Story Highlights:
- Agonarch Abyss Ascendant Challenge active in Destiny 2 from July 2-9, accessed via Bay of Drowned Wishes Lost Sector
- Challenge features a downward jumping puzzle with class-specific strategies for Warlocks, Titans, and Hunters
- Completion rewards Legendary Dreaming City gear, with additional loot opportunities through Petra’s bounties and other activities
As Destiny 2’s intricate narrative unfolds, the Dreaming City remains trapped in a three-week time loop, its curse fluctuating between weak, strong, and strongest. At the heart of this cyclical mystery lies the Ascendant Challenges, a series of six rotating weekly trials that offer Guardians the opportunity to delve into the Ascendant Plane. From July 2 to 9, players face the Agonarch Abyss challenge, a testament to their platforming skills and combat prowess.
The Ascendant Challenge This Week in Destiny 2 is more than just a weekly activity; it’s a crucial component of the Dreaming City’s loot ecosystem. Each completion grants a piece of Legendary Dreaming City gear, with the potential for additional rewards through Petra Venj’s weekly bounties. As the official description states, “Ascendant Challenges yield one piece of gear each week, plus another from Petra’s bounties. Those objectives are character-based, meaning you can get six pieces of Dreaming City gear from Ascendant Challenges alone.”
Entering the Ascendant Plane
To embark on the Agonarch Abyss challenge, Guardians must first obtain a Tincture of Queensfoil. This mystical concoction, available from Petra Venj for five Legendary Shards or found in Dreaming City chests, serves as the key to accessing the Ascendant Plane. With Tincture in hand, players should make their way to the Bay of Drowned Wishes Lost Sector in the Divalian Mists.
Upon entering the Lost Sector, Guardians will encounter an initial wave of enemies. As the official guide notes, “After you’ve cleared the first wave of Screebs and Abominations, look for the portal close to the entrance to the boss room.” Consuming the Tincture of Queensfoil at this point will reveal the hidden portal, granting access to the Ascendant Plane and the challenge that awaits within.
Navigating the Abyss
The Agonarch Abyss presents a unique challenge for each Guardian class, testing their movement abilities and platforming skills. The challenge consists primarily of a “downward jumping puzzle,” requiring players to navigate a series of precarious drops to reach the bottom.
Warlocks have a distinct advantage in this challenge. As the guide suggests, they can “easily circumvent this with Icarus Dash, Heat Rises, and Dawnblade.” These abilities allow Warlocks to control their descent and bypass many of the trickier platforming sections.
Titans, while not as naturally suited to aerial maneuvers as Warlocks, have their methods of conquering the Abyss. The guide recommends that Titans “can just sword-fly with Lion Rampant and skip a lot of the maneuvering.” This technique allows Titans to rapidly descend through the challenge with minimal risk.
Hunters, known for their agility, face a more traditional approach to the challenge. Without the aerial supremacy of Warlocks or the sword-flying capabilities of Titans, Hunters must rely on their “triple jumps to get to the bottom.” This method requires more precision but can be equally effective with practice.
Claiming Your Reward
Upon reaching the bottom of the Abyss, Guardians face a final test. As the guide states, “Once you do, clear out the enemies and get your chest for completing the Ascendant Challenge.” This last combat encounter serves as the final gate between players and their well-earned rewards.
The completion of an Ascendant Challenge is more than just a weekly ritual; it’s a crucial part of gearing up in the Dreaming City. With the recent revamp in Season of the Wish, Dreaming City weapons have gained renewed relevance. The guide highlights this, noting, “Dreaming City gear got another revamp with Season of the Wish, making those weapons even more relevant. While they still performed decently, perks like Voltshot on Waking Vigil can give them even more of a fighting chance.”
Maximizing Dreaming City Rewards
While the Ascendant Challenge is a key source of Dreaming City gear, savvy Guardians have multiple avenues to pursue in their quest for the best equipment. The Blind Well, despite its increased difficulty, “continues to be a good source of the new gear (though its new power delta makes it more of a slog than before).”
Petra Venj’s bounties offer additional opportunities for gear acquisition. The guide advises, “Petra offers a weekly bounty for completing the Ascendant Challenge if you want to earn Dreaming City gear from exploration, awarding you an extra piece of gear for your trouble.” Furthermore, “Each week, she also offers a bounty that costs Dark Fragments and yields an Offering to the Oracle. Taking the reward to the Oracle in the Spine of Keres gives you an extra drop and, on weeks where the Curse is strongest, lets you visit Queen Mara Sov’s throne room.”
For those pursuing the Cursebreaker title, these visits to Mara’s throne room hold additional significance, as an Ahamkara Bone can be found there. Daily bounties from Petra also provide gear rewards, and completing eight of these unlocks her weekly quest, another source of Dreaming City equipment.
As the curse of the Dreaming City continues its relentless cycle, the Ascendant Challenges stand as a testament to Destiny 2’s enduring appeal. The Agonarch Abyss, with its mix of platforming prowess and combat challenges, offers Guardians a weekly opportunity to test their skills and bolster their arsenal. Whether chasing perfect gear rolls or unraveling the mysteries of this cursed realm, players have ample reason to dive into the misty depths of the Ascendant Plane.
