What Is the Easiest Destiny 2 Dungeon? A Veteran Guardian’s Guide
The burning question on every Guardian’s mind, especially those new to tackling Destiny 2’s challenging endgame content, is this: Which dungeon is the easiest? After countless hours spent soloing, duoing, and fireteaming through every available dungeon, I can definitively say that Shattered Throne generally reigns supreme as the easiest dungeon in Destiny 2.
But, “easiest” is a relative term. While Shattered Throne may be less mechanically demanding than some of its contemporaries, understanding why it’s considered easier and how to approach it for a successful run is crucial. Let’s dive deep into the factors that contribute to Shattered Throne’s accessibility and how it compares to other dungeons in the game.
Why Shattered Throne Claims the Throne
Several key factors contribute to Shattered Throne’s reputation as the most manageable dungeon:
- Straightforward Mechanics: The mechanics in Shattered Throne are relatively simple to grasp. You’re primarily dealing with defeating specific enemies (taken knights, wizards, and vandals) to trigger buffs and open doors. There are no complex puzzles or intricate timing requirements that plague other dungeons like Duality or Spire of the Watcher.
- Generous Cover: Most encounters in Shattered Throne offer ample cover, allowing you to strategically engage enemies and manage your health. This is particularly beneficial for solo players or those still learning the ropes.
- Manageable Enemy Density: While enemies are plentiful, the overall density isn’t overwhelming compared to dungeons like Pit of Heresy or Grasp of Avarice. This gives you more breathing room to pick off enemies and reposition as needed.
- Less Punishing Mechanics: Failing a mechanic in Shattered Throne rarely results in an instant wipe. This allows for more forgiveness and learning opportunities, making it less stressful than dungeons where a single mistake can doom the entire fireteam.
- Lower Power Level Requirement: While all endgame content benefits from being at or above the recommended power level, Shattered Throne’s relatively lower requirement compared to newer dungeons means you can be successful even with a slightly under-leveled character.
A Deeper Dive Into Shattered Throne’s Encounters
To better understand its relative ease, let’s briefly break down the core encounters within Shattered Throne:
- Opening Encounter (The Descent): Navigating the winding paths and defeating Taken enemies to unlock the first door. This section is largely about awareness and efficient enemy clear.
- Vorgeth, the Boundless Hunger: This encounter involves collecting the “keepers of tribute” buff by killing taken wizards and depositing it at altars to weaken Vorgeth. While it requires coordination and strategy, the mechanics are easy to understand.
- Thrallway: A long corridor filled with seemingly endless waves of Thrall. This section is more of a test of endurance and resource management than complex mechanics. Bring weapons with strong add-clear capabilities.
- Dul Incaru, the Eternal Return: The final boss fight involves defeating taken knights with specific buffs to damage Dul Incaru. The core mechanic is straightforward, and with a solid strategy and good DPS, this fight is manageable even solo.
How Shattered Throne Stacks Up Against Other Dungeons
While Shattered Throne is generally considered the easiest, here’s how it compares to other dungeons in terms of difficulty:
- Pit of Heresy: Significantly harder than Shattered Throne due to its tight spaces, higher enemy density, and more punishing mechanics, particularly the Totems encounter.
- Grasp of Avarice: More mechanically involved than Shattered Throne, requiring the consistent collection of Engrams to avoid death. The Sparrow section and final boss fight can be challenging.
- Duality: Mechanically the most complex dungeon, requiring precise timing and coordination within the Nightmare realm. Definitely not recommended for beginners.
- Spire of the Watcher: Another mechanically demanding dungeon with a heavy focus on wire management and symbol recognition. Challenging even for experienced players.
- Ghosts of the Deep: High difficulty, especially for solo attempts, due to its intricate mechanics and punishing encounters.
- Prophecy: Often cited as a mid-tier difficulty dungeon. The cube mechanic can be confusing for new players.
Preparing for Your Shattered Throne Run
Regardless of its relative ease, proper preparation is key to a successful Shattered Throne run. Here are some tips:
- Power Level: Aim to be at or above the recommended power level for the dungeon (check the Destiny 2 website or in-game activity details).
- Weapon Loadout: Bring a mix of weapons for both add-clear and boss damage. A good loadout might include an auto rifle or SMG for clearing adds, a scout rifle or pulse rifle for mid-range engagements, and a linear fusion rifle or heavy grenade launcher for boss damage.
