AION 2 Nightmare: Solo Bosses, Rewards and Zikel

What is Nightmare

Nightmare is a solo challenge: you fight a boss alone, without a party. Open it with the separate “Nightmares” key (you can rebind it in the control settings). Every win makes the next fight harder. Bosses have stages; ten wins at a stage unlock the next one.

Each season, the goal is to reach the blue boss, learn to defeat it, and farm Nightmare points. In the first Global season, the blue boss is Zikel's Apparition.

Boss names come from the Global client (season achievements). Each has a “Win in 1 minute” achievement at stage 10; use it as a damage benchmark.

Attempts: do not let them expire

1. Daily refillAttempts are granted each day and build up to a cap (client data: +2 a day, maximum 14; item tickets can raise the reserve to 30). There is no weekly reset, so use them during the week.
2. Do not stay at the capNew attempts are wasted when you are capped. If you are short on time, quickly clear two attempts on an easy boss.
3. Death is freeAn attempt is consumed only when you defeat the boss. Lose and try again for free.
4. Instant completionAn instant-completion ticket claims the reward without a fight and consumes an attempt. Use it on stages you already clear reliably.

Attempts and tickets

Nightmare Dungeon Challenge Ticket (Bound)SpecialAdds one Nightmare attemptNightmare Dungeon Challenge TicketSpecialAdds one Nightmare attemptInstant Clear Ticket: Nightmare (Bound)SpecialClaims a reward without fighting in a cleared Nightmare

How to spend Nightmare points

Your first win at a new stage gives a large reward (about 1,000–1,200 points per stage for TW players); repeats give much less (about 385). You start the season with many points, then earn them slowly. Spend carefully.

Purchase order

1. Colossus: Zikel's ApparitionThe main purchase. It unlocks after your first win against the blue boss, goes in the Pantheon, and gives a large attack boost. Save the full cost in advance (about 14,000 points for TW players); do not spend it on small items.
2. Ariel pointsAriel's board in Daevanion improves PvE. Buy tiers 1–2 at once and tier 3 after the Colossus. Tier 4 costs much more per point and is poor value.
3. Skill pointsRaise skills and passives to their maximum. Costs rise by tier, so buy the first tiers and decide based on your balance.
4. Nightmare WingsExpensive but powerful against bosses. Save for them after the Colossus and first tiers.
5. SkinsThe wardrobe is shared by all characters. It is better to buy Nightmare skins with an alt's points and spend your main's points on power.

What to buy

Colossus: Zikel's Apparition (Bound)UniqueMain pick: a unique statue for the PantheonColossus: Kromede's Desire (Bound)UniqueAlternative from Dungeon ChallengesNightmare Wings (Bound)Unique+3.5% boss damage, extra attack, and critical hit

Zikel's Apparition: every mechanic

White and green bosses barely require mechanic knowledge; you can overpower them. Zikel's Apparition is the first boss where one mistake can cost the entire fight. There are only a few mechanics, but each hits hard.

1. BleedingEvery hit from Zikel applies bleeding; its icon appears over your head. Use a healing potion at once to remove negative effects. At high stages, bleeding drains health in seconds.
2. Charged swordZikel charges his sword. A hit launches you and immediately finishes you off. When he winds up, move behind him where the strike cannot reach. Try to attack from behind throughout the fight.

Bring this

Superior Healing PotionCommonRemoves two negative effects, including bleeding

1. Ground slamZikel hits the ground with his weapon, sending out a shockwave. Jump just as he strikes so it passes beneath you. With high ping, jump a little earlier.
2. Ground zonesSmall zones appear around the arena; they stun and slow. Go around them. Getting stunned before the next boss hit can cost the fight.

1. Phase beginsAt a health threshold, Zikel starts a phase and glowing trails spread across the ground.
2. Safe zonesThe spaces between trails are safe. There are two at first and three at higher stages. Stand in one and wait for the explosion.
3. Do not rushStay in the safe zone; do not step onto a trail before it explodes.

1. Explosion at his feetAt the end of the phase, a zone lights up right under Zikel. Wait at its edge.
2. DashAs soon as it explodes, dash to the boss; the space by his feet is now safe. His attacks then repeat in a cycle.

Consumables before the fight

Nightmare is a race against time and a test of survival, so enter prepared. You can buy what you need from the consumables shop or craft it.

1. Food and drinksFood boosts attack or critical-hit chance; choose affordable attack food. Use drinks if you need mana.
2. ScrollsStart with white scrolls for attack speed, movement speed, maximum health, and a defensive shield. Blue scrolls cost more; use them only if white scrolls are not enough.
3. Power shardsThey increase damage. Basic shards last a long time; use stronger ones on the blue boss.
4. Auto-useDrag a consumable to the lower part of the bar to use it automatically. Set auto-use to “in combat only” in combat settings, or consumables will be wasted outside combat.

Rankings and missions

Nightmare has rankings, but ranking rewards are now honorary only: titles and a rare skin, with no stats. You do not need to chase a rank for power.

Nightmare does count toward seasonal and weekly missions, such as “defeat a Nightmare boss 5 times” or “10 times.” Claim these free resources every week. See Daily and weekly activities for the full weekly list.

Before Zikel

• Put healing potions on the bar to counter bleeding
• Enable food, white scrolls, and power shards
• Set auto-use to “in combat only”
• Sword wind-up means get behind him; ground slam means jump
• During the phase, use a safe zone, then dash to the boss after the explosion at his feet

1. Attempts at the capNew ones are wasted. Use at least two a day.
2. Ignoring bleedingAt high stages it kills faster than the boss. Use a potion immediately.
3. Standing in front of Zikel during the wind-upThe launch and follow-up are almost always fatal.
4. Spending points on everythingBuy Zikel's Apparition Colossus first, then Ariel and skills.
5. Using blue scrolls every fightThey are expensive and rarely needed. Start with white ones.