TheSnazzzyRock's Team Nuts claimed victory in The Desert Perpetual raid race, marking the end of one of Destiny 2's most punishing World First competitions. The raid launched July 19, 2025, as part of The Edge of Fate expansion and quickly proved itself among the top three longest raid races in the game's history.
Extended Race Tests Elite Players
The Desert Perpetual joined Last Wish and Salvation's Edge as one of Destiny 2's most grueling World First challenges. Teams battled through multiple DPS checks and complex mechanics during the 48-hour Contest Mode window, with many attempts ending in frustration.
Some reports suggest a potential bug made the power level penalty more severe than intended. Teams frequently wiped when bosses had barely any health left, turning what should have been manageable DPS phases into nail-biting challenges that pushed even top-tier players to their limits.
The raid started with minimal fanfare but gained attention as hours passed and elite fireteams struggled against its demanding encounters. TheSnazzzyRock's squad eventually broke through where others failed, securing their place in Destiny 2's competitive history.
Contest Mode Restrictions Level the Playing Field
Bungie disabled several powerful weapons and mods to maintain fair competition during the World First race. The restricted arsenal included fan favorites like Outbreak Perfected, Icebreaker, and Grand Overture, forcing teams to adapt their usual strategies.
Banned Weapons:
- Outbreak Perfected
- Third Iteration
- Choir of One
- Icebreaker
- Barrow Dyad
- Hierarchy of Needs
- Grand Overture
Disabled Mods:
- Temporal Tracker Weapon Mod
- Temporal Blast Seasonal Weapon Mod
- Temporal Armaments Seasonal Weapon Mod
- Temporal Adapter Seasonal Weapon Mod
- Temporal Loader Seasonal Weapon Mod
Players could still equip these items, but their effects wouldn't work inside the raid during Contest Mode. This forced teams to rely on alternative loadouts and strategies they might not have practiced extensively.
Victory Rewards and Exclusive Loot
Team Nuts and other Contest Mode finishers earned the Timeline's Blade emblem, an exclusive reward that marks their achievement in one of Destiny 2's toughest challenges. Regular raid completers on any difficulty receive standard emblems commemorating their participation.
Bungie also rolled out physical merchandise for dedicated raiders. The Desert Perpetual jacket and bag are available to players who complete the raid before August 29 at 9:59 AM PT, with purchases due by October 7. The raid pin has a longer timeline - unlock it by December 2, then buy it before January 6, 2026.
Elite Competition Falls Short of Expectations
Several powerhouse teams entered the race as favorites but couldn't secure the win. Clan Elysium, led by Saltagreppo, brought four previous World First victories to the table, including wins in Crota's End, Vow of the Disciple, Vault of Glass, and King's Fall. Despite their track record, they couldn't crack The Desert Perpetual's code.
The previous champions, team Parabellum, had claimed Salvation's Edge during The Final Shape expansion. That raid connected directly to the DLC's campaign finale, but The Desert Perpetual stood as its own isolated challenge.
Technical Challenges Define the Experience
The Desert Perpetual's length and complexity created a perfect storm of difficulty that separated it from typical raid races. Multiple DPS checks meant teams needed sustained coordination over extended periods, with little room for error.
The tight competition between top teams showed how well-balanced the raid's difficulty proved to be. No single strategy dominated, and multiple approaches remained viable throughout the race. This prevented any team from gaining an overwhelming advantage through superior preparation alone.
Community Hopes Left Unfulfilled
Many players expected new content to unlock for everyone after the World First completion, following precedents set by previous raids. Unfortunately, no additional content became available to the general player base after Team Nuts' victory.
The completion marks the beginning of wider community engagement with the raid as Contest Mode restrictions lift and normal difficulty opens to all players. Detailed encounter guides and strategy breakdowns should become available as more teams tackle the content.
Team Nuts' victory adds another chapter to Destiny 2's competitive raiding legacy while establishing The Desert Perpetual as a significant endgame challenge within The Edge of Fate expansion. The raid's demanding mechanics and extended duration ensure it will be remembered as one of the game's most punishing World First competitions.
