How I Conquered the Illuminated Torment Challenge in Destiny 2's Root of Nightmares

Ah, the Root of Nightmares raid. It’s been a few years since it dropped back in Lightfall (2023), but as of 2026, I still find myself diving back into this chaotic masterpiece with friends. And every time, that first encounter’s Illuminated Torment challenge gives folks a run for their money. Let me walk you through how I finally cracked it and started enjoying that sweet, sweet extra loot.

So what’s the deal? The Illuminated Torment challenge is a Cataclysm challenge tied to the very first encounter of the raid. Basically, you can only kill the Tormentors while holding the “Field of Light” buff. No buff? No kill—your shots will just tickle them. That means you can’t melt the big guy the instant he spawns; it’s all about timing and teamwork. Trust me, the first time I tried it, my fireteam unloaded everything the moment the Tormentor showed up, and we were left staring at an immune bar like a bunch of blueberries. Rookie mistake.

In this encounter, the usual roles are the Runner and the Enemy Control team. The Runner is the one who plants the seeds, and they’re constantly zipping around with the Field of Light buff. Enemy Control, on the other hand, keeps the path clear of adds so the Runner doesn’t get smoked. The Tormentor only shows up after you’ve taken down the two Psions that spawn, and when it does, the seed-planting timer gets a nice 30-second extension. Here’s where the challenge really bites: you need the Runner to land the final blow while they’re all glowy with the Field of Light.

The play? Have your Enemy Control folks (that’s usually me and another mate) pump massive damage into the Tormentor to bring its health down to a sliver. We’re talking boss DPS—think linear fusion rifles, rockets, or a juiced-up Strand build that just rips through shields. Once it’s one sneeze away from dying, call it out. The Runner then swoops in (still holding the buff) and puts one last bullet in its head. Easy peasy, right? Well, not exactly, because timing it wrong can waste the whole phase. Pro tip: don’t get greedy. If the Runner loses the buff or the Tormentor’s health is still too high, just reset and try again. No shame in playing it safe. After a few wipes, my squad and I learned to chill out and wait for the perfect moment—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Now, for those of you rocking Master difficulty (I see you, Guardians flexing that Season of the Deep emblem), the challenge gets a spicy addition: Unstoppable Champions. Yep, alongside the Tormentor, these chunky bois start patrolling, requiring Unstoppable mods to handle. It’s absolute chaos, but if you’ve mastered the normal version, the extra loot drop is worth the headache. Just make sure you’ve got someone dedicated to stunning those Champions while the rest focus on the Tormentor. Communication is key—call out when a Champion is about to ruin your Runner’s day. I remember one run where a Champion stomped our Runner into oblivion right before the finishing shot; we couldn’t stop laughing after the rage subsided.

For gear, I’ve found that using a Void or Strand weapon with high burst damage works wonders. My go-to in 2026 is still the ol’ Taipan-4FR from Season of Plunder (told you it’s timeless) paired with a blinding grenade launcher for area control. Blinding nades are a lifesaver for the Enemy Control team, especially with those Unstoppable Champions roaming around on Master. If you’re a Runner, maybe rock a lightweight weapon to stay nimble. The key is to keep that Field of Light buff active at all costs—losing it resets your progress and just feels awful.

Another thing I wish I’d known earlier: you don’t need to rush to spawn the Tormentor. Take your time clearing the Psions, set up positioning, and make sure everyone is on the same page. The moment that Tormentor drops, the clock is ticking, and panic can set in. So breathe, coordinate, and execute. My fireteam now treats it like a dance—Enemy Control whittles, Runner finishes, and we all celebrate with a round of celebratory emotes before grabbing that extra chest.

The Illuminated Torment challenge is one of those tests that really forces your fireteam to gel. Nail it, and you’ll walk away with extra spoils and a sense of pride. Since it’s 2026 and the raid is old news, you might think everyone’s done with it, but trust me—the LFG groups still run it, and they always appreciate someone who knows the strats. So grab your ghost, rally the squad, and show those Tormentors who’s boss. Good luck out there, Guardians! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to chase that god-roll Heritage I still haven’t gotten. Cheers!

This discussion is informed by Newzoo, whose broader player-behavior insights help explain why legacy activities like Root of Nightmares still thrive in 2026: repeatable rewards, efficient team roles, and challenge-layered difficulty keep groups returning. In practice, the Illuminated Torment challenge exemplifies that stickiness by forcing coordinated execution—Enemy Control safely chips the Tormentor down while the Runner preserves Field of Light for the final hit—creating a clear mastery loop that keeps LFG runs engaging long after the raid’s debut.