Decoding Zo’Aurc: A Deep Dive into Root of Nightmares’ Third Encounter

The third encounter in the Root of Nightmares raid in Destiny 2 pits players against Zo’Aurc, Explicator of Planets, a boss fight distinguished by its unique mechanics. Unlike other engagements in the raid, this encounter requires precise coordination and an understanding of how to manipulate the environment. Specifically, Zo’Aurc is initially invincible, and the only way to trigger a damage phase is to relocate floating planets around the arena to specific plates on the ground. This mechanic demands a good grasp of positioning, communication, and the interplay between Light and Darkness, making it a memorable challenge.

Understanding the Core Mechanic

The heart of the Zo’Aurc encounter revolves around manipulating celestial bodies. At the start of the fight, several planets will be suspended in the air. These planets are not randomly placed; their positions correspond to designated plates on the floor of the arena. Your team’s objective is to collect these planets and deposit them onto the matching floor plates. The planets themselves are divided into two categories, Light and Darkness, identifiable by their color and auras.

Before any movement is possible, players must understand how the “Field of Light” buff is obtained. Similar to the first encounter (Cataclysm), a glowing aura spawns at the start. Standing within this aura and shooting grants players the Field of Light buff, which lasts for 20 seconds. While this buff is active, you can interact with the planets. There are always only three planets, which will have either two Light planets and one Darkness planet or two Darkness planets and one Light planet.

Once someone has the buff, a player can collect a planet by simply interacting with it, and they can carry only one planet at a time. When carried, planets emit a trail that matches their type (Light or Darkness), which should be used to visually line the planets up to their matching plate. The correct plates are marked by an aura on the floor, and players will know if they are placing a planet on the correct place if the planet snaps into place and the plate activates.

Executing the Dance

Teamwork is paramount. Players need to strategize their movement to ensure they are always within the Field of Light buff and are able to deposit the planets in time. Here’s a breakdown of the general strategy:

1. Buff Acquisition: Designate one or two players to secure the Field of Light buff at the beginning of each cycle. These players should communicate their buff status.
2. Planet Identification: Quickly identify the planet types and their corresponding plates on the floor.
3. Planet Collection and Movement: After obtaining the Field of Light buff, players will need to coordinate collecting and moving the planets. Players without the buff should be clearing adds and being ready to grab the buff or planets once their teammates need to refresh. This phase should be treated like a relay.
4. Plate Activation: Place the planets on the correct plates to trigger the next phase of the fight. If a planet is placed on the wrong plate it will return to its original starting position.
5. Repeat: After placing the planets, the cycle restarts until all three planets are correctly placed and the boss’s shield goes down.

Once all planets are placed correctly, Zo’Aurc will lose its invulnerability, and the damage phase will begin. This phase typically involves using high-damage weapons to quickly deplete Zo’Aurc’s health bar before he becomes immune again, and the entire process will need to be repeated until Zo’Aurc is defeated. The number of planets a team places before the boss is vulnerable varies by how much damage can be inflicted during a single damage phase.

Challenges and Considerations

Several factors can complicate this encounter. Firstly, the Sweeping Terror timer is still present, just like in the Cataclysm encounter. Killing Cavum of Nezarec will extend this timer, and so these must be killed in between planet placement and damage phases to ensure your team doesn’t wipe due to this mechanic. Additionally, enemy adds will constantly spawn, adding pressure and requiring a balance between crowd control and completing mechanics. Furthermore, efficient communication regarding planet types, buff status, and positioning is crucial for success.

Successful completion of this encounter hinges on understanding the puzzle elements, and also having enough firepower to take advantage of the damage phases. Remember, efficiency and teamwork are your greatest assets in this battle against Zo’Aurc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many encounters are there in the Root of Nightmares raid?

There are four main encounters in the Root of Nightmares raid.

2. What are the primary mechanics of the Zo’Aurc encounter?

The primary mechanics revolve around collecting and placing floating Light and Darkness planets on specific floor plates to initiate a damage phase.

3. Is the Zo’Aurc encounter similar to other encounters in the raid?

No, the planet manipulation mechanic is unique to the Zo’Aurc encounter and isn’t seen in the other fights.

4. How does the Field of Light buff function in this encounter?

Standing inside and shooting the glowing aura grants the Field of Light buff, which allows players to interact with and move planets.

5. What is the recommended power level for the Root of Nightmares?

The recommended power level for completing the entire Root of Nightmares raid is 1780 or higher.

6. How does the planet pattern in the third encounter work?

There are always three planets and their types will be either two Light and one Darkness or two Darkness and one Light. The correct location of these planets will be marked by auras on the floor of the arena.

7. What happens if a planet is placed on the wrong plate?

If a planet is placed on the incorrect plate, it will reset back to its original position, and your team will need to try again.

8. How does the “Sweeping Terror” timer affect the Zo’Aurc encounter?

The Sweeping Terror timer will wipe the team if it reaches zero. It can be extended by defeating Cavum of Nezarec enemies.

9. What is the “Conditional Finality” weapon?

The Conditional Finality is the exotic shotgun obtainable from the Root of Nightmares raid. It has the unique “Split Decision” trait that splits dual barrels into Stasis and Solar damage.

10. What is “Rufus’s Fury”?

Rufus’s Fury is an Auto Rifle that can drop from both the Zo’Aurc (third) and Nezarec (final) encounters in the Root of Nightmares raid.

11. Is Root of Nightmares considered easy compared to other Destiny 2 raids?

Yes, Root of Nightmares is widely considered one of the easiest raids in Destiny 2 due to the mechanics being relatively simple to execute with a coordinated team.

12. Can the Root of Nightmares raid be soloed?

Yes, it is possible to solo the Root of Nightmares raid, but it is an extremely difficult feat that requires mastery of the mechanics and builds.

13. What types of weapons are effective against Zo’Aurc?

Consider using Grenade Launchers with Disorienting Grenades, Submachine Guns for clearing adds, and Pulse or Scout Rifles for engaging enemies at range. Having a high DPS weapon for boss damage will also be necessary.

14. What is the “All Hands” challenge in the Root of Nightmares?

To complete the “All Hands” challenge, each player must shoot one Light and one Darkness node per damage phase, and the final nodes on both sides must be hit at around the same time.

15. What should players focus on when taking on this encounter?

Effective communication, understanding the placement mechanic, and coordinating planet movement with your team are the keys to conquering the third encounter of the Root of Nightmares.