Destiny 2 Strikes Guide: How To Defeat All Bosses

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Destiny 2’s Strike missions represent the pinnacle of cooperative PvE content, challenging fireteams with complex mechanics and formidable boss encounters. These carefully crafted operations demand precise execution, strategic coordination, and mastery of your Guardian’s abilities. Successfully completing Strikes rewards players with exclusive gear, powerful weapons, and rare materials essential for character progression. Mastering these encounters is crucial for players aiming to tackle endgame activities like raids and nightfall operations.

For comprehensive guidance on Destiny 2 across PC, PS4, and Xbox One platforms, including detailed analysis of class mechanics and subclass customization options, explore our extensive Complete Guide for deeper strategic insights.

The Inverted Spire on Nessus plunges Guardians into the heart of Vex and Cabal conflict zones, where the Red Legion’s excavation operations have awakened ancient technological threats. This Strike exemplifies environmental storytelling through its shifting battlefields and dynamic combat scenarios that evolve as you progress deeper into the planetary core.

Protheon emerges as an enhanced Vex Minotaur variant armed with dual energy cannons and commanding diverse support units. The encounter’s three distinct phases introduce escalating complexity, requiring adaptability and spatial awareness from the entire fireteam.

Phase 1: Central Chamber Tactics
During the initial engagement, Protheon utilizes teleportation to outmaneuver your team while Harpies provide aerial harassment. Prioritize precision shots to the cranial unit while designating one team member to handle add clearance. Critical mistake: neglecting Harpie elimination often leads to overwhelmed positioning.

Phase 2: Elevated Platform Strategy
After the floor collapse, Protheon gains elevation advantage while emitting ground-based toxic energy. Utilize the protruding structural elements as safe zones, maintaining constant movement to avoid damage accumulation. Advanced tactic: Warlock healing rifts on platforms provide sustained safe areas.

Phase 3: Final Arena Execution
The compact final arena introduces irradiated water hazards and increased aggression from Protheon. During the frenzy phase, the exposed core becomes the primary target while managing explosive Fanatic spawns. Coordinate Super usage for maximum burst damage during vulnerability windows.

The Pyramidion on Io presents a nostalgic challenge for Destiny veterans, echoing mechanics from the legendary Vault of Glass while introducing new strategic elements. This Vex stronghold combines precision platforming with intense combat sequences against both Vex and Taken forces.

Genesis Mind manifests as an oversized Hobgoblin archetype, employing shield mechanics that require coordinated plate activation. The boss arena features periodically emerging energy conduits that must be charged to disable protective barriers.

Shield Mechanics and Plate Strategy
The shield phase demands one Guardian maintain plate contact while teammates provide covering fire and add control. Optimal positioning involves placing the plate operator near cover while flankers utilize elevated positions for better sightlines. Weapon recommendation: Scout rifles for precision damage during extended phases.

Advanced Team Coordination
Designate specific roles: plate specialist, add clear expert, and boss damage focus. Common pitfall: having multiple players on plates wastes potential damage output and defensive coverage.

Final Phase Execution
During the closing segment, Genesis Mind becomes more mobile while intensifying its attack patterns. Reserve Supers for the armor-break sequence when the boss becomes stationary. Time estimate: 12-18 minutes for experienced teams.

Savathûn’s Song on Titan delves into Hive-infested architecture, where the species has transformed the Bio-Dome into their mystical stronghold. This Strike emphasizes target priority and environmental awareness within confined spaces filled with Hive magic manifestations.

The encounter begins with multiple Hive Wizards that must be eliminated before engaging the primary threat. The Shrieker boss employs area denial attacks and spawns additional magical constructs throughout the engagement.

Wizard Elimination Priority
Focus fire on Wizards sequentially rather than spreading damage, as their elimination reduces the Shrieker’s protective capabilities. Strategic insight: Solar damage weapons prove particularly effective against Hive magical barriers.

Shrieker Engagement Tactics
The massive Hive Shrieker utilizes projectile barrages and ground-based void damage. Positioning near structural pillars provides consistent cover while maintaining damage angles. Common mistake: clustering together enables area damage to affect multiple Guardians simultaneously.

For optimal weapon selection and loadout configuration tailored to Hive encounters, consult our detailed Weapons Unlock guide for additional combat optimization strategies.

Mastering Destiny 2’s Strike missions requires understanding fundamental combat principles and advanced coordination techniques. These encounters test both individual skill and team synergy across multiple difficulty levels.

Optimal Team Composition
A balanced fireteam typically includes one Titan for defensive capabilities, one Warlock for support functions, and one Hunter for precision damage and mobility advantages.

