Unveiling the Secrets: What Does Tincture of Queensfoil Do in Destiny 2?
The Tincture of Queensfoil is a peculiar consumable item in Destiny 2, primarily associated with the enigmatic Dreaming City. Its description, “opens your mind to the secrets of the Dreaming City,” hints at its unique function, and indeed, it’s far more than just another temporary buff. So, what exactly does Tincture of Queensfoil do? Simply put, it grants players the ability to see and interact with the Ascendant Realm, a hidden dimension layered over the Dreaming City. This allows access to crucial gameplay elements, including Ascendant Challenges, hidden secrets, and valuable loot. Let’s delve deeper into its mechanics and importance.
The Primary Function: Accessing the Ascendant Realm
The core function of the Tincture of Queensfoil is to provide the “Ascendance” buff. This buff isn’t about raw power or increased damage. Instead, it alters your perception of the Dreaming City, effectively revealing rifts to the Ascendant Realm. These rifts are not visible to players without the buff, making the Tincture of Queensfoil essential for accessing certain content. Specifically, each week, a new rift appears in a different location across the Dreaming City. These portals lead to the Ascendant Challenge for that week.
Ascendant Challenges: Weekly Tests of Skill
Ascendant Challenges are weekly bounties obtained from Petra Venj in the Dreaming City. These challenges are not straightforward fights. They usually involve intricate platforming sections within the Ascendant Realm, combined with combat encounters. These challenges provide Powerful Gear and Dark Fragments, making them a crucial activity for players aiming to improve their character’s Power level and obtain valuable resources. The Tincture of Queensfoil is the key to engaging with this core mechanic.
Exploring the Hidden Plane
Beyond the main Ascendant Challenge, the Tincture of Queensfoil can be used to uncover other hidden areas within the Dreaming City, specifically those layered within the Ascendant Realm. This ability to see beyond the normal plane of existence is what allows players to truly explore the deeper layers of this zone and its hidden secrets.
Obtaining the Tincture of Queensfoil
Finding Tincture of Queensfoil requires time and persistence. It is not a guaranteed drop from any specific activity. Instead, it drops randomly from almost any activity within the Dreaming City, including:
- Patrol Activities
- Public Events
- Opening Chests
- Completing Bounties
While not a common drop, consistent engagement with Dreaming City activities should eventually yield this vital consumable.
Why is the Tincture of Queensfoil Important?
Beyond the primary use of accessing the Ascendant Challenges, the Tincture of Queensfoil is vital for the overall experience of the Dreaming City. It unlocks parts of the world that otherwise would remain inaccessible, and is therefore vital for those looking to achieve the following:
- Completing the Cursebreaker title, which requires the completion of all six Ascendant Challenges.
- Finding secret chests and collectibles.
- Discovering hidden lore and environmental storytelling within the Ascendant Realm.
- Completing weekly Dreaming City bounties and objectives.
- Accessing other unique experiences within the Ascendant Plane, such as encounters with Toland, the Shattered.
In essence, the Tincture of Queensfoil isn’t just a useful consumable; it is a key that unlocks the full potential of the Dreaming City and is paramount for players that enjoy exploring and chasing all the activities in the zone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tincture of Queensfoil
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the function and usage of the Tincture of Queensfoil:
1. Can I buy Tincture of Queensfoil?
While you can’t directly purchase it from a vendor, there is one location that sells it. You can buy Tincture of Queensfoil at the temple within the Dreaming City.
2. Is the Tincture of Queensfoil a one-time use item?
Yes, the Tincture of Queensfoil is a consumable, meaning you lose it once you use it and gain the Ascendance buff. You will need to acquire more if you want to access the Ascendant Realm again.
3. How long does the Ascendance buff last?
The Ascendance buff granted by the Tincture of Queensfoil lasts for approximately 30 minutes. This is usually enough time to complete an Ascendant Challenge or explore the surrounding Ascendant Realm area.
4. How many Ascendant Challenges are there in total?
There are a total of six different Ascendant Challenges in the Dreaming City, rotating each week. This means it takes six weeks to cycle through all of them, before they repeat.
5. Where can I find the Ascendant Challenge portals?
The specific location of the Ascendant Challenge portal changes every week. You will need to explore the Dreaming City with the Ascendance buff active to locate the rift. There are guides available online to aid in finding their locations each week, if you are struggling.
6. What happens if I die during an Ascendant Challenge?
If you die during an Ascendant Challenge, you will be respawned back at the beginning of the challenge. You might need to redo some platforming sections or combat encounters, but you are still able to complete it, as long as your buff from the Tincture lasts.
7. Do I need a full fireteam to complete Ascendant Challenges?
While some Ascendant Challenges are more difficult than others, they are generally designed to be completed solo. However, having a fireteam can make the experience easier, especially if you are having trouble with a specific encounter.
8. Can I use the Tincture of Queensfoil outside the Dreaming City?
No, the Tincture of Queensfoil is specifically designed to be used within the Dreaming City. It will not give you Ascendance in any other location.
9. What are Dark Fragments used for?
Dark Fragments are a currency used at Petra Venj in the Dreaming City to purchase items and bounties, some of which provide Powerful Gear on a weekly rotation.
10. What is the Shattered Throne?
The Shattered Throne is a secret dungeon located in the Confluence of the Dreaming City. It is only available once every three weeks.
11. Where is Toland in the Dreaming City?
Toland appears as a white wisp within the Ascendant Realm in the same location as the weekly Ascendant Challenge portal. You need the Ascendance buff from a Tincture of Queensfoil to be able to see him.
12. What are the Small Gifts used for?
Small Gifts are used to interact with cat statues scattered throughout the Dreaming City. Each statue will grant a piece of Dreaming City loot upon interaction.
13. Can I get Reverie Dawn armor from Ascendant Challenges?
The Reverie Dawn armor set can drop from various activities throughout the Dreaming City, including completing bounties from Petra, discovering secret events, and Ascendant Challenges.
14. Is the Dreaming City going to be vaulted?
Bungie has stated they will not vault any more expansions going forward, so the Dreaming City will remain accessible.
15. What secret missions are available in the Dreaming City?
The Dreaming City has three secret missions: “Broken Courier,” “The Oracle Engine,” and “Dark Monastery.” These are acquired as weekly bounties from Petra Venj.
Conclusion
The Tincture of Queensfoil is a vital and intriguing item in Destiny 2. It’s not merely a temporary boost; it’s a key that unlocks a hidden dimension and core gameplay loop within the Dreaming City. It allows players to delve into the Ascendant Realm, overcome challenging puzzles and combat, earn valuable rewards, and truly experience all that this mysterious location has to offer. If you’re spending time in the Dreaming City, the Tincture of Queensfoil is an essential tool for maximizing your adventure.