Introduction
Raids represent the pinnacle of cooperative endgame content in Destiny 2, offering unique mechanics, challenging encounters, and highly sought-after rewards including powerful weapons, high-stat armor, and exclusive cosmetics. For dedicated players looking to acquire the best gear, mastering raid loot farming is essential. Efficient farming minimizes time investment while maximizing the acquisition of desired items, particularly god-roll weapons, high-stat armor sets, and the Spoils of Conquest currency needed for targeted purchases.
This guide provides a comprehensive strategy for optimizing raid loot farming in Destiny 2 (circa 2025). It covers the fundamental mechanics governing loot drops, sophisticated checkpoint management techniques, character swapping protocols for maximizing weekly rewards, Spoils of Conquest acquisition and spending strategies, and practical tips for avoiding common pitfalls. The focus remains squarely on maximizing efficiency and optimizing reward acquisition per hour invested.
Core Mechanics Explained
Understanding the underlying systems governing raid rewards is the first step toward efficient farming. Key mechanics include weekly lockouts, the Spoils of Conquest currency, and the acquisition of Deepsight (red border) weapons for crafting.
Raid Loot Lockouts & Farmability
Historically, Destiny 2 raids operated on a strict weekly lockout system. Players could earn new loot (weapons, armor) from each encounter and chest only once per character class per week. Progress and checkpoints would reset every Tuesday at 10 AM PDT (17:00 UTC). This meant a player with three characters (Titan, Warlock, Hunter) had exactly three chances at loot from any given non-farmable raid each week.
This makes the weekly rotator raid the primary target for farming specific legendary weapons, armor pieces, or the raid's unique Exotic weapon. Non-featured, older raids still adhere to the once-per-character weekly lockout for gear drops.
Spoils of Conquest System
Spoils of Conquest (SC) are a vital raid-exclusive currency introduced in Beyond Light. They are primarily earned by:
- Completing raid encounters: Typically awards 3 SC for older raids (Last Wish, Garden of Salvation, Deep Stone Crypt) and 5 SC for newer raids (Vault of Glass onwards) per encounter completion.
- Opening hidden raid chests: Usually award 5 SC per chest, limited to once per character per week.
Players can hold a maximum of 240 Spoils of Conquest in their inventory, with any excess earned being lost. Spoils can also accumulate in the Postmaster (up to 240 per character), effectively increasing the total holdable amount to 960 across three characters.
Red Border (Deepsight) Weapons
Deepsight Resonance weapons, identifiable by their red border, are essential for unlocking weapon crafting patterns at the Enclave. Acquiring five red border versions of a specific craftable raid weapon unlocks its pattern.
Sources for raid red borders include:
- Random Drops: Encounters and secret chests in raids with craftable weapons have a chance to drop red borders. This chance exists even on farmable runs of the weekly rotator raid. Drop rates can feel low and inconsistent.
- Guaranteed Puzzle Chests: Several raids (Vow of the Disciple, King's Fall, Root of Nightmares, Crota's End, Salvation's Edge) feature an optional puzzle or sequence throughout the raid. Completing this correctly spawns an extra chest at the end rewarding one guaranteed red border weapon per character per week.
- Weekly Vendor Purchase: The first weapon purchased from the final vendor chest (DSC onwards) or Hawthorne (LW/GoS/potentially VoG) using Spoils is typically a guaranteed red border, once per character per week.
- Raid-Specific Quests/Keys: Salvation's Edge offers an additional guaranteed red border weekly by completing the 12-player Excision mission with the Memory of the Witness Key obtained from the first raid clear of the week.
- Deepsight Harmonizers: Can be used on a non-red border, pattern-eligible raid weapon to convert it, costing 1 Harmonizer and 15 Spoils of Conquest. Harmonizers are limited, typically obtained from the Season Pass.
Bad Luck Protection
As of early 2025, there are no officially confirmed bad luck protection mechanics for increasing the drop rate of raid Exotic weapons or random red border drops based on the number of clears. While bad luck protection existed for some older raid exotics, it hasn't been confirmed for raids released since Deep Stone Crypt. Instead, Bungie introduced Triumph-based drop rate boosters for raid Exotics starting with Root of Nightmares, which have been retroactively added to older raids with random drop Exotics. Completing specific raid Triumphs provides a tangible, albeit unquantified, increase in the Exotic drop chance.
