Destiny 2's Rite of the Nine: My Journey Through the Nine's Gauntlet
Discover the thrilling cosmic challenge of Destiny 2's Rite of the Nine, featuring revamped dungeons, tailored difficulties, and epic rewards that test your skills.
Stepping into the swirling mists of Eternity after the Witness' defeat feels like walking into a cosmic interrogation room. The Nine have always been those enigmatic entities hovering at the edge of Destiny's lore, but now? They've thrown down the gauntlet with Rite of the Nine, and honestly, it's the most thrilling challenge I've faced since Lightfall. From May 6th until The Edge of Fate expansion drops on July 15th, the Emissary is practically daring Guardians to prove their worth in revamped dungeons. It's not just about loot—though let's be real, that's a huge part—it's about deciphering what these cosmic tricksters really want.
What Exactly Is This Cosmic Game Show?
Right off the bat, Rite of the Nine isn't some flashy TV spectacle. Instead, it's a beautifully brutal overhaul of three dungeons: Ghosts of the Deep, Spire of the Watcher, and the ever-trippy Prophecy. The Nine didn't just tweak things; they rebuilt encounters from the ground up with fresh mechanics and—thank the Traveler—better rewards. When I first warped into the new hub (more on that later), the Emissary's voice echoed with that familiar, unsettling calm: "Prove yourselves, and the cosmos will yield its treasures." Dramatic? Absolutely. But also kinda motivating when you see the weapon perks they're dangling.
Dungeon Difficulties: Choose Your Own Nightmare
This is where the Nine outdid themselves. Gone are the boring Normal/Master splits. Instead, we get three tailored experiences that actually respect your skill level... or lack thereof. Here's the breakdown from my 20+ runs:
| Difficulty | Power Delta | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Explorer | -0 | Tutorial-style tooltips • Matchmaking enabled • Baby-steps for new lights |
| Eternity | -0 | Classic dungeon vibe • No handholding • Best for farming manifolds |
| Ultimatum | -25 | Grandmaster-tier pain • Adept weapons • Deaths = worse RNG |
-
Explorer saved my clan so much headache. We dragged a newbie through Ghosts of the Deep, and those glowing tooltips explaining Oryx's mechanics? Lifesavers. Perfect for grabbing reissued weapons without tears.
-
Eternity feels like coming home... if home had Taken Hobgoblins sniping you mid-jump. No matchmaking, no hints—just pure, unadulterated dungeon chaos. Spent hours here farming Nonary Manifolds while re-learning Prophecy's rhythm.
-
Ultimatum? Oh boy. Tried it in Spire of the Watcher last Tuesday. That -25 Power delta hits like a freight train, and the modifiers? Imagine Glass and Attrition had a baby, then made it angry. But hearing that ping when Terminus Horizon (Adept) dropped? Worth every revive token.
Navigating the Rite of the Nine Hub
Remember Trials of the Nine? The Emissary's new digs hit me with nostalgia hard. Found it under the Eternity director tab—same eerie white expanse, but now with bonus loot anxiety! Two things blew my mind here:
-
That glowing chest beside her gave a Gift of the Nine with 2,010 Power gear, Izanagi's Burden, AND Aeon Swift. My alt character went from zero to hero in 3 seconds flat.
-
The opposite chest? That's your manifold marketplace. Spent 50 Nonary Manifolds praying for a Grave Robber/Incandescent roll... got surrounded instead. RNGesus remains undefeated.
The Eternal Grind: Nonary Manifolds
Let's talk currency. Nonary Manifolds are the golden tickets here, and thank the Nine they're not another planetary material. Earn them by:
-
Completing ANY dungeon encounter (more for Ultimatum clears)
-
Turning in Curios of the Nine (check your inventory—you probably have some!)
Pro tip: Attune your weapon focus BEFORE dumping manifolds into the chest. Watched a clanmate forget and get three fusion rifles in a row. His scream? Priceless.
Why Bother? Rewards That Actually Slap
Beyond the manifolds, the real magic is in refreshed perk pools. Every weapon from the trio of dungeons now rolls with Gravity Well origin traits—perfect for PvE endgame. Standouts I've scored:
-
Terminus Horizon (Adept): Rewind Rounds + Target Lock melts bosses
-
Uzume RR4: Triple Tap + Explosive Payload for scout rifle lovers
-
Judgement of Kelgorath: Demo/Incandescent combo that turns adds into fireworks
And then there's the ETERNITY title. Most triumphs are still hidden (typical Nine mystique), but unlocking it grants the Astrograph shader—a slick silver-blue remix of the vaulted Honors of the Nine. Fashion endgame matters, people!
Your Burning Questions Answered
❓ Can I solo Ultimatum difficulty?
Technically yes, but prepare for pain. That -25 delta means even red-bars feel like minibosses. Bring restoration builds or embrace suffering.
❓ Do Curios of the Nine expire after the event?
Nope! The Emissary confirmed they'll remain in inventories, but exchange rates might change post-July 15th.
❓ What's the drop rate for adept weapons?
Shockingly fair... if you're careful. My fireteam got one every 2-3 Ultimatum clears with <5 deaths. Push past 10+ deaths? Cue the blues and glares.
❓ Is the Explorer difficulty too easy for veterans?
Yep—but that's the point! Use it to speed-run for manifolds or teach kinderguardians. No shame in efficiency.
❓ Will dungeon changes stay after the event?
Bungie's silent, but I'd bet perks/stay, difficulties go. Get those god rolls while you can!
Comprehensive reviews can be found on CNET - Gaming, which regularly explores how Destiny 2's evolving dungeon mechanics and seasonal events like Rite of the Nine impact both veteran and new players. Their coverage often emphasizes the importance of accessibility features, difficulty scaling, and the broader implications for community engagement in live-service games.