Destiny 2’s raids are arguably the most exciting and difficult-to-go-through activities the game has to offer. These are high-stake, multi-phase encounters designed for six-player teams. Even the most experienced Guardians cannot get through them. Raiding is a great way to get the best taste of the game’s story and mechanics in their most complex and engaging form. But let’s face it – not everyone has the time to master every mechanic, and sometimes getting through them can feel overwhelming.
If you’re struggling to complete these endgame activities, a Destiny 2 carry might offer a shortcut. But with the right preparation, strategy, and teamwork, you can still conquer these challenges yourself. We are here to support you in this journey. This guide will cover everything you need to know to absolutely dominate raids: what to do before, in the middle of, and after, strategy, and team dynamics. So, keep reading to learn more.
#1 — Preparation: Gear Up for Success
Before you even enter a raid, you have to make sure your Guardian is suited up. It’s not just about “having the best gear;” it’s about having the right gear for the encounter. Specific mechanics help make or break the idea of a raid, and your loadout can go either way.
Level Your Power
The first thing would be to make sure your Power level is sufficient enough to defeat the challenges of the raid. Due to the nature of Destiny 2 raids, they’re intended for endgame-level players. So, you’ll want to make sure your Power is at least to the raid’s recommended Power. Look for a recommended Power level in the raid’s description, and the main focus in leveling up should be completing various activities such as strikes, dungeons, and Gambit.
Armor and Weapons
Power level is definitely important, but the weapons and the armor are just as vital. Your loadout is to match the raid’s unique mechanics. Likewise, if the raid you’re working on “Last Wish” as an example has lots of adds (enemy mobs), then you might save your add-clear potential with shotguns or grenade launchers. In the same way, if you’re up against severe bosses like Riven, make sure you are armed with high-damage weapons such as snipers or rocket launchers.
Mods
Don’t overlook armor mods. While these are unlikely to define your raiding experience, they can certainly increase your performance for some raids — especially mods that provide special boosts to resilience or even some special perks for certain encounters. In some cases encounters with Champions, you will need to use mods like Anti-Barrier or Unstoppable. These are part of what makes your build flexible and effective.
#2 — Team Composition: Build the Perfect Fireteam
Destiny 2 raids are intended to be done together, and the structure of your fire team is a big part of whether or not you succeed. Of course, every Guardian has its role on the table, but some are just more match-suited for some situations.
A well-balanced team is always most beneficial during a raid. But here’s how each class shines (or not) in raids.
- Titans — Tank damage is also great with Titans as they have Ward of Dawn or Rally Barricade to protect your team. They also come in handy for holding points or protecting teammates.
- Warlocks — They also have very effective support with their healing and empowering rifts that give your team a damage boost. During boss fights, it is their Well of Radiance that can be the difference between life and death.
- Hunters — Hunters bring mobility and precision. Boss debuffing is something they can do due to their Tether. As a damage dealer and a good way of reviving quickly, they can also be useful.
Coordination is fundamental for a six-player raid. Use voice chat or in-game markers to communicate efficiently. Jump in before assigning roles, so everyone knows what is expected. Assign persons to be in charge of picking up orbs, activating switches, or managing adds. Any one mistake could wipe the whole team, and you better prepare yourself to call the instructions clearly and listen to your teammate.
#3 — Raid Mechanics: Understanding the Rules
There are the rules, mechanics, and puzzles that come with Destiny 2’s raids. The latter is not similar to strikes or story missions — you need to be able to understand and react to in-game situations. The key to moving on through the raid is learning these mechanics.
Know the Encounter Phases
Each phase of most raids has its own objectives. Generally, adds are the first phase; other phases demand you to damage the boss or complete extremely intricate puzzles. Additionally, before you begin, ensure you understand the mechanics of each phase in order to accomplish the mission successfully.
For instance, in the “Vault of Glass” raid, you have to collect and deposit oracles and avoid mechanics that shoot you to wipe your team for one phase. There are many “Garden of Salvation” segments where you have to synchronize your actions with your teammates to align the Vex Devices. These will have to be mastered before this fight starts; otherwise, you will have wasted your time and gotten frustrated.
Plan for Wipes
Raiding is an unavoidable affair with wipes. You will get wiped a few times, and each wipe is a learning experience. Don’t get frustrated. Learn why you failed, change your strategy, and try again. Conquering obstacles is best accomplished by having a clear understanding of the mechanic(s) and playing with your team until you both understand it.
#4 — The Damage Phase: Maximizing Your DPS
Once you’ve passed the mechanics of each encounter and reached the damage phase, the focus shifts to maximizing your team’s damage per second (DPS). This is where your loadout, teamwork, and execution come into play.
Buffs and Debuffs
Fully damage buffing your team will need to bring down bosses as fast as possible. Weapons and buff skills are your friends, just like Weapons of Light (Titans), Well of Radiance (Warlocks), or Tether (Hunters). Thus, debuffing grenades will prevent your team from doing more damage.
Special Equipment
The number of bosses in raids with high health pools is many. In this scenario, the use of the right special weapons can mean the difference between life and death. High-impact weapons, such as Revoker or Succession, can help your team burn down bosses, with rocket launchers/sniper rifles being top for high DPS.
Timing
Timing is everything in a raid. Be sure to plan your damage phase ahead of time, making sure everyone knows when to pop their supers and which weapons to use. Additionally, all players need to coordinate to not waste damage phases.
Final Thoughts: Working Together and Learning from Mistakes
Raiding it’s not just about finishing the encounter; it’s about progressing it as a team. So whether you’re a first-time raider or a veteran, you will have to adapt and get better. After every wipe, review what you learned, reevaluate your tactics, and work with those you communicate with to hone your team play.
Strategies you make for a raid encounter do not always work as planned. It’s required to be flexible and open to new ideas. If some mechanics become too difficult, it is better to consider employing the help of a Destiny 2 carry team to guide the team through specific parts of the raid. This will help you to understand what might be hindering and suggest solutions you haven’t addressed yet.
Raiding success is not an instant thing. Be ready to spend time wiping and discovering the encounter to its nuances. The rewards can be heavy, but once you are finally finished with the raid and you get your reward, there is no feeling as good. Don’t forget and even failed attempts give you loot that can level your Guardian up.
