Can You Solo Ghosts of the Deep? A Deep Dive into Destiny 2’s Underwater Labyrinth
Yes, you absolutely can solo the Ghosts of the Deep dungeon in Destiny 2! It’s a challenging feat, but with the right build, strategy, and a healthy dose of perseverance, conquering this underwater nightmare alone is entirely achievable. However, be warned, Guardians, this isn’t a stroll on the beach – it demands mastery over your Guardian, understanding the dungeon’s intricate mechanics, and a loadout that can withstand immense pressure.
Understanding the Challenge: Why Ghosts of the Deep is Tough to Solo
Ghosts of the Deep presents several hurdles for the solo player. Here’s a breakdown:
- High Enemy Density: Expect to be constantly bombarded by waves of Hive enemies, including powerful Ogres, Wizards, and Lucent Hive Lightbearers. Managing the sheer number of combatants is a constant struggle.
- Complex Mechanics: The dungeon is riddled with intricate mechanics revolving around pressure plates, symbols, and underwater navigation. Failing to execute these correctly will lead to swift demise.
- Tanky Bosses: The bosses in Ghosts of the Deep, especially Simmumah Ur-Nokru, the final boss, possess immense health pools. Dealing enough damage solo requires optimized builds and efficient damage phases.
- Survival and Sustain: Maintaining your health and abilities is crucial. You need a build that provides reliable healing, damage resistance, and ability uptime to survive the relentless onslaught.
Gearing Up for Success: Essential Loadout Considerations
Before diving in, let’s discuss what you need to bring:
Weapons
- Primary/Special: For add clear and general combat, consider Scout Rifles or Auto Rifles with perks like Subsistence or Overflow to reduce reload frequency. For more serious threats, a Fusion Rifle can be a good pick.
- Heavy: Xenophage remains a solid option for dealing with Ogres and other high-health targets. However, consider options like Arbalest or Leviathan’s Breath for the final boss, as their intrinsic anti-champion properties are invaluable for breaking shields and maximizing damage output. Consider a Rocket Launcher with Tracking Module and Bait and Switch for more specialized builds.
- Exotic Choice: While many exotics can work, consider Witherhoard, Trinity Ghoul, or Osteo Striga for potent add clear. For sheer boss damage, Leviathan’s Breath reigns supreme.
Subclasses and Builds
- Solar Titan (Hammer Titan): This remains a popular choice due to its healing and damage potential. Utilizing Throwing Hammers with the Roaring Flames and Sol Invictus aspects provides constant Radiant and Restoration buffs, keeping you alive and boosting your damage.
- Void Hunter: With fragments like Echo of Persistence, Echo of Undermining, and Echo of Leeching you can debuff enemies, turn invisible, and have consistent damage output and survivability.
- Arc Warlock: This build is known for its amazing survivability and crowd control. With the aspects Arc Soul and Electrostatic Mind, you can damage and control enemies without exposing yourself to too much damage.
Armor Mods
- Resilience: Maximize your Resilience stat for damage resistance. Aim for 100 Resilience.
- Resist Mods: Utilize Arc Resistance, Solar Resistance, and Void Resistance mods on your chest piece to mitigate incoming damage.
- Ammo Finders/Scavengers: Ensure you have adequate ammo reserves for your heavy weapon by using appropriate ammo finder and scavenger mods.
- Orbs of Power: Use mods that generate Orbs of Power on weapon kills to feed into your Super and armor charge builds.
Encounter Strategies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ecthar, Shield of Savathun (First Boss)
- Symbol Cleansing: This encounter revolves around identifying and cleansing symbols. Prioritize clearing adds quickly to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Damage Phase: Damage Ecthar after cleansing the correct symbols. Use your heavy weapon and Super for maximum damage output.
- Pressure Management: Be mindful of the rising water level. Use the pressure vents to gain temporary respite.
Underwater Navigation and Hive Ritual
- Careful Navigation: The underwater sections require careful navigation and awareness of your oxygen levels. Utilize the air pockets to replenish your breath.
- Hive Ritual: Clear the Hive Ritual encounter efficiently, focusing on disrupting the ritual and eliminating the powerful Hive Knights.
Simmumah Ur-Nokru (Final Boss)
- Lucent Hive Lightbearers: This encounter features challenging Lucent Hive Lightbearers. Prioritize eliminating them to prevent revives.
- Symbol Matching: Match the symbols to gain access to the damage phase. Communication (even when solo) is key to remembering the sequence.
