Raids are the ultimate Destiny 2 experience. They are THE endgame. A Fireteam embarks on a difficult quest to defeat a final boss, and when it succeeds, the feeling of accomplishment is beyond comparison. And if you’re a veteran, Master Raid Challenges will push you to your limits, too.
This guide covers and ranks all the raids currently available in Destiny 2, their weekly rotation, and more.
Destiny 2 Weekly Raid
Every week, a different raid is part of the weekly rotation, which means it becomes infinitely farmable and offers a Pinnacle reward upon completion. The official Destiny 2 Raid this week is (you can find the entire Raid and dungeon rotation here):
Art | Activity | Location | Power Level | Rewards | Requires | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Last Wish | Dreaming City | 1945 | Loot Table | Forsaken Pack | Raid |
Destiny 2 Raid Rotation
📅 Raid Rotation: Episode 1
Week | Raid 1 | Raid 2 | Week # |
---|---|---|---|
8 October 2024 | Vow of the Disciple | Last Wish | Week 1 |
15 October 2024 | King's Fall | Garden of Salvation | Week 2 |
22 October 2024 | Root of Nightmares | Deep Stone Crypt | Week 3 |
29 October 2024 | Crota's End | Vault of Glass | Week 4 |
5 November 2024 | Last Wish | Vow of the Disciple | Week 5 |
12 November 2024 | Garden of Salvation | King's Fall | Week 6 |
19 November 2024 | Deep Stone Crypt | Root of Nightmares | Week 7 |
26 November 2024 | Vault of Glass | Crota's End | Week 8 |
3 December 2024 | Vow of the Disciple | Last Wish | Week 9 |
10 December 2024 | King's Fall | Garden of Salvation | Week 10 |
17 December 2024 | Root of Nightmares | Deep Stone Crypt | Week 11 |
24 December 2024 | Crota's End | Vault of Glass | Week 12 |
31 December 2024 | Last Wish | Vow of the Disciple | Week 13 |
7 January 2025 | Garden of Salvation | King's Fall | Week 14 |
14 January 2025 | Deep Stone Crypt | Root of Nightmares | Week 15 |
21 January 2025 | Vault of Glass | Crota's End | Week 16 |
28 January 2025 | Vow of the Disciple | Last Wish | Week 17 |
4 February 2025 | King's Fall | Garden of Salvation | Week 18 |
Destiny 2 Raid Weapons this week
There’s a reason why weekly raids were such a popular request. While raids can certainly be fun and challenging experiences, most Guardians run them for a chance to earn exclusive raid weapons and Pinnacle rewards.
💠 Featured Raid Weapons
Vow of the Disciple
Collective Obligation | Pulse Rifle | Primary | Void | Vow of the Disciple Raid | ||
Cataclysmic | Linear Fusion Rifle | Heavy | Solar | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Bait and Switch | |
Deliverance | Fusion Rifle | Special | Stasis | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Bait and Switch | |
Forbearance | Grenade Launcher | Special | Arc | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Bait and Switch | |
Insidious | Pulse Rifle | Primary | Arc | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Bait and Switch | |
Lubrae's Ruin | Glaive | Special | Solar | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Bait and Switch | |
Submission | Submachine Gun | Primary | Kinetic | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Bait and Switch |
Last Wish
One Thousand Voices | Fusion Rifle | Heavy | Solar | Last Wish Raid | ||
Apex Predator | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | Solar | Last Wish Raid | Incandescent,Explosive Light,Reconstruction,Bait and Switch | |
Nation of Beasts | Hand Cannon | Primary | Arc | Last Wish Raid | Voltshot | |
The Supremacy | Sniper Rifle | Special | Kinetic | Last Wish Raid | Kinetic Tremors,Bait and Switch | |
Age-Old Bond | Auto Rifle | Primary | Void | Last Wish Raid | Repulsor Brace | |
Chattering Bone | Pulse Rifle | Primary | Kinetic | Last Wish Raid | Kinetic Tremors | |
Techeun Force | Fusion Rifle | Special | Arc | Last Wish Raid | Reconstruction | |
Transfiguration | Scout Rifle | Primary | Kinetic | Last Wish Raid | Kinetic Tremors | |
Tyranny of Heaven | Combat Bow | Primary | Solar | Last Wish Raid | Incandescent |
Raids also reward a unique set of armor per class and, in most cases, a unique Exotic item, such as a Sparrow, Ghost Shell, or Ship. You can find all Destiny 2 loot tables here.
