Destiny 2 delights players with its rich endgame PvE content, and the dungeons stand out prominently. Each dungeon intricately enhances the narrative of its corresponding season and expansion, weaving together lore through diverse mechanics and encounters.
The Spire of the Watcher dungeon immerses players in a Warmind-themed tower, setting the stage for a confrontation against the Sol Divisive sect of the Vex, who are bent on unraveling the mysteries of the Warmind known as Soteria. Released in the Season of the Seraph during the Witch Queen expansion, this guide offers insights as part of the Rite of the Nine.
Rite of the Nine preserves most mechanics from the original dungeon on Mars. Players will also discover Devilish Recordings hidden within the dungeon’s confines in the original version.
This guide details the dungeon’s mechanics, offers comprehensive walkthroughs, and suggests effective loadouts for a successful experience.
First Encounter – Reestablish Power
Introducing The Arctrician Buff
The dungeon’s pivotal mechanic is the Arctrician buff, obtained by defeating a Conduit Minotaur and collecting the white circle it leaves behind. This buff, which lasts for 30 seconds, enables players to interact with and activate exposed nodes scattered throughout the area.
Your primary task is to connect these nodes via a network of yellow cables, a feat that would be easier if the cable management were better executed. Successfully shooting a correct node extends the buff’s duration, marked by a crackling blue Arc energy along the cable.
Walkthrough
At the start of this encounter, a locked hatch requires you to activate four nodes, with cables snaking throughout the arena. Engage the lone Vex Goblin nearby to initiate the battle. A question arises: who will dominate Mars with the fastest draw?
As the fight progresses, enemies will spawn, mainly composed of Goblins at ground level and Cyclopses perched on cliffs, alongside a periodically appearing Conduit Minotaur.
Prioritize eliminating the Minotaur first to obtain the Arctrician buff. From there, locate the beginning node for each circuit as illustrated in the accompanying diagram (credit to Tenrouken on X).
Should the Arctrician buff expire, fret not—another Conduit Minotaur will spawn periodically.Select a starting node and trace the yellow cable. The real challenge lies in navigating while under fire from Goblin slap rifles and Cyclops cannons.
Your mission is to complete all four circuits. The starting locations are as follows:
- The blue circuit begins in a top-floor room of the left building closest to the rally banner.
- The red circuit starts deep below in the right building closest to the rally banner.
- The yellow circuit originates at the extreme left end of the map, passing through a left-building tunnel.
- The green circuit starts on the right side, near the spawn point for initial enemies at the cliff.
Stay vigilant and ensure that you don’t mix the circuits up. With patience, you’ll be able to succeed smoothly.
Completing each circuit will trigger a wave of explosive Supplicants. To prevent these from overwhelming you, stop just before the final node, activate all four final nodes to conclude the encounter. In the Rite of the Nine version, expect a Hydra mini-boss to spawn afterwards.
Recommended Loadout
The loadout you choose for this encounter can also be suited for the next one, with an emphasis on both add-clearing and survivability. Depending on whether you are in a fireteam or attempting a solo-flawless run, your choice of gear may vary.
Regardless, in add-heavy scenarios like this, prioritize survivability. Below are two builds for each class: one for free-to-play users utilizing only Light subclasses and another for players with access to Darkness and Prismatic subclasses from expansions.
No strict adherence to these loadouts is necessary; feel free to leverage what works best for your style. A link to Destiny Item Manager will also be included.
| Titan | Warlock | Hunter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free-To-Play |
Solar Titan with Lorelei Splendor Helm. Aspects: Roaring Flames and Sol Invictus. |
Arc Warlock with Geomag Stabilizers. Aspects: Electrostatic Mind and Ionic Sentry. |
Void Hunter with Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk. Aspects: Stylish Executioner and Vanishing Step. |
| Expansion |
Prismatic Consecration Titan featuring either Synthoceps or Stoicism with the Assassin/Syntho perk combo. Aspects: Consecration and Knockout. |
Prismatic Arc Buddy Warlock with Getaway Artist. Aspects: Bleakwatcher and Feed the Void. |
Prismatic Melee Hunter with Relativism featuring the Caliban/Liar perk combo. Aspects: Stylish Executioner and Winter’s Shroud. |
While weapon choices can be flexible, having at least one rapid-fire option—like SMGs, Auto Rifles, LMGs, or Trace Rifles—will help ensure precision in hitting those nodes without scrambling for ammo.
Traversal – Begin The Ascent
Upon completing the first encounter, the hatch opens to a slide that leads further into the facility. This segment features platforming challenges, as you navigate a room with a locked door and no clear exit.
