Unlocking the Rat King’s True Potential: A Deep Dive into the Catalyst and Kill Requirements
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The short answer is this: Acquiring the Rat King Catalyst doesn’t directly hinge on a specific number of kills. It drops as a random reward from completing Nightfalls and Strikes. However, once you obtain the Catalyst, you then need to secure 500 kills with the Rat King sidearm to fully unlock its potential.
Let’s break down this two-part process and explore everything you need to know about mastering the Rat King.
Part 1: The Hunt for the Catalyst
The first hurdle is actually getting the Catalyst to drop. Unlike some Catalysts that are tied to specific activities or quest lines, the Rat King Catalyst has a chance to drop after completing either a Nightfall or a Strike. There’s no guaranteed method, and it relies heavily on RNG (Random Number Generation). This means you could get it on your first Strike, or you might have to grind dozens before you see it.
Maximizing Your Catalyst Drop Chances
While you can’t force the Catalyst to drop, there are strategies to increase your odds:
- Higher Difficulty Nightfalls: Anecdotal evidence suggests that completing Nightfalls on higher difficulty settings improves your chances of receiving rare rewards, including Catalysts. The Grandmaster Nightfall, while extremely challenging, likely offers the highest drop rate.
- Efficient Strike Farming: If Nightfalls are too demanding, focus on quickly completing regular Strikes. Shorter Strikes with easily defeated enemies allow for more runs in a shorter period, increasing your overall opportunities.
Patience is Key
The frustrating reality is that this process requires patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the Catalyst immediately. Just keep running Nightfalls or Strikes, and eventually, your persistence will pay off.
Part 2: The 500-Kill Grind
Once the elusive Rat King Catalyst is in your possession, the real work begins. You need to defeat 500 enemies using the Rat King to unlock its Masterwork perk.
Efficient Farming Strategies for Catalyst Completion
Here are a few prime locations and tactics for racking up those kills efficiently:
- Thrallway (Shattered Throne Dungeon): This is a classic farming spot for a reason. The endless waves of weak Thrall provide a continuous stream of targets. Load up the Shattered Throne dungeon, progress until you reach the Thrallway, and go to town. Make sure you’re using the Rat King!
- Altars of Sorrow (Moon): Altars of Sorrow provides numerous waves of enemies, perfect for catalyst completion.
- Leviathan Castellum (Leviathan Raid): Similar to the Thrallway, the Castellum offers a consistent flow of Cabal enemies.
- Shuro Chi Encounter (Last Wish Raid): Another popular Raid encounter with a high density of relatively weak enemies.
- Patrol Zones with High Enemy Density (e.g., Dreaming City, Throne World): Simply roaming patrol zones and engaging in Public Events can be a viable, albeit slower, method.
Optimizing Your Loadout for Rat King Kills
- Ammo Finders and Scavengers: Equip armor mods that increase your sidearm ammo reserves and frequency of ammo drops. This will keep you firing for longer stretches.
- Complimentary Weapons: Use other weapons in your loadout to deal with enemies that are difficult to kill with the Rat King. A powerful special weapon or heavy weapon can help clear out tougher foes quickly.
- Friends with Rat King: Remember that the Rat King’s “Rat Pack” perk increases its damage and effectiveness when multiple players are using it. Coordinate with your fireteam to all equip the Rat King for maximum synergy.
What Does the Rat King Catalyst Do?
The Rat King Catalyst grants the “Vermin” perk. Vermin significantly improves the Rat King’s handling, reload speed, and aim assist, making it a much more user-friendly and effective weapon. It also grants +30 to Aim Assist and +40 to Recoil Direction. This boost is especially beneficial for Hunters who heavily rely on invisibility, making them more lethal while utilizing their class abilities.
Is the Rat King Catalyst Worth the Grind?
Absolutely! While the initial drop can be frustrating, and the 500-kill grind takes time, the benefits the Catalyst provides are well worth the effort. The improved handling, reload speed, and aim assist transform the Rat King from a niche weapon into a surprisingly potent and versatile tool. It’s particularly effective in team-based activities where the Rat Pack perk can shine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can the Rat King Catalyst drop from Legend Strikes?
While it’s theoretically possible, anecdotal evidence suggests that the drop rate is significantly lower than in Nightfalls. Focus on Nightfalls for the best chance.
2. Does increasing the difficulty of Nightfalls affect the Catalyst drop rate?
Yes, it is believed that higher difficulty Nightfalls have an increased chance to drop the Rat King Catalyst.
3. Do I need to be using the Rat King when the Catalyst drops?
No, you don’t. The Catalyst can drop regardless of the weapon you’re using.
4. Is there any way to guarantee the Rat King Catalyst drop?
Unfortunately, no. The drop is entirely random.
5. Can I farm the same Strike repeatedly to try and get the Catalyst?
Yes, you can. There’s no limit to how many times you can run a Strike or Nightfall.
6. What is the fastest way to get 500 kills with the Rat King?
The Thrallway in the Shattered Throne dungeon is generally considered the fastest and most efficient method.
7. Does the Rat Pack perk affect how quickly I get Catalyst kills?
No, the Rat Pack perk doesn’t directly affect Catalyst progression. However, it makes the Rat King more effective, allowing you to kill enemies faster.
8. Do assists count towards the 500 kills?
No, only final blows with the Rat King count towards the Catalyst progression.
9. Does the Rat King Catalyst make the weapon viable in PvP?
Yes, the increased handling, reload speed, and aim assist make the Rat King much more competitive in PvP, especially when used in conjunction with the Rat Pack perk.
10. Is the Rat King good for solo play?
The Rat King is most effective when used with a fireteam. However, the Catalyst does make it more viable for solo play.
11. What are some good armor mods to use while farming Rat King kills?
Sidearm Ammo Finder, Sidearm Scavenger, and any mods that improve your character’s survivability are good choices.
12. Does the Rat King Catalyst affect the weapon’s base stats?
Yes, the Catalyst increases Aim Assist and Recoil Direction of the weapon.
13. Does the Rat King Catalyst change the weapon’s appearance?
No, the Catalyst doesn’t alter the Rat King’s visual appearance.
14. Where can I find other players to farm Rat King kills with?
Destiny 2 LFG (Looking For Group) websites and Discord servers are excellent resources for finding fireteams.
15. What are other resources for improving my Destiny 2 game knowledge and strategies?
Websites like Destiny Item Manager (DIM), Light.gg, and YouTube channels dedicated to Destiny 2 content are invaluable resources. Furthermore, understanding the theory behind game design can provide better insights into gameplay mechanics and strategies. A valuable resource for this knowledge is the Games Learning Society and their website, GamesLearningSociety.org.
Mastering the Rat King and unlocking its Catalyst requires both luck and dedication. But with the right strategies and a healthy dose of perseverance, you’ll be wreaking havoc with this unique sidearm in no time. Happy hunting, Guardians!