Destiny 2 Dungeon rankings
Saved from Cohost, written up on the 15th of June 2024 originally. New dungeon is hitting shortly and adding back in my favourite gun (Icebreaker, my beloved), so even in my not-that-into-destiny-right-now state, I'll be playing that for sure.
So as of around half an hour ago, my fireteam finally went back and finished Ghosts of the Deep, so we've officially done all Dungeons currently in the game! (As of the 15th of June 2024 anyway)
So, thought I should rank them, mostly for my own benefit of untangling how they sit in my brain. Not a definitive ranking, very subjective, all just my thoughts.
1. Warlord's Ruin
It's just perfect, tbh. I love it so much, the theme, the lore, the mechanics, everything. The only stumble it has is that the prison puzzle after the first boss is a bit too obtuse, but we managed to figure it out eventually. It's an absolutely fascinating ride with some really neat boss fights that demand a LOT from you, but give a lot back in return. If a group of 3 could only do one Dungeon, I'd recommend this one. Still working on doing the exotic quest for it too and really enjoying that.
2. Spire of the Watcher
Fantastic outfits, a fun mechanic and just an overall great time imo. Even if you didn't get cowboy hats from it, I think the fun to be gotten from just running it makes it well worth it. The mechanic is clear, it's understandable, and it's even pretty fun to execute it! If Warlords Ruin hadn't come around, this would 100% be the top of my list hands down, no contest. It also gives it a huge bump that I am a massive sucker for Sol Divisive Vex. I just think they're neat!
3. Grasp of Avarice
Ok, so hear me out. The mechanic is interesting (And very confusing to my brain every time I go back in there after a break) and the reward is...well it's Gjallarhorn, so well worth it overall. I enjoy the silly nature of it a lot and it's a good fun time. I think the Fallen Shield encounter could do with being less fiddly, but that's because it's about manipulating physics objects, so not sure how much they could really do that. It's fun though. Plus R-M80 the shank always gets a smile out of me, what can I say.
4. Ghosts of the Deep
It's tough, like, really tough compared to a lot of the other dungeons. I think the bosses feel a lot more bullet spongy than the rest of the list, but figuring out the mechanics and executing them well feels fantastic. Plus, I really enjoy being the underwater player in the Ecthar encounter. My only major gripe is that I wish the opening encounter was a little bit shorter & the trails were a bit more clear to follow, it starts to drag just as it finishes. Also, if it didn't have the underwater sections it'd probably beat out Grasp on this list tbh, I'm just really not a fan of those at all. The lore of it though is incredible, some great setpiece vistas and overall a great time.
5. Prophecy
Visually incredible, technically frustrating. The light/dark mechanic is great when it's clear, but as the dungeon progresses the areas considered light and dark get a bit more blurred (Omg ulan tan was right) to the point where it can be tough to figure it out while staying alive. The final boss DPS phase though is great, asking a lot of you while making you jump to do it. Plus again, all of the visuals in this one are fantastic, I love the desert with the scattered parts of various older maps in it & all the guns you can get in prophecy look fantastic. Not a huge fan of the armour, but it's not bad.
6. Duality
I'm sorry, it just doesn't click with me. It's really cool and I do enjoy it but the overall vibe makes it fall lower on the list for me. It's good for sure, but if I was told we were running a dungeon I'd be a bit sad if it was this one y'know? The mechanic is clear and does work though, and is satisfying when you do it, which is a huge deal for this style of dungeon where you master one specific mechanic.
7. The Shattered Throne
The OG, it set the stage for the dungeons we get now, and I can only thank it for that. Overall though, it just doesn't hold up in the modern day. It was also better when it was only available every 3 weeks in the dreaming city cycle I think, but since it got made all the time & with so many other dungeons to go do instead, it's gotten a little tarnished and less special.
8. Pit of Heresy
It suffers from being the first up to bat after Shattered throne, while Bungie were still figuring out the approach they wanted to take I think. It's not horrible, but the mechanics are a bit obtuse and fiddly and it's just not that satisfying overall. A small refresh pass would probably give it the boost it needs, but I understand bungie not going back to do that. A shame really, and the Vorgeth encounter IS pretty fun and does appeal to my want to be a little rat scurrying around.
They're all good fun regardless of where they land on the list, and I'm glad dungeons exist, as a person with a solid fireteam that can't always get a raid team together. Plus, bungie has really nailed the approach at this point, I really can't wait to see what the next ones will be like & where they'll be set.