Summary
Patrol zones inDestiny 2, while arguably the game’s easiest activities, are just as important to the game as any Raid, Dungeon, or Crucible map. They uphold the lower end ofthe difficulty spectrum, allowing players to test their abilities and weapons in low-stress scenarios with little stakes involved.
These zones also have the most freedom of any activity, allowing players to bounce between objectives at will, or simply ignore them and explore. This list will rank some of the best zones offered to players throughout the course of the game’s lifetime, as well as what makes (or made) each of them a unique experience.
7The Moon
Fun Puzzles, Just Don’t Get Lost
The Moon inDestiny 2is a returning location from the originalDestiny. While lacking in new innovation, the original layout of the map still stands strong, contrasting its barren surface with its twisting labyrinthine underbelly.
Changes to this area include harder enemies that drop legendaries, weapon parts that combine to make the destination’s weapons, Rubik’s-Cube-like puzzles that lead to one of Destiny’smore unique exotics, and an elusive NPC that reveals some of the deepest lore in the series. Atop this, the zone’s unique event “Altars of Sorrow”, has some of the highest enemy density of any patrol activity.
6Hella’s Basin: Mars (Sunset)
Hardest Patrol Activity When Released
Mars was the central zone inDestiny 2’s second expansion: Warmind. The zone was a return to Mars, but in an area closer to the planet’s poles; mixing the original desert aesthetic with hardened glaciers and sprawling snow.
Aside from its typical Lost Sectors and Public Events, this area held Escalation Protocol an endgame activity in the form of a nine-player Public Event. This activity only rewarded four weapons, but each of them were incredibly strong. Tie this in with the node puzzles and the Sleeper Simulant quest, and this zone easily took the crown when it launched.
5Europa
Good Post-Campaign Longevity
When removed from the drama surrounding Beyond Light, Europa was surprisingly ahead of its time. One of the more noticeableinnovations was dynamic weather: a first for the franchise that went a long way in separating Europa tonally from the other zones. What stands out the most about Beyond Light however is just how much post campaign content there is.
From Empire Hunts to Exo Trials, Cloudstrike to The Lament, there was a lot on offer.Even Salvation’s Grip, which was mocked for its lackluster performance at the time of launch, still had a really good post-campaign mission in the form of a heist. Patrols themselves even got some minor tweaking, with the addition of Heroic patrols and roaming mini-bosses that gave out bigger rewards than typically seen in the series.
4Savathun’s Throne World
Making What’s Old Feel New Again
Savathun’s Throne World isDestiny 2’s most puzzle-heavy area, in that there is a lot of thinking and running around, more so than in other locations. While none of the puzzles are particularly more difficult than those seen in other zones, there are more, and they use the environment masterfully; rewarding the player for memorizing the zone’s layout.
This entry in particular may depend on the player, as the rewards for this zone are less lucrative than the others. Still, the simple act of picking apart the many facets of Savathun’s Throne World was a thematically fitting and creative touch to the Patrol Zone formula.Its repeatable missions heldstory beats that were as well written as they were important to the progressing narrative.
3The Pale Heart
An Intimate Farewell
The Pale Heart is the final location in Destiny 2’s Light and Dark Saga, and it’s a zone with a twist: the space is not public. The reasoning is to give focus on the player character over the course of the story, and while it may feel odd to not see any friendlies out on the field, the condensed fireteam count definitely gives Bungie a lot of room to experiment, without fear of difficulty tuning. The Pale Heart is home tomanyactivities, all of which are completely unique to their area of the map.
Only ever having to account for a fireteam’s worth of players at a time, the balancing of these activities is fair and tight, and each one challenges the player in a uniquely personal way. Testing a player’s ability to hold ground, or mixing up fights with real-time puzzle solving, each of these activities is a puzzle and an intimate dialogue between developer and player unseen in other areas of the game.
2The Cosmodrome
Destiny’s Real Social Space
Narratively, The Cosmodrome is considered to be the starting place of the player’s character, and depending on when players joined the game in the real world, it could be the first area for them too. This areaacts as the ‘Starting Zone’, where the game’s first introductory quest takes place. This makes The Cosmodrome arguably the most unique patrol zone of the game, as no other area gives players the chance to hang out and interact with their future comrades quite like it does. This isn’t an exaggeration either. Launch into The Cosmodrome, load into The Steppes, and bounce between this area and The Divide.
It doesn’t take long to spot a new player, and with a little crouching, shooting, and maybe even a friend request, it can be easy to snag a new sidekick. Chat functionality is not even required. Just emote, shoot at them till they follow, and lead them to all the golden chests, public events, and whatever other activities the group type supports. The social potential of The Cosmodrome is criminally untapped and especially fun for players burnt out from the typical grind.
1The Dreaming City
Most Complex
The Dreaming City is without a doubt the most complex patrol zone in the franchise. The draw of this zone is that it rotates difficulties on a weekly basis, with each ‘phase’ of the zone having its own unique challenges. Tinctures that reveal hidden portals toother-dimensional arenas, hidden chests, Ahamkara eggs, and cats that give legendaries. A rotating nine-player public event with consumables to alter difficulty. A roaming merchant, patrol bounties with lore-rich dialogue, hidden secret events, and the franchise’s first dungeon waiting underneath it all, just waiting to be found by roaming players; The Dreaming City has it all.
So many items to collect, so many mysteries to unravel, and a massive difficulty gradient for players to conquer. With its only real downside being its reliance on time-gating, it’s no wonder most players consider it one of the best areas. For players that haven’t tried this area out, and are interested in the guns and armor it offers, The Dreaming City has months worth of content available; and that’s just in patrol.
