Strikes
Strikes are 3-player PvE activities. They are missions that require players to complete a series of straightforward objectives, culminating in a boss battle.
Players on PS4 and PS5 require a PlayStation Plus subscription to access strikes.
Contents
Overview
Strikes can be launched directly from a destination if the player owns their associated expansion. The Vanguard icon in the Director contains three strike playlists.
The Vanguard Ops playlist loads the player into a random Strike or Battleground. All strikes that are currently available in-game can be played in the Vanguard Ops playlist without owning their associated expansion. When launching the playlist, if there are vacant spots in the fireteam, the matchmaking system will search for additional players before launching the activity. It is possible to join a strike that is already in progress, if there are less than 3 players in the activity. Strikes launched from this playlist are affected by three modifiers: one determines which element deals more damage, second provides an advantage to the players, and the third gives the team a disadvantage.
The Nightfall playlist features a single strike, which changes weekly in a specific order. Each Season features a different Nightfall rotation, with each strike having a specific weapon that is assigned to drop from it. Players can select the strike's difficulty, which affects its modifiers and recommended Power Level. These difficulties are Hero, Legend, and Master. Nightfalls of Legend difficulty and higher do not have matchmaking. Players' loadouts are also locked on difficulties above Hero, preventing them from changing their equipment and abilities mid-mission.
Most strikes released prior to Shadowkeep have rare strike-specific rewards which can be obtained only by completing their Nightfall versions. These are separate from the rewards that can normally be obtained from Nightfalls. Newer strikes do not feature strike-specific loot.
All Nightfalls feature Champion enemies. These enemies can be stunned using Seasonal Artifact perks, elemental keywords, or certain Exotic weapons and armor. A rating will be given at the end of a Nightfall based on the total Champions defeated, with a Platinum rating being awarded for defeating every Champion that spawns. Higher ratings offer greater rewards.
The Grandmaster Nightfall difficulty (often abbreviated by players as "GM") becomes available as a separate playlist around halfway into the season. The release date is shown when hovering over the icon. This difficulty features limited revives, with additional revive tokens being granted by killing Champions and certain powerful enemies, such as Lightbearer Hive. Completing a Grandmaster Nightfall with a Platinum rating will guarantee a drop of the Adept version of the weekly Nightfall weapon.[1] During weeks when the Double Nightfall Rewards modifier is active, two copies of the Adept weapon will drop. Adept weapons will usually have an additional Trait in one of the two columns.
Players with the Conqueror title can select any of the season's Grandmaster Nightfalls from a list, regardless of the current week's Nightfall. This offers a more convenient way to gild the Conqueror title, which requires completing each of a season's Grandmaster Nightfalls once each. Strikes can only be selected and completed using this method once per account per season. Completing a strike using this option will reward the current weekly Nightfall weapon, rather than the weapon that would drop if that strike was featured normally. Completing a strike using this method does not prevent the player from playing that strike when it is featured.
Vanguard Ops and Nightfall strikes use a score system, which determines the team's rewards, as well as the Vanguard reputation gained. Score is affected by the time spent in a strike and the active modifiers, with faster completions and higher difficulties increasing scores. Players gain score mostly by defeating enemies, but actions like collecting Orbs of Power also contribute to the team's score.
Modifiers
Vanguard Ops and Nightfall strikes feature modifiers that can affect player and enemy damage.
Surges increase the outgoing damage dealt by players. They increase a specific element's damage by 25%. For example, Void Surge increases Void damage from players' weapons and abilities. Each Season will have a featured Surge that is always active, as well as another Surge that rotates each week between a predetermined set.[2]
Overcharged weapon modifiers increase the damage of specific weapon types by 25% (for example, Overcharged Machine Gun). Aside from those listed as modifiers, Champion-stunning weapons from the Seasonal Artifact are also Overcharged if their associated perks are unlocked. Kinetic-damage weapons are also considered Overcharged when a subclass that matches a Surge modifier is equipped (e.g. using Voidwalker as a Warlock when Void Surge is active).[2]
Damage bonuses from Surges and Overcharges do not stack. For instance, with Overcharged Machine Gun and Void Surge active, a Void Machine Gun, a Solar Machine Gun, and a Void Rocket Launcher would all get the same 25% damage increase.[2]
Threats increase the damage dealt by enemies. Like Surges, they increase the damage of specific elements by 25% (for example, Arc Threat).[2]
Active Strikes
Free-to-Play
These strikes can be launched directly as missions by all players without needing to own a specific expansion. They can also be played in the Vanguard Ops playlist.
