Root of Nightmares Contest Mode Rewards: A Deep Dive
The Root of Nightmares raid, introduced with Destiny 2’s Lightfall expansion, captivated the community with its unique mechanics and challenges. One of the most discussed aspects of the raid was its initial Contest Mode, a period of heightened difficulty designed to test even the most seasoned fireteams. But what exactly were the rewards for conquering the Root of Nightmares during this challenging phase? Let’s break it down.
The primary rewards for completing the Root of Nightmares during its 48-hour Contest Mode period were prestige and the exclusive ability to purchase the Root of Nightmares raid jacket from the Bungie Store. While there weren’t any in-game items unique to Contest Mode completion, the accomplishment itself was a significant badge of honor within the Destiny 2 community. It signified that you were among the first to conquer this demanding raid under its most challenging conditions. The rewards can be broken into the following:
- Prestige and Recognition: Successfully navigating the raid during Contest Mode positioned players as high-caliber contributors within the community. Given the heightened difficulty and time pressure, those who emerged victorious during the initial 48 hours earned significant bragging rights.
- Exclusive Purchase Opportunity: As a significant perk for conquering the raid before a specified date (March 21st, 2023), all players who completed Root of Nightmares during or shortly after contest mode unlocked the ability to purchase an exclusive Root of Nightmares raid jacket. This tangible reward served as a lasting memento of their achievement and dedication.
- Increased Exotic Weapon Drop Chance: Although not exclusive to the Contest Mode, during this period players had an opportunity to complete weekly challenges and Triumphs. Completing the four weekly challenges and four Triumph challenges for Root of Nightmares would increase the drop chance of Conditional Finality, the raid’s Exotic weapon.
- Progression Towards Dream Warrior Title: Again, not exclusive to contest mode, but it is important to mention that completing all four raid challenges are required to acquire the raid’s Dream Warrior title.
It’s crucial to understand that while Contest Mode itself doesn’t offer unique gear or weapons, it acts as a gatekeeper for these prestigious rewards and accelerates the collection of essential items.
Root of Nightmares Contest Mode: What You Need to Know
While the rewards are enticing, it’s important to understand the conditions and challenges associated with Contest Mode:
Contest Mode Difficulty
- Power Level Restriction: During the 48-hour Contest Mode, players were capped at 20 Power below each encounter. This meant that even if you were well above the minimum power level, you were effectively brought down to a lower threshold, making encounters significantly harder.
- Minimum Power Level: Players needed to reach a minimum power level of 1780 to even attempt the raid during Contest Mode. Reaching this threshold was a race against the clock in the days leading up to the raid’s launch.
- Hard Power Cap: The hard power cap was 1800, and a pinnacle cap of 1810. This meant that being above 1800 provided minimal advantage, further emphasizing the skill needed to overcome the content.
Time Limitation
- 48-Hour Window: Contest Mode lasted for the initial 48 hours after the raid’s release. This meant players had a limited window to organize teams, practice, and complete the raid.
- Pressure and Intensity: This time pressure created an intense environment. Teams were pressured to be efficient and resourceful, and mistakes were heavily penalized.
Team Coordination
- Communication and Strategy: Success in Contest Mode demanded high levels of communication, strategy, and coordination from a fireteam. Every member had to perform their specific role effectively.
- Team Synergy: The team dynamic had to be balanced and functional. Understanding each member’s strengths and weaknesses was essential to overcome the challenges that came with each encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Root of Nightmares and its Contest Mode, aimed at providing further clarity and information for all guardians:
1. How Many People Finished Root of Nightmares in Contest Mode?
Over 197,762 accounts succeeded in defeating Nezarec during the 48-hour Contest Mode period. This was out of 445,866 accounts that attempted the raid, resulting in an impressive 44.355% success rate.
2. How Long Did Contest Mode Last?
Contest Mode for the Root of Nightmares lasted for 48 hours from the time the raid was released.
3. Is Contest Mode Still Active in Root of Nightmares?
No, Contest Mode for Root of Nightmares has ended. It was active only for the initial 48 hours after the raid’s release.
4. What Was the Power Level Cap in Contest Mode?
The power level cap was set at 20 below the encounter’s recommended power level. This meant you were effectively -20 under power at any level 1780 or above.
5. What Was the Minimum Power Level Requirement for Contest Mode?
The minimum power level required was 1780 to participate in Root of Nightmares’ Contest Mode.
6. Who Was the World First Team to Complete Root of Nightmares?
The World First team to complete the raid was Hard in the Paint (HITP), who finished in 2 hours and 24 minutes.
7. How Long Does It Take to Beat Root of Nightmares?
While the initial World First completion took 2 hours and 24 minutes, some teams have completed it as quickly as 42 minutes. The average time depends on player experience and team composition.
8. Who is the Final Boss of Root of Nightmares?
The final boss is Nezarec, Final God of Pain.
9. Is Root of Nightmares Considered Easy?
The community generally considers Root of Nightmares to be one of the easier raids in Destiny 2 due to its mechanics. It is viewed as more approachable compared to previous raids.
10. Can You Do Root of Nightmares Solo?
Yes, Root of Nightmares has been completed solo by skilled players, even without dying.
11. What is Sweeping Terror?
Sweeping Terror is a wipe mechanic in the Cataclysm encounter. It’s a timer that counts down and wipes out the party if it reaches zero. The timer is extended by defeating special Tormentors called Cavum of Nezarec.
12. What is the Exotic Weapon From Root of Nightmares?
The exotic weapon is the Conditional Finality, a Stasis Shotgun with the Split Decision perk, dealing both Stasis and Solar damage.
13. Is Master Root of Nightmares Harder Than Contest Mode?
While some may find Master mode more challenging for general play, some players argue that the Day One Contest Mode is more difficult due to the power cap and the need to quickly learn and adapt.
14. What is the Recommended Light Level for Root of Nightmares?
The recommended light level is 1800. You can go higher to the hard cap of 1810, but 1800 is typically the baseline for a smooth run.
15. Is Root of Nightmares Free?
No, the Root of Nightmares raid is not free. It is part of the Lightfall expansion, which is a paid DLC for Destiny 2.
Conclusion
While the Root of Nightmares Contest Mode didn’t offer exclusive in-game gear, the prestige of completing the raid during this challenging phase, combined with the opportunity to purchase the raid jacket, were highly sought-after rewards. This period tested the limits of players’ skill, coordination, and strategic thinking, making victory a truly rewarding experience. The accomplishments and the lessons learned during this mode have cemented Root of Nightmares’ place in Destiny 2 history.