- Damage Phase: Unleash your heavy weapon and Super on Simmumah during the damage phase. Focus on breaking her shield quickly and maximizing your damage output.
- Stay Alive: This is the most crucial aspect. Maintain your distance, utilize cover, and prioritize survival over aggressive damage dealing.
General Tips for Solo Success
- Patience is Key: Don’t rush. Take your time, analyze the situation, and plan your moves.
- Master the Mechanics: Thoroughly understand the dungeon’s mechanics. Practice each encounter until you can execute it flawlessly.
- Adapt Your Build: Be prepared to adjust your build and loadout based on your progress and challenges.
- Utilize Cover: Always be aware of your surroundings and use cover to your advantage.
- Don’t Give Up: Soloing Ghosts of the Deep is a challenging accomplishment. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Learn from your mistakes and keep trying.
The Bigger Picture: Learning and Engagement in Games
The challenge of soloing a dungeon like Ghosts of the Deep isn’t just about conquering the game; it’s about learning, problem-solving, and developing resilience. These are skills that translate far beyond the virtual world. The Games Learning Society understands the powerful intersection of games and education. You can find more about this group at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Ghosts of the Deep Solo Flawless: A Badge of Honor
Successfully soloing Ghosts of the Deep is a testament to your skill, dedication, and strategic thinking. It’s a challenge that pushes you to your limits and rewards you with a profound sense of accomplishment. So, Guardians, gear up, prepare yourselves, and dive into the depths. The challenge awaits!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding soloing Ghosts of the Deep:
1. What is the recommended power level for soloing Ghosts of the Deep?
The recommended power level is 1790, but enemies can be as high as 1810. Being at or above the enemy power level is crucial for survival and dealing adequate damage.
2. What is the easiest class to solo Ghosts of the Deep with?
While subjective, Solar Titan (Hammer Titan) is often considered the easiest due to its potent healing and damage capabilities.
3. Is Ghosts of the Deep harder than Duality?
Many players consider Ghosts of the Deep harder than Duality due to the higher enemy density, complex mechanics, and the final boss’s immense health pool.
4. How long does it take to solo Ghosts of the Deep?
A successful solo run can take anywhere from 2-3 hours, depending on your skill, build, and luck.
5. What is the best exotic weapon for the final boss, Simmumah Ur-Nokru?
Leviathan’s Breath is a top contender due to its high damage output and intrinsic anti-champion properties.
6. What are some good legendary weapons for add clear in Ghosts of the Deep?
Scout Rifles and Auto Rifles with perks like Subsistence or Overflow are excellent choices for add clear.
7. Are there any specific armor mods that are essential for soloing Ghosts of the Deep?
Resilience mods, resist mods (Arc, Solar, and Void), and ammo finder/scavenger mods are highly recommended.
8. How important is understanding the dungeon mechanics for a solo run?
Understanding the mechanics is absolutely crucial. Failing to execute the mechanics correctly will lead to frequent deaths and failed attempts.
9. Can you farm the exotic weapon (Navigator) from Ghosts of the Deep?
You can only farm the exotic weapon when Ghosts of the Deep is the weekly featured dungeon. Otherwise, you only get one chance per character per week.
10. What is the best way to deal with the Lucent Hive Lightbearers in the final encounter?
Prioritize eliminating the Lucent Hive Lightbearers quickly to prevent them from reviving other enemies. Use your heavy weapon and Super to burst them down.
11. Is it possible to solo the dungeon without using an exotic heavy weapon?
Yes, it is possible, but significantly harder. A well-rolled legendary Rocket Launcher with Tracking Module and Bait and Switch can be a viable alternative.
12. What happens if you die during a solo run?
If you die during a solo run, you will be sent back to the last checkpoint.
13. What are the benefits of soloing Ghosts of the Deep?
Soloing Ghosts of the Deep is a challenging accomplishment that demonstrates your skill, dedication, and strategic thinking. You also earn bragging rights!
14. Are there any cheeses or exploits that make soloing Ghosts of the Deep easier?
While cheeses and exploits may exist, relying on them can detract from the learning experience and may be patched out in future updates. It’s best to learn the dungeon mechanics and strategies.
15. What is the biggest mistake players make when attempting to solo Ghosts of the Deep?
The biggest mistake is underestimating the difficulty and failing to adequately prepare their build, strategy, and mindset. Patience and persistence are key!