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Can You Save Mid-Dungeon in Destiny 2? A Guardian’s Guide

Yes and no. Let’s be clear: Destiny 2 dungeons do not allow you to manually save your progress mid-encounter. However, the game utilizes a checkpoint system. This means the game automatically saves your progress at certain points within the dungeon. If you wipe (die as a team) or need to leave, you will generally resume at the last checkpoint reached, not back at the very beginning of the dungeon. But understand, these checkpoints are not persistent across characters and reset weekly.

Understanding Destiny 2 Dungeon Checkpoints

The checkpoint system in Destiny 2 dungeons is a crucial element for tackling these challenging pieces of content. It’s designed to balance accessibility with the inherent difficulty. Checkpoints are typically granted after completing a major encounter or reaching a significant point within the dungeon. They offer a safety net, allowing players to return to a reasonable point if they are interrupted or face defeat. Knowing how the checkpoint system functions is essential for planning your dungeon runs effectively. It can save you a lot of time and frustration.

What Triggers a Checkpoint?

Checkpoints are awarded automatically upon reaching the following:

Completing an Encounter: Finishing a major fight, puzzle, or challenge in the dungeon will almost always grant a checkpoint. This is the most reliable way to secure your progress.
Reaching a New Area: Sometimes, simply progressing to a new zone or section within the dungeon will trigger a checkpoint. These checkpoints are often less reliable than encounter checkpoints, but they can still be helpful.
Joining a Fireteam in Progress: If you join a friend who is already partway through a dungeon, you’ll generally start at their current checkpoint.

Limitations of the Checkpoint System

While the checkpoint system is generous, it has limitations:

Weekly Reset: All dungeon checkpoints reset with the weekly reset (Tuesdays at 10 AM PST). Any progress you’ve made will be wiped, and you’ll need to start from the beginning again.
Character Specific: Checkpoints are tied to the specific character you used to earn them. If you switch characters, you won’t have the same checkpoint. This can be tricky if you’re trying to help friends get through certain sections on different characters.
Fireteam Dependency: If you leave a fireteam, the checkpoint remains with the fireteam leader. If you want to retain the checkpoint, you will have to be the fireteam leader when you leave the activity.
No Manual Saving: You cannot manually save your progress at any point. Rely on the automatic checkpoints.

How to Leverage Checkpoints Effectively

Given these limitations, here’s how to make the most of the checkpoint system:

Plan Your Runs: Consider the time commitment involved in completing a dungeon and plan accordingly. If you don’t have enough time to finish it in one sitting, try to reach a major encounter to secure a checkpoint before logging off.
Communicate with Your Fireteam: Before starting a dungeon, discuss whether everyone has enough time to complete it. If someone needs to leave early, try to help them get to a checkpoint that they can return to later.
Use Checkpoint Sharing for Alt Characters: If you want to get the rewards from a specific encounter on multiple characters, you can use a checkpoint-sharing trick. Get to the desired encounter on one character, then have your friend log into the character that needs the checkpoint. Your friend then invites your first character to the fireteam, and once they join, the player with the checkpoint will leave the fireteam allowing the character that needs the checkpoint to stay there.
Understand Encounter Mechanics: Knowing the encounters inside and out allows you to progress faster, securing those precious checkpoints. This is especially important if you are trying to solo the content!

Destiny 2 Dungeons: A Deeper Dive

Destiny 2 dungeons are challenging, three-player activities that bridge the gap between Strikes and Raids. They offer unique mechanics, rewarding loot, and a test of skill for even the most seasoned Guardians. They are often solo-able (with enough dedication), unlike raids.

Soloing Dungeons: The Ultimate Challenge

Soloing a Destiny 2 dungeon is a feat that requires considerable skill, preparation, and patience. It’s a test of your ability to manage resources, execute mechanics flawlessly, and maintain composure under pressure.

