Destiny 2
Destiny 2

Lake of Shadows

Master the Lake of Shadows Strike in Destiny 2. Guide to Hive and Taken enemies, the Nokris's Herald boss fight, and rewards.

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Lake of Shadows Strike Guide

Dive into the depths of the EDZ's Lake of Shadows strike, a classic Guardian mission filled with Hive and Taken threats. This guide will help you navigate its treacherous waters and defeat its formidable boss.

The Lake of Shadows is a Strike located in the European Dead Zone (EDZ), primarily featuring Hive and Taken enemies. It's a popular Strike due to its relatively straightforward mechanics and its accessibility for players of all levels. The objective is to defend a Guardian Light from being corrupted by the Taken and to defeat the Taken Wizard, Nokris's Herald. Understanding the flow of the Strike, the enemy types, and the boss mechanics is key to completing it efficiently.

Strike Overview

Lake of Shadows is a Strike that takes place in a flooded region of the EDZ. You'll be fighting your way through dark caverns and submerged structures, culminating in a boss fight within a large, open arena.

Key Areas and Encounters

  • Initial Descent: You'll begin by descending into the flooded caverns. Expect to encounter waves of Hive Thralls, Acolytes, and Knights. Keep an eye out for any Taken enemies that may begin to appear.
  • The Bridge: A section where you'll need to cross a precarious bridge while being bombarded by enemy fire. Focus on clearing the enemies on the bridge and the surrounding ledges to advance safely.
  • The Taken Incursion: As you progress deeper, the Taken presence becomes more prominent. You'll encounter Taken Vandals, Hobgoblins, and Captains. These enemies have unique abilities, such as teleportation and the ability to create void shields.
  • The Defense Objective: The core of the Strike involves defending a Guardian Light from being corrupted by the Taken. You'll need to eliminate any Taken that attempt to reach the Light. This area often spawns a significant number of enemies, so crowd control is essential.
  • The Boss Arena: The final encounter takes place in a large, open arena. The boss, Nokris's Herald, is a powerful Taken Wizard.

Boss: Nokris's Herald

Nokris's Herald is the primary antagonist of the Lake of Shadows Strike. It's a Taken Wizard with several dangerous abilities:

  • Void Blasts: The Herald will periodically unleash volleys of void projectiles.
  • Summoning Adds: It will summon waves of Taken enemies to distract and overwhelm you. Prioritize eliminating these adds to focus damage on the boss.
  • Void Shield: The Herald may deploy a void shield that makes it temporarily invulnerable. You'll need to break this shield by dealing enough damage or by destroying specific environmental objects that may appear.
  • Teleportation: Like many Taken enemies, the Herald can teleport around the arena, making it difficult to pin down.

Strategies for Success

  • Elemental Coverage: Ensure your fireteam has weapons and abilities that can deal with both Hive and Taken shields. Void damage is particularly effective against Taken.
  • Add Control: The Herald summons a constant stream of adds. Weapons like auto rifles, submachine guns, or grenade launchers are excellent for clearing them out quickly.
  • Focus Fire: When the Herald's shield is down, focus all your firepower on it. Rocket launchers, linear fusion rifles, and powerful hand cannons are good choices for boss damage.
  • Utilize Cover: The boss arena has several pillars and structures that can be used for cover against the Herald's attacks.
  • Revive Wisely: If a teammate falls, assess the situation before attempting a revive. It's often better to clear out nearby enemies first.

Rewards

Completing the Lake of Shadows Strike can reward you with:

  • Legendary Gear: A chance to earn powerful Legendary weapons and armor.
  • Exotic Gear: A rare chance to receive an Exotic engram.
  • Glimmer and Legendary Shards: Essential currencies for progression.
  • Nightfall Rewards (if applicable): If Lake of Shadows is the Nightfall for the week, you'll have a chance at exclusive Adept weapons and materials like Ascendant Shards.

The Lake of Shadows is a solid Strike for honing your combat skills and earning valuable loot. Its straightforward nature makes it an excellent choice for players looking to quickly complete Vanguard Ops or farm for specific rewards.