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Nightfall Weapon Drops: A Destiny 2 Guardian’s Guide to Arsenal Acquisition

Nightfall strikes in Destiny 2 offer a rotating selection of powerful weapons as rewards. Each week, a curated list of six weapons becomes available, cycling in sequence. For example, during the Season of the Witch, these weapons included Loaded Question, BrayTech Osprey, Buzzard, THE SWARM, Warden’s Law, and Pre Astyanax IV. These are not guaranteed drops; you’ll need to complete the Nightfall strike to have a chance at obtaining them. Furthermore, achieving the pinnacle of Nightfall prowess in Grandmaster difficulty opens the door to the coveted Adept versions of these weapons, boasting enhanced stats and the ability to equip special Adept mods. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of Nightfall weapon drops and how to maximize your chances of securing these valuable assets.

Understanding the Nightfall Weapon Rotation

The cornerstone of acquiring Nightfall weapons lies in understanding the weekly rotation. The featured weapon pool changes every Tuesday at the weekly reset. Tracking this rotation is crucial for targeting specific weapons you desire. Destiny 2 community resources, websites, and content creators often provide up-to-date information on the current Nightfall weapon. Planning your Nightfall runs around the weeks featuring your desired weapons is the most efficient strategy. Remember, patience is key, as the weapon you seek might not be available every week.

Securing Adept Nightfall Weapons

Adept Nightfall weapons are the superior versions of their standard counterparts, offering better stats and the capacity for Adept mods. These weapons only drop from completing Grandmaster Nightfalls. Grandmaster difficulty is the most challenging PvE activity in Destiny 2, requiring a coordinated team and optimized builds. Successful completion of a Grandmaster Nightfall grants a chance to earn an Adept Nightfall weapon, Adept mods, Ascendant Shards, and Enhancement Prisms. While the drop isn’t guaranteed on every run, it is the only source for these enhanced weapons.

Best Weapons for Conquering Nightfalls

Before you can acquire Nightfall weapons, you need the arsenal to conquer the challenges. Certain weapons are considered highly effective in Nightfall strikes due to their damage output, utility, and ability to counter Champion enemies. Some top choices include:

Izanagi’s Burden: A powerful sniper rifle known for its burst damage potential.
Heritage: A kinetic shotgun often used for DPS on bosses and challenging enemies.
Thoughtless: An energy sniper rifle, capable of dealing substantial damage.
Fatebringer: A legendary hand cannon, prized for its versatility and damage.
Witherhoard: A breach-loading grenade launcher that applies damage-over-time effects, excellent for area denial and DPS.
Funnelweb: A void submachine gun, effective for clearing adds and dealing sustained damage.
First In, Last Out: A slug shotgun, perfect for staggering champions.
Divinity: A trace rifle that creates a weak spot on enemies, significantly increasing the damage dealt by your fireteam.
Dead Messenger: An exotic wave-frame grenade launcher, offering excellent crowd control.
Gjallarhorn: A rocket launcher famous for its unparalleled DPS capabilities.
Palmyra-B & Reed’s Regret: Both excellent options in the linear fusion rifle category.

Nightfall Adept Weapon Examples

The pool of Adept Nightfall weapons rotates alongside the standard versions. Examples of previously available Adept weapons include:

Palindrome: A 140 RPM void hand cannon.
The Swarm: A 360 RPM arc heavy machine gun.
Shadow Price: A 450 RPM arc auto rifle.
Uzume RR4: A 90 RPM solar sniper rifle.
Plug One.1: A 740 RPM arc fusion rifle.
The Comedian: A 55 RPM void shotgun.

Maximizing Your Nightfall Rewards: A Strategic Approach

Farming Nightfalls effectively involves more than just running the activity repeatedly. Here are some strategies to optimize your rewards:

Increase Difficulty: Higher Nightfall difficulties offer a greater chance of weapon drops. While Adept versions are exclusive to Grandmaster, increasing the difficulty to Master or Legend can improve your odds of obtaining the standard versions.
Focus on Platinum Rewards: Achieving a Platinum reward in Nightfalls, which requires defeating all Champions, maximizes your chances of receiving the best possible loot.
Team Coordination: Assemble a competent team with coordinated builds to efficiently clear Nightfalls, especially on higher difficulties.
Utilize Double Reward Weeks: Keep an eye out for weeks with double Nightfall rewards. These events significantly increase your chances of obtaining weapons and other valuable materials.
Manage Your Inventory: Ensure you have sufficient space in your inventory before running Nightfalls to avoid losing potential rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nightfall Weapons

1. Can you get Adept weapons from Nightfalls besides Grandmaster difficulty?

No. Adept weapons are exclusively obtainable from completing Grandmaster Nightfalls. Other difficulties only drop the standard versions of the weapons.

2. Do Nightfalls drop Exotic weapons?

Yes, Nightfalls have a chance to drop Exotic weapons. Higher difficulties, particularly Grandmaster, have a significantly higher drop rate.

3. What are Adept Mods, and where do you get them?

Adept mods are special weapon modifications that provide enhanced stats or perks when equipped on Adept weapons. They primarily drop from completing Grandmaster Nightfalls.

4. Are Nightfall weapons guaranteed drops?

No, Nightfall weapons are not guaranteed drops. You have a chance to receive a weapon upon completing the activity, with the drop rate increasing at higher difficulties. Only Grandmaster Nightfalls have a chance to reward Adept weapons.

5. Do Nightfalls give Catalysts?

Yes, certain Exotic weapon catalysts can drop from completing Strikes and Nightfalls. For example, Coldheart’s Catalyst drops from PvE combatant kills and Strike/Nightfall completions.

6. What is a “Platinum” Nightfall completion?

A Platinum completion requires defeating all Champions within the Nightfall strike. Achieving Platinum status maximizes your chances of receiving the best possible rewards.

7. How often do Nightfall weapons rotate?

Nightfall weapons rotate weekly, with a sequence of six weapons available during a given Season. Be sure to check each Tuesday to see what’s new!

8. What are the odds of a Deepsight weapon dropping from Nightfalls?

The chance of a weapon dropping with Deepsight Resonance (for crafting purposes) is independent of the Nightfall activity itself. It is determined by the weapon’s individual drop rate and the probability of it being a Deepsight variant, which is generally estimated around 20% (1 in 5).

9. Do Nightfall Strikes give more Vanguard Reputation?

Yes, completing Strikes and Nightfalls increases your Vanguard Rank. The higher your score is at the end of a Vanguard Op or Nightfall, the larger your reputation multiplier will be.

10. Are Adept weapons better than regular versions?

Yes, Adept weapons are statistically superior to their standard counterparts. They typically feature enhanced stats and can equip unique Adept mods, making them highly desirable.

11. What is the best way to increase Exotic and Reward drop rates in Nightfalls?

Increasing the difficulty of the Nightfall and consistently achieving Platinum rewards are the most effective methods for improving drop rates.

12. Can you farm Grandmaster Nightfalls for Adept weapons?

Yes, you can farm Grandmaster Nightfalls repeatedly for a chance to obtain Adept weapons. There is no limit on the number of completions or rewards.

13. Do Grandmaster Nightfalls drop Adept Mods every time?

No, Adept mods are not guaranteed to drop with every Grandmaster Nightfall completion. They have a chance of dropping, making farming necessary to acquire specific mods.

14. What Power Level is recommended for Grandmaster Nightfalls?

The recommended Power Level for Grandmaster Nightfalls is typically around the seasonal cap plus a significant bonus from the artifact. You’ll want to be at least -15 Power below the recommended activity Power. Consult community resources for the current season’s specific recommendations.

15. Where can I learn more about the design of games and how game mechanics, like Nightfall rewards, affect player behavior?

You can explore the theoretical and practical sides of game design at places like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society delves into how game mechanics engage players and influence learning experiences.

Conclusion

Mastering the Nightfall strike system in Destiny 2 is crucial for acquiring powerful weapons and enhancing your Guardian’s arsenal. Understanding the weapon rotation, aiming for Grandmaster completions, and optimizing your loadout are essential for success. By following these strategies and staying informed about the current Nightfall rewards, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer any challenge the game throws your way. Good luck, Guardian, and may your runs be filled with valuable loot!

What weapons drop from Nightfalls?