Checkpoint Management & Character Swapping
Efficient farming hinges on mastering checkpoint (CP) manipulation and character swapping. This allows players to bypass unwanted encounters and repeatedly farm specific bosses or chests.
Acquiring & Saving Checkpoints
- Saving: A checkpoint is automatically saved to your character upon reaching a specific encounter threshold, typically after completing the previous encounter. To ensure a boss CP is saved for farming, it's standard practice to start the encounter and intentionally wipe (all fireteam members die). This forces a respawn at the encounter's start, confirming the CP is locked to that character.
- Persistence: Checkpoints persist on a character until the weekly reset (Tuesday 10 AM PDT/17:00 UTC).
- Overwriting: A character can only hold one checkpoint per raid/dungeon at a time. Progressing further and reaching a later encounter's checkpoint will overwrite any earlier checkpoint held on that character.
- Resetting: To reset a character's checkpoint and start the raid fresh, you must select the raid icon in the Director and hold the corresponding button to reset before launching.
- Holding Over Reset: It's possible to preserve a checkpoint across the weekly reset. The character holding the CP must be inside the activity during the reset. After reset, another player joins them. The fireteam wipes, granting the joining player the CP.
Checkpoint Bots & LFG Etiquette
Checkpoint Bots are automated accounts run by the community that hold specific, popular raid or dungeon checkpoints (e.g., Shuro Chi for leveling, Atheon/Rhulk for exotic farming, Templar for chest access).
- Finding Bots: Websites like D2Checkpoint.com list active bots and their held CPs. Twitch channels (e.g., TravelersChosenTeam, LuckBot9) also host bots.
- Joining Bots: Use the in-game chat command /join BungieName#1234, replacing the name and number with the bot's details. Ensure your fireteam privacy is set to Public or Friends-Only if the bot is on your friends list.
The Character Swap Technique: Step-by-Step Encounter Farming
This is the core manual technique for efficiently farming a specific encounter for loot or Spoils without losing the checkpoint. It requires at least two characters on one account or coordination between players.
Setup: Player A holds the desired checkpoint on Character 1 (the "Holder").
Player A wants to farm loot/spoils on Character 2 (the "Farmer").
Players B through E are the rest of the fireteam.- Player A loads into the raid instance using Character 1 (Holder).
- Players B-E join Player A's fireteam.
- Player A launches the activity from the checkpoint.
- Crucial Timing: As soon as the ship loading animation begins (transitioning from hovering ships to flying towards the destination), Player A quickly opens the menu, navigates to the character selection screen, and chooses Character 2 (Farmer). Do not wait to land.
- Players B-E will load into the encounter instance.
- Player A (now logged in as Character 2) rejoins the fireteam, typically via the Roster tab by joining one of Players B-E.
- The fireteam should wipe once to ensure everyone, especially Player A on Character 2, has the checkpoint active for the current instance and can receive rewards. Rally the flag after respawning.
- Complete the encounter as normal. Player A (Farmer) receives loot or Spoils. Character 1 (Holder) did not complete the encounter and therefore retains the checkpoint.
- Immediately after loot drops, Player A selects "Switch Character" again and logs back into Character 1 (Holder).
- Players B-E can either wait in the completed encounter instance or return to orbit. Player A (Holder) loads the checkpoint again.
- Players B-E rejoin Player A (Holder). Repeat the process from Step 3.
- Use distinct emblems or shaders on Holder vs. Farmer characters so the team leader can quickly identify when Player A is back on the Holder character.
- The fireteam leader can join Player A directly from the Roster as soon as they appear online, automatically pulling the rest of the fireteam.
- Mastering the quick character swap during the loading screen is key to minimizing downtime between farming runs.
