Destiny 2’s First Epic Raid Launches September 27 with The Desert Perpetual

This Saturday, September 27, the epic raid for The Desert Perpetual will launch, offering a fresh twist to Destiny 2’s latest raid. The epic version of the raid introduces new challenges, rewards, and pursuits, testing each fireteam’s coordination. Completing these new challenges allows players to earn new Legendary weapons and upgraded stylized armor. Also, completing the new quest for the epic raid unlocks attunement for the raid vendor and rewards a catalyst for the raid’s exclusive Exotic weapon, the Strand Rocket Launcher, Whirling Ovation. 

The epic raid will launch in Contest Mode for the first 48 hours, a more difficult challenge that caps players’ Power and makes enemies more aggressive. With an updated loot pool for Contest Mode, first-time encounter clears will drop Tier 5 gear, and completing all encounters grants an exclusive emblem, the raid Exotic, and its catalyst. The first fireteam to complete the epic raid on Contest mode will earn raid belts to commemorate their legacy as World First Race champions. Once the first Contest Mode run is cleared, the normal version of the epic raid will be available for players.

Players who complete The Desert Perpetual epic raid before December 5, 2025, at 9:59 am PT will unlock the Bungie Rewards offer to purchase the Desert Perpetual Epic Raid Ring, which will be available to purchase until January 6, 2026, 9:59am PT. Also, the Desert Perpetual Bungie Rewards dates have been extended to December 5, 2025, 9:59am PT, allowing players to complete the raid, regular or epic, and unlock the raid jacket and raid sling bag from Bungie Rewards.