What Light Level is Root of Nightmares? A Comprehensive Guide
The Root of Nightmares raid in Destiny 2 is a challenging but rewarding endgame activity that requires a good understanding of mechanics and, importantly, the right Light level. In short, the minimum Light level required to access the Root of Nightmares raid is 1800. While you can theoretically reach the hard cap of 1810, hitting the base 1800 is sufficient to avoid significant gear-related issues. Beyond that point, your success largely depends on your skill and teamwork. For the Master difficulty version of the raid, the Light level requirement jumps to 1820. This article dives into the details of the raid’s Light level requirements, offering you a thorough understanding so you can prepare your Guardian for the trials ahead.
Understanding Light Level in Root of Nightmares
Light level, also referred to as Power level, determines the effectiveness of your Guardian’s attacks and resilience against enemies in Destiny 2. For the standard Root of Nightmares raid, achieving a Light level of 1800 means you won’t suffer penalties due to being under-leveled. While you can reach a maximum of 1810, the additional increase won’t provide a significant advantage over 1800. Therefore, focus on building a solid loadout and mastering the raid’s core mechanics if you are around that level.
The difference in Master difficulty, however, introduces a new hurdle. The 1820 Light level requirement means you’ll need to grind out those extra levels to stand a chance. Moreover, in Master difficulty, your power cap remains at 1820, so over leveling does not provide an extra advantage.
Light Level Caps During Encounters
It’s crucial to understand the mechanics in play during the encounters. In Root of Nightmares, your effective Power level is capped at 20 Power below each encounter. This means that during the initial Contest Mode, players were capped at 1780, and this remains the maximum effective power level. Reaching 1800 or 1820 means you are not under-leveled for these encounters, but you cannot leverage being significantly over the recommended level.
Root of Nightmares: Mechanics and Difficulty
The Root of Nightmares has been considered one of the more accessible raids in Destiny 2. Once you understand its core mechanics, the difficulty becomes more manageable. It features mechanics similar to those in the Spire of the Watcher dungeon, primarily focusing on manipulating nodes and completing chains of light to progress.
The raid’s relative ease, compared to others, doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. You’ll still need to communicate effectively with your team, manage your abilities, and adapt to different enemy types. The final boss, Nezarec, Final God of Pain, requires coordination to extend nodes and avoid his devastating attacks.
Contest Mode
When the raid was first released, Contest Mode capped players at 20 Power below each encounter for 48 hours. This means players were capped at 1780 Power. This mode was designed to level the playing field and emphasize strategy and teamwork over sheer power. It also awarded a special emblem to the teams who completed the raid within that period.
Root of Nightmares Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the minimum Light level for the Root of Nightmares raid?
The minimum Light level required for the Root of Nightmares raid is 1800.
2. What is the recommended Light level for Master Root of Nightmares?
The recommended Light level for the Master difficulty of Root of Nightmares is 1820.
3. What is the power cap for the Root of Nightmares raid?
Players are effectively capped at 20 power below each encounter. For example, during Contest Mode, players were capped at 1780.
4. How difficult is the Root of Nightmares raid compared to other raids?
The Root of Nightmares is generally considered one of the easiest raids in Destiny 2 due to its straightforward mechanics, especially compared to raids like Vow of the Disciple or Last Wish.
5. How many people does it take to complete the Root of Nightmares raid?
The raid is designed for a team of six players, but can be completed by skilled players with smaller fireteams.
6. Can Root of Nightmares be soloed?
Yes, while challenging, Root of Nightmares can be soloed. It’s a significant achievement and requires high skill and mastery of the mechanics.
7. How long did it take to beat the Root of Nightmares raid initially?
The first team completed the raid in 2 hours and 24 minutes. Later, a team completed it without any deaths in just over 42 minutes.
8. How many people have completed the Root of Nightmares?
Over 17,400 teams completed the Root of Nightmares within the first 24 hours, with over 104,000+ completions, according to Raid Report. During the 48-hour Contest Mode, 45,544 teams completed the raid.
9. What are some of the best weapons to use in the Root of Nightmares raid?
Some of the best weapons to use in the Root of Nightmares raid include:
- Conditional Finality Shotgun (Exotic)
- Koraxis’s Distress Grenade Launcher
- Nessa’s Oblation Shotgun
- Mykel’s Reverence Sidearm
- Briar’s Contempt Linear Fusion Rifle
- Rufus’s Fury Assault Rifle
- Acasia’s Rejection Trace Rifle
10. Can you farm Root of Nightmares for Conditional Finality?
Yes, you can farm the Root of Nightmares raid for Conditional Finality, but there is no guaranteed way to obtain it.
11. What are the best subclasses to use in Root of Nightmares?
- Warlocks: Arc, Void, Stasis, or Strand for early encounters and Solar for Well of Radiance during final boss fights.
12. What is Contest Mode in the Root of Nightmares raid?
Contest Mode is a modifier that caps all players at 20 Power below each encounter. This mode lasted for the first 48 hours after the raid’s release and was designed to increase the challenge.
13. What is the Sweeping Terror in the Root of Nightmares?
Sweeping Terror is a timer in the Cataclysm encounter that wipes your team if it reaches zero. Killing Tormentors called Cavum of Nezarec extends the timer.
14. Who is the final boss in the Root of Nightmares?
The final boss of the Root of Nightmares raid is Nezarec, Final God of Pain.
15. Is the Acasia’s Rejection Trace Rifle good in Root of Nightmares?
Yes, Acasia’s Rejection Trace Rifle is considered a very strong and effective weapon in the raid.
Conclusion
Understanding the Light level requirements for Root of Nightmares is crucial for a successful run. While 1800 is the minimum for the regular raid, 1820 is needed for Master difficulty. Moreover, be prepared for light level caps during encounters. By being appropriately leveled and prepared, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the challenges within and enjoy the loot, such as the sought-after Conditional Finality shotgun. With the right strategy, teamwork, and knowledge of the mechanics, you’ll conquer the nightmares that lie ahead!