TL;DR
- Target shoulder weak points first with precision weapons like bows and scout rifles
- Destroy both shoulder plates to trigger phase transition and chest vulnerability
- Maintain constant mobility and aerial positioning during aggressive phase attacks
- Watch for suppression slam attacks that can disable abilities and cause environmental deaths
- Use finishers only on standard Tormentors, avoid against elite Nezarec variants
Encountering Tormentors in Destiny 2’s Lightfall expansion demands immediate tactical adaptation, as these formidable adversaries can rapidly eliminate unprepared guardians. These hulking combatants represent the pinnacle of enemy design challenges, particularly when tackling the Legendary campaign difficulty setting. Their combat effectiveness spans all engagement ranges, combining devastating close-quarters assaults with lethal projectile capabilities that test even veteran players’ survival skills.
Tormentors employ a sophisticated two-phase combat system that requires precise execution at each stage. The initial encounter demands focused fire on their glowing shoulder weak points while maintaining strategic distance. Understanding their behavioral patterns and attack telegraphing becomes crucial for successful engagements, especially during critical story missions and the climactic final confrontation.
When facing these scythe-wielding nightmares, implementing systematic countermeasures transforms what seems impossible into manageable combat scenarios.
The opening phase of Tormentor engagements requires disciplined weapon selection and target prioritization. Unlike standard enemy encounters, you should deliberately avoid deploying abilities, explosive ordinance, or Super attacks during this initial stage. Instead, concentrate fire exclusively on the illuminated shoulder weak points using high-precision weaponry.
Linear fusion rifles provide exceptional damage output for this purpose, while scout rifles offer optimal balance between impact and firing rate. Bows deliver tremendous single-shot damage potential, making them ideal for players who can maintain accuracy under pressure. The key advantage of these weapon categories lies in their ability to deliver critical damage while preserving your mobility – a crucial factor given Tormentors’ aggressive pursuit behavior.
Precision targeting of shoulder weak points initiates the phase transition sequence.
After successfully destroying one shoulder weak point, the Tormentor enters a brief invulnerability period – conserve your ammunition during this window. Only after both shoulder plates are eliminated does the chest cavity become exposed, signaling the transition to the second combat phase. This structural vulnerability now allows damage to register across their entire body.
The second phase dramatically escalates the combat intensity as Tormentors unleash their full offensive capabilities. Their movement patterns become increasingly aggressive, with constant pursuit behavior that tests your spatial awareness and evasion skills. The most dangerous development is their natural suppression field activation when closing to melee range, completely disabling your ability usage.
Tormentors augment their standard scythe swings and projectile volleys with Void-energy enhanced attacks. These include devastating ground slam maneuvers that can eliminate substantial portions of your health bar in single impacts. Their grab attack becomes particularly lethal on higher difficulties, often resulting in instant death if you fail to maintain proper distance.
Survival during this aggressive phase hinges on maintaining constant vertical mobility. Tormentors clearly telegraph their assault patterns in this enraged state, providing observant players with split-second opportunities to evade. Maintaining aerial positioning significantly reduces your vulnerability to their most dangerous ground-based attacks.
The most critical attack to anticipate involves the Tormentor ascending briefly before slamming down at your position with suppression effects. This combination of ability lockdown and environmental knockback proves especially deadly in arenas with death pits, as demonstrated during the final campaign boss encounter where recovery becomes impossible.
Mastering Tormentor encounters requires integrating advanced movement techniques with weapon swapping strategies. Maintain optimal engagement distance while leading them on circular pursuit patterns, continuously chipping away at their health bar. When their health reaches critical levels, standard Tormentors become vulnerable to finisher attacks – though timing and positioning remain critical.
The Nezarec-designated Tormentor variants present significantly greater challenges than their standard counterparts. These elite units cannot be eliminated through finisher moves and demonstrate complete immunity to Strand suspension abilities. Their enhanced aggression and attack frequency demand even greater emphasis on evasion and environmental awareness.
Common tactical errors include premature ability deployment during phase one, underestimating their pursuit speed, and failing to anticipate suppression slam attacks. Advanced players should practice weapon quick-switching between precision and high-damage options while monitoring ability cooldowns for optimal phase transitions.
For comprehensive combat preparation, consult our Weapons Unlock guide to understand optimal loadout configurations. Additionally, our Class Guide provides essential information on subclass synergies that can enhance your Tormentor engagement effectiveness.
Action Checklist
- Engage with precision weapons only, targeting shoulder weak points
- Destroy both shoulder plates while maintaining mobility
- Switch to aerial evasion tactics during aggressive phase
- Anticipate and evade suppression slam attacks
- Execute finisher on standard Tormentors only
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