Preparation is Key

Build Optimization: Craft a build that maximizes survivability and damage output. Consider your class, subclass, armor mods, and weapon choices carefully.
Weapon Selection: Choose weapons that are effective against a variety of enemy types. A good mix of damage, utility, and range is essential. The best choice here will be weapons that generate heavy ammo.
Armor Mods: Invest in armor mods that enhance your survivability, such as damage resistance mods, healing mods, and mods that improve ability cooldowns.
Patience and Perseverance: Soloing a dungeon can be a grueling process. Be prepared to die repeatedly and learn from your mistakes. Don’t give up!

Dungeon Difficulty and Rewards

Each dungeon in Destiny 2 offers a unique level of challenge and a distinctive set of rewards. Some dungeons are easier to solo than others, while some possess rewards that make the challenge worth the effort. Every dungeon deserves at least one playthrough.

Loot Pools: Each dungeon features a unique loot pool, including weapons, armor, and cosmetic items.
Exotic Weapons: Many dungeons have an associated exotic weapon that is highly sought after. These weapons are often powerful and have unique perks.
Pinnacle Gear: Completing dungeons rewards pinnacle gear, which is essential for leveling up your character.

Dungeons vs. Raids

Dungeons and raids both represent endgame content in Destiny 2, but there are key differences:

Fireteam Size: Dungeons are designed for three players, while raids require six.
Complexity: Raids are generally more complex than dungeons, with more intricate mechanics and coordination requirements.
Difficulty: Raids are typically more difficult than dungeons, especially when attempting them solo.

While raids often require teamwork and communication, dungeons can be approached with a more individualistic mindset, making them perfect for players who want to test their skills and push their limits. This allows for opportunities of deeper learning and engagement with the content. You can read more about the benefits of learning through games at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Saving Dungeon Progress in Destiny 2

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about saving dungeon progress in Destiny 2, designed to provide even more clarity:

Does dungeon progress reset weekly in Destiny 2? Yes, all dungeon checkpoints reset with the weekly reset every Tuesday.
Can I save a checkpoint on one character and then use it on another? No, checkpoints are character-specific.
What happens if I lose connection during a dungeon? You’ll likely return to the last checkpoint you reached, assuming you were in a fireteam that completed the encounter.
Can I manually reset my dungeon progress? Yes, when launching a dungeon, there’s an option to reset your checkpoint to the beginning.
Are some dungeons easier to solo than others? Absolutely. The Shattered Throne is often considered the easiest to solo.
Do dungeons have matchmaking? No, dungeons do not have matchmaking. You’ll need to form a fireteam with friends or use LFG (Looking For Group) resources.
Are dungeons harder than raids? Generally, no. Dungeons are less demanding than raids, though they still require skill and coordination. Raids are the most difficult type of activity in Destiny 2.
What’s the best class for soloing dungeons? This depends on your play style, but Warlocks are sometimes considered the hardest to be successful with. This is because survivability is often the most important aspect of solo dungeons.
Are there rewards for completing dungeons solo? Yes! You get all the standard loot drops, plus the satisfaction of the achievement. Some triumphs also exist to commemorate your success.
How long does it take to complete a dungeon? The time varies depending on the dungeon and your skill level, but expect to spend anywhere from 1 to 3 hours on your first run. Speedruns can cut these times drastically!
What power level do I need to be to attempt a dungeon? Check the activity details in the Director for the recommended power level. Being at or above this level is essential for survival.
Do dungeons rotate like raids? Yes, the system of dungeon rotation is the same as for raids: one new dungeon and one of the older ones rotates each week.
Can I rejoin a dungeon if my fireteam completes it without me? Yes, you can still rejoin your fireteam and receive rewards, as long as you have a checkpoint.
Does leaving and rejoining a dungeon affect my progress? If you’re the fireteam leader when you leave, the checkpoint will still be with your character.
Why are dungeons worth doing? Besides the challenge, dungeons offer unique loot pools and pinnacle gear, making them valuable for character progression. Unique cosmetic items and powerful weapons await!

Ultimately, mastering Destiny 2 dungeons is about understanding the game’s mechanics, building an effective loadout, and learning from your mistakes. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Good luck, Guardian!

Can you save mid dungeon Destiny 2?