Looking for that perfect challenge between quick strikes and time-intensive raids?
Destiny 2 dungeons fill that sweet spot with intense three-player missions that reward skill without demanding hours of your time.
These challenging activities test coordination, mechanics knowledge, and combat skill while providing exclusive loot and progression opportunities.
Unlike matchmade strikes, dungeons require pre-formed fireteams and feature complex encounter designs that demand communication and strategy.
For players seeking endgame content without committing to six-player raids, dungeons deliver satisfying challenges with rotating weekly rewards, powerful gear drops, and unique exotic weapons.
This blog covers every dungeon available in Destiny 2, from the Dreaming City’s Shattered Throne to the latest additions, helping you understand what makes each one unique.
What Are Destiny 2 Dungeons?
Dungeons are three-player endgame activities built around complex mechanics and tough combat.
Each one has multiple boss fights connected by puzzle sections or platforming areas, and while you can complete them without voice chat, communication makes things much easier.
They’re harder than Nightfall strikes but easier than raids, perfect for small fireteams wanting a real challenge.
The best part is that dungeons don’t take as long as raids, usually requiring 30-60 minutes per run once you know the mechanics.
Dungeons offer weekly pinnacle rewards and stay relevant through seasonal updates, with each one dropping unique armor sets and weapons that match its theme and story.
Every week, one dungeon becomes the featured activity with better drop rates, giving you reasons to return even after your first completion.
List of All Destiny 2 Dungeons
Destiny 2 now has multiple dungeons, each with its own setting, challenges, and rewards. Here’s every dungeon currently available with its key features and locations.
1. Shattered Throne
The first dungeon introduced to Destiny 2, Shattered Throne, brings a dark, corrupted aesthetic filled with Taken enemies and platforming challenges.
This activity introduced the three-player dungeon format and remains a fan favorite for its atmospheric design and meaningful loot pool.
The final encounter against Dûl Incaru tests both mechanical understanding and damage optimization, requiring players to manage powerful buffs while avoiding overwhelming enemy pressure.
Shattered Throne established the template for future dungeons with its blend of combat, puzzles, and boss mechanics.
Release date: September 2018
Location: The Dreaming City
2. Pit of Heresy
Set deep within the Hive-infested Moon, Pit of Heresy emphasizes strategic loadout choices and encounter-specific mechanics.
Players face unique totem puzzles, platforming sections through dark chasms, and a final boss requiring coordinated orb dunking and sword damage phases.
The dungeon rewards the Premonition pulse rifle and features rotating armor drops from the Moon-themed gear set.
Its oppressive atmosphere and Hive mythology create memorable moments throughout each run, with the descent into deeper lunar chambers building tension effectively.
Release date: October 2019
Location: Moon
3. Prophecy
Prophecy stands out for its striking visual design featuring light and dark realms with geometric architecture.
The dungeon’s mote collection mechanics and Kell Echo boss fight require precise coordination and spatial awareness.
Free to all players regardless of expansion ownership, Prophecy offers accessible endgame content with desirable weapons like Darkest Before and The Long Walk.
The cube boss encounter and ribbon road platforming sections test different skill sets, making this one of the most mechanically varied dungeons available.
Release date: June 2020
Location: The Nine’s Realm
4. Grasp of Avarice
Celebrating Destiny’s 30th Anniversary, Grasp of Avarice brings pirate-themed Fallen enemies and treasure-hunting mechanics to the forefront.
The dungeon’s unique burden mechanic requires passing debuffs between teammates while managing aggressive enemy spawns through trap-filled caves.
Exotic rewards include the Gjallarhorn rocket launcher quest completion and Eyasluna hand cannon farming.
The final Fallen shield servitor encounter combines add management with damage phase coordination, testing fireteam communication under pressure while maintaining the lighthearted treasure-hunting theme.
Release date: December 2021
Location: Cosmodrome
5. Duality
Duality introduces reality-shifting mechanics between Calus’s mindscape and nightmare realm, requiring quick transitions and spatial awareness.
The bell-ringing system controls realm swapping, adding time pressure to encounter completion while managing Standard Bearer targets and damage phases.
Loot includes the Stormchaser linear fusion rifle and fixed-roll armor pieces.
The final Caiatl nightmare encounter demands precise timing and coordination, with teams alternating between realms to progress damage phases while avoiding instant-death mechanics from missed bell timings.
Release date: May 2022
Location: Derelict Leviathan
6. Spire of the Watcher
Set within a desert facility on Mars, Spire of the Watcher combines Vex and Cabal enemies with electrical conductor mechanics.
The dungeon features ascending tower sections with platforming challenges and the unique arc charge passing system for damage phases.
The Persys boss requires coordinated conductor activation while managing enemy pressure from multiple angles.
Weapon rewards include the Hierarchy of Needs exotic bow and various precision-focused legendary weapons.
The vertical design and electrical puzzle elements create distinct pacing compared to other dungeons.
Release date: December 2022
Location: Mars
7. Ghosts of the Deep
Taking place in the methane seas of Titan, Ghosts of the Deep delivers an underwater horror atmosphere with Hive and Lucent Brood enemies.
