Bastion/Proving Grounds

Proving Grounds are weapon-specific challenges found on the map after completing certain story stages, usually after obtaining the corresponding weapon. It is recommended that they be taken on after acquiring upgrades for the weapon, as will be detailed in each section. Placing third in the challenge will reward the Kid with an upgrade for that weapon, placing second will reward the Kid with an upgrade for another weapon, and placing first will reward the Kid with a Secret Skill that can be used with the Proving Ground's corresponding weapon. The exception to this is the Bullhead Court, which challenges the Kid's proficiency with the Bullhead Shield via counter-blocking. The reward for each place is a batch of Fragments, with a greater number of Fragments rewarded for higher places. Because the Bullhead Shield cannot be upgraded, this challenge simply requires practice. For information on all other challenges, see each section below.

Bastion weapon Breaker's Bow.png Breaker Barracks
This challenge requires you to shoot down all targets with the Breaker's Bow using as few arrows as possible. Achieving first place in this challenge is impossible without at least a few upgrades, key of those being upgrades that increase target penetration and damage. To accomplish this, purchase at least the following upgrades: After purchasing these upgrades, you should be able to line up each line of targets and pierce them all with a single shot, even without the need for a Power Shot. Perfecting your aim so that the arrow travels straight through all targets could take some practice, but overall shouldn't prove too difficult.
 * Power String for +2 penetrations per shot.
 * Stabweed Arrowheads for +50% damage.
 * Reinforced Bow Limbs for +2 penetrations per shot.

Bastion weapon War Machete.png Windbag Ranch
This challenge requires you to defeat all enemies in the area using the War Machete, with the added caveat that this must be done as quickly as possible. Do not bother attempting to place first in this challenge without at least a few upgrades, including the following: The last two recommended upgrades, Reinforced Spine and Graver Bolster, allow for even more critical hit damage with a greater rate of attack, so make sure to purchase them if you feel that you still need the additional help. Once all necessary upgrades are equipped, begin the stage and head straight for the center of the area, where a great number of green Squirts continuously spawn. Make sure to continue slashing at them until they finish spawning, ignoring the attacks of the Squirt generators and Security Turrets. Once they've finished spawning, pursue any that have escaped before tackling the remaining enemies, which consist only of regular Squirts (which should be easier to catch) and stationary enemies. Cut down the Squirt generators and throw the blade at the Security Turrets to finish them off quickly, preferably with a Power Shot.
 * Keen Edge for +20% critical hit chance.
 * Combat Handle for +100% critical hit damage.
 * Alloy Tip for +20% critical hit chance.

Bastion weapon Fang Repeater.png Trapper Shingle
This challenge requires you to shoot all targets on either side of a narrow walkway. Falling off of the walkway will conclude the challenge early, though there is an added challenge in the way that the ground falls below the Kid as he walks across it, similar to ../The Sundown Path/. This limits the time that the Kid has to fire at the targets, as he must keep moving as he shoots. This is made more difficult by the fact that this challenge belongs to the Fang Repeater, a ranged weapon that cannot be fired while moving. Upgrades for the Fang Repeater are necessary in order to power through the entire path, including but not limited to the following: The ammo capacity upgrades can be swapped for faster reloads, but the former is recommended since the Kid can simply reload as he moves toward the next group of targets. A greater ammo clip and increased damage allows the Fang Repeater to tear through groups of targets much more quickly, making this challenge a breeze.
 * Double Clip for +8 ammo capacity.
 * Heavy Bolts for +50% damage.
 * Hollowed Chamber for +8 ammo capacity.

Bastion weapon Scrap Musket.png Zulwood Grove
This challenge requires you to destroy all targets on the map in as few shots as possible. The targets must be destroyed with the Scrap Musket by simply shooting them off the cliff, but this is easier said than done considering the massive cluster of targets to be dealt with. While some targets are close enough to the edge, some may take multiple shots to drop off. This is where the necessity of upgrades come in, with a particular focus on spread rather than range. To accomplish this challenge easily, make sure to purchase these upgrades: The third upgrade should make up for the loss in range provided by the first upgrade, allowing you to reach targets at a greater distance with an impressive spread.
 * Smoothbore Barrel for +35% spread at the cost of -15% range.
 * Heavy Shells for +15% damage.
 * Tactical Shock for a reduced penalty to long-range damage.

Bastion weapon Cael Hammer.png The Scrap Yard
This challenge requires the Kid to destroy 100 objects in the environment in as little time as possible. This destructive challenge naturally belongs to the Cael Hammer, a melee weapon with decent reach and impressive strength. To ease the difficulty of this challenge, consider maximizing the destructive power of the Cael Hammer using the following upgrades: However, keep in mind that there is no foolproof strategy to accomplish this challenge, even with all upgrades equipped. The destruction of most (but not all) objects in the environment is necessary, so it does not matter which path you take or which side you start with. Just be sure to swing the hammer out of a dodge roll when trying to reach objects that are a distance away from the Kid, rather than simply walking to them, and even dodge into smaller objects to destroy them more efficiently.
 * Sledge Head for +50% damage.
 * Reverse Grip for a more powerful uppercut attack.
 * Alloy Shaft for +50% damage.

Bastion weapon Dueling Pistols.png Slinger Range
This challenge requires the Kid to fire at dummies with the Dueling Pistols as soon as they appear, with as much speed as possible. The speed with which the Kid is able to target the dummies and destroy them affects his final score, with a greater score indicating greater speed. Damage upgrades will assist most here, including the following: These upgrades focus the bullets of the Dueling Pistols and make them more powerful, though there is a way to earn first place in this challenge without maximizing the damage output of the Dueling Pistols with upgrades. Simply equip the Werewhiskey Spirit at the Distillery and drop off of the platform at the start of the area until it activates. This will make the bullets of the Dueling Pistols much more powerful, allowing you to take down the dummies quickly even without upgrades.
 * Sealed Cylinders to eliminate bullet scatter.
 * High Caliber Chambers for +25% damage.
 * Cauldron Powder for +1 target penetration per shot.

Bastion weapon Brusher's Pike.png Camp Dauncy
This challenge is a bit more complex than the others, requiring the Kid to travel around a relatively large map with only the Brusher's Pike equipped. Throughout this map he must find and activate six switches as quickly as possible, but the catch here is that Pincushions are scattered around every corner of the map, constantly firing needles on a fixed path. These needles will inevitably block the Kid's path, though he can power through a few sets of needles if he has enough health. The Werewhiskey Spirit would come in handy in such a case, as it greatly increases the Kid's strength against the Pincushions. For a less risky strategy, simply upgrade the Brusher's Pike with the following upgrades: These upgrades allow the Brusher's Pike to defeat a Pincushion in one strike, as opposed to the two strikes that they normally take. This should prove to be a great time saver, though taking the most efficient path through the map is just as important. Start by taking the left path and proceed to move around the map in a circle, activating switches and striking at any Pincushions in the way as you go.
 * Reinforced Shaft for +15% critical hit chance.
 * Hunting Grip for +50% critical hit damage.
 * Brusher Bindings for +20% faster thrust attacks.
 * Heavy Counterweight for +50% damage.