The Destiny 2 raid “Garden of Salvation” has a new challenge for you. We explain how to master the second challenge “A Link to the Chain”.
What is a raid challenge? The raids from the Destiny universe are one of the highlights of the franchise. Raids are demanding group activities for six Guardians. Together, they aim to defeat tough bosses, solve tricky puzzles, and overcome dizzying jumping sections.
The raids are challenging for most players. For those who find the challenge provided there no longer sufficient, Bungie offers so-called raid challenges. These provide classic additional mechanics or restrict certain play styles.
The challenges usually relate to a specific raid encounter or phase. In the “Garden of Salvation” there are a total of four such encounters – the jumping sections are excluded.
How to succeed in the “A Link to the Chain” challenge
This is the second encounter: The current second challenge takes place in the second phase of the Shadowkeep raid “Garden of Salvation”. Unlike the previous three raids, no extra loot run needs to be picked up from Hawthorne. The challenge is automatically active at the start of the raid. You will see the corresponding info on the start screen on the left.
To master the second encounter, your team must capture and hold four relay pillars. The team spreads out since all relays must be defended simultaneously. If a relay is left unattended for too long, Vex will sacrifice themselves there and hinder progress. Once all four areas have been held long enough, you can advance together to the central area.
This representation is simplified, as in reality, heaps of adds, barrier champions, angel hydras, and a “chaining mechanic” await you Guardians. For all players unfamiliar with the phase, we have a detailed video description by Nexxoss Gaming that you should familiarize yourself with:
This is what the challenge looks like now: To successfully master “A Link to the Chain”, all six players must receive the “Enlightened Buff” at the same time. Importantly, at each individual dice activation, the whole team must have the buff simultaneously. You need this buff to destroy the shields of the sacrificing Vex.
You become enlightened by having one player shoot the floating dice and build a kind of light chain to the relay with other Guardians. All players who were part of the chain are now buffed for 45 seconds. Normally, different teams give each other the buff individually; if you want to master the challenge, a great deal of coordination is required.
Tips for the challenge: Not all six Guardians need to build a chain on the same die each time. This would also be hardly possible, as too many relays would be left unguarded. Timing is the magic word. You can spread out and collect the buff on different dice at the exact same moment.
It is important that this happens on a command. For example, count down and at the end of the countdown, each player shoots the die and activates the chaining. Ideally, you should already be in the right position beforehand.
It is quite tricky to first capture all four relays. We have a sample sequence that makes the challenge possible:
- Start with all six at Relay 1 and build the first chain together.
- Two players immediately proceed to Relays 2 and 4. Two Guardians continue to defend Relay 1.
- Once Relays 2 and 4 have been cleared, you count down and all three teams of two simultaneously build a chain and become “enlightened”.
- One Guardian from Relays 2 and 4 quickly move to Relay 3 and capture the area as quickly as possible.
- If Relay 3 is almost captured, the Guardians from Relays 2 and 4 return to the starting Relay 1 via a portal. Four Guardians build the chain at Relay 1 while two Guardians activate the die at Relay 3.
- All portals are now active and you have the hardest part behind you. Whenever a message like “Underbrush defense is abating” appears on the left side of your screen, make your way to activate two dice.
- In the meantime, angels appear at the relays. Three Vex-Hydras come at a time. Once you have freed all four relays from these mini-bosses, the path to the central area opens up.
- In the central area, all six Guardians must again simultaneously form a chain.
- Use Supers like your Nova Bomb or the Golden Gun with the Heavenly Nightfalcon to quickly take out angels and champions.
- With snipers like Izanagi’s Burden, you can take down enemies from the distant relays. This helps the other Guardians immensely.
What rewards are there? If you have successfully mastered the challenge, there is bonus loot. In addition to the standard chest at the end of the encounter, another chest will appear after a short while. This also contains high-tier equipment.
The bonus chest contains equipment from the loot pool of the second phase. Specifically, this means there are either raid gloves, the auto rifle or the shotgun.
A detailed explanation of the 2nd challenge can also be found in this video by Nexxoss Gaming:
What do you think of the second challenge? Have you struggled with the first challenge or is this no problem for your team?
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