Targeted Encounter Farming Strategies
Choosing the right encounter to farm is critical for efficiency. This depends on your primary goal: farming Spoils of Conquest, targeting a specific weapon (especially red borders), acquiring a raid Exotic, or obtaining high-stat armor.
Identifying High-Yield Encounters
A "high-yield" encounter offers the best return on time invested, balancing clear speed, the value of its loot pool, and Spoils potential. The optimal choice varies weekly based on the rotator raid and current farming rules.
| Encounter (Raid) | Primary Farm Goal | Key Loot Drops | Est. Clear Time | Farmability Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witness (SE) | Spoils of Conquest | All SE Legendaries, Euphony Exotic, 5 SC/clear | 3-5 min | Always farmable for Spoils. Loot farmable on rotator week. |
| Atraks-1 (DSC) | Weapons (Heritage/Succession) | Heritage, Succession, Arms, Legs | < 2 min | Loot farmable on rotator week ONLY. No Spoils farm. |
| Nezarec (RoN) | Weapons, Exotic, Spoils | All RoN Legendaries, Conditional Finality, 5 SC/clear | < 5 min | Loot/Exotic farmable on rotator week. Spoils farmable when NOT rotator. |
| Kalli (LW) | Weapon Patterns | ALL Last Wish Legendaries | ~2 min | Loot farmable on rotator week ONLY. No Spoils farm. |
| Templar (VoG) | Weapons (Fatebringer) | Fatebringer, Vision of Confluence, Corrective Measure | < 5 min | Loot farmable on rotator week ONLY. No Spoils farm post-first clear. |
| Secret Chest Route | Spoils of Conquest | 5 SC per chest (weekly limit per char) | Variable | Always available (weekly lockout per char). Requires CPs. |
The choice depends heavily on the goal and the weekly rotation. Witness is currently the fastest repeatable Spoils farm. Atraks-1 is unparalleled for farming Heritage and Succession when DSC is featured. Kalli is the go-to for unlocking Last Wish patterns quickly during its rotation.
Weapon and Armor Specific Farming Methods
- Raid Exotics: Farm the final boss of the relevant raid only when it is the weekly rotator. Repeat clears on the same character grant chances at the exotic during this week. Complete associated Triumphs for that raid to increase the exotic drop chance.
- High-Stat Armor: Farm Master difficulty raids during weeks when the desired stat focus (e.g., Resilience, Discipline) is active. The active focus guarantees at least +16 in that stat. Equip a Ghost Armorer mod for a different desired stat. This significantly increases the chance of high-stat armor with spikes in both stats.
- Adept Weapons: Complete encounter challenges on Master difficulty when the raid is the weekly rotator. After obtaining an Adept weapon drop, you can purchase additional random rolls from the Master raid vendor chest for 25 Spoils of Conquest.
Time-Saving Techniques: Speed Strategies for Key Encounters
Maximizing loot per hour often involves employing optimized strategies, minor skips, or well-known "cheeses" for specific encounters.
A well-established strategy involves shooting three hidden blue orbs in the correct sequence before engaging the Templar. This prevents the "Marked for Negation" mechanic entirely, eliminating the need for the Relic cleanse and allowing damage to begin immediately. This is faster and notably enables Flawless Vault of Glass runs. Coordinated, high-damage loadouts can then achieve a one-phase kill before the Templar teleports or spawns Oracles.
This is the standard farming strategy. It requires multiple Arc Titans using the Thundercrash Super with the Cuirass of the Falling Star Exotic chest piece.
- Setup: Split the team (typically 4 up, 2 down initially). Downstairs players kill Servitors and send Operator buff up. Operator sends pods down. All players regroup in the space station, leaving one Servitor alive upstairs. Kill the last Servitor to start the encounter.
- Execution: Scanner identifies the correct (glowing) Atraks-1 clone. On a countdown, 3-4 Thundercrash Titans simultaneously hit the correct clone. This damage is usually enough to push Atraks-1 to the final stand phase. The remaining Titan(s) or other high-damage Supers/weapons finish the boss during final stand. This bypasses the Replication mechanic entirely.
