Riptide

Riptide is a pivotal mission within Destiny 2's Red War campaign, where players must infiltrate a Fallen Ketch and sabotage their operations. This guide will detail the mission's objectives, enemy encounters, and strategies to successfully complete this critical step in reclaiming Earth.

The mission 'Riptide' is a key objective during the Red War campaign, tasking Guardians with boarding a Fallen Ketch that has docked near the EDZ. This mission serves as an introduction to more complex infiltration and sabotage gameplay, pushing players to engage with Fallen combatants in close quarters and utilize environmental elements to their advantage. Successfully completing Riptide is crucial for disrupting the Fallen's grip on Earth and advancing the narrative towards liberating humanity.

Mission Objectives:

The primary objectives for the Riptide mission are:

Infiltrate the Fallen Ketch: Your first task is to find a way aboard the massive Fallen vessel. This usually involves navigating through a series of exterior platforms and engaging with Fallen guards.
Destroy the Ketch's Engines: Once inside, you'll need to make your way to the engine room and destroy the primary engines. This will involve fighting through multiple levels of the Ketch, encountering various Fallen units.
Escape the Ketch: After the engines are destroyed, the Ketch will begin to break apart. You'll need to find an escape route and get clear of the exploding vessel before it crashes.

Enemy Encounters:

Throughout the Riptide mission, you will primarily face Fallen enemies. Expect to encounter:

Fallen Dregs: The most common enemy, armed with Shock Rifles. They are weak but can swarm you.
Fallen Vandals: More dangerous than Dregs, armed with longer-range weaponry and capable of flanking.
Fallen Captains: Elite enemies that serve as mini-bosses. They are heavily armored and wield powerful weapons, often with shields.
Fallen Servitors: These floating orbs provide buffs to nearby Fallen enemies and can unleash devastating energy attacks. Prioritize taking them down.

Strategies for Success:

To effectively complete the Riptide mission, consider the following strategies:

Weapon Choice: For the close-quarters combat within the Ketch, Shotguns and Submachine Guns are highly effective. For engaging enemies at a distance on the exterior, Pulse Rifles or Scout Rifles can be useful.
Ability Usage: Utilize your grenades and melee abilities to clear groups of Dregs and Vandals quickly. Your Super ability should be saved for tougher enemies like Captains or Servitors, or for when you are overwhelmed.
Cover and Positioning: The interior of the Ketch offers plenty of cover. Use it to your advantage to reload, recover health, and plan your next move. Avoid standing in the open for extended periods.
Target Prioritization: Always focus on taking down Servitors first, as they empower other Fallen. Then, deal with Captains and Vandals before engaging the weaker Dregs.
Environmental Hazards: Be aware of explosive barrels and other environmental hazards that can be used against enemies.
Escape Route: When the Ketch begins to break apart, follow the on-screen prompts to find the quickest escape route. Don't linger too long, as the explosion can easily kill you.

Rewards:

Upon successful completion of the Riptide mission, you will be rewarded with experience points, Glimmer, and progress in the Red War campaign. You will also likely receive a piece of gear, such as a weapon or armor piece, to help you continue your journey.