One thrilling happening that Destiny 2 has not seen in the past year is known as the Rite of the Nine. Ever since last year’s Into the Light event and Pantheon mode, enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating a follow-up – and the moment is nearly here!
On May 6th, we’re just days away from experiencing this fresh event filled with exciting opportunities. Boasting updates on beloved Dungeons, an innovative new social area, and an abundance of loot for gamers to collect, Rite of the Nine promises to be a thrilling time for all, catering to players at all skill levels.
In this post, let’s delve into all the essential details regarding the Rite of the Nine. We’ll cover the fundamentals of the event, what you can anticipate experiencing throughout it, along with helpful suggestions and creative ideas to ready yourself for these thrilling occasions.
What is Rite of the Nine?
The “Rite of the Nine” is a fresh addition in Act III of Episode Heresy, centering around three renowned dungeons – Prophecy, Spire of the Watcher, and Ghosts of the Deep. It shares some similarities with the legendary Pantheon mode from “Into the Light,” but it provides much more than just an endgame alternative for top-tier players.
The ritual of the Nine offers three distinct challenge modes tailored for various player skills and gaming strategies:
1. Easy: Ideal for beginners or those who prefer a relaxed experience.
2. Normal: Suitable for intermediate players seeking a balance between challenge and enjoyment.
3. Hard: For experienced gamers craving a high-difficulty test of their skills.
- Explorer: Explorer mode is designed to help newer players progress throughout these dungeons for the first time, with no darkness zones and visual tooltips and waypoints to help teach mechanics and encounters.
- Eternity: Eternity mode is the ‘standard’ mode, providing a revamp and new challenge to these classic dungeons but without the extra challenge that comes with the hardest mode.
- Ultimatum: Ultimatum mode is the peak of Rite of the Nine, essentially acting as Contest Mode in a bottle and with a higher chance of better loot. Encounters give rewards based on a number of deaths (the fewer, the better), and offer adept loot with double perks.
In addition, there’s going to be a social area known as The Third Spire, reminiscent of the cherished Flawless Victory Zone from the initial Trials of the Nine gameplay, where you can interact with the Emissary of the Nine who serves as your vendor for earning rewards.
What’s in Rite of the Nine?
Dungeons
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in the revamped world of the Rite of the Nine. This time around, they’ve shaken things up by modifying and enhancing the three dungeons within it. The changes are designed to inject more diversity and challenge, making every step feel fresh and engaging.
- Prophecy: The original IX dungeon, Prophecy, is a beloved classic that has needed a rework for years, both in difficulty and loot. Having played through most of the pre-released version myself, the Ultimatum version of this dungeon has rekindled my love for it, and there are some interesting changes (that may not be in the final version).
- Spire of the Watcher: Hailing from The Witch Queen’s dungeon key, Spire of the Watcher is known for its fun and unique mechanics, as well as its ability to drop some nice-looking cowboy armor for transmog purposes. This dungeon has a lot of potential for a rework, as the mechanics are incredibly fun and also complex enough to weave new difficulty options into.
- Ghosts of the Deep: Known for its infamously difficult solo flawless, Lightfall’s Ghosts of the Deep is loved by many, and endured by many more. It’ll be interesting to see how this dungeon changes, as the Master version already provides a massive difficulty spike.
Fortunately, even without the original dungeon keys, you can gain entry to these dungeons without charge, providing you with an initial opportunity to explore and test your skills. Access is expected to last until the conclusion of Episode Heresy, which falls sometime during the summer.
Weapons
As a gamer immersed in the world of Rite of the Nine, I’ve noticed that the arsenal has been refreshed with weapons drawn from those ancient dungeons. Each one retains its original lore traits, and there’s an exciting new twist: Gravity Well. This unique feature allows me to reload my weapon, automatically gathering ammo from nearby sources, making my gaming experience even more thrilling!
In each dungeon, you’ll find four unique weapons, which can also be obtained as Adept variants that come with two random perks when dropped in Ultimatum mode. These weapons were prematurely revealed during an incident involving the Rite of the Nine release during Act II of Heresy. However, due to numerous glitches, it’s challenging to determine the possible rolls for these weapons.
After gaining entry to the event, we’ll share comprehensive details on each dungeon, ensuring you’re fully informed. So, watch out for our detailed Rite of the Nine dungeon guides, and you’ll be well-prepared with all the necessary knowledge!
