Destiny 2 Scarlet Keep Grandmaster Nightfall Guide

by | Jan 23, 2023

Grandmaster Nightfalls are perhaps the most challenging endgame activity in Destiny 2. With an insane Power Level requirement and unforgiving modifiers, Grandmaster Nightfalls will challenge all but the top fireteams out there.

This guide will give you everything you need to tackle and conquer the Scarlet Keep GM, including loadouts, preferred subclasses, tactics, and more.

ArtNightfallThreatShieldsChampionsRequires

Loadout and Subclasses

Checkmark icon V3Updated as of Season of the Seraph (S19).

The following guide was heavily inspired by Mac‘s excellent video covering all Grandmasters this season.

Subclasses & Exotics

For class loadouts, Hunters want to rock an “Invis” Nightstalker build with Omnioculus. Warlocks want to spec into Well of Radiance with Starfire Protocol. And Titans want to run Arc Striker with Heart of Inmost Light.

ArmorClassTypeRequirementsSourceReleasedRequiresExotic Perk
Starfire Protocol Warlock Exotic Destiny 2 art

Starfire Protocol

WarlockChestFree-to-PlayExotic EngramsSeason 1Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Exotic Perk: "Fusion Grenades have an additional charge and recharge from empowered weapon damage, with empowered weapon final blows granting more energy. Defeating targets with Fusion Grenades grant Rift energy."
Omnioculus Destiny 2 art

Omnioculus

HunterChestBeyond LightLost SectorsSeason 13Beyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Exotic Perk: "You gain a second Smoke Bomb charge and have damage resistance while invisible. When you make an ally invisible, they gain damage resistance while invisible and you gain melee energy."
Heart of Inmost Light Titan Destiny 2

Heart of Inmost Light

TitanChestForsaken PackExotic EngramsSeason 4Forsaken Destiny 2 icon
Forsaken Pack
Exotic Perk: "Using an ability (grenade, melee, or Barricade) empowers the other two abilities. Empowered means abilities have faster regen, melees and grenades do more damage, and Barricades have more hit points."

Loadout

With Barrier and Unstoppable champions, Arc and Solar shields, and an Arc elemental singe, loadouts for this strike are simple, with all players wanting Arbalest, an Arc hand cannon with an Unstoppable mod, such as the Waking Vigil, and either an Arc linear fusion rifle, such as the Stormchaser.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmo?Element?RequirementsIn loot pool?AmmoElementTierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Destiny 2 Arbalest artArbalestLinear Fusion RifleExoticExoticSpecialKineticLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvEExotic QuestError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 6KineticNoTop-tier
Waking Vigil artWaking VigilHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Average

B

PvPShattered Throne DungeonError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 13EnergyNoVoltshot
Stormchaser artStormchaserLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyArcDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvEDuality DungeonError icon V2 NoThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyNo

As always, these are simply recommendations. if you have something in mind that you feel would work better, feel free to throw it on. With all that being said, let’s get into the strategy.

The Scarlet Keep featured

The Scarlet Keep Grandmaster Nightfall

GM Power Level

If you’re interested in running this GM, you need to have a proper Power Level:

Nightfall Difficulty Required to enter Power Level of activities  Adept drop rate
Grandmaster 1580 1620 Common+

More Grandmaster guides for Season 19:

Scarlet Keep GM: A Step-by-step guide

According to Mac’s guide, the Boss room is the only part of this strike. His number one recommendation is not to phase the boss until all three Supers are available. You can simply hide until your Supers are up, use them and then take care of the ads.

For the second phase, two Unstoppable Ogres will appear. Deal with them using your Hand cannons and proceed with finishing up the final third phase of the boss.

About The Author

Ric Molina
Ric Molina
I've been covering gaming since 2012, and some of my work has been featured by large brands, including MSN.com, Forbes, Rock Paper Shotgun, and more. I've been obsessed with Destiny 2 (and now Diablo 4) for years now, and I hope to provide new and returning players with the guides and resources I wish I had when I first started.
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