Decoding the Totems Challenge in Destiny 2’s King’s Fall Raid
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The Totems Challenge, formally known as “The Grass is Always Greener”, is a specific encounter challenge within the King’s Fall Raid in Destiny 2. It occurs during the Basilica Totems encounter, and its core mechanic involves a strict rotation of players between two active totems. In essence, Guardians must carefully coordinate and swap positions to maintain the buffs necessary for the encounter while preventing a wipe. Successfully completing the challenge awards players with additional loot, particularly on Master difficulty, where rewards are doubled. The challenge demands precision, communication, and a solid understanding of the encounter’s base mechanics.
The Core Mechanics of the Totems Challenge
At its heart, the Totems encounter requires players to activate and defend two totems simultaneously. One player stands on each totem, receiving the buff “Brand of the Unraveler.” This buff is crucial, as it allows players to damage enemies that spawn throughout the encounter. However, the Brand of the Unraveler has a timer, and when it expires, the Guardian will die. The standard Totems strategy involves alternating between those holding the Brand of the Unraveler; however, the Grass is Always Greener challenge mandates that no two players are allowed to stand on the same totem simultaneously. The challenge centers around ensuring players never have to stand where another player was in the previous rotation.
The “No Backtracking” Rule
The main wrinkle that makes this challenge tricky is the prohibition on returning to a totem a player has previously occupied. Guardians must follow a specific rotation that essentially forms a circular pattern between the two totems. Once a player has left a totem, they cannot go back to that totem in the next rotation. This forces a more complex dance, requiring Guardians to anticipate their next position and communicate it with their team. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in the challenge’s failure and the loss of the additional rewards.
Coordination and Communication Are Key
Successfully completing the Totems Challenge hinges heavily on communication and coordination. Players must be clear about their designated positions, the order of rotations, and any potential disruptions that might arise. Establishing a clear calling system for each totem and the players who are rotating is crucial for minimizing errors and ensuring a smooth transition.
The Challenge on Master Difficulty
On Master difficulty, the Totems encounter (and the challenge itself) becomes significantly more difficult. The recommended Power level is set to 1600, meaning players will be doing less damage and taking more damage. This increase in difficulty amplifies the importance of flawless execution, as even small mistakes can have dire consequences. Additionally, Master King’s Fall is the only way to obtain Adept versions of raid weapons, which further motivates Guardians to conquer this challenge. It also often comes with a need to run a full Unstoppable Champion mod on your loadouts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional insight into the Totems Challenge and the King’s Fall Raid:
1. What is the recommended weapon loadout for the Totems encounter?
For the Totems encounter, a Solar Pulse Rifle or a Shotgun is generally recommended. These weapon types are tied to seasonal Unstoppable mods, making them effective against the Champion Ogres that appear. Shotguns can be particularly useful for quickly eliminating elites, while Solar Pulse Rifles will help with shield stripping.
2. What are the key enemy types in the Totems encounter?
The primary enemy types in the Totems encounter are Champion Ogres (Unstoppable) and enemies with Solar shields. Prioritizing weapons and abilities that can effectively deal with these enemy types is essential for survival.
3. How difficult is the Master King’s Fall raid?
The Master King’s Fall raid is considered to be very challenging. It requires a high level of coordination, skill, and powerful equipment. The recommended Power level is significantly higher than the standard version, making each encounter a true test of a player’s capabilities. Specifically, Master King’s Fall has a recommended power level of 1820+, requiring the artifact to make it viable.
4. How do challenges work in the King’s Fall raid?
Each week, the King’s Fall raid features a rotating challenge on a specific encounter. These challenges impose unique conditions that, if met, will double the rewards for successful completion, with an additional reward for players on Master Difficulty.
5. Is the King’s Fall raid considered to be easy?
No, the King’s Fall raid is not considered to be easy. It is one of the more challenging raids in Destiny 2, requiring a good understanding of its intricate mechanics and the ability to execute them flawlessly.
6. What happens if a platform disappears during the Under Construction challenge?
If a platform disappears during the Under Construction challenge, it means that no player is actively standing on that plate. Someone needs to pick up the slack and stand on the platform quickly.
7. What is the power level for Master King’s Fall?
The power level for Master King’s Fall is typically 1820+, but this can change with each season’s power cap increase. It’s consistently set at +20 points higher than the season’s Pinnacle level.
8. What can I expect to drop from Master Oryx?
Defeating Oryx on Master difficulty has a chance to drop one piece of gear from any of the previous encounters, as well as the Exotic Scout Rifle, Touch of Malice.
9. What do Bone Totems do in the context of Dread Hunger?
Bone Totems, in the context of Dread Hunger, increase the rate at which players can cast spells, and improve spell upgrade speeds.
10. What are Skull Totems used for in other contexts?
Skull Totems, in the context of certain games, act as a corruption card, giving players an extra challenge for which they receive additional rewards upon successful completion.
11. Is the Master King’s Fall raid farmable?
While Master King’s Fall is farmable, only one Master Challenge is available to farm per week, due to its weekly rotation. This means that the Totems challenge may not always be active for farming.
12. What is the recommended light level for Master King’s Fall?
The recommended light level for Master King’s Fall is generally 1820+ with the seasonal artifact bonus, to account for the increased enemy difficulty. Players will want to ensure they have a full suite of Champion mods on their gear and weapons.
13. Are there champions in the King’s Fall raid?
Yes, the King’s Fall raid features Champions. You’ll find Barrier Knights during the Golgoroth encounter. In the Totems encounter, you will find Unstoppable Ogres. Understanding where champions are is pivotal for loadout selection and strategy.
14. Is King’s Fall harder than Vault of Glass?
Generally, Vault of Glass is considered to be harder than King’s Fall, especially with its emphasis on enemy encounters. King’s Fall is more about timing and coordination, requiring less intensive shooting.
15. Can the King’s Fall raid be soloed?
No, the King’s Fall raid cannot be soloed. Multiple parts of the raid require a minimum of 2 to 4 players, making it impossible to complete on your own.
By understanding these details, Guardians can approach the Totems challenge and the entirety of the King’s Fall Raid with greater confidence and success. The key lies in preparation, communication, and a willingness to adapt to the demands of each encounter.