All Destiny 2 Raids in order
These are all the Raids in Destiny 2 that are still available and playable today:
Art | Activity | Location | Power Level | Rewards | Requires | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Salvation's Edge | Pale Heart | 1945 | Loot Table | The Final Shape | Raid | |
Crota's End | Legends | 1945 | Loot Table | Free-to-Play | Raid | |
Root of Nightmares | Neomuna | 1945 | Loot Table | Lightfall | Raid | |
King's Fall | Legends | 1945 | Loot Table | Free-to-Play | Raid | |
Vow of the Disciple | Throne World | 1945 | Loot Table | Witch Queen | Raid | |
Vault of Glass | Legends | 1945 | Loot Table | Free-to-Play | Raid | |
Deep Stone Crypt | Europa | 1945 | Loot Table | Beyond Light Pack | Raid | |
Garden of Salvation | Moon | 1945 | Loot Table | Shadowkeep Pack | Raid | |
Last Wish | Dreaming City | 1945 | Loot Table | Forsaken Pack | Raid |
Keep in mind that many raids were removed from the game in 2020. Raids were perhaps the biggest victims of the Destiny Content Vault. As of today, five raids (including raid lairs) have been put into the DCV.
How many raids are there in Destiny 2?
If we exclude the raids that were removed from the game, there are currently 9 raids in Destiny 2.
Destiny 2 free raids
Destiny 2 features a few raids that are completely free and do not require any DLC or Season Pass. For all the New Light players out there who still haven’t purchased an expansion, these three raids can be accessed for free.:
- Crota’s End
- Vault of Glass
- King’s Fall
Destiny 2 Raids ranked by difficulty in 2024
If we had to rank all Destiny 2 raids based on difficulty, this would be our tier list from easiest to hardest:
Raid | Mechanics | Verdict |
Deep Stone Crypt | Easy | Easiest raid today |
Vault of Glass | Easy | Easy raid with simple mechanics |
Root of Nightmares | Easy | Easy raid with simple mechanics |
Crota’s End |
Easy | Average difficulty raid with easy mechanics |
Last Wish | Medium | Average difficulty overall |
Garden of Salvation | Medium | Average difficulty overall |
Vow of the Disciple | Hard | Hard raid with complex mechanics |
King’s Fall | Hard | Hard raid with complex mechanics |
Salvation’s Edge | Hard | Hardest raid today |
Destiny 2’s Easiest raid?
The easiest raid in Destiny 2 is, hands down, the Deep Stone Crypt raid. The raid basically features the same mechanic for all encounters, and once you’ve understood what each augment does, the raid is incredibly straightforward.
To be fair, Vault of Glass is not too far behind, featuring very simple mechanics, too (hell, some encounters barely have a mechanic at all).
The best raid in Destiny 2?
Difficulty isn’t everything—fun factor, uniqueness, and loot matter too! So, with all aspects considered, how do the raids compare? Let’s take a look.
9. Vault of Glass
The first Destiny 1 raid to enter the world of Destiny 2, Vault of Glass has struggled endlessly with trying to live up to new standards. Sadly, it has never really hit the mark.
With five main encounters, an encounter-like maze transition in the middle, and an entrance arena, Vault is one of the lengthier raids Destiny 2 has to offer. However, most of these consist of surface-level mechanics—if they contain any mechanics at all.
The music and environment featured in the activity also don’t hold up too well. While the raid does have its fans, Vault of Glass just doesn’t compare to the experiences we’ve come to expect today. The sole light in the darkness for Vault is its loot. While it does have its misses, Fatebringer is absurdly strong in all areas of the game, and Vex Mythoclast is a potent option as well. Plus, Vault of Glass is still awaiting a loot reprisal to update perk pools and make the weapons craftable, meaning its loot could become even stronger very soon.
In the end, Vault of Glass just doesn’t hold up to other experiences we have in the game today. With easy mechanics, sterile environments, and encounters that end up being nothing more than ad clear, this raid is easily the weakest in the game.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Vault of Glass Loot table here.
8. Garden of Salvation
While we originally planned on ranking this raid higher on this list, Garden of Salvation is in such desperate need of updates that we felt it deserves this ranking.
Starting with what Garden of Salvation does right, the music and art direction here are spot-on. With some of the most stunning environments in the game, the visuals alone are enough of a reason to consider running the raid.
