I'm in the same boat. I've got another month or so with this one until I'm taking a break, and I'd like to at least have a couple cracks at the raid between now and then.

I mainly play with a Hung Jury scout and the 1000 Yard for a sniper. I've got some machine gun around 292 but I don't know what it's called. Don't know if those are sufficient raid weapons or not.

Any recommendations?

in case you see Shadow Shot Hunters with neverending supers in IB

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QoxrhSXUras" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I don't have the Graviton helm so I won't be using the exploit

you have to play to level up, it's as simple as that
you do have a very good weapon load out as noted above ... if your weapons are fully leveled and you at least in the lower 290s you should be fine

people aren't trying to keep you (not personally) shut out from doing it but do recognize there are elements of the raid where if one person out of the 6 dies it a full team wipe and start over at the checkpoint

keep in mind also if jumping isn't your strong point and you get frustrated you are going to have long nights ahead of you and your team in the raid (the Daggers are a patient bunch though I must say and we try our best to keep it lighthearted and fun)

mistakes will happen ..... being at the right level with the right load outs only helps mitigate some of those mistakes

These IB drops are pitiful. I think I've seen purple engrams drop for people twice in two days. Other than that it's a bunch of blue garbage.

same then as regular crucible though maybe drops are better at higher ranks in IB and most haven't hit those levels yet in just 2 days

Bungie addressed nightfall drops and said they will be making them better in a future update

Scott is correct in all he has said. 300 is preferred. That said, Once I went through with a group (Daggers) that explained things and showed me the mechanics I can hold my own @ 291+ and die minimally through the first few parts of the raid. Having all your weapons @ 290+ helps. Most importantly high impact weapons like Snipers followed by machine guns are a must. Run strikes/court of oryx, Rinse, repeat. Use the blues to infuse those legendarys. All points that have been made before by the more experienced players. The Grind is real. You will slowly level up once past 290.

Yeah, I don't feel like anyone's trying to keep me out of the raid. I am totally aware that I'm still not quite built for it yet. I'm at 288 light, but only have two pieces of gear at or over 290, and I probably need a better machine gun if high impact is the name of the game.

Any suggestions as to what to do with 200 legendary marks?

There's those crucible weapons. Black Orbit ones too although I'm just a shade shy of rank 3 there.

I currently have an Answering Chord(290), Hawkmoon(286). Couple decent sidearms(270ish).

Nothing really good heavy. Legendary sword(289).

Well, if you have the Year 1 versions, buying a Truth or Thunderlord wouldn't be a bad option. I'd lean toward Truth before Thunderlord, but both are good.

I just noticed one of my Hawksaws has perfect balance, rodeo and smallbore

Gonna test that shit out

Was considering those. Thanks.

Good news everyone!

It's Black Spindle Day!*

That's right, for the third time you have a chance to acquire the Exotic version of the Black Hammer by playing one of the roughest challenges in the game. Bring your swords, and your patience.

*NOTE: Black Spindle is now awarded at 290, still awesome!

I swear they somehow made this more difficult with their latest patch. ALL the enemies are super hard to kill.

I've tried it numerous times with 2 different groups from LFG and haven't even come close. Last time this mission was available, I was able to at least kill Tanniks and just ran out of time clearing the room. This time we haven't even been able to get him to half health (and I have MUCH better weapons this time around). Both groups have been suffering an obscene amount of deaths leading up to the last room.

Everyone I've tried it with so far has agreed that something seems VERY different this time around. It could be that I'm just having bad luck with LFG, but I myself am having a much harder time than the last time this mission was available. And my characters have much better gear, so I don't get it.

EDIT: 3rd time was the charm. I guess I just had to wait for some LFG'ers from my own time zone. I never want to do that mission again.

just find a Hunter to run the Shadow Shot exploit and it should be a breeze
sooooo ...... any Hunters want with the Graviton want to run this with me?

I'd give it a go. I'd love the ship.

cool .... I'm sure we should have no problem getting a 3rd and if it goes easy enough can give multiple shots for the ship for you

Getting to 300 without raiding will require some serious amounts of praying to the rng gods. It would have been easier if they kept the black spindle at 310/300 so we could infuse it.

Now that it's 290, I might as well just wait till I hit 300+ light before I even go back to that quest as I am not going to use it.

I have the Graviton so I'm in as well.

Well, like I said, getting to 300 is nice and all but if you get there by having a hand cannon and sidearm, you're not gonna be much help in the raid.

But a 295 with a 1000 Yard Stare can carry their weight. You want to be 300, but you don't have to be. That being said, actually finishing the raid, the higher you are the better.

The Daggers still have not completed it as a group. Some of us have done it with other groups, but not as a unit. I'm confident we'll do it this week, which will spread the Touch Of Malice to even more Daggers, which is really the key to the end of the raid. The more of those you have, the easier it becomes.

Duel wield hand cannon and sidearm ftw. White doves will fly up during your battle as you dive around shooting Oryx.

I understand Oryx doesn't mind being tickled

Anybody willing to help me get the black spindle?

STL_mike_314

Didn't even think of that. Probably would've been a little easier with unlimited supers, but who knows? My Hunter isn't fully upgraded yet so I don't even think I can do the exploit.

I got it with my warlock. Maybe if I'm feeling masochistic I'll try to run it again for the ship.

Weekly update is out

https://www.bungie.net/en/News/News?aid=13762

Biggest news, Trials is delayed due to the Hunter arrow glitch, and HM Kings fall launchs next friday at 10:00 Pacific time. Recomended light is 300/320, and gear drops 310-320