Destiny 2: Strike guides – a list of every Strike, how to unlock them and more
Our growing hub page for all of our Destiny 2 Strike guides and walkthroughs.
On this page you’ll find all of our Destiny 2 Strike guides, with tips and strategy advice for completing each one.
Strikes in Destiny are replayable PVE activities designed to be tackled by a fireteam of one to three players, and they feature a series of objectives that culminate in a battle against an Ultra enemy or boss. They’re far tougher than your regular missions though, as they feature a number of challenges that progress in difficulty, throwing multiple bosses in your way too.
All of the Strikes in Destiny begin in a public area, but once you and your team enter it becomes a private “instanced” affair that no one else can interrupt. Easier Strikes can normally be beaten in around twenty minutes, while the toughest can take up to an hour to complete.
Why bother tackling them? Loot of course! Successfully fighting your way through a Strike will net you shiny new gear to don and a bunch of Vanguard Tokens you can cash in to Zavala at the Tower.
Bungie has also made sure to add even more replayability to these Strikes by adding in a Weekly Reset, where a new Nightfall version will become available for people to get stuck into. These tougher versions of Strikes are played at high Power Levels and feature modifiers that drastically alter the way they play out. Although they’re tough as nails, you’ll want to take them on for the Powerful Gear rewards they offer.
(If you want to be the best at every area of the game, don’t forget to bookmark our PVP, Strike and Subclass guide pages – they’ve got everything you need if you want to get more out of Destiny 2, and will be continuously updated in the weeks ahead.)
UPDATE #5: Towards the top of this page we’ve introduced a section which focuses on the Curse of Osiris Strikes and links to our complete walkthroughs for each one. We’ll continue to update this page as things change over the coming months so stay tuned for all the latest!
Destiny 2: Strikes Overview
Before we move onto a brief look at each Strike in the game, here’s a few key points to take note of.
- Strikes can be accessed through your Director.
- You’ll unlock normal mode Strikes at Level 12 and their recommended Power Level is 140. Simply make your way through the Campaign and you’ll unlock them automatically when you’re tasked with speaking to Zavala at the Farm.
- Nightfall Strikes become available at Power Level 240, but you’ll want to be at a higher level to make things more manageable.
- To begin a normal mode Strike, just go into your Director and select the Strike matchmaking playlist. This will automatically match you up with one or more players.
- If you’re looking to do the Nightfall Strike, you’ll have to be in a premade group of 3 players. Otherwise you can use the Guided Games feature to seek another player or match with a Clan.
- Currently there is no way of choosing which Strike you would like to tackle in normal matchmaking.
- Only one Nightfall Strike is available per weekly reset. It doesn’t apply to every Strike.
Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris Strikes
Destiny 2’s first DLC released on 5th December 2017 and brought with it a wave of content to the base game, including 2 brand new Strikes.
Both of these Strikes take place within the Infinite Forest on Mercury, meaning that they’re elaborate Vex simulations of a present and past world – intriguing.
The first of these Strikes is called Tree of Probabilities which takes place during Mercury’s present and simulates what would happen in the Cabal began warring with the Vex. It starts off with a jaunt through the Infinite Forest, moves onto a ride on the Sparrow and culminates in a lengthy fight with one of the toughest Cabal enemies yet.
The second Strike is called A Garden World and it’s easily one of the most jaw-dropping PVE activities in the game. It’s set in the past, when Mercury was largely lush with red fauna and swaying grass. You truly feel like you’re stepping into another world and this Strike manages to encompass sizzling action and stunning beauty just like the Pyramidion – if not better.
Destiny 2: Strikes
These are all the Strikes currently playable in Destiny 2.
Exodus Crash
Featuring one of the trickiest boss encounters in the game, Exodus Crash is home to Fallen Captain Thaviks the Departed. It’s quite the journey getting to him too. You’ll have to face off against a Fallen Walker, survive against Servitors and defeat mobs in the darkness. For more information on how to beat this Strike, check out our Exodus Crash guide.
The Inverted Spire
Back during Destiny 2’s open beta days, this was the first Strike showcased by Bungie. What sets it apart from every other Strike is the amount of platforming you’ll have to do, especially when you reach its signature feature – the dreaded dig site. Guardians need to make their way to the boss room by dodging enormous rotating drills and it’s quite a nerve-wracker. If you’re after a comprehensive guide on how to beat each stage of this Strike, make sure you take a look at our The Inverted Spire guide.
The Pyramidion
Easily our favourite Strike currently in the game, The Pyramidion is a brilliant mixture of precarious platforming and chaotic fights as you descend towards a fabled Vex lake. Visually, there’s a pretty breathtaking moment where the Strike opens out into a complex array of endless Vex structures. Our Pyramidion guide is well worth a look if you’re after an in depth walkthrough on how to beat this Strike without so much as a scratch.
Savathun’s Song
Deep in the heart of the Solarium lies a huge Hive Shrieker called the Dark Heart. To get there you’ll have to navigate through an abundance of Hive infested corridors and a small network of caves. Expect to be rushed down by Hive Thralls every few seconds and come up against fearsome Hive Ogres as well – it’s far from the most pleasant Strikes. To help you out we’ve put together a Savathun’s Song guide so you can complete it with no trouble at all.
The Arms Dealer
For this Strike you’ll be infiltrating Bracus Zahn’s base of operations and – hopefully – dropping him on sight. It’s far from easy though as there’s a number of sections where you’ve got no choice but to get caught up in a major skirmish against a horde of Cabal enemies. Not to mention the two tanks as well! Here’s our definitive The Arms Dealer guide.
Lake of Shadows
A PS4 exclusive Strike that opens up to everyone in December, the Lake of Shadows takes place in the Taken riddled EDZ. You’ll be tasked with wiping out the Taken in their own backyard before winding your way through a network of murky tunnels, defeating a number of Taken mini-bosses and taking on a massive Phalanx called Grask. If you’re after strategies to beat each stage, our Lake of Shadows guide has got your back.
Destiny 2: Nightfall Strikes
Each week a Strike is selected to undergo the Nightfall treatment. It’s hit with a couple of modifiers that alter the way things play out, as well as being placed under a time limit.
In order to access Nightfall Strikes, you’ll have to be at a Power Level of 240 + and already in a fireteam. There’s good reason for these limitations too, as they’re far from easy. Normally they’ll take one or two tries to get used to the modifiers, the tougher enemies and most importantly – saving time on the clock.
In our opinion, these Nightfall Strikes are some of the most challenging, enjoyable aspects of Destiny 2, so we’d encourage you to get stuck in! For those of you who relish a challenge, make sure you check out our Nightfall Strike guide for everything you need to know about this tough-as-nails weekly challenge.
Destiny 2: Strike rewards
Completing Strikes or Nightfall Strikes rewards you with Vanguard Tokens and a certain amount of Glimmer. Below we’ve broken down what rewards you’ll earn for each activity.
- Completing a normal Strike will net you: 5 Vanguard Tokens, Glimmer and the chance to receive a Rare, Legendary or Exotic Engram.
- Completing a Nightfall Strike wil reward you with: 8 Vanguard Tokens, Glimmer and a higher chance of receiving a Legendary or Exotic Engram.
- Vanguard Tokens can be exchanged with Commander Zavala. Build up enough reputation and you’ll earn a Vanguard Engram which contains Vanguard gear.
- Complete the weekly Nightfall Strike and you’ll be rewarded with a Luminous Vanguard Engram which contains some seriously powerful gear.
- Some of the Vanguard weaponry is well worth getting your hands on, especially the Nameless Midnight Scout Rifle and Origin Story Auto Rifle.