Fast Nezarec farms rely on rapid execution of the Light/Dark node mechanic to minimize the number of wipe mechanic phases Nezarec performs. Two dedicated "runners" handle connecting the nodes quickly while the other four players manage adds and keep Nezarec's attention (Hatred mechanic). Using specific safe spots (like roots on the right side) for DPS can improve survivability. Consistent, high DPS (Izanagi/Rockets, Thunderlord/Divinity, etc.) during the damage phases ensures a quick one or two-phase kill.
A common strategy involves "pre-breaking" the buttons on the Witness's chest before the damage phase officially starts. This requires specific timing and positioning to damage the buttons early, effectively skipping a portion of the encounter's setup and allowing teams to proceed directly to the damage phase upon meeting the trigger condition. This significantly speeds up the encounter, making it the premier Spoils farm. Optimized DPS relies on weapons like Queenbreaker (especially with catalyst) or other meta options for a potential one-phase kill.
Advanced Three-Character Optimization
Leveraging three characters effectively throughout the week is the key to maximizing total rewards. This requires a structured approach balancing guaranteed drops with targeted farming.
The Optimal Weekly Farming Loop
This schedule prioritizes guaranteed rewards first, then allocates remaining time to targeted farming based on needs.
- Post-Reset Priorities (Complete on all 3 Characters):
- Newest Raid: Complete one full run per character for Pinnacle gear, raid Exotic chance, and weekly Key. Complete Red Border Puzzle for guaranteed Deepsight.
- Weekly Rotator Raid: Complete one full run per character for Pinnacle gear and Exotic chance. Complete Red Border Puzzle if applicable.
- Guaranteed Red Border Sources: Visit Hawthorne for LW/GoS quests, purchase first weapon from raid vendors (guaranteed red border).
- Targeted Farming (Focused Goal):
- Identify Priority: Determine most needed items (weapon patterns, raid Exotic, Spoils, Master armor).
- If Rotator Raid Loot Needed: Use Character Swap Technique on most efficient encounter.
- If Spoils Needed: Farm Witness (SE) for high intensity or run Secret Chest routes for low intensity.
- If Master Armor Needed: Wait for desired raid/stat focus rotation, farm Spoils beforehand.
- Fill Gaps & Prep for Next Week:
- Use accumulated Spoils for remaining red border purchases.
- Use Deepsight Harmonizers on needed patterns (15 SC cost).
- Organize inventory using DIM, prepare loadouts for next week.
Cross-Character Checkpoint Management Workflow
For dedicated farming teams or players consistently farming the same encounter, managing checkpoints across characters is key to minimizing downtime.
- Designate Holders: Assign one character per account (e.g., your Titan) to hold the desired checkpoint for a specific raid. This character's primary role is to load the instance; they should ideally not complete the encounter to preserve the CP.
- Use Alts for Farming: The other two characters are the "Farmers," used to join the instance via the Holder and complete the encounter for rewards.
- Team Efficiency: In a dedicated team, multiple players can hold the same CP on different characters. As soon as one run finishes, the next designated Holder can immediately launch the activity while the previous Farmer swaps back to their Holder character. This creates a near-seamless loop with minimal time spent in orbit.
Essential Inventory Management with DIM
Destiny Item Manager (DIM) is not just a convenience; it's an essential tool for efficient multi-character raid farming. It drastically reduces time spent managing gear compared to in-game menus.
- Loadout Builder: Create and save specific loadouts for each farming encounter and character class. Equip entire sets with a single click. Pre-build and save loadouts for all target farm encounters before starting your farming session.
- Item Transfer: Instantly move items between characters and vault without visiting the Tower.
- Search and Filtering: Find gear quickly. Examples: is:raid is:redborder, stat:resilience:>=20, is:dupelower
- Max Power Equip: Automatically equips highest Power level gear, useful before receiving Pinnacle drops.
- Farming Mode: Automatically moves newly acquired items to vault, keeping character inventory clear.
Preparation and Pitfall Avoidance
Success in raid farming isn't just about knowing mechanics; it's about consistent execution fueled by proper preparation and avoiding common mistakes.
