As I logged into Destiny 2 on that fateful July morning in 2025, my fireteam and I were buzzing with anticipation. The Desert Perpetual raid had just launched at 10:00 a.m. PDT on July 19, marking the start of the World First race for The Edge of Fate expansion. We'd prepped for weeks, studying strategies and gearing up, ready to tackle the new nonlinear structure where players could activate spheres in the hub to access three boss encounters in any order. Contest mode was on for the first 48 hours, promising an emblem and exclusive rewards for those who conquered it fast. But as we pushed through the encounters, whispers of something sinister spread through our comms—cheaters were already exploiting the system, tarnishing the race we'd all dreamed of winning. 😔 The thrill of discovery was overshadowed by a creeping dread, knowing that our hard work might be invalidated by those breaking the rules.

My heart sank when Bungie's official Twitter account confirmed the rumors on July 25. They're investigating reports of widespread cheating during the Contest mode, with fireteams using hacks to clear The Desert Perpetual unfairly. I remember checking my raid clear status and gasping—I'd jumped hundreds of spots on the leaderboard! Like Twitter user T1Khan_, I moved from around 510th to 172nd place, a stark sign that cheaters had infiltrated many teams. Bungie reiterated that cheating violates the Code of Conduct and is a bannable offense, even for players who unknowingly benefited. The backlash was immediate; our clan chats exploded with anger and frustration, turning what should have been a celebration into a battlefield of accusations and doubts. How could something so exciting become so toxic?

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This isn't just about one raid—it's a symptom of Destiny 2's deeper issues. Estimates suggest roughly 400 out of 600 Contest mode clears involved cheating, making The Desert Perpetual the most impacted raid ever. As a long-time player, I've seen cheating plague PvP for years, but this feels personal. Battleye, our anti-cheat shield, seems powerless now, and I can't help but wonder if it's still viable. The community's rallying cries for stricter punishments echo in every forum, with players demanding bans and leaderboard resets to restore fairness. Coupled with The Edge of Fate's shaky launch numbers, this scandal paints a grim picture for Destiny 2's future. Will we ever trust raid races again?

Amid the chaos, many Guardians are asking burning questions. Here are some common ones:

People Also Ask:

  • 🤔 What exactly is Contest mode in Destiny 2 raids? It's a 48-hour challenge with increased difficulty for early completions, rewarding exclusive emblems.

  • 😠 How many teams were caught cheating in The Desert Perpetual? Reports indicate about 400 of the 600 clears involved illicit methods.

  • 🔍 Is Battleye effective against Destiny 2 cheaters? Currently, no—it's under scrutiny for failing to prevent this massive breach.

  • ⚖️ What consequences do cheaters face? Bungie enforces bans, but players affected demand harsher penalties like permanent account deletions.

Reflecting on this, I recall the joy of past raids—the camaraderie, the triumphs. Now, it's marred by suspicion. As we debate solutions, from improved detection to community policing, I'm left pondering: what role do we, as players, play in safeguarding the integrity of competitive gaming? Can we ever eliminate cheating without stifling the fun? 💭