Sadly, Garden’s strengths end there. While the final boss is an exception, the other encounters in the raid sadly choose to utilize the overdone motes mechanic instead of playing into the tether system fully. The loot here is also abysmal, except for Divinity (which has also seen a reduction in popularity due to recent nerfs).
Even though some people may enjoy running Garden of Salvation here and there, the raid doesn’t meet standards set by other experiences we’ve received in the past. While it may be fun to run a couple of times, a raid with the primary appeal of sightseeing is something we can’t rank any higher.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Garden of Salvation Loot table here.
7. Crota’s End
The most recent reprised raid from Destiny 1, Crota’s End simply doesn’t live up to modern standards set by past raids.
As with all other reprised raids that have entered Destiny 2 throughout the years, Crota’s End had some sweeping changes made to it in terms of mechanics. However, even with these changes, the activity is generally regarded as fairly boring. With encounters that are drawn out by waiting for the Chalice to charge (which is done by either standing still or clearing ads, mind you), Crota’s End is relatively stale.
Loot from Crota’s End is also a major pain point. With very few options ever worth chasing (and no chance of a loot reprisal any time soon), motivation to run this raid has quickly run dry.
Overall, Crota’s End just doesn’t compare to other more unique raids we’ve seen recently. And while some people may enjoy it due to its relatively chill nature, we believe other raids accomplish that better.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Crota’s End Loot table here.
6. King’s Fall
King’s Fall has always been in a bit of a weird spot when it comes to general appeal. While many enjoy it for its diversity of mechanics, others find running it to be a drag.
Compared to the three we listed below this, King’s Fall is pretty complex in terms of mechanics. Even so, some encounters (namely, Warpriest and Daughters) last far too long for how simplistic they are.
Factoring in loot, however, boosts the ranking of King’s Fall by a fair margin. While there aren’t any must-haves in the loot pool, the weapons available from King’s Fall aren’t bad choices either.
Taking everything into consideration, King’s Fall is perhaps the most average of all the raids. While some love the raid for one reason or another, we believe that there are much more well-rounded experiences out there.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 King’s Fall Loot table here.
5. Root of Nightmares
Receiving a fair bit of backlash upon initial release, Root of Nightmares has now solidified itself as a chill and easy experience.
Mechanically, Root of Nightmares is nearly as simplistic as something like Crota’s End. However, this raid uses that to its advantage, creating an experience that is easy and quick to run with a group of friends.
Loot wise, Root of Nightmares isn’t bad either. Nessa’s Oblation, Koraxis’s Distress, Briar’s Contempt, and Rufus’s Fury all have situations in which they excel. Plus, Root of Nightmares features one of the strongest exotic weapons Destiny 2 has to offer: Conditional Finality.
Being a chill experience with some solid loot to go along with it, Root of Nightmares is exactly what it tries to be and nothing more, placing it just above average on this list.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Root of Nightmares Loot table here.
4. Deep Stone Crypt
Perhaps the most balanced experience out of all the currently available raids, Deep Stone Crypt has very little to hate.
With arguably the best soundtrack and coolest setting out of any available raid, Deep Stone Crypt starts off strong. Plus, the mechanics build perfectly on top of one another from encounter to encounter, creating an activity full of momentum and action.
The loot from the raid is also worth mentioning. While some options are undoubtedly worth skipping, Heritage, Succession, Commemoration, and Bequest all have found unique spots within the PvE meta.
While we wouldn’t consider it the strongest raid Destiny 2 has to offer, Deep Stone Crypt is a solid experience you’ll find yourself wanting to run time and time again.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Deep Stone Crypt Loot table here.
3. Vow of the Disciple
Few seem to consider Vow of the Disciple their favorite raid, but it has so many strengths that simply cannot be ignored.
While the raid can get stale from a mechanic standpoint after frequent runs, each encounter feels unique and exhilarating in its own way. From the chaotic nature of the third encounter to what is arguably the most MMO-like final boss Destiny 2 offers, Vow of the Disciple is always a joy to run.
With all that said, what really makes Vow of the Disciple stand out among its competition is loot. Forbearance and Cataclysmic are some of the best legendary weapons the game has ever seen, while Insidious, Deliverance, and Collective Obligation each have their unique places in the meta as well.
