Mastering Grass is Always Greener in King’s Fall Totems

The King’s Fall raid in Destiny 2 stands as one of the most legendary activities in the game’s history, and its Totems encounter kicks things off with a bang. The Grass is Always Greener challenge adds a layer of complexity that tests team coordination and adaptability. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to complete it on both normal and Master difficulties, from basic mechanics to advanced tactics.

Understanding the Totems Encounter Basics

Before diving into the challenge, grasp the core of the Totems phase. The arena features two totem platforms opposite each other, separated by a central banking area. Guardians must stand on these totems to keep them active while battling waves of Taken enemies. Without the Brand of the Weaver buff, standing on a totem drains your health rapidly, leading to quick deaths.

The Brand comes in two flavors: Brand of the Weaver from the left side and Brand of the Poison from the right (names may vary slightly by rotation). To obtain a brand, a player grabs a Brand Claimer from the central area by defeating a Wizard and a Blightguard knight upstairs, then rushes it to the totem defender to swap places.

Meanwhile, killing enemies drops stacks of Deathsinger’s Power, which players bank in the center. Accumulate enough stacks (typically 24-36 per cycle), and doors open to progress. Standard strategy involves rotating brands between two players while the third clears adds and banks power.

The Grass is Always Greener Challenge Rule

This challenge enforces a strict no-repeat rule: no Guardian can pick up the same brand (from the same side) twice in a row. Every brand grab must alternate sides. This prevents lazy rotations and forces full six-Guardian involvement, as sticking to one side wipes out your progress toward the challenge triumph.

Success means every player cycles through both brands multiple times per encounter. Check your buff icons—no duplicates consecutively. Failure requires a restart, costing precious raid time.

Why This Challenge Matters

• Unlocks exclusive raid loot and triumphs.
• Essential for flawless or contesting runs.
• Builds crucial raid communication skills.

Step-by-Step Strategy for Normal Mode

For a smooth clear, assign clear roles and communicate via callouts like “Left brand up” or “Banking 12 stacks.”

1. Initial Setup: Split into two totem defenders (one per side) and four floaters for adds, brands, and banking.
2. Brand Rotation Cycle: Player A starts on left totem. Floater 1 grabs left brand claimer (Wizard + Knight upstairs left), delivers to A. A banks power, grabs right claimer next. Meanwhile, Player B on right gets relieved similarly, but ensures alternation.
3. Full Team Cycle: Rotate all six players through brands in sequence: 1-2-3-4-5-6, alternating sides each time (e.g., Player 1: left, then right; Player 2: right, then left). This completes one full cycle.
4. Repeat 2-3 Cycles: Until banking threshold met. Prioritize knights on the correct side for maximum Deathsinger’s Power—left knights buff left totem, right for right.

Pro Tip: Use supers like Well of Radiance on totems for safety and add clear. Time brand handoffs precisely to avoid totem drops.

Loadout Recommendations for Success

Weapon choices make or break this encounter. Focus on add clear, burst damage for majors, and heavy for ogres.

Exotics like Wish-Ender shine for piercing knights from afar. Titans: Thundercrash for ogres. Hunters/Warlocks: invisibility or healing for flexibility.

Master Mode: Escalated Challenges and Counters

Master amps the difficulty with unstoppable ogres spawning simultaneously— one in center, one near each brand spot. These demand quick stuns and melts, disrupting rotations if mishandled.

Key Differences and Adjustments

• Triple Unstoppables: Every ~1/3 progress, three ogres appear at once. Assign two players per ogre: one stuns post-jump, both melt with heavy.
• Increased Enemy Density: More knights, Wizards—prioritize finishers for heavy ammo economy.
• Tighter Timers: Brands expire faster; meet halfway for handoffs.

Strategy: Slow rotations during ogre phases. Clear adds first, then double-team ogres. Rocket spam post-finishers keeps ammo flowing.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Avoid these pitfalls for consistent clears:

• Side Repeat: Track buffs—call out “My next is right!”
• Ammo Drought: Mandatory Aeons + finishers on every knight.
• Poor Communication: Use Discord pings or in-game voice for brand status.
• Ogre Overwhelm (Master): Don’t stun early—wait for jump end. Full heavy unload, no conserving.
• Totem Drops: Never leave totem unmanned; overlap handoffs.

Advanced Tips from Top Raiders

Veterans emphasize efficiency:

• Pre-place wells before ogre waves.
• Left-side knights only for left power—ignore cross-spawns.
• Practice in LFG groups calling “Cycle complete!”
• For speedruns: Six-player brand carousel, banking en route.

FAQ: Quick Answers to Totem Challenge Queries

Q: Can solo players complete this?
A: No, requires full fireteam coordination.

Q: What’s the stack goal?
A: ~72-108 total; 24+ per cycle.

Q: Best class for this?
A: All viable; Titans for totem sustain.

Q: Does power level matter?
A: Aim 20+ over for Master.

Q: Triumph on first clear?
A: Yes, if no side repeats.

Progressing Beyond Totems

Mastering Grass is Always Greener sets up Warpriest and beyond. Practice rotations here for raid-wide success. Share your clears in comments!