The dungeon features unique mechanics involving light and dark symbols, ritual plate activations, and the Simmumah boss fight requiring precise coordination.
Players collect ritual items while managing aggressive Hive forces in tight underwater spaces.
The final encounter combines symbol callouts with damage phases and adds control, testing communication skills.
The haunting underwater setting and Lucent Hive presence create memorable tension throughout.
Release date: May 2023
Location: Titan
8. Warlord’s Ruin
Set in a frozen mountain fortress, Warlord’s Ruin introduces Scorn enemies and the unique Corrupted Puppeteer mechanics.
The dungeon features trap-filled castle segments with platforming challenges and the imprisoned Naeem boss fight.
Players must manage tainted essence buffs while coordinating damage phases against tanky bosses with immunity mechanics.
The medieval castle aesthetic combined with frozen Scorn enemies creates atmospheric contrast.
Loot includes the Dragon’s Breath exotic rocket launcher and Iron Banner-themed weapons with enhanced perks.
Release date: December 2023
Location: EDZ
9. Vesper’s Host
Located within the Deep Stone Crypt station, Vesper’s Host combines Fallen and Vex enemies with nuclear core mechanics.
The dungeon features the contamination debuff system, requiring teammate cleansing and coordinated nuclear deposit timing.
The Raneiks’ boss demands precise execution while managing radiation stacks and damage windows.
Weapon rewards include the Ice Breaker exotic sniper rifle return and station-themed legendary gear.
The industrial space station setting and radiation mechanics create unique pressure points, testing fireteam coordination under timed constraints.
Release date: October 2024
Location: Deep Stone Crypt Station
10. Sundered Doctrine
Featuring Hive forces within a twisted cathedral space, Sundered Doctrine emphasizes relic mechanics and coordinated assault phases.
Players move through corrupted worship halls while managing powerful relic weapons needed for boss damage.
The Doctrine Keeper final boss requires alternating relic carriers and damage phase timing while surviving intense enemy waves.
The gothic architecture and religious imagery create an oppressive atmosphere throughout the experience.
This dungeon rewards weapons focused on crowd control and add management, fitting its wave-based encounter design.
Release date: February 2025
Location: Ascendant Plane
11. Equilibrium
The most recent addition balances Vex and Taken forces within a reality-bending nexus point.
Equilibrium features unique mechanics requiring simultaneous actions in parallel dimensions with synchronized timing between fireteam members.
The Axis Mind boss combines Vex precision targeting with Taken blight mechanics for complex damage phases.
Players must maintain balance between light and dark forces while progressing through geometrically impossible spaces.
The dungeon rewards include weapons with dual-element capabilities and armor sets featuring enhanced regeneration perks, making it valuable for endgame buildcrafting.
Release date: December 13, 2025 (Unreleased)
Location: Vex Nexus
How to Unlock Dungeons in Destiny 2?
Most Destiny 2 dungeons require specific expansion ownership or dungeon key purchases from the Eververse store for access.
Players should verify power level requirements before attempting, as most dungeons recommend being at or near current seasonal caps.
Checkpoint systems allow fireteams to resume progress from the last completed encounter, though these reset weekly with the Tuesday reset.
Dungeons do not feature matchmaking, requiring pre-formed fireteams through in-game LFG, clan recruitment, or external platforms for group formation.
Tips for First-Time Dungeon Players
Getting ready for your first dungeon run. These practical tips will help you prepare properly and avoid common mistakes that trip up new players.
- Bring champion mods: Equip the right mods on your weapons to stun and defeat champion enemies efficiently.
- Communicate constantly: Call out mechanics, enemy positions, and when you need help to avoid team wipes.
- Don’t rush encounters: Learn the mechanics first before going for damage phases to prevent repeated failures.
- Save checkpoint progress: Return to checkpoints later with different loadouts if you’re struggling on a specific encounter.
- Watch encounter guides: Video guides help clarify complex mechanics and spatial puzzles better than text alone.
- Experiment with loadouts: Try different weapons and subclasses since each encounter favors specific builds.
Conclusion
Mastering Destiny 2 dungeons takes practice, but the exclusive loot and exotic weapons make every run count.
Start with beginner-friendly options like Shattered Throne or Prophecy to learn the basics, then work your way up to tougher challenges like Warlord’s Ruin or Vesper’s Host.
The weekly rotation keeps rewards fresh, and completing these activities builds the skills needed for raids.
Plus, the exotic weapons you earn give you serious advantages in all endgame content.
Remember to equip champion mods, communicate with your team, and don’t get discouraged by early wipes, every failed attempt teaches you something new.
Got a favorite dungeon or struggling with a specific boss?
Drop your questions below and help fellow Guardians tackle these challenges together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Destiny 2 Dungeons Be Done Solo?
Yes. Many players complete them solo, but it requires strong gear, precise mechanics, and careful planning for each encounter.
What’s the Easiest Dungeon in Destiny 2?
Prophecy is often considered the easiest due to clear mechanics and flexible loadouts, making it more accessible for newer dungeon players.
Is There a Free Dungeon in Destiny 2?
Yes. Prophecy is free for all players and available in the Legends tab without needing expansions or a dungeon key.