Sure, Vow of the Disciple has its weaknesses, but they’re nothing compared to the endless list of strengths the raid has to offer. Even if you’re not a fan of its gameplay, this raid has loot that will be strong for years to come, making it #2 on our list.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Vow of the Disciple loot table here.
2. Last Wish
While it has its fair share of haters, Last Wish easily deserves this spot on the list.
With a total of four unique bosses and six encounters, Last Wish is the longest raid Bungie has ever released. Riven, the final boss of the raid, is also arguably the best raid encounter to exist (assuming you don’t do the far-too-common cheese strategy).
Additionally, the setting and music are both impeccable, combining together to give you that “storming the castle” feeling.
Last Wish also had its loot reprised not too long ago, generating some of the strongest weapons the game has to offer. While the raid also has some unbelievably weak choices, Apex Predator is near the top of the PvE meta right now, and Nation of Beasts is a solid choice as well.
Some may dislike it for its length or high mechanical complexity, but we’re of the belief that Last Wish is one of the best activities Bungie has ever released, only bested by one other raid.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Last Wish Loot table here.
1. Salvation’s Edge
What better raid to top this list than the one in which we finally beat The Witness?
Salvation’s Edge has it all. With more encounters than your average raid, the most unique mechanics Bungie has ever created, and a puzzle encounter so complex that it still confuses the community to this day, there’s very little to hate about this activity. Not to mention the music and environment, the latter of which feels as expansive as some patrol zones.
Of course, no raid is free from critique. The weapons from Salvation’s Edge are above average but have failed to capture endgame players’ attention. Plus, some people consider Verity (the raid’s fourth encounter) to be overly confusing, and the raid requires all players in the fireteam to be contributing to mechanics with the exception of an encounter or two. As a result, Salvation’s Edge may not be the best choice for your first raid experience, nor is it a necessary activity to run if you’re only looking for top-tier loot.
Despite these small criticisms, we believe Salvation’s Edge is easily the best raid Destiny 2 offers. With five outstanding encounters that culminate in fighting The Witness itself, this activity is a hard one to hate.
💠 You can find the definitive Destiny 2 Salvation’s Edge Loot table here.
How to do Raids in Destiny 2?
There are several raids of varying difficulty that you can tackle to get great loot. But how does one do a raid? To help you out getting started, here are some tips from an experienced raid sherpa!
Find the right team: You need a total of 6 people to do a raid, so either ask your clan, use LFG, or use the Bungie app to find fellow players who also want to do the raid of your choosing. Be sure to say that you want to learn how to do the raid or that it’s your first time so people can explain the mechanics to you if needed.
Learn the basics beforehand: Try and understand the mechanics beforehand. Several awesome YouTubers make quality guides covering the basic mechanics for each raid. It will make the whole raid go smoother if you have an idea of what to expect.
Bring a variety of weapons: Each raid has at least 2 boss fights (Most have 2 or more) as well as parts where players need to kill lots of enemies. So bring high DPS weapons, such as Gjallarhorn or Izanagi’s Burden, and a variety of Supers, i.e. (1 Well of Radiance, 1 Ward of Dawn, 1 Thundercrash, 2 Mobius Quiver, 1 Nova Bomb)
Remember to have fun! This is seriously the most important part. Raids are supposed to be fun but challenging content you do with friends. There is no better feeling than beating a boss for the first time with your friends and everyone having a good time.
Do the dungeons: Last but not least, it is worth learning to do dungeons first. They are generally easier and require only 3 players. Prophecy is an excellent entry point and is free to play!
Before you go…
Dungeons are an excellent step between Nightfalls and raids while also giving you unique loot and experiences. Be sure to check out our complete guide on Dungeons!
The Kingfall raid is missing from your season 20 rotation.
Absolutely right, forgot to add it to the rotation with the release of Root of Nightmares. Thanks for the heads yup 👍
Excellent info… thank you… only thing, you have King’s Fall listed twice with two different difficulty rankings in the section “Destiny 2 Raids ranked by difficulty in 2024”
Indeed! That’s my bad. Left the old entry while updating the guide. Corrected now, thank you for the heads up!
It’s June 22, the featured raid should be Deep Stone Crypt according to the list?
The list also says “Season of the Wish (S23)” but it’s Season 24 right now…
I do believe that Salvation’s Edge is missing from the rankings, also, it’s currently S24 rather than Season of the Wish (S23).
Great insights on the upcoming raids! I’m especially excited about the new mechanics they hinted at. Can’t wait to see how the rewards will change the meta!