Wondering how to pick encounters in the new Destiny 2 Desert Perpetual raid? Here’s a simple guide explaining the non-linear raid system, how to select your starting encounter, and unlock the final boss.
The Desert Perpetual raid is finally live in Destiny 2. This brand-new raid drops as part of the Edge of Fate expansion and is themed around the Vex and the Nine. As always, there’s a whole set of exclusive loot to unlock, including brand new raid weapons, a new exclusive raid exotic weapon, and a full set of armor for each class.
But what really sets this raid apart from previous raids and dungeons is the way you actually progress through the encounters. It isn’t just a straight line anymore. This time around, Bungie has mixed things up in a way that’s actually pretty refreshing for raid veterans.
How Destiny 2 Desert Perpetual Raid Encounters Work
In older Destiny 2 raids, you were pretty much locked into a set order: complete the first encounter, then move to the second, then third, and so on, all the way to the final boss. Desert Perpetual does things differently.
Here, you get to pick which raid encounter you want to start with. Think of it as a non-linear path, where you and your fireteam have control over the order of the first three main boss fights. Only after finishing all three can you unlock the final boss.
Now, let’s talk about how you can choose the specific encounters in the raid.
How to Choose Encounters in Desert Perpetual
After you load into Desert Perpetual, you’ll spawn facing a wide, open area with a central platform ahead of you. Off to the left, you’ll spot a dark purple, tilted tower; this is your first destination. To get there, cross the bridge-like pathway. You do need to watch out, because there are plenty of Vex enemies waiting for you on the middle platform, but you can ignore most of them if you want.
Once you reach the central platform, make your way inside the purple tower. Inside, there’s an elevator that will take you straight to the top. When you arrive, you’ll see four different nodes. Three of these are small plates with glowing Nine symbols, and they’re all unlocked and ready for you to interact with. The fourth node will be locked at first and only becomes available after you complete the first three encounters.
Each of these unlocked platforms represents a different raid encounter. When you interact with one, a bunch of small orbs will stop revolving and point toward the direction you’ll need to go for that specific encounter.
All you have to do is follow the path indicated. Expect more enemies along the way, as you move to the encounter, opening the door.
Once there, you’ll need to interact with the closed door, and it will open it and you can move forward to that encounter.
When you get close to the three plates, each one will display the following text:
- “All are entangled”
- “Interference patterns swell”
- “Axion is axoim”
Once you’ve completed all three available encounters, the fourth platform (and the final boss fight) will unlock.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pick your encounter in Desert Perpetual raid:
- Load into the raid and make your way to the central platform with a purple tilted tower on the left.
- Enter the purple tower and use the elevator to reach the top.
- At the top, you’ll see four platforms; three are unlocked.
- Each unlocked platform represents a different encounter. Interact with the platform to select it.
- The orbs will point the way; follow the indicated direction to your chosen encounter.
- Complete the encounter, then return to choose another.
- After finishing all three, the fourth platform unlocks, letting you face the final boss.
That’s it for this guide. If you want to see the full list of weapons, armor, and exclusive rewards from the Desert Perpetual raid, you can check out the complete loot table here.
