Leviathan

Leviathan: Calus's Gilded Prison

The Leviathan is a colossal, ancient Cabal warship that serves as the setting for one of Destiny 2's original raids. Once the personal pleasure barge of the deposed Cabal Emperor Calus, it has been transformed into a gilded prison and a testament to his decadent and terrifying re. Entering the Leviathan is a journey into a labyrinth of opulent halls, deadly traps, and grotesque challenges designed to test the mettle of those who dare to enter.

The raid begins with Guardians boarding the Leviathan, often through a perilous descent into its depths. The initial encounters focus on navigating the ship's intricate architecture and solving environmental puzzles. The raid is divided into several distinct encounters, each with unique mechanics that require precise teamwork and communication. These encounters often involve manipulating levers, redirecting power, and defeating waves of enemies in specific sequences.

The core encounters within the Leviathan raid include:

• The Royal Pools: Guardians must cleanse themselves in pools of pleasure while fending off enemies and managing a debuff.
• The Pleasure Gardens: A stealth-based encounter where players must navigate a garden filled with dangerous beasts, using light and shadow to their advantage.
• The Gauntlet: A challenging race against time where Guardians must traverse a series of obstacles while carrying a buff, requiring precise platforming and coordination.
• The Council of the Four: The penultimate encounter where players must identify and defeat specific Cabal loyalists based on symbols and roles.
• Calus, Emperor of the Cabal: The final boss encounter, a multi-stage fight that tests all the skills learned throughout the raid. Players must damage Calus while also dealing with his Psion clones and the mechanics of his throne room.

Success in the Leviathan raid hinges on understanding and executing complex mechanics. For instance, in the Royal Pools, players must coordinate who drinks from which pool to avoid a debilitating debuff. In the Gauntlet, a designated runner must navigate a treacherous path while others defend them. The Council of the Four requires keen observation and quick decision-making to identify the correct targets.

The Leviathan raid is renowned for its unique aesthetic, blending opulent, almost baroque, des with the brutal functionality of a warship. The lore surrounding Emperor Calus, his exile, and his twisted desires for his chosen champions is deeply embedded within the raid's environment and dialogue. Completing the Leviathan offers powerful rewards, including unique raid armor and weapons that are highly sought after by Guardians. It remains a memorable and challenging experience that tests a fireteam's ability to work together under immense pressure.

Key Mechanics and Strategies: