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Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date – Root of Nightmares start time

The Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date is here. Here's what we know about the Root of Nightmares raid, Contest Mode, and World's First race.

Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date, start time, and details: The entrace to the Root of Nightmares raid.

What is the Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date? If you’re looking for information about The Root of Nightmares raid that launched with the Lightfall DLC, we’ve got all the latest info that you and your fire team need to properly prepare for the raid.

Root of Nightmares is the newest raid in Destiny 2, and is the latest original raid in the free PC game, as opposed to Vault of Glass in 2021 and the King’s Fall raid last year, which were both remakes of raids from the original Destiny. Here’s everything we know about the Destiny 2 Lightfall raid.

Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date, start time, and details: Showing off the Weave in Lightfall.

Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date

The Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date was Friday, March 10. The raid was available at 9am PST / 12pm EST / 5pm UTC.

This is during the second week of Destiny 2 season 20. The launch date gave Guardians ten days from the Destiny 2 Lightfall release date to explore the newest content, weapons, armour, and the all-new Destiny 2 Strand subclass before jumping into the raid.

The raid launched in Contest Mode which lasted for 48 hours. This is a change from previous raid events, which limited Contest Mode to 24 hours. Bungie says it made this change so that players would have more time to take breaks and so people who aren’t available to complete the raid on the launch date can still attempt to earn a unique emblem typically granted to players who complete it on the first day.

Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date, start time, and details: Guardians prepare for battle in Lightfall.

Destiny 2 Lightfall raid Contest Mode

Contest Mode is Bungie’s way of evening the playing field for all players. Contest mode restricts players to 20 Power levels lower than the suggested level for the raid and it forbids using specific high-DPS weapons, ensuring that everyone attempting to gain the emblem works on an even playing field. As a result, contest mode can prove incredibly challenging as entire fireteams will technically be underpowered for the activity. However, this difficulty is also why some of the game’s best players attempt to complete raids on day one (and, with the forthcoming changes, day two). After the raid is live for 48 hours, players can then play through the raid without any restrictions.

Destiny 2’s World First competitions are popular viewing events as teams compete to be first to complete the raid. The winning team members win a unique raid belt, and fans can watch all the action on Destiny 2 players’ YouTube and Twitch accounts. However, be warned that such races can take ten hours or more as players face challenging enemies and work their way through what are often complicated puzzle mechanics.

Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date, start time, and details: A Vex enemy faces a Strand attack.

That’s everything we know about the Destiny 2 Lightfall raid release date and details of the new activity. If you’re planning to try the raid for yourself, make sure you’re also up to date on the best Destiny 2 builds ahead of its release.