How to Get Nightfall Level 1
As a passionate Destiny 2 gamer and content creator, I want to provide the definitive guide to reaching that crucial first Nightfall rank. This shows you are on the path to conquering the toughest PvE content and earning the Conqueror title.
What is Nightfall Rank?
Nightfall rank is gained by reaching score thresholds in the weekly rotating Nightfall strikes, with the hard caps being:
- 100,000 points – Nightfall Rank 1
- 200,000 points – Nightfall Rank 2
- 300,000 points – Nightfall Rank 3
And so on up until the max of Nightfall Rank 16 at 1.6 million cumulative points.
Getting that first 100k is the toughest, but set yourself up correctly and it‘s very achievable even for more casual players.
Minimum Requirements
Before jumping into a 100k run, make sure your Guardian meets the following:
- Power Level at least 1570+
- Own the current DLC/expansion the Nightfall is from
- Have the necessary champion and elemental mods unlocked
- Decent weapons and armor builds
You can check the weekly singe (burn) elemental damage from the director to make sure you have the right energy coverage.
The below table shows an example loadout:
| Kinetic | Energy | Power |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Cannon | Auto Rifle (matches burn) | Linear Fusion Rifle |
This covers two champion types through mods, ranged options, and burst damage potential.
Fireteam Is Key
I cannot recommend enough attempting your first 100k run with a full 3-person fireteam, ideally including:
- 1 additional champion coverage
- 1 boss DPS option like Thundercrash or Nova Bomb
- 1 support/healer like Well of Radiance
This gives you the best combined damage, versatility in engagements, and ability to recover from mistakes. LFG sites like /r/Fireteams are great for finding groups.
Minimum Difficulty – Legend
To even qualify for scoring 100k points, you HAVE to select the Legend Nightfall difficulty or higher. Anything below that caps max score. With a team, Legend becomes very manageable.
Champion spawns are also guaranteed on Legend, which raises the points potential. Just make sure to coordinate stunning and team shots.
Score Multiplier Is Critical
The score multiplier, visible in the lower left during a Nightfall, gives you a huge points boost for rapidly clearing enemies and not dying.
Try to chain kills together and don‘t hide too long when facing overwhelming odds. Maintaining even a 2x multiplier makes hitting 100k simple.
Efficiency Is Key
You don‘t need to obliterate all the champions or clear entire rooms before progressing. Finding the balance between engagement and swift strike progression is the key to quick 100k completions.
Leave dangerous enemies like barrier champions if they aren‘t in main pathways and blast past unimportant adds after stunning champions. Maintaining momentum is crucial.
Final Tips
Here are a few final tips for your first Nightfall 100k:
- Bring champion and elemental mods!
- Team focus fire on champions and mini-bosses
- Don‘t be afraid to take it slow and hide to heal up
- Use supers and heavy on tough rooms
- Keep moving forward whenever it is reasonably safe
Get your first 100k down and it paves the way to greater challenges like Grandmaster Nightfalls! Let me know if this guide helps you hit that first Nightfall rank.