Weapon Loadout Optimization
Primary: Scout or Pulse Rifle for sustained damage
Secondary: Fusion Rifle or Shotgun for close encounters
Heavy: Rocket Launcher or Machine Gun for burst phases
For detailed class ability synergies and specialization options, reference our comprehensive Class Guide for build recommendations.

Common Strategic Errors
• Neglecting add control during boss damage phases
• Poor Super ability timing and coordination
• Insufficient environmental awareness
• Inadequate communication during mechanic transitions

Progression Planning
Strike completion typically yields 2-3 legendary engrams, 15-25 planetary materials, and occasional exotic engrams for weekly milestones. Average completion time ranges from 18-30 minutes depending on team experience and modifier configurations.

Confronting an enormous, intimidating variant of the standard Hive Shrieker, this stationary floating entity unleashes tracking projectiles that demand constant evasion. Guardians must simultaneously manage the primary threat while addressing the continuous stream of reinforcements. The encounter’s difficulty primarily stems from target prioritization and resource management rather than complex mechanics. Similar to its smaller counterparts, this boss deploys a protective barrier when sustaining significant damage, becoming completely immune to all incoming fire. During these immunity phases, it summons increasingly dangerous minion waves to overwhelm your team. Initial phases introduce standard Hive infantry, while the third escalation brings devastating Hive Knights and an Ogre capable of eliminating unprepared fireteams rapidly.

The critical transition occurs when the massive Shrieker conjures two Hive Wizards identified as Savathun’s Handmaidens. These powerful spellcasters generate an energy shield enveloping the boss, requiring specific countermeasures. One fireteam member must locate and secure a Void energy charge positioned around the arena, then transport it to a designated receptacle near the boss to neutralize the protective field. After successfully disrupting the shield, immediately eliminate both Wizards before committing all available damage-dealing resources to the now-vulnerable primary target. The boss enters its final stand, releasing volleys of explosive projectiles that necessitate strategic use of cover and constant repositioning. Maintain offensive pressure while avoiding damage zones to secure victory.

On Nessus, Guardians investigate the wreckage of Exodus Black to support Failsafe, whose systems have been compromised by Fallen interference. The expedition leads to isolated sections of the derelict vessel where you encounter Fallen scavenger crews and intervening Vex units attempting to restore operational integrity. While navigating the ship’s corridors, Failsafe seeks additional data about her long-deceased crew members, despite their centuries-old demise. Your squad eventually reaches the engineering section where you face Fallen Captain Thaviks, who has claimed the ship’s resources as his personal plunder.

During this Strike mission, your team repeatedly encounters modified Shanks exhibiting unusual characteristics. These Overcharged Shanks discharge Arc energy that interacts with environmental surfaces, creating hazardous zones that damage and impair Guardian mobility. These specialized units foreshadow the encounter’s unique mechanics with Thaviks. While the Fallen Captain employs personal stealth technology and commands standard infantry, these enhanced Shanks introduce additional complexity to the engagement. At specific health thresholds, Thaviks withdraws temporarily, authorizing his forces to swarm your position.

Success in this battle demands perpetual motion and 360-degree environmental awareness. The combat arena features a central platform surrounded by an outer ring providing multiple elevation advantages. Teams frequently become overwhelmed due to enemy spawns from all directions combined with Thaviks’ stealth capabilities. Target his critical hit locations while evading his attacks through strategic positioning. As the confrontation progresses, the Fallen Captain adopts increasingly aggressive tactics, incorporating more melee assaults and summoning additional Overcharged Shanks. Designate one teammate specifically for Shank elimination while the remaining members focus on the boss and supplementary targets.

Your fireteam receives orders to infiltrate the Red Legion’s EDZ stronghold and eliminate one of the Cabal faction’s most capable combat specialists. Throughout this operation, you engage multiple Red Legion assault waves alongside opportunistic Fallen raiders capitalizing on the disruption to loot Cabal installations. Progressing deeper into the compound reveals the Red Legion’s military arsenal, including siege tanks, aerial gunships, and numerous Cabal Centurions seeking recognition from their commander. After breaching the base’s defenses, you encounter Bracus Zahn, a highly decorated Red Legion officer.

The preliminary engagements clearly demonstrate the Red Legion’s commitment to asset protection. Deploying countless combatants and vehicles against your team, the Red Legion Arms Dealer validates his reputation by demonstrating extensive resource availability—an approach that continues unabated during the direct confrontation with Bracus Zahn. In this encounter, the Cabal elite utilize their complete tactical repertoire, summoning war beasts, shielded Centurions, and even aerial support units. The battlefield encompasses a vast area with abundant cover options, providing extensive mobility—a potentially advantageous yet dangerous circumstance.

A significant tactical concern involves the boss spawning numerous additional enemies that can fragment your team’s cohesion. While maintaining separation can be beneficial in certain engagements, Zahn’s precision rifle combined with Red Legion troops easily flanking isolated Guardians creates survival challenges. The fundamental recommendation remains “maintain unit cohesion.” You’ll frequently encounter situations requiring rapid revival after suffering heavy weapon impacts. At predetermined intervals, Zahn ascends to an elevated platform and activates a protective barrier. This shield provides complete invulnerability, enabling him and his subordinates to systematically eliminate your team. To deactivate the shield, locate a Solar charge on the perimeter of the combat zone and insert it into adjacent receptacles—disabling the shield and returning the boss to ground level. After twice neutralizing his protective systems, his health reservoir approaches depletion. During this final phase, eliminate remaining Red Legion troops before concentrating all firepower on the boss to conclude his dominion over the stronghold.

In this PlayStation-exclusive Strike, the fireteam collaborates with EDZ representative Devrim Kay and Vanguard command to eliminate a Taken infestation. The Taken have occupied a deserted settlement east of Trostland, employing their corrupting energy to poison local water sources—creating substantial problems for EDZ inhabitants. While investigating this region, you discover the Taken have established multiple Blight formations throughout the area. These Blight structures continuously spawn additional Taken forces, with destruction only possible by entering the corrupted zone and eliminating them from inside the affected area. After securing the dam sector, you locate the commanding entity within the former Water Treatment Facility, now dominated by Taken influence.

Combatting the Taken faction presents unique tactical challenges throughout Destiny 2’s narrative campaigns, but the confrontation against Grask and his legion demands exceptional mobility and spatial awareness. The engagement unfolds within a chamber featuring elevated platforms at its core, surrounded by hazardous Taken energy pools that inflict continuous damage upon contact. Although multiple substantial conduits and ventilation shafts provide alternative positioning options, the primary combat zone remains the central raised structure, offering superior firing angles against the primary threat. Grask, as a Taken Cabal commander, employs an enormous protective barrier that he utilizes to forcefully repel guardians approaching within close quarters. Additionally, his close-range strikes deliver devastating impact, necessitating maintaining substantial separation distance. During the primary engagement sequence, Grask summons additional combatants that materialize either at the chamber’s center or along peripheral elevated positions providing tactical advantages.

When you reduce Grask’s health reservoir to approximately fifty percent capacity, he activates a secondary capability that creates energy bonds connecting guardians to adjacent Taken power conduits. These restraining fields function similarly to the Nightstalker hunter’s super ability, significantly impeding movement velocity and partially obstructing visual clarity. Direct concentrated firepower toward the origin points of these energy tethers to deactivate them for both yourself and any allied guardians who become ensnared. Throughout this concluding combat stage, Grask exhibits heightened aggression levels and summons increased numbers of Taken support units. Maintain vigilant distance management, as Grask will aggressively charge toward nearby guardians to execute devastating melee assaults. Deploy your complete arsenal of offensive capabilities, and you will ultimately achieve victory while cleansing the region of the Taken corruption.

The tether mechanic represents one of the most dangerous aspects of this encounter, capable of immobilizing your entire fireteam if improperly managed. Each tether originates from specific energy nodes positioned around the arena’s perimeter, emitting distinctive visual and auditory cues that alert experienced players to their activation. Precision weapons like sniper rifles or scout rifles prove exceptionally effective for rapidly disabling these restraints, while shotguns and close-range options become nearly useless due to the movement restrictions. Team coordination becomes paramount during this phase – designate one player as the primary tether-breaker while others focus on add clearance and boss damage. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for mastering advanced Class Guide strategies that can be applied across multiple combat scenarios.

During the concluding segment of the battle, Grask undergoes a behavioral transformation that dramatically increases the encounter’s difficulty. His movement speed increases by approximately 40%, and he begins utilizing short-range teleportation abilities to close distances unexpectedly. The reinforcement waves now include Taken psions that rapidly multiply if not eliminated promptly, creating overwhelming numbers. Optimal strategy involves utilizing the environment’s verticality – the pipes and vents that seemed secondary initially now provide crucial escape routes from his aggressive advances. This phase typically lasts between 2-4 minutes depending on your fireteam’s damage output, making efficient Weapons Unlock progression essential for success. Conserve your super abilities and power ammunition for this exact moment, as burst damage becomes the determining factor between victory and repeated failure.

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