Mastering Destiny 2's Season of the Deep Weekly Challenges in 2026

Back in the Season of the Deep, Bungie released a set of weekly challenges that pushed Guardians to their limits, and even now in 2026, these trials remain etched in veteran memory as a perfect crucible for endgame growth. The rewards back then were massive sums of XP and Bright Dust, and the lessons learned are still paying dividends today. As a professional player who tackled every single objective, I'm sharing this retrospective guide to help new Guardians understand what it took to complete Grandmaster Nightfalls, Legend Salvage, and more, while offering tips that still apply to the current endgame.

Front Line Salvager VII

This challenge demanded on-theme dedication: you had to complete three runs of Salvage or Deep Dive while fully decked out in the Season of the Deep armor set, the NPA "Weir-Walker" Suit. It might sound cosmetically restrictive, but the real grind came afterward—taking down ten bosses or minibosses anywhere in the system. I remember scrambling to claim the full armor set from my Season Pass, then plunging into the matchmade throngs of Salvage. The boss kills, however, offered a welcome change of pace. My fireteam and I loaded into a Grandmaster Nightfall, where the density of yellow-bar enemies naturally ticked off the requirement in no time. If Grandmasters feel too intimidating, Gambit matches also serve up plenty of minibosses and Primevals.

Salvage Legend

Legend Salvage was a baptism by fire. No matchmaking, all three Champion types roaming the battlefield, locked loadouts, and a punishing Power delta of 1,830. In 2026, we still talk about that tension as the gold standard for aspirational content. I built my loadout around the active surges and Overcharge modifiers. Matching your weapon’s element to the surge granted a 25% damage buff, which offset the Power restriction significantly. Artifact-modded weapons also counted as Overcharged, so I leaned heavily on a kinetic Tremors scout rifle and a solar machine gun. Coordination in voice chat was critical—everyone needed to call out Barrier and Unstoppable spawns while rotating supers for the final boss room. Even years later, that clear felt like a mini-raid.

Salvaged Munitions

The simplest challenge on paper: defeat 300 enemies using seasonal weapons. The Taken and Reckoning arsenal from the Sonar Station counted, and I farmed Salvage runs to double-dip on progress. Enemies in seasonal activities gave bonus credit, so I never felt the grind drag. I stacked the challenge with Salvage Legend, using a Rapid-Fire Frame fusion rifle and a heavy grenade launcher from that season. Guardians in Crucible also accelerated progress if you fancied a PvP detour, but for me the sheer enemy density in Salvage made it a breeze. Pro tip: use seasonal weapons that you genuinely enjoy, because 300 kills can feel mountainous if you force yourself to use gear you hate.

Fleeting Glory

Competitive PvP always polarizes players. I consider myself a competent Crucible hand, but even I tensed up when the challenge asked for eight Competitive matches. The playlist runs 3v3, skill-based matchmaking, and objective modes like Survival or Countdown Rush. My placement matches were predictably sweaty, pitting me against players ranging from gilded Flawless to fresh blueberries. Wins granted bonus progress, but completion was all that mattered. I brought a tried-and-tested pulse rifle and a fusion rifle, stuck with my teammates like glue, and took breaks after every two matches to keep tilt at bay. The 50,000 XP and 150 Bright Dust at the end felt like a quiet trophy.

High-Value Hunter

Gambit challenges can either be relaxing or maddening depending on the week. This one required 150 powerful combatant defeats, which translated to a few matches of dedicated Blocker slaying. Blockers, Primeval Envoys, and high-value targets all counted, but blockers were the constant stream. I camped the bank with a Fourth Horseman and a machine gun, shredding every Captain and Knight that the opposing team sent over. High-value targets offered a small bonus, but focusing on blockers during the mote-collection phase naturally pushed the counter up. By the third Gambit match, I was done. The 100,000 XP and 300 Bright Dust felt like a generous tip for a mode I actually enjoy.

Grandmaster

The crown jewel of the week—complete any Nightfall strike on Grandmaster difficulty. In Season of the Deep, the effective Power cap was 1,820, reached by hitting the Pinnacle cap plus a +10 Artifact bonus. I now laugh at how stressed I was back then, because 2026 GMs have evolved significantly, but the fundamentals remain the same. I ran The Devil’s Lair, avoiding the brutal GM Battlegrounds that were common that season. Exotic primaries like Le Monarque or Wish-Ender dealt with Overloads, a crafted Taipan-4FR handled Unstoppable, and everyone spec’d into 100 Resilience with damage resistance mods. Singe and Overcharge stacking demanded careful weapon choice—a 25% damage boost could mean the difference between a smooth clear and a wipe. Our fireteam saved supers for the Sepiks Prime damage phases, and after a tense 35-minute run, we stood victorious. That 100,000 XP and 300 Bright Dust were the sweetest I’ve ever earned.

Even in 2026, I occasionally revisit these old Seasonal Challenges with clanmates who missed them, not for the loot but for the thrill. They taught patience, loadout craft, and teamwork in a way few other activities have matched since. If you ever inherit a dusty Season of the Deep quest log, know that the effort is absolutely worth it.