Essential Loadouts and Mods for Farm Efficiency
While specific meta loadouts change, the principles remain consistent. Always have optimized loadouts ready for common raid roles: add clear, major/champion takedown, and boss DPS.
LFG Best Practices for Farming Groups
Using Looking For Group (LFG) tools effectively is vital for finding competent and efficient farming teams.
- Clarity in Posts: Be extremely specific. Use standard acronyms. Examples: "LF5M Atraks-1 CP Farm KWTD - TCrash Titans Pref", "VoG Templar Farm - Chill Red Borders, Mic Req"
- Honesty & Expectations: Accurately represent your experience. If you don't know the specific farming strategy, don't join a KWTD group.
- Preparation: Join the fireteam ready to start. Have DIM open to quickly equip required loadouts.
- Communication: If a mic is required, use it. Make clear, concise callouts relevant to the encounter.
- Respect & Patience: Farming involves repetition and potential mistakes. Be patient, especially in non-KWTD groups.
Common Farming Inefficiencies and How to Avoid Them
- Poor Preparation: Joining without meta weapons/mods
- Inefficient Checkpoint Management: Fumbling character swaps, losing the CP holder
- Slow Transitions/Setup: Excessive time spent in orbit, forgetting Reserve mod swaps
- Suboptimal DPS/Execution: Using outdated weapons, incorrect buff/debuff application
- LFG Mismatches: Joining groups with misaligned goals
- Inventory Clutter: Full inventory preventing loot pickups
- Ignoring Guaranteed Sources: Spending hours on RNG while neglecting weekly guarantees
- Not Using Rally Banners: Starting attempts without full Super/ammo
- Use DIM loadouts, read LFG requirements carefully
- Practice character swap timing, utilize bots for quick acquisition
- Optimize swap process, establish clear pre-rally routine
- Research current meta DPS strategies, assign specific roles
- Vet LFG posts thoroughly, communicate expectations clearly
- Regularly clear inventory using DIM filters and Farming Mode
- Integrate guaranteed sources into weekly loop first
- Always use a Raid Banner before each attempt
Overlooked Time-Saving Tips
- DIM Loadouts: The single biggest time-saver. One-click swaps for rally (reserves), encounter roles, and DPS phases.
- Rally Banner Placement: Position banners for immediate access after wiping/respawning to minimize run-back time.
- Optimized Movement: Utilize Eager Edge swords, Strand Grapple, Well/Shatter skating, or specific Sparrow routes to traverse environments faster.
- Proactive Ammo Generation: Use Special/Heavy Finisher mods before a DPS phase begins if ammo is low.
- Coordinated Wipes: If a wipe is needed, call for a fast team wipe using rockets or jumping off the map.
- Immediate Loot Tagging: Use DIM on a second monitor or mobile device to tag newly acquired loot immediately after a run while waiting for the next one to load.
Conclusion
Mastering raid loot farming in Destiny 2 is a multi-faceted process that rewards preparation, mechanical understanding, and strategic execution. The core pillars of efficiency rest on comprehending the nuances of loot lockouts, farmable raid rotations, and the Spoils of Conquest system. Efficiently managing checkpoints, particularly through the character swap technique or the judicious use of community bots, is fundamental to minimizing downtime.
Optimizing rewards across three characters requires a structured weekly approach: prioritize securing all guaranteed Pinnacle and red border drops first, then dedicate focused time to farming the highest-yield encounters based on current goals (specific weapons, Spoils, Exotics). Leveraging external tools like Destiny Item Manager for loadout creation, item transfer, and inventory sorting is not merely a convenience but a critical component of time-saving.
Furthermore, success hinges on preparation – having meta loadouts ready, understanding encounter-specific speed strategies (like Atraks-1 TCrash or Witness button breaks), and adhering to LFG etiquette for smooth team coordination. Avoiding common pitfalls such as poor preparation, inefficient checkpoint handling, and suboptimal DPS is crucial for maximizing loot acquired per hour. Ultimately, consistent practice, clear communication within farming teams, and the intelligent application of the strategies outlined in this guide will enable Guardians to conquer the grind and acquire their desired raid rewards with maximum efficiency.