Prophecy
A Sudden Death
Ammo Type: Special
Weapon Type: Shotgun
Element: Void
An Unforeseen Demise is a fairly effective Void shotgun featuring the perks Threat Detector and Trench Barrel/One-Two Punch. These perks are quite useful. Although Aggressive Frame shotguns work well for general shotgun usage, maximizing their potential would be ideal with a roll focusing on raw damage or major clean-up.
It would be great if we could have options like Recombination or Redirection available, as they would significantly improve the placement of a “Sudden Death” ability that’s more akin to an aggressive version of Sundered Doctrine’s “Unvoiced”. This would be particularly beneficial if accompanied by the “Lead from Gold” feature to maintain a steady supply of ammunition.
Prosecutor
Ammo Type: Primary
Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Arc
As a gamer, I’ve been leveraging some fantastic abilities such as Dragonfly and Voltshot, but unfortunately, auto weapons aren’t performing optimally in PvE right now. Even though Voltshot is potent, it lacks its full potential when used without a sidearm or SMG. The emergence of newer perks like Jolting Feedback could make this combo even more formidable.
Relentless
Ammo Type: Primary
Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Strand
Unfortunately, Strand’s abilities are already somewhat weak when it comes to relevant perks, and primary weapons in general aren’t particularly useful. However, there might be a way to make it an exceptional choice. I’d gladly retract my thoughts if proven wrong.
Judgment
Ammo Type: Primary
Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
Element: Stasis
Although it’s not the top-tier Hand Cannon, Judgment retains its classic charm and is a joy to wield. Unfortunately, it falls short of its peak performance due to the absence of pertinent perks in the second column. Pairing it with perks like Headstone and Rimestealer can enhance its effectiveness.
For maximum impact, adding an Area of Effect (AoE) bonus like Dragonfly or Explosive Payload would greatly enhance its performance. Furthermore, pairing it with Headstone for increased AoE damage could be beneficial. Nevertheless, while it might become a favorite among players, it’s unlikely to significantly disrupt the current meta, and will probably just end up on the list of ‘Primary weapons I can use’ for many.
Spire of the Watcher
Liminal Vigil
Ammo Type: Primary
Weapon Type: Sidearm
Element: Stasis
Similar to Judgment, Liminal Vigil suffers from a lack of notable secondary abilities (column 2 perks). Adding a fresh perk could enhance its appeal, but it won’t offer any revolutionary changes – merely catering to individual preferences.
Long Arm
Ammo Type: Primary
Weapon Type: Scout Rifle
Element: Arc
Unfortunately, Long Arm isn’t particularly useful beyond being a preference. Rapid Hit and Dragonfly are decent as they stand, but this weapon doesn’t offer anything unique or essential, making it merely another primary option for use.
Terminus Horizon
Ammo Type: Heavy
Weapon Type: Machine Gun
Discussion arises from Terminus Horizon about whether another top-tier Arc LMG is necessary following the acquisition of Watchful Eye, which functions like a pocket Thunderlord. Nevertheless, for those who favor High Impact LMGs, a configuration boasting a reload perk alongside Jolting Feedback could potentially claim the title as the best non-Song of Ir Yut Arc LMG.
Wilderflight
Ammo Type: Special
Weapon Type: Breech-Loaded Grenade Launcher
Element: Void
Wilderflight boasts significant promise, with its damage advantage over Frenzy and reload edge over Auto Loading Holster positioning it as a potential top-tier damage rotation Battlefield Liberator Grenade Launcher in the game. This could be especially true if Area Denial Frame launchers receive a balance adjustment.
Ghosts of the Deep
Cold Comfort
Ammo Type: Heavy
Weapon Type: Rocket Launcher
Item: Empty Space
The Cold Comfort is an impressive Rocket Launcher, boasting the finest build in the game and offering the choice between Bait and Switch or Bipod. While it performs well, a reload perk would make it truly exceptional. Unfortunately, Envious Assassin is the only thing preventing this from being a viable Damage Per Second (DPS) option.
Greasy Luck
Ammo Type: Special
Weapon Type: Glaive
Element: Solar
Glaives currently find themselves in an intriguing position, thanks to recent enhancements. Yet, Greasy Luck is rather disappointing as a void trait. Introducing a new Area of Effect/damage bonus perk that complements Incandescent would significantly boost its use, or even a utility perk like Heal Clip. The problem at present lies in the fact that it lacks outstanding first column options.