Scale the grates nearby to discover an open vent that takes you to a broader area filled with Hobgoblins, Harpies, and the occasional Hydra. You have the option to either fight them or bypass them.
Take the anti-gravity lift to continue your ascent, arriving at the rally point for the second encounter.
Second Encounter – Ascend The Spire
Walkthrough – First Floor
As you scale the tower’s edge, a Conduit Minotaur awaits.Defeating it triggers the start of the encounter.
Close by, a pair of nodes connected by cables run around the tower’s perimeter. The aim is to complete the circuits on both sides.
In a fireteam setting, it’s efficient to assign one player to each side while the third provides add-clear support.
Begin by shooting the two starting nodes; you can choose either side, working your way through subsequent nodes. The following sequences outline the process for each circuit:
Left Circuit:
- The second node is hiding behind two panels.
- The third node can be found under a platform, adjacent to a flight of stairs.
- The fourth node lies below the ledge where enemies spawn, between two solar panels.
- The fifth node is situated underneath a flight of stairs near the final node.
Right Circuit:
- The second node resides between two flights of stairs.
- Look up to find the third node hidden behind a panel.
- The fourth node is also concealed behind a panel.
- The fifth node can be found between another pair of stairs.
Once both circuits are completed, shoot the nodes near the anti-grav lift to ascend to the second floor.
Walkthrough – Second Floor
Immediately turn left to locate the initial nodes inside a tunnel guarded by damaging Arc streams.
Activate both nodes to set the circuits in motion.
Starting with the closer node:
- Trace the cable to find the second node nestled between two panels on a pylon.
- Access the third node directly beneath the platform where you landed; approach the far side for a clear view through the gap.
- Seek the fourth node hidden under a platform near the left-side stairs.
- The fifth node is located at the corridor’s ceiling on the opposite side of the tower from the starting node.
Delay circuit completion to prevent spawning more enemies; circle the tower until you reach the opposite side of the starting corridor to find nodes for the second circuit in this order:
- The second node exists on the tower’s side near the corridor. Look over the edge to see it, but avoid falling off!
- The third node is above you, hidden behind a pyramidal panel opposite a pylon.
- The fourth node appears on a block near a tunnel as you approach the end.
- The fifth node is found on the corridor’s ceiling opposite the other circuit’s final node.
Both concluding nodes lie against the walls adjacent to the corridor, directly overhead the two solar panels. Activate both to engage the anti-grav lift to ascend higher.
Walkthrough – Third Floor
Upon reaching the third floor, locate the node immediately in front of you. If you possess the Arctrician buff, shoot it; if not, wait for the Conduit Minotaur to spawn right before you.
- The second node is directly beneath you to the left. Step onto a platform extending from the tower to spot it.
- The third node connects to a panel jutting from the tower’s next side, beneath a platform where enemies spawn.
- The cable will snake upwards, leading to the fourth node wedged between beams and geometric panels.
- The fifth node of the first circuit is situated amid another pair of beams.
- Close by, spot a block where the next circuit’s starting node awaits.
- The remaining nodes mirror the first circuit’s layout, allowing an easy follow-through.
Complete the circuits by activating both nodes, finishing the encounter. Gather your rewards and proceed upwards.
In the Rite of the Nine version, a Minotaur mini-boss will materialize near the chest. Defeating it concludes this encounter.
Arriving at the control room, ascend the catwalk until you find a lever that opens the windows. Jump out to reach the top of the tower, setting the stage for the third encounter.
Third Encounter – Akelous, The Siren’s Current
This marks the dungeon’s initial boss confrontation and can become drawn-out if participants are unaware of the mechanics.
Gazing upon a colossal Harpy consuming a Minotaur, exterminate the Minotaur to commence the encounter. Before initiating the battle, observe four starting nodes clustered near the boss.
In the Rite of the Nine, players must complete circuits resembling the central shape of the arena. Follow the sequence from top to bottom.
The circuits are uncomplicated; however, some nodes might conceal themselves more effectively than others. Below is a schematic of the encounter map, credited to user tyalka93 from r/raidsecrets:
We’ll also outline the location of each node along every arm.Node 1 for every circuit resides at the center, while Node 6 is at the fuel rod’s tip, positioned before the arm.
Arm 01:
- Node 2 hides beneath an elevated platform.
- Node 3 is positioned on the wall near the arm; jump onto the platform beneath the arm to access it.
- Node 4 can be found on the arm’s right side.
- Node 5 is a little further down, located on the left side.
Arm 02:
- Node 2 is beneath an elevated platform.
- Node 3 sits on a wall just over the edge.
- Node 4 remains hidden underneath the arm.
- Node 5 can be found on the arm’s right side.
Arm 03:
- Node 2 resides right under the catwalk’s ceiling.
