Mastering the Rat King Catalyst: A Comprehensive Guide
The Rat King Catalyst requires you to get 500 kills with the Rat King after you’ve obtained the Catalyst itself. Obtaining the catalyst is based on a Random Reward from Nightfalls and Strikes. This can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and knowledge, you’ll be slinging invisible lead like a true rodent royalty member in no time.
Rat King: A Deep Dive into Destiny 2’s Unique Sidearm
The Rat King isn’t just another exotic weapon; it’s a symbol of teamwork and strategic play in Destiny 2. Its intrinsic perk, Rat Pack, increases its power when more fireteam members are wielding the Rat King, making it a formidable weapon in coordinated groups.
The catalyst itself is a quest of determination, not necessarily difficulty. Its RNG-based drop rate can be frustrating, but the 500 kills for the Rat King will require dedicated farming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Rat King Catalyst
1. How do I get the Rat King Catalyst?
The Rat King Catalyst drops as a random reward from completing Strikes and Nightfalls. There’s no guaranteed way to get it, so it’s a matter of perseverance and grinding those activities. Higher difficulty Nightfalls might increase your chances, but that’s largely anecdotal evidence within the community.
2. Does the Rat King Catalyst make the weapon significantly better?
Yes, the Rat King Catalyst adds the “Smooth Grip” perk to the weapon. This improves Stability, Handling, and Reload Speed. While it doesn’t drastically alter the weapon’s damage output, these improvements make it more consistent and user-friendly, enhancing the overall Rat King experience.
3. What’s the best place to farm Rat King kills for the Catalyst?
Several locations are ideal for farming Rat King kills. Some popular choices include:
- The Shuro Chi encounter in the Last Wish raid: This is a classic farming spot. Enemies spawn in large numbers, and you can easily rack up kills.
- The Thrallway in the Shattered Throne dungeon: Another excellent location with endless waves of Thrall.
- Grasp of Avarice dungeon loot cave: The start of the dungeon is full of endless waves of thrall.
4. Do Rat King kills from my Fireteam count toward my Catalyst progress?
No, only your kills with the Rat King will count towards the 500 kills required to complete the Catalyst. So, while it’s beneficial to have your Fireteam use the weapon for the Rat Pack perk, only your personal tally matters for Catalyst progression.
5. Does the Rat King’s invisibility perk help with farming kills for the Catalyst?
Absolutely! The Rat King’s invisibility after each reload following a kill is incredibly useful for staying alive and maneuvering into advantageous positions. It allows you to be more aggressive and maintain a higher kill rate.
6. What’s the best strategy for using the Rat King effectively?
The Rat King excels in coordinated team play. Here are some key strategies:
- Coordinate with your Fireteam: Ensure that as many members as possible are using the Rat King to maximize the Rat Pack perk’s damage bonus.
- Utilize the invisibility: Use the invisibility to flank enemies, escape dangerous situations, and reload safely.
- Target weaker enemies: Focus on quickly eliminating weaker enemies to trigger the invisibility perk and keep the Rat King’s buff active.
7. Is the Rat King viable in endgame content?
The Rat King can be viable in certain endgame content, particularly when used with a coordinated Fireteam. The increased damage from the Rat Pack perk can make it surprisingly effective against bosses and challenging enemies. However, it’s generally not a top-tier choice for solo activities or situations where burst damage is required.
8. Can the Rat King be used in PvP?
Yes, the Rat King can be used in PvP. The invisibility perk can provide a tactical advantage, allowing you to surprise opponents or escape from engagements. However, its lower range and damage output compared to other meta PvP weapons make it a niche pick.
9. What’s the “Rat Pack” perk and how does it work?
The “Rat Pack” perk is the Rat King’s signature ability. It increases the weapon’s damage, reload speed, and handling when more players nearby are also wielding the Rat King. The more Rat Kings in your Fireteam, the stronger the weapon becomes.
10. Are there any specific class builds that synergize well with the Rat King?
Hunters benefit greatly from the Rat King due to their synergy with invisibility. Builds that focus on maximizing uptime of invisibility (like the Nightstalker subclass) can further enhance the Rat King’s effectiveness. The Rat King pairs well with Omnioculus builds.
11. Is the Rat King Catalyst account-bound?
Yes, the Rat King Catalyst, once acquired, is account-bound. This means that any character on your account can use the Rat King to progress its Catalyst objective.
12. How does the Rat King’s damage compare to other sidearms?
On its own, the Rat King’s damage is relatively low compared to other exotic sidearms like Traveler’s Chosen, but its strength lies in its ability to synergize with other Rat Kings. With multiple players using the weapon, the damage output increases substantially.
13. Does the Rat King have any hidden perks or functionalities?
Beyond the invisibility and Rat Pack perks, the Rat King doesn’t have any officially documented hidden perks. However, the weapon’s feel and handling can change noticeably with the Rat Pack perk active, making it feel more responsive and powerful.
14. What’s the origin story of the Rat King in Destiny lore?
The Rat King’s lore is tied to a group of Guardians who used the weapon to protect the citizens of the Last City. The weapon became a symbol of unity and teamwork, representing the strength that Guardians can achieve when they work together.
15. Where can I find more information and discussions about the Rat King?
You can find valuable information, strategies, and discussions about the Rat King on various Destiny 2 community platforms, including Reddit (r/DestinyTheGame, r/CruciblePlaybook), the official Destiny 2 forums, and YouTube.
The Power of Teamwork: Embracing the Rat King Lifestyle
The Rat King, at its heart, promotes collaborative gameplay. Whether it’s farming for the Catalyst or tearing through endgame content, the weapon rewards coordinated teamwork. This makes it a unique and engaging experience that differs from most solo-focused weapon builds.
Beyond just weapon statistics and kill counts, the Rat King embodies a philosophical approach to gaming – one that values community, cooperation, and the collective power of a team. This aligns well with the goals of organizations like the Games Learning Society whose mission promotes understanding how games can be used for learning and positive social change. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.