I still remember when Season of the Witch dropped—Eris Morn strutting around as a Hive god, the Altars of Summoning dropping jaws, and a fresh batch of seasonal challenges that had every Guardian scrambling for XP and Bright Dust. Even now, in 2026, I find myself revisiting those same activities to help new lights catch up or to test some updated builds. This week’s roster from that era is pure nostalgia with a side of grind, and honestly, a few of these challenges are still relevant if you’re chasing older cosmetics or catalysts that require seasonal completions. Let me break down each challenge like we’re back in the H.E.L.M., sip of coffee in hand, ready to min-max our way to that Season Pass rank 100.
Acolyte’s Ascent II: Following the Bladed Path
This one is all about progressing the seasonal storyline. You need to finish Week 2 of ”The Bladed Path” quest – no shortcuts here. First off, grab that elemental crystal from the H.E.L.M. and pick your poison: Arc, Solar, or Void. Then, go out into the wild and bag 25 final blows with a weapon matching that element. Easy peasy, right? The real kicker is what comes next. You have to head to a specific Throne World Lost Sector and shoot five runes in a precise order. My pro-tip: the Extraction Lost Sector is the go-to for Arc-aligned characters, but if you’re running Solar or Void, the rune pattern might shift, and sometimes the game sends you to a different Lost Sector entirely. I’ve banged my head against the wall enough times to know that pulling up a quick guide image is clutch.
Here’s a snapshot of the rune sequence for Arc – memorize it or screenshot it, because missing one means a full reset.
The XP reward from this quest step is chunky, and it sets you up nicely for the rest of the season’s narrative, so don’t sleep on it. Even in 2026, running this on an alt character can be a solid Bright Dust farm.
Luminary I: Light kills and Arcana Unveilings
This challenge has two parts, and the second is retroactive – thank the Traveler for that. First, you need to defeat 300 combatants with Void, Arc, or Solar damage. I usually knock this out in a couple of Savathun’s Spire runs; just swap to a good add-clear weapon like Trinity Ghoul or Sunshot, and go to town. The real deal is unveiling five Minor Arcana cards. The fastest way is to stockpile Witch’s Keys. You get these from the Season Pass and as random end-of-activity drops, and they guarantee Minor Arcana when you crack open a chest at the end of a seasonal activity. My advice: don’t burn keys willy-nilly. Save them for when you’re actively chasing this challenge, then queue into the Spire or Altars of Summoning and open chests like it’s your birthday. It’s a chill grind that’ll net you a nice chunk of XP and Bright Dust.
Legend Spire: No Matchmaking, No Problem (Okay, Maybe a Little)
Savathun’s Spire on Legend difficulty is where things start to get spicy. We’re talking a -15 Power delta, locked loadouts, and absolutely no matchmaking. Before you panic – there are no Champions in this version, and the Overcharge mechanic is active to give you a leg up. The catch? You need to have your Deck of Whispers sorted. I strongly suggest filling out some Major Arcana cards before you dive in; those bonuses can turn a sweaty encounter into a walk in the park. Grab a fireteam from your clan or LFG, coordinate your loadouts, and burn down the final boss. It’s a one-and-done challenge that rewards a fat stack of XP, so even if you’re a solo player, it’s worth the effort to find a group. In 2026, this activity is still in the Legends tab, so you can always revisit it for the thrill.
Wisps and Whispers: Let the Cards Do the Talking
This one might be the easiest challenge on the list. As long as you have at least five Major Arcana cards in your deck, you’re golden. The challenge simply requires you to draw seven Whisper Cards, and that happens automatically at the start of every combat encounter in Savathun’s Spire or Altars of Summoning. No button pressing, no special effort – just play the seasonal activities. I’ve had this complete itself during a single Spire run without even realizing it. Pro-tip: make sure you’ve actually unlocked those Major Arcana cards at the Lectern of Divination beforehand; otherwise, you’re wasting time. This is a classic “set it and forget it” challenge that delivers rewards on a silver platter.
Absolutely Stunning: Champion Control Crash Course
Now we’re talking about a real grind. Stunning 50 Champions demands some dedication, but don’t let the number spook you. Stunning the same Champion multiple times counts, so if you’re crafty, you can farm a single one. My go-to method is speed-running Legend Lost Sectors. Most of them can be cleared in under five minutes and pack at least three Champions. The Bay of Drowned Wishes or Excavation Site XII were my staples back in the day, and they still hold up for this challenge. Slap on the appropriate anti-Champion mods, bring a weapon with intrinsic anti-barrier or overload, and go to town. In about an hour of focused farming, you’ll be 100,000 XP and 300 Bright Dust richer. It’s a sweat session, but totally worth it if you’re gunning for that last Seasonal engram.
Most Dangerous Prey: Guardian Hunting Made Fun
Defeating 25 Guardians in Crucible or Gambit is a breeze if you pick the right playlist. I always lean toward Crucible because the matches are faster and less dependent on PvE objectives. Game modes like Momentum Control, Mayhem, or Team Scorched turn this into a 15-minute affair at most. If you’re not a PvP sweat, don’t stress – use whatever loadout feels comfortable. A solid pulse rifle or a shotgun rush can net you the kills in no time. Rumble is also a solid bet because there are more targets and fewer teammates to steal your final blows. The reward is a respectable 25,000 XP and 75 Bright Dust, so it’s a low-effort, high-reward challenge. Grab a cup of tea, queue up, and let the Guardian downfalls commence.
Bank, Kill, Repeat: Gambit Done Right
Love it or hate it, Gambit is on the menu. This challenge wants you to earn 250 points by playing the objective: banking Motes, killing Blockers, and invading. While invading can give big point chunks, the most consistent path is to just bank Motes like a madman. Each Mote is roughly one point, and Blockers can net you anywhere from 5 to 15 points apiece. I focus on clearing adds, grabbing 15 Motes, and dunking them immediately – don’t get greedy. Take out Blockers ASAP to keep your bank clear, and you’ll finish this in three or four matches. It’s a chill grind that pairs well with a good podcast. Plus, 25,000 XP and 75 Bright Dust are a nice little bonus for just playing the game mode as intended. If you’re really clinical, equip a weapon that melts Blockers (like a fusion rifle) and you’ll shave time off each match.
There you have it – a full rundown of the weekly challenges that once had the Tower buzzing. Even in 2026, these objectives are a great way to remind ourselves why Destiny 2’s seasonal model keeps us coming back. Whether you’re a veteran chasing nostalgia or a blueberry trying to understand why Eris has a throne, these tips will keep your grind efficient. Keep your guns loaded, your cards shuffled, and your supers ready. Eyes up, Guardian.