- Armor Mods: Equip armor mods that enhance your survivability, such as resistance mods and mods that generate orbs of power.
- Subclass: Choose a subclass that provides good survivability and damage output. Void Warlock (with Devour), Solar Titan (with Sunspots), and Void Hunter (with invisibility) are all excellent choices for soloing.
- Familiarize Yourself: Watch videos or read guides to understand the mechanics of each encounter before attempting the dungeon.
Don’t Neglect Destiny’s Learning Curve
Destiny 2, at its core, is a game that rewards patience and dedication. Whether you’re jumping into raids, dungeons, or exploring other aspects of the game, it is always essential to embrace the Games Learning Society model for effective and enjoyable learning. You can visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights.
Shattered Throne: A Gateway to Destiny 2 Dungeons
Ultimately, Shattered Throne serves as an excellent entry point into the world of Destiny 2 dungeons. Its simpler mechanics, manageable enemy density, and forgiving nature make it an ideal starting point for new players looking to experience this challenging and rewarding endgame content. Conquer Shattered Throne, and you’ll be well on your way to tackling even the most daunting dungeons Destiny 2 has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Destiny 2 Dungeons
1. What is a Destiny 2 Dungeon?
A Destiny 2 dungeon is a three-player endgame activity that features challenging encounters, intricate mechanics, and rewarding loot. They are generally more complex than Strikes but less demanding than Raids.
2. Can Destiny 2 Dungeons be soloed?
Yes, most Destiny 2 dungeons can be soloed, although it requires a high level of skill, appropriate gear, and a deep understanding of the mechanics.
3. Which Dungeon is the Hardest to Solo Flawless?
Ghosts of the Deep is widely considered the most difficult dungeon to solo flawless due to its complex mechanics and punishing encounters.
4. What are the rewards for completing a Destiny 2 Dungeon?
Dungeons offer unique armor sets, weapons, and other cosmetic rewards. They also provide powerful gear for leveling up. Some dungeons also have exotic weapons associated with them.
5. Do I need to own DLC to play Dungeons?
Most dungeons require ownership of specific DLC or dungeon keys purchased separately. Prophecy is the only dungeon currently available to all players for free.
6. What is the best class for soloing Dungeons?
There is no single “best” class, but Warlock (with Void Devour), Titan (with Solar Sunspots), and Hunter (with Void Invisibility) are all popular choices for soloing due to their survivability and damage output.
7. How long does it take to complete a Dungeon?
The length of time it takes to complete a dungeon varies depending on the dungeon, your skill level, and your fireteam’s composition. Shattered Throne can typically be completed in 1-2 hours, while more complex dungeons can take longer.
8. What is the Power Level requirement for Dungeons?
The recommended Power Level for Dungeons varies, but it’s generally a good idea to be at or above the recommended level to ensure you can deal sufficient damage and survive enemy attacks.
9. Are Dungeons easier than Raids?
Yes, Dungeons are generally easier than Raids, as they are designed for three players and have less complex mechanics. Raids require six players and demand a higher level of coordination and communication.
10. What is the best way to learn a new Dungeon?
Watch videos or read guides to understand the mechanics of each encounter. Practice the encounters with a fireteam before attempting a solo run.
11. Can I use Guided Games for Dungeons?
No, Guided Games are not available for Dungeons. You will need to find a fireteam through other means, such as the Destiny 2 LFG (Looking For Group) system.
12. Do Dungeons have checkpoints?
Yes, Dungeons have checkpoints that allow you to resume your progress if you need to take a break or if your fireteam wipes.
13. What are some good weapons for Dungeons?
Good weapons for Dungeons include weapons with strong add-clear capabilities (auto rifles, SMGs), weapons for mid-range engagements (scout rifles, pulse rifles), and weapons for boss damage (linear fusion rifles, heavy grenade launchers).
14. Are Dungeon triumphs worth pursuing?
Yes, Dungeon triumphs offer a sense of accomplishment and can reward you with unique emblems and other cosmetic items. They also contribute to your overall Guardian Rank.
15. What is the best strategy for the Dul Incaru fight in Shattered Throne?
Focus on quickly defeating the knights with the appropriate buffs to weaken Dul Incaru. Coordinate your damage output with your fireteam to maximize your DPS window. Use cover to avoid her attacks.