Strikes are 3-player cooperative missions with matchmaking, offering a structured combat experience against various enemy factions. They are excellent for farming gear, Glimmer, and XP. Nightfalls are harder versions of Strikes, offering higher-tier rewards and requiring more coordination and specific loadouts.
Strikes:
- Accessible from the Vanguard section of the Director.
- Matchmaking is automatic.
- Good for daily/weekly bounties and general progression.
Nightfalls:
- Adept: Matchmaking available, slightly harder than a regular Strike.
- Hero: Matchmaking available, introduces Champions and elemental burns.
- Legend: No matchmaking, higher Power requirement, more Champions, and modifiers.
- Master: No matchmaking, very high Power requirement, more Champions, and more punishing modifiers.
- Grandmaster (GM): Highest difficulty, no matchmaking, extremely high Power requirement, 'Contest Mode' (caps your Power below the activity), and a limited number of revives. Rewards Adept Nightfall weapons and high-stat Exotic armor.
For Legend, Master, and GM Nightfalls, a coordinated fireteam with appropriate Champion mods and elemental resistance is crucial. Communication and strategy are key to success.