Destiny 2 Activities & Game Modes — PvE, PvP & PvPvE Guide
Destiny 2 splits into three ritual playlists — Vanguard Operations (PvE), Crucible (PvP) and Gambit (PvPvE) — plus harder endgame modes like Nightfalls, Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner. With Edge of Fate, the new Portal is your fast lane into most of it: pick Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops or Solo Ops and dive in. Start with the ritual playlists, then chase the rewards you actually want.
| Vanguard Operations | PvE | Run Strikes solo or with a fireteam against waves of enemies and a boss | Vanguard gear, ritual loot, leveling materials |
| Nightfall | PvE | The highest-difficulty Strike with modifiers and Champions | Best Strike rewards, exclusive Nightfall weapons |
| Crucible | PvP | 6v6 and other PvP modes against other players | Crucible gear, ritual loot |
| Gambit | PvPvE | Fight, Collect, Bank motes, Invade — two teams race to kill a Primeval | Gambit gear, ritual loot |
| Trials of Osiris | PvP | Weekly 3v3 Elimination, Friday to Tuesday; chase a flawless run | Trials gear; rewards scale with your win streak, plus the Lighthouse at 7 wins |
| Iron Banner | PvP | Limited-time 6v6 where you earn rank with Lord Saladin | Iron Banner gear and emblems — Power Level does not matter here |
| Exotic Mission Rotator | PvE | Rotating access to vaulted Exotic Missions | Exotic weapons and catalysts from past missions |
Start here: the three ritual playlists
If you’re new, play the ritual playlists first. They’re always available, they matchmake, and they teach you the game while dropping reliable loot:
- Vanguard Operations is your PvE home — co-op Strikes against waves of enemies and a boss.
- Crucible is straight PvP. Clash and Control are 6v6; Control fights over three zones, and Rift is its own 6v6 objective mode.
- Gambit mixes both. You kill enemies to collect motes, bank them, and race the other team — with the option to Invade and wreck their run.
Each playlist drops ritual gear and leveling materials, so you’re always making progress even when you’re just messing around.
Crucible modes at a glance
Crucible’s permanent rotation includes Clash (6v6 team deathmatch), Control (6v6 over three capture zones) and Rift (6v6 objective). If you want to push your PvP skills toward the harder competitive modes, Crucible is the on-ramp.
Endgame and ranked: Nightfall, Trials, Iron Banner
Once you’ve got your footing, the rewards get spicier:
- Nightfall is the toughest Strike difficulty. Expect modifiers and Champions, and bring the right counters.
- Trials of Osiris is the weekly competitive crucible. It runs Friday to Tuesday, uses open matchmaking, and your rewards climb with your win streak. Hit 7 wins and the Lighthouse opens up. Power Level matters here.
- Iron Banner is the relaxed counterpart. You rank up with Lord Saladin for Iron Banner gear and emblems, and Power Level does not matter — so you can show up under-leveled and still compete.
💡 Want vaulted Exotic missions back? The Exotic Mission Rotator (added in Season of the Witch, August 2023) cycles old Exotic missions back in so you can still earn their weapons and catalysts.
The Portal: your fast lane in Edge of Fate
Edge of Fate added the Portal, a single launcher that cuts the menu-diving. It sorts activities into Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops and Solo Ops. Fireteam Ops covers Strikes, Battlegrounds, Expeditions and Reclaims, and you can dial in the difficulty and modifiers yourself. Crucible Ops are scored, and Solo Ops are built for playing alone. It’s the easiest way to find something to do without bouncing around the Director.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three Destiny 2 ritual playlists?
The three ritual playlists are Vanguard Operations (PvE Strikes), Crucible (PvP) and Gambit (PvPvE). They're the core, always-available activities and a good first stop for new players.
What is a Nightfall in Destiny 2?
A Nightfall is the highest-difficulty version of a Strike, with extra modifiers and Champions. It gives the best Strike rewards, including exclusive Nightfall weapons.
How does Gambit work in Destiny 2?
Gambit is a PvPvE mode where two teams Fight, Collect motes, and Bank them. Banking 75 motes summons a Primeval boss — kill it to win the round. Each team can also send one player to Invade the enemy.
What's the difference between Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner?
Trials of Osiris is a weekly competitive Elimination mode where rewards scale with your win streak and Power Level matters. Iron Banner is a more casual 6v6 where you rank up with Lord Saladin and Power Level does not matter.
How do I reach the Lighthouse in Trials of Osiris?
Win 7 matches on a Trials Passage to access the Lighthouse. Trials runs weekly from Friday to Tuesday and uses open matchmaking, so you don't need a pre-made fireteam to start.
What is the Portal in Edge of Fate?
The Portal is a streamlined launcher added in Edge of Fate. It groups activities into Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops and Solo Ops so you can jump into most content from one place.