Reclaiming the Plaguelands: A Guardian’s Guide to the New Territories Event in Destiny 2

The universe of Destiny 2 is a perpetually shifting tapestry of conflict and conquest. With the arrival of the “Ash & Iron” major update, a familiar terror has resurfaced from a bygone era, bringing with it a new event: New Territories. At the heart of this event is the “Reclaim” activity, a three-player mission that sends Guardians back to the iconic, SIVA-infested Plaguelands from Destiny 1’s “Rise of Iron” expansion. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to not only survive this new threat but to master it and secure its valuable rewards.

Reclaim is a high-stakes, narrative-driven activity where your fireteam’s primary objective is to recover Golden Age technology before the antagonist, Maya Sundaresh, can get her hands on it. This is a fast-paced, four-stage mission that requires strategic thinking, effective communication, and a mastery of the game’s mechanics.

How to Start and Navigate the Reclaim Event

The Reclaim activity can be found in the “Fireteam Ops” section of the Portal menu. While a featured playlist with matchmaking is available, for the most efficient runs, it is highly recommended to assemble a dedicated fireteam. The activity is divided into four distinct zones, each with its own set of objectives.

Objective Scoring: Your main goal in each zone is to fill a 1,000-point meter. Progress is made by:

• Main Objectives: Look for glowing lines on the ground that lead to large, shielded warsat fragments. You must defeat the enemies guarding the fragment to drop its shield, allowing you to interact with it and earn a massive 500 points toward your objective meter.
• Mini-Objectives: Scattered around the zone are smaller warsat fragments, as well as secret chests in side rooms and alcoves. Interacting with these will grant you smaller, but still crucial, point bonuses. Constantly be on the lookout for these to speed up your clear time.
• Enemy Kills: Defeating all enemy types, from standard mobs to high-value targets, contributes to your total score. The more enemies you defeat, the faster you fill the meter.

Once the 1,000-point meter is filled in an area, you can board your ship to proceed to the next zone.

Enemy Types and Unique Mechanics

Reclaim introduces a variety of enemies, and their composition can change between runs. You can expect to face off against the Vex, Fallen, Cabal, and more. Understanding the unique mechanics of the activity is key to success.

• Vex Nodes: Similar to mechanics seen in other activities, some enemies, particularly bosses, will shield themselves with Vex nodes. You must destroy these cubes to make them vulnerable again. Be mindful that some nodes can only be destroyed from within melee range, forcing you to get up close and personal.
• Dynamic Challenges: Reclaim is designed to be replayable. One run might task you with defending a point against waves of enemies, while the next may require you to solve a Vex password puzzle. Be ready to adapt to different situations.
• Golden Age Buffs: Uncovering Golden Age tech can grant your fireteam powerful, temporary buffs. These can range from increased damage output to enhanced mobility. These buffs are not entirely predictable, so they add an element of strategy and on-the-fly problem-solving to each run.

The Final Boss Encounter

After successfully securing all four zones, your fireteam will face the final boss, Kleftis, Archeodaemon. This boss is a standard Vex Harpy but with a twist. The encounter will feature Vex node mechanics that you must dismantle to make the boss vulnerable. The final phase will require you to destroy a series of nodes, some of which may be protected by enemy shields, before you can finally unleash your firepower on the boss itself.

Rewards: The Spoils of Victory

Reclaim is the primary source for all “Ash & Iron” gear. This new loot pool includes a fresh set of armor and a variety of powerful weapons that can drop from enemies and the final chest.

• Armor Sets: Keep an eye out for the new Smoke Jumper and Disaster Corps armor sets.
• New Weapons: The loot table is packed with new weapons for every playstyle, including the MIDA Macro-Tool Shotgun, the Haliaetus Rocket Launcher, and the Trachinus Shotgun. These are great additions to any Guardian’s arsenal and can be acquired with various perks to create “God Rolls.”

Mastering the Reclaim event in Destiny 2 is a rewarding experience that offers a fresh challenge and a treasure trove of new loot. By understanding the objectives, adapting to the mechanics, and working as a cohesive unit, you will be well on your way to conquering the Plaguelands and earning your place as a Guardian of legend.