Destiny 2 Tomb of Elders complete guide: Contest of Elders, modifiers, mechanics, and more
Destiny 2 Tomb of Elders is the newest activity in Revenant Act II, bringing back the essence of a fan-favorite activity from the first game. However, Bungie implemented a little twist of its own where players will find a modern take on several tilesets alongside the core mechanics and enemies. Additionally, there are two versions to play, standard and contest, leaving everyone with quite a lot of work for the next few weeks.
Since Tomb of Elders is fleshed out vastly across several different encounters and modifiers, this article will help you through the basics and provide an idea of each aspect.
Difference between Tomb of Elders and Contest of Elders in Destiny 2
Tomb of Elders and the Contest of Elders can be considered two sides of the same coin. The former is a standard playlist activity where players can hop in, defeat enemies, followed by the final boss, and gather the loot. It doesn't throw in challenging foes or modifiers, allowing a quick run for seasonal loot.
On the other hand, the Contest of Elders is a more challenging activity that follows the same pattern, alongside multiple twists and turns to give every player a harder time. This mode can be run for a total of four cycles, and players can choose to either continue their run or return to orbit at the end of each cycle.
Tomb of Elders requires a 1955 power level, with a couple of elemental surges and one threat. The Contest of Elders requires a 2020 power level, with multiple modifiers randomized in each activity. The Contest of Elders also has some core modifiers that stay constant, which will be listed below.
Both activities can be unlocked by following the seasonal quest "Grave Robber Act II." Note that both activities can also be matched with strangers, friends, or clan mates.
Different modifiers for Contest of Elders in Destiny 2
Contest of Elders includes several randomized modifiers that can be encountered in any order within each segment. Here is a list of all modifiers:
- Blasts: Combatant's splash damage is increased
- Brawn: Your health is massively increased but will not regenerate. Defeating challenging combatants will recover health for you and your nearby allies.
- Chill Touch: Being hit with a melee attack slows you.
- Scrapper: Melee attacks from enemies are significantly more powerful.
- Grounded: Damage taken while being airborne is greatly increased for the player.
- Haste: Moving quickly regenerates your health. Standing still slowly deals damage.
- Famine: Ammunition drops are significantly reduced.
- Counterfeit: When defeated, combatants can drop explosives disguised as familiar items.
Here are the core modifiers that will be active regardless of any encounter in the Contest of Elders:
- Limited Revives: Revive Tokens can be earned upon defeating model prisoners.
- Dynamic difficulty: Enemy power increases with each floor.
- Full Extinguish: Fireteam is sent to orbit when everyone dies with 0 tokens.
- Galvanized: Enemies have increased health
- Elemental Surges and Threats
Every encounter mechanic in the Contest of Elders of Destiny 2
There are three main encounters in Contest of Elders, such as a Faction encounter, a traversal encounter, and a boss encounter. Each of these encounters is randomized and is presented to players in no particular order. Here is a list of all encounters:
- Taken or Dread room: Gather 12 Resonances and deposit them in the middle.
- Scorn: Gather 6 Explosives and defeat the boss.
- Shadow Legion: Defeat Demolitionist bosses and throw the bombs that drop from them on generators. This will lower the shield in the middle, allowing players to damage the two brothers.
- Hive room: Defeat bell-ringer Wizards and Hive Guardians to ring a bell. This will spawn in a Lightblade, defeating those who will create a field. Standing on this field will allow players to damage crystals/runestones.
Warden's Judgment, Favor, and Punishment in Destiny 2 Contest of Elders
Amid a few encounters, players will find bonus challenges and objectives just below the main objective on the right of the screen. Completing these objectives within the time limit will grant Warden's Favor buff to the player, which can be stacked three times. Stacking this Warden's Favor buff will eventually drop significantly increased loot at the end of that cycle.
Increased Warden's Favor will also make the encounter more challenging. Failing to meet the objectives will grant Warden's Punishment debuff, making the encounter easier, but rewards will significantly reduce. This debuff can be removed, as having Warden's Punishment leads to a boss fight with the Warden, allowing players to remove one stack of Punishment.
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