In the expansive world of Destiny, there’s one captivating aspect that continually unites players globally: raid races. Ever since The Vault of Glass debuted in 2014, gamers have enthusiastically participated or tuned in to watch live streams, vying to be the first to conquer these challenging endgame activities. The excitement continues with Destiny 2’s The Edge of Fate expansion, introducing the thrilling new raid, The Desert Perpetual.
Gather your fireteam, as six Guardians will have the chance to “become legend,” securing not only bragging rights but also exclusive loot as the first team to triumph in The Desert Perpetual. While top streamers and seasoned Destiny 2 players dive in, anyone can join the action when the raid goes live on July 19 at 12 PM CT. If you’re unable to join or watch, stay updated with our live blog to catch all the latest developments. Prepare for an exhilarating day of Destiny 2 raiding!
Who’s leading in Destiny 2 ‘The Desert Perpetual’ Raid Race? Live updates
- 11:01 AM CT: As we kick things off, let’s stay vigilant about server stability. There have been issues recently with soft-locking during encounters, so fingers crossed for a smooth raid this time. How long will it last? Last year’s raid from The Final Shape went deep into the following morning; let’s hope this one wraps up quicker!
- July 19, 2025, 10:50 AM CT: Good morning, Guardians and gamers! Today marks one of the most exciting days in Destiny 2—a new raid is upon us. Get ready to witness teams battling for the coveted title of world first!
What is Contest Mode in Destiny 2?
Contest Mode for The Desert Perpetual imposes a Power cap of 100 on all Guardians. This means that any Power above 100 resets to this cap, significantly ramping up the difficulty as higher-level enemies appear in each encounter. Every player who completes the raid during Contest Mode will receive the raid’s exotic weapon. Once Contest Mode concludes on July 21, Power advantages will resume.
Disabled items
To maintain competitive balance, several items are disabled during Contest Mode. This includes:
- Weapons
- Outbreak Perfected
- Third Iteration
- Choir of One
- Icebreaker
- Barrow Dyad
- Hierarchy of Needs
- Grand Overture
- Armor and Mods
- Temporal Tracker Weapon Mod
- Temporal Blast Seasonal Weapon Mod
- Temporal Armaments Seasonal Weapon Mod
- Temporal Adapter Seasonal Weapon Mod
- Temporal Loader Seasonal Weapon Mod
- Bounty and Weapon Leveling Progression for Combatant Kills
Raid Race rewards
Completing the raid during Contest Mode, which ends on July 21 at 12 PM CT, will reward players with the exclusive emblem Timeline’s Blade. Additionally, everyone who finishes the raid will earn the emblem Third Unknown.
The champions will receive notable rewards, including a world first raid race championship belt. Plus, Bungie will offer a special jacket, bag, and pin for players who link their Bungie account to the Bungie Store and finish the raid, as part of the Bungie Rewards initiative.
The Desert Perpetual loot pool
Data reveals that the raid’s exotic weapon will likely be a Strand rocket launcher, alongside legendary gear including an auto rifle, combat bow (representing a new crossbow weapon archetype), fusion rifle, rocket launcher, sniper rifle, and submachine gun. There will also be exclusive armor sets tailored for each class. More details on specific gear drops will emerge as players navigate through the raid.
Raid race streams to catch
Bungie is collaborating with numerous streamers across various languages and regions to host raid race watch parties. The developer will also run a pre-show starting at 11:45 AM CT.
- Bungie pre-show
- Evanf1997 and CbGray pre-show and full raid
- WiseThug and Merj1 (FR)
- Nexxoss Gaming and EllyKnalltRein (DE)
- Masseo (IT)
- El Tío Toland (LATAM MX)
For varied player perspectives, head to the Destiny 2 Twitch directory. Here, you’ll find top streamers and raid racers aiming for victory, with some vying for their second, third, or even fourth victories.
What is a raid race in Destiny 2? It involves teams racing to complete a newly released raid as quickly as possible. This competitive element has become a staple in the franchise, fostering a vibrant community.
How can players prepare for a raid race in Destiny 2? Players should level up their gear, optimize their loadouts, and practice strategies with their fireteam. Coordination and communication are essential for success.
What rewards can players expect from the raid in Destiny 2? Rewards include exclusive emblems, unique weapons, and special armor sets. Additionally, team members may earn tangible rewards from the Bungie Rewards system.
Why is the raid race significant in the Destiny 2 community? It symbolizes teamwork and skill, uniting players for glory and encourages participation in the game’s ongoing narrative.
Don’t miss out on the excitement and be sure to explore more related content at Moyens I/O!