New Pacific Epitaph
Ammo Type: Special
Weapon Type: Breech-Loaded Grenade Launcher
Element: Stasis
In simpler terms, the New Pacific Epitaph is a device used to launch waves, but it faces tough competition from Area Denial and Double Fire launchers in the current game environment. Moreover, for a wave frame, it lacks unique features that would encourage its use over Forbearance. To make it more appealing, there might be a need to emphasize a perk related to Stasis.
No Survivors
Ammo Type: Primary
Weapon Type: Sub-Machine Gun
Element: Solar
As a fan, I’d say I quite appreciate the No Survivors SMG. It’s already got the Incandescent roll which is fantastic. But here’s where things get interesting – adding Heal Clip to its arsenal really ups the ante. Frankly, it’s starting to give my favorite Heliocentric QSc a run for its money in terms of usefulness.
How to Prepare for Each Dungeon
Prophecy
In essence, the labyrinth, being extensively explored over time, is well-charted, thus much of its secrets are already common knowledge. However, if you’re a novice venturing into this maze for the first time, here are a few hints to help you navigate more safely:
1. Watch your steps and be mindful of traps. They may not always be obvious at first glance.
2. Keep an eye out for secret passages. They often lead to valuable treasures or shortcuts.
3. Don’t forget that monsters grow stronger as you delve deeper, so be prepared for tougher fights ahead.
4. Lastly, never underestimate the power of teamwork. Working together with your allies can make all the difference in overcoming obstacles and defeating foes.
- Be Aware of Taken: This dungeon is full of Taken, meaning that Arc resist is good as well as options like Riskrunner or its Ergo Sum variant for extra Arc Conductor resist. Malfeasance can also be good here, if used correctly.
- Bosses: The first boss, Phalanx Echo, has a pretty easy DPS phase in which you can use pretty much anything to deal damage. Kell Echo is very tricky, however, due to its mechanics and massive health pool. The Queenbreaker is good here, as is Choir of One.
- Rainbow Road: Make sure to bring a Skimmer, if you have one. The ‘Rainbow Road’ segment of the dungeon is made far easier with one.
Spire of the Watcher
The Spire of the Watcher is a swiftly paced dungeon, its challenges demand agility and rapid firing at targets.
The Spire of the Watcher is a speedy labyrinth, where you’ll need to be nimble-footed and shoot targets in a heartbeat.
- Mechanics: The mechanics are the trickiest part of Spire of the Watcher, and so taking a look beforehand and remembering where every switch is that you have to shoot, especially on Persys, will make sure that you can easily get through the mechanics phase.
- Bosses: For Akelous, The Queenbreaker is a great choice. For Persys, though, its crit spot is difficult to consistently hit, and so an option like Choir of One or a more damage-heavy DPS rotation will do the trick instead of crit.
- Trace Rifles: Having a Trace Rifle that you like will save so much time in this encounter, and make shooting switches far easier.
Ghosts of the Deep
The Depth’s Phantoms presents a tough, intricate gameplay that becomes increasingly challenging on higher difficulty levels. Here are some strategies for mastering it:
1. Patience is key – Take your time to explore and understand the game mechanics.
2. Practice makes perfect – Spend time learning the patterns of enemies and bosses.
3. Master control – Get comfortable with the movement and aiming controls.
4. Plan ahead – Think strategically about which items to collect and when to use them.
5. Stay adaptable – Be ready to adjust your strategy on the fly as situations change.
6. Don’t be afraid to retry – Sometimes, it takes multiple attempts to perfect a challenging section.
- Bosses: Importantly, bring Arbalest if you can. It breaks the shield of the boss in one shot, giving a far easier way to crack into DPS. Otherwise, Icthar is a sword + Well of Radiance DPS phase, and the final boss is a Well + The Queenbreaker damage phase (if you can hit crits).
- Moths: Be very aware of moths. They will kill you if you are not looking around and making sure they’re killed before they can.
- Survivability: Survivability is key in this dungeon, especially. Everything hurts more than you’d expect, and it’s difficult to stay alive throughout an encounter with so much happening.
Closing Time
The Rite of the Nine offers a thrilling adventure, boasting three carefully selected dungeons that cater to various player skill sets, offering distinct experiences. Therefore, join in on the fun! Whether you dive right into the action or simply explore in Explorer mode, immerse yourself and uncover the ambiance and world.
If you’re searching for instructions about acquiring quality equipment for Endgame Content, be sure to review our guide tailored for New Endgame Players.
If we don’t meet today, I’ll catch up with you on Tuesday at the launch of Rite of the Nine and the unveiling of The Edge of Fate.
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2025-05-04 07:09