- Node 3 is on the left side at the top of the catwalk.
- Node 4 is located in the corridor of the catwalk on the right side.
- Node 5 is directly opposite Node 4.
Arm 04:
- Node 2 is directly beneath an elevated platform.
- Node 3 is tucked away in a nook at the arm’s starting point.
- Node 4 rests on the right edge of the arm, next to “04.”
- Node 5 lies further down on the left side.
Walkthrough
Familiarize yourself with the node placements before initiating the encounter. Goblins will spawn, accompanied by Conduit Minotaurs on either side of the tower.
Acquire the Arctrician buff and begin to activate the circuits. Expect more Harpies to join the fray.
Upon completing all circuits, the boss will approach at the last finished circuit, revealing its numerous eyes.Shoot the eyes to render the boss vulnerable.
Dishing out damage to the boss as it moves away can be tricky. You may opt to closely pursue while maintaining some distance or remain stationary, confident in your ideal range.
The boss occasionally releases an energy burst, capable of knocking players off the map if they are too close. Repeat the attacking cycle until the boss is defeated.
Recommended Loadouts
| Titan | Warlock | Hunter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free-To-Play |
Arc Titan with Cuirass of the Falling Star. Aspects: Storm’s Keep and Knockout. Super: Thundercrash. |
Solar Warlock with Lunafaction or Sunbracers. Aspects: Touch of Flame and Hellion. Super: Well of Radiance. |
Solar Hunter with Celestial Nighthawk. Aspects: Knock ’em Down, Gunpowder Gamble. Super: Marksman Golden Gun. |
| Expansion |
Prismatic Consecration Titan equipped with Stoicism and the Inmost Light/Stareaters perk combo. Aspects: Consecration and Knockout. Super: Thundercrash or Twilight Arsenal. |
Any Prismatic Warlock build. Aspects: Feed the Void, along with one other aspect. Super: Chaos Reach. |
Prismatic Hunter with Radiant Dance Machines. Aspects: Threaded Specter and Ascension. Super: Marksman Golden Gun. |
Utilize rapid-fire weapons for both shooting nodes and damaging the boss’s eyes. Precision weapons, especially Sniper Rifles and Linear Fusion Rifles, excel in DPS situations. Some noteworthy options include:
- Whisper of the Worm
- Queenbreaker (a DPS powerhouse)
- Cataclysmic, particularly with Fourth Time’s the Charm and Bait and Switch perks.
Traversal – Descend The Tower
After quietly silencing the Siren, collect your rewards while Osiris becomes frantic on the comms. With the chaos unfolding, locate an entrance below the loot chest. Drop down to discover a large chamber teeming with Goblins and Hobgoblins.
Clear out the adds until a Conduit Minotaur appears. Obtain the Arctrician buff and activate the nodes before time expires.
You’ll identify these nodes connected by red cables, allowing activation in any order. In the Rite of the Nine, the red cables now activate in a random sequence.
Upon activating all five, continue your descent. You’ll navigate a tunnel filled with fans; proceed cautiously, aligning your path with the blade’s spinning direction.
The next two rooms contain identical puzzles. In the third room, a Hydra will make an entrance—take it down.
Exit via a hole glowing red in one corner, ultimately arriving at the boss arena.
Fourth Encounter – Persys, Primordial Ruin
Persys, the final dungeon boss, is notably aggressive due to its Wyvern nature, launching annoying void blasts to inflict damage.
Mechanics
This climactic encounter integrates everything learned thus far, combining both red and yellow cables alongside the vital Arctrician buff.
Your objective is to lure the boss into the core and trigger it to expose its vulnerability. Open the door using red cables to allow access to the core, activate it with yellow cables, and then close the door using the red cables once more.
Walkthrough
Rally your team and initiate the encounter by targeting the boss.
Enemies will populate both sides, including Goblins, Supplicants, and Hydras.
Defeating the Hydras consequently spawns Conduit Minotaurs. Acquire the Arctrician buff and activate all five red nodes positioned near the pillars and directly above the door.
After that, two randomly selected yellow nodes out of four will open, enabling connections. Above is a diagram of the boss room, attributed to Holden A. Grenade from r/DestinyTheGame.
Upon completing two separate circuits, exit the core via the small doors as the boss passes through the large door.
If you haven’t acquired the Arctrician buff, grasp it from a Minotaur at this juncture. With the buff activated, shoot all five red nodes to secure the door closure; the core subsequently detonates, damaging the boss’s shields.
The door will then open, granting you the opportunity to unload damage onto the boss as it ambles towards you, firing its cannons.Maintain a safe distance while dealing damage before its shields regenerate.
Continue this cycle until you emerge victorious.
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