwise, stick to the perimeter and try to maintain the higher ground whenever possible. The surest way to die in Torgue Arena is to be downed in the center of the Arena, while all of the remaining combatants are atop the structures and behind cover.

Wave One contains very few enemies (typically just four) and essentially serves as a warm-up. Use your long-range weapons to take out any distant foes, then turn your attention to any Enforcers coming your way. Swap to a shotgun or assault rifle to cut them down as they charge your position.

The second and third waves contain increasing numbers of enemies, representing several different clans. Expect to encounter Momma’s Bikers and Gremlins, Burner Enforcers and Bruisers, Torgue Engineers, and several other varieties. All of these different clans hate one another as much as they hate Vault Hunters, so it’s not unusual to see some of the other enemies kill each other off. Stick to the perimeter of the Arena, climb the stairs to a container for safety, and allow the competition to thin itself out while you take pot-shots from a safe position. Watch the mini-map closely for enemies moving in on your position; otherwise, play it safe and attack from afar.

The fourth wave has the most enemies and is also likely to include a Gladiator Goliath. Like the Goliaths found elsewhere on Pandora, shooting its helmet off causes it to enrage, at which point it can level up by killing other enemies. Be extra careful when deciding whether or not to shoot its helmet off. Gladiator Goliaths are shielded and can be terribly difficult to bring down if you let them level up too many times. Since this is a tournament (and since dying forces you to have to play through all four waves again), you may want to avoid letting it get beyond its first or second transformation.

Use your Action Skills carefully during the third and fourth waves, as they can really bail you out of trouble. This is especially true of Axton’s Sabre Turret and Gaige’s Deathtrap, since they effectively serve as an ally that can get a kill even while you’re down. Use this initial battle to learn the layout of the Arena, to get familiar with your preferred weapon loadouts, and to see how you can best use your Action Skill in a large Arena battle. This first round of the tournament is the easiest of the ones you’ll be entering.

Surviving all four waves earns you the number 5 ranking in the tournament. Approach the reward chest that Piston has placed for you in the center of the Arena to complete the mission.

Torgue Arena

Torgue Arena is a massive dome in the heart of Badass Crater. The circular floor is littered with numerous platforms, stairways, and dozens of shipping containers, all to provide cover for the competitors. Although all of the entrants inside the Arena are human, those who explore the maintenance corridor and supply rooms along the perimeter must deal with numerous Torgue-branded loaders. These loaders appear similar to the Hyperion Loaders seen elsewhere on Pandora but are way more badass. Just the way Mr. Torgue likes it!

Dangerous Beasts

Cult of the Vault

This symbol is in the northeast corner of the outer ring area and can be found to the left of the third cookie vending machine during the “Eat Cookies and Crap Thunder” mission. Climb the crates to reach it.

Step on the small metal button on the grate at the north end of the outer ring to gain access to the ladder beneath the grate. Descend the ladder to find the second Cult of the Vault symbol.

It’s Cool, I’m Part of the Crew

Enter the outer ring during the “Eat Cookies and Crap Thunder” mission, and make your way to the store room in the northeast corner, to the left of the third vending machine. Leap up and over the railing on the right, and approach the large generator and pipes. This is the backstage area, and you’ve just completed another challenge. Congrats.

Are You Not Entertained?

Fight your way to the top of the leaderboards and lay claim to the Vault. Only then can you partake in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 rounds of the “Appetite for Destruction” tournament inside Torgue Arena. Survive both of these—Tier 3 requires you to return at max level—to complete this challenge.

Burnin’ Ring of Fire

There are 11 Challenge Barrels scattered across the outer ring of the Torgue Arena. You’ll encounter them during the “Eat Cookies and Crap Thunder” mission. They’re easy to spot, and you’ll have all the time you need to shoot them. Just make sure to detonate each and every one of them during your trip around the perimeter to complete this challenge.

C4 is for Cookie

Shoot the crate beneath the grate in the north end of the outer ring. Descend the ladder to the second Cult of the Vault symbol to find it.

This crate is in the northwest store room, just west of the barrier at the north end of the outer ring.

This Cookie Box is in the back corner of the southwest store room, behind a table.

This Cookie Box is in the southernmost room, near a table in the center of the room. This is the room with the first vending machine.

This next Cookie Box is in the back right corner of the southeast store room. This is the room with the second vending machine.

The final Cookie Box is in the store room at the northern end of the outer ring.

The Beatdown

The Beatdown is the home turf of Pyro Pete and his gang of Burners. These thugs and lowlifes chose to make their home amongst the smokestacks, tanks, and pipes of a refinery, which should tell you all you need to know about them. The Beatdown has numerous walkways, balconies, and fire escapes that overlook the frequently patrolled streets below. To be caught out in the open is to risk a fate worse than death. The lone bright spot at The Beatdown is that it’s home to Pyro Pete’s Bar, a rather nice place to have a drink, all things considered.

Dangerous Beasts

Cult of the Vault

Head south through The Beatdown two blocks and look for the large fuel tank behind a wall on the corner. Enter the yard behind this wall to find the first Cult of the Vault symbol.

This symbol is on a balcony to the left of the overpass support near the dirt hillside. To reach it, leap from the metal structure to the balcony with the broken railing left of the concrete supports.

Pyro Pete’s Bar

Pyro Pete’s Bar is the place for thugs, thieves, and assorted gangsters to have a drink. The clientele even manages to keep their guns holstered when unprovoked. Visitors to Pyro Pete’s Bar will find the main two-story room full of crowded excitement, but with excellent sightlines. Meanwhile, the side area and back room are the places to go when seeking a more intimate encounter—bring your shotgun! The bar has two staircases in the main drinking area. The elevator off to the right is only powered on when (and if) Pyro Pete deems a guest worthy of meeting him in the Incredible Smell Sewers located under the facility.

Dangerous Beasts

I Thought You’d Be… Bigger

Fight through Tier 1 and 2 of the Bar Brawl Challenge to access the grand finale, Tier 3. This battle requires a much higher level—you should come back at level 50 or higher if you’re to have any hope of surviving the fight. Return after you approach the level cap, and lay waste to the badasses in the bar before time expires to complete this challenge.