| Red War | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | The Arms Dealer |
| Location: | EDZ | |
| Boss: | Bracus Zahn (Legionary) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Fallen | |
| Nightfall loot: | Tilt Fuse (Sparrow) | |
|
Name: | Lake of Shadows |
| Location: | EDZ | |
| Boss: | Grask, the Consumed (Taken Phalanx) | |
| Enemies: | Taken, Cabal, Fallen | |
| Nightfall loot: | The Militia's Birthright (Grenade Launcher) | |
|
Name: | Exodus Crash |
| Location: | Nessus | |
| Boss: | Thaviks, the Depraved (Marauder) | |
| Enemies: | Fallen, Vex | |
| Nightfall loot: | Impact Velocity (Sparrow) | |
|
Name: | The Inverted Spire |
| Location: | Nessus | |
| Boss: | Protheon, Modular Mind (Minotaur) | |
| Enemies: | Vex, Cabal | |
| Nightfall loot: | Trichromatica (Ghost Shell) | |
| Warmind | ||
|
Name: | The Insight Terminus |
| Location: | Nessus | |
| Boss: | Kargen the Technocrat (Psion) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Vex | |
| Nightfall loot: | The Long Goodbye (Sniper Rifle) | |
| Season of the Hunt | ||
|
Name: | The Disgraced |
| Location: | Cosmodrome | |
| Boss: | Navôta, Eir Spawn (Wizard) | |
| Enemies: | Fallen, Hive | |
| Season of the Chosen | ||
|
Name: | The Devils' Lair |
| Location: | Cosmodrome | |
| Boss: | Sepiks Prime (Servitor) | |
| Enemies: | Fallen, Hive | |
|
Name: | Fallen S.A.B.E.R. |
| Location: | Cosmodrome | |
| Boss: | S.A.B.E.R.-2 (Heavy Shank) | |
| Enemies: | Fallen | |
|
Name: | Proving Grounds |
| Location: | Nessus | |
| Boss: | Ignovun, Chosen of Caiatl (Centurion) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal | |
Battlegrounds
These strikes do not require the player to own an expansion, but can only be played in the Vanguard Ops playlist. They were moved into the playlist after their associated seasonal content was vaulted:
- The Battlegrounds missions (released as part of the Season of the Chosen) were added to the playlist with the release of The Witch Queen;
- The PsiOps and Heist Battlegrounds missions (released as part of the Season of the Risen and Season of the Seraph, respectively) were added to the playlist with the release of Lightfall.
During their respective seasons, these missions had direct launch icons on the Destinations map. These icons were removed when the seasonal content was vaulted. Some of these strikes may be available as Nightfall strikes.
| Season of the Chosen | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | Battleground: Behemoth |
| Location: | Nessus | |
| Boss: | Commander Dracus (Legionary) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Vex | |
|
Name: | Battleground: Hailstone |
| Location: | Europa | |
| Boss: | Basilius the Golem (Colossus) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Vex | |
|
Name: | Battleground: Foothold |
| Location: | Cosmodrome | |
| Boss: | Val Ma'rag (Incendior) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Hive | |
|
Name: | Battleground: Oracle |
| Location: | Nessus | |
| Boss: | Ixel, the Far-Reaching (Psion) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Vex | |
| Season of the Risen | ||
|
Name: | PsiOps Battleground: EDZ |
| Location: | EDZ | |
| Boss: | Mor'ak, Lightstealer (Lightbearer Acolyte) | |
| Enemies: | Hive | |
|
Name: | PsiOps Battleground: Cosmodrome |
| Location: | Cosmodrome | |
| Boss: | Uul'nath, Lightcleanser (Lightbearer Knight) | |
| Enemies: | Hive, Fallen | |
|
Name: | PsiOps Battleground: Moon |
| Location: | Moon | |
| Boss: | Korosek, Thronebringer (Lightbearer Wizard) | |
| Enemies: | Hive | |
| Season of the Seraph | ||
|
Name: | Heist Battleground: Europa |
| Location: | Europa | |
| Boss: | Warwatcher, Eye of Xivu Arath (Shrieker) | |
| Enemies: | Hive, Fallen | |
|
Name: | Heist Battleground: Moon |
| Location: | Moon | |
| Boss: | Once-Phyris, the Exhumed Tether (Raider) | |
| Enemies: | Hive, Scorn | |
|
Name: | Heist Battleground: Mars |
| Location: | Mars | |
| Boss: | Darkblade Kelgorath, Risen from Bones (Darkblade Knight) | |
| Enemies: | Hive, Taken | |
Forsaken Pack
These strikes require ownership of the Forsaken Pack in order to launch them as missions. They can be played for free in the Vanguard Ops playlist.
| Forsaken | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | Warden of Nothing |
| Location: | Prison of Elders (Dreaming City[3]) | |
| Boss: | The Mad Warden (Servitor) | |
| Enemies: | Vex, Cabal | |
| Nightfall loot: | Warden's Law (Hand Cannon) | |
|
Name: | The Corrupted |
| Location: | Dreaming City | |
| Boss: | Sedia, the Corrupted (Taken Wizard) | |
| Enemies: | Taken, Hive, Scorn | |
| Nightfall loot: | Horror's Least (Pulse Rifle) | |
Shadowkeep
This strike requires ownership of the Shadowkeep expansion in order to launch it as a mission. It can be played for free in the Vanguard Ops playlist.
