Those playing the “Witch Queen” campaign in Destiny 2 must also use their brains from now on. Bungie has embedded a few little puzzles in the new world that need to be solved. This includes Savathun’s Altar of Reflection. It features several entertaining rune pattern puzzles, and we will tell you how to solve them.
Previously, campaigns in Destiny 2 were just played. The goal was to find and defeat certain enemies to clear the path to the final boss.
In the latest expansion “The Witch Queen,” it is different. The focus is mostly on the Destiny campaign. Bungie has packed not only a lot of engaging story into this DLC but also included small puzzles.
At the Altar of Reflection, players have to solve several tasks, as only with the correct rune pattern can you proceed and access Savathun’s memories.
- In the Witch Queen campaign “The Mirror,” you encounter the “Altar of Reflection” for the first time and face the rune pattern.
- Players must solve more puzzles in the weekly quests “Altar of Reflection: Catalyst,” “Altar of Reflection: Insight,” “Altar of Reflection: Choice,” and “Altar of Reflection: Pact.”
How do you find the way to the Altar of Reflection? During the campaign mission and also in later quests, the way to the Altar of Reflection is self-explanatory. For example, when you reach step 8, you can mark the quest, and your ghost will lead you the right way. Just follow the marker in the game. Otherwise, you can also see the missions for the Altars of Reflection on the map.
Once you’ve reached the objective of the sub-task “Memories of Ruin,” you can pass through the portal. You will be teleported to a bright blue room. This is the ante-room to the Altar of Reflection, and before you, you can already see a table with many runes. You need to solve the puzzle; otherwise, the entrance remains closed.
How to solve the rune pattern puzzles at the Altar of Reflection
The Hive runes are the same ones that players already know from the dungeon “Pit of Heresy.” The rune puzzle is not always the same, so you can’t just memorize the solution. The stone tablet always shows a total of 8 columns.
- Each column contains 5 rows with different Hive runes.
- You can shoot the rows, but you must make sure that they are the correct ones.
- If you shoot incorrectly, the puzzle resets.
To crack the puzzle, you just need to take a close look at the Hive rune rows. You need to figure out three rows of runes that do not match the rest and are different. In our example, columns 3, 6, and 7 did not match the rest of the pattern.
So always shoot the differing rune rows. If done correctly, a green round rune symbol will appear above the rune wall, and you will receive the message “Test completed. The next test begins.”
What you should also keep in mind: Of course, you can also shoot the wall with a rocket launcher and hope for a lot of luck. But it is better to take weapons with less power for a more delicate shooting of the rune rows.
How to solve the rune pattern “Altar of Reflection“: Catalyst”
Even in the later weekly quest: “Complete Altars of Reflection,” the mechanics for the runes remain the same at first. Currently, there are four of these that grant you Powerful Gear Level 1.
- Altar of Reflection: Catalyst
- Altar of Reflection: Insight
- Altar of Reflection: Choice
- Altar of Reflection: Pact
For Part 1, the Catalyst quest, Destiny 2 sends you deep into the “Temple of the Angry” beneath Savathun’s Throne World. As usual, you will see the symbol on the map and you can mark the quest so that the waypoint in the game points you there.
Once in the Temple of the Angry, you will initially encounter a few enemies and a small logo puzzle.
Assemble Savathun’s Logo: You need to reveal glowing symbol pieces of Savathun’s logo with your Deep Sight ability. However, you can only fully recognize the logo if you position yourself correctly. Only when that is accomplished will a signal sound, and a portal will open. Interacting with it will take you directly to the Altar of Reflection.
Now you are back in the light blue room with the rune patterns. However, once you understand the principle with the rune rows, you should also be able to solve this new quest task quickly.
The only difference for “Catalyst” is that you now have to shoot not only the rune wall shown above but also several rune rows on different pillars. If your choice is correct, the green symbol will appear above the row you shot. Once you have shot all the incorrect rows, the way to the next memory is open to you.
How to solve the rune pattern “Altar of Reflection“: Insight”
The quest “Insight” at the Altar of Reflection is somewhat different. Here you must tackle the puzzle “Cursed Pools” and not shoot symbols anymore but rather traverse them. Of course, in the correct order.
How to find the entrance to the “Altar of Reflection: Insight”: This time, the puzzle hides in the middle of the Lost Sector “Tomb” in the Fluorescent Canal of Savathun’s Throne World. You will again face the known logo task. So clear the enemies out of the way and reassemble Savathun’s logo. Then the portal will appear. Interact with it, and you will be teleported again to the Altar of Reflection.
Once you arrive there, look around. The rune wall no longer shows columns with runes but instead four large round rune fields. Additionally, if you look around, you will recognize several large rune fields scattered around the room.
How does the puzzle “Insight” work? Look closely at the runes on the rune wall and remember the order. Then you simply traverse them (from left to right) in the room.
You need to repeat this once more, and the way, in the form of a portal, will be clear again. But be careful: One of Savathun’s Lightbearers is already waiting for you there.
How to solve the rune pattern “Altar of Reflection“: Choice”
Uncover more of Savathun’s memories: After you have solved the first Altars of Reflection rune puzzles, you can then also complete “Altar of Reflection: Choice” and “Altar of Reflection: Pact” and complete the triumph “Two Lies, Two Truths” (Throne World > World > Secrets).
The already known rune puzzles from “Altar of Reflection: Catalyst” and “Altar of Reflection: Insight” for these two mini-missions are identical, so you only need to repeat the mechanics.
How did you find the puzzles? Did you come to the solution quickly, or could it have been more difficult? How do you like being a clairvoyant detective who constantly has to solve little puzzles? Do you want more of that? Then let us know.
By the way: The Altar of Reflection is not the only source of powerful loot. An old raid could also bring you unexpected loot luck right now. Provided you hurry with it.