| Shadowkeep | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | The Scarlet Keep |
| Location: | Moon | |
| Boss: | Hashladûn, Daughter of Crota (Wizard) | |
| Enemies: | Hive | |
Beyond Light
This strike requires ownership of the Beyond Light expansion in order to launch it as a mission. It can be played for free in the Vanguard Ops playlist.
| Beyond Light | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | The Glassway |
| Location: | Europa | |
| Bosses: | Transcendent Hydra (Hydra) Belmon, Transcendent Mind (Hydra) | |
| Enemies: | Fallen, Vex | |
The Witch Queen
These strikes require ownership of The Witch Queen expansion in order to launch them as missions. They can be played for free in the Vanguard Ops playlist.
| The Witch Queen | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | The Lightblade |
| Location: | Savathûn's Throne World | |
| Boss: | Alak-Hul, the Lightblade (Darkblade Knight) | |
| Enemies: | Hive, Scorn | |
|
Name: | Birthplace of the Vile |
| Location: | Savathûn's Throne World | |
| Boss: | Heimiks, Warden of the Harvest (Raider) | |
| Enemies: | Scorn | |
Lightfall
This strike requires ownership of the Lightfall expansion in order to launch it as a mission. It can be played for free in the Vanguard Ops playlist.
| Lightfall | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | HyperNet Current |
| Location: | Neomuna | |
| Bosses: | Parthenios, Drifting Mind (Taken Hydra) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Taken, Vex, Tormentor | |
Vaulted Strikes
These strikes were added to the Destiny Content Vault, and are no longer available to play.
| Red War | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Name: | Savathûn's Song |
| Location: | Titan | |
| Boss: | Savathûn's Song (Shrieker) | |
| Enemies: | Hive, Fallen | |
| Nightfall loot: | Duty Bound (Auto Rifle) | |
|
Name: | The Pyramidion |
| Location: | Io | |
| Boss: | Brakion, Genesis Mind (Hobgoblin) | |
| Enemies: | Vex, Taken | |
| Nightfall loot: | Silicon Neuroma (Sniper Rifle) | |
| Curse of Osiris | ||
|
Name: | Tree of Probabilities |
| Location: | Mercury | |
| Boss: | Valus Thuun (Centurion) | |
| Enemies: | Cabal, Vex | |
| Nightfall loot: | D.F.A. (Hand Cannon) | |
|
Name: | A Garden World |
| Location: | Mercury | |
| Boss: | Dendron, Root Mind (Cyclops) | |
| Enemies: | Vex | |
| Nightfall loot: | Universal Wavefunction (Ship) | |
| Warmind | ||
|
Name: | Strange Terrain |
| Location: | Mars | |
| Boss: | Nokris, Herald of Xol (Wizard) | |
| Enemies: | Hive | |
| Nightfall loot: | BrayTech Osprey (Rocket Launcher) | |
|
Name: | Will of the Thousands |
| Location: | Mars | |
| Boss: | Xol, Will of the Thousands | |
| Enemies: | Hive | |
| Nightfall loot: | Worm God Incarnation (Transmat Effect) | |
| Forsaken | ||
|
Name: | Broodhold |
| Location: | Tangled Shore | |
| Boss: | In Anânh, Brood Queen (Wizard) | |
| Enemies: | Hive, Fallen | |
|
Name: | The Hollowed Lair |
| Location: | Tangled Shore | |
| Boss: | The Fanatic (Chieftain) | |
| Enemies: | Scorn | |
| Nightfall loot: | Mindbender's Ambition (Shotgun) | |
| Shadowkeep | ||
|
Name: | The Festering Core |
| Location: | Io | |
| Boss: | Baurisk, Envoy of Savathûn (Taken Incendior) | |
| Enemies: | Taken, Vex | |
See Also
Notes
- Prior to Beyond Light, Nightfall Strikes used to have their own playlist separate from the Ordeal. It consisted of three Strikes which updated weekly. These Nightfalls had lower power requirement and allowed the fireteam leader to select Strike modifiers using the Five of Swords Challenge Card. There was no ordinary matchmaking in Nightfalls, but Clans or Seekers could queue up for a Guided Game.
References
- ↑ "Destiny 2 Update 3.3.1" Bungie, posted by Destiny Dev Team, 12 Oct. 2021, https://www.bungie.net/en/Explore/Detail/News/50771. wikipage
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Bringing Challenge Back to Destiny" Bungie, posted by Destiny Dev Team, 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/article/bringing_challenge_back. Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.
- ↑ Warden of Nothing was originally launched from the Tangled Shore map. Upon the release of The Witch Queen, the Tangled Shore was Vaulted. As a result, the launch icon for Warden of Nothing now appears on the Dreaming City map in the Director.
