Destiny 2 Starcrossed Exotic Mission Guide: Wish-Keeper, Catalysts & Strategy

So, you've heard about the new Starcrossed Exotic mission in Destiny 2's Season of the Wish? Let me tell you, as someone who's run this thing more times than I can count since its release, it's one of the most engaging activities we've gotten in a while. It throws us right back into the mysterious Black Garden, a place we haven't truly explored since the Garden of Salvation raid days. This isn't just a quick strike; it's a full-fledged adventure with intricate mechanics, hidden secrets, and a fantastic new Strand Exotic Bow, the Wish-Keeper, waiting at the finish line. Think you're ready to unravel Riven's latest paracausal puzzle? Let's dive in.

🛡️ Modifiers And Recommended Loadouts: Gearing Up for the Garden

First things first, you need to know what you're walking into. Starcrossed has two difficulty settings: Normal and Legend. Now, which one should you pick?

• Normal Difficulty is your standard fare. It's got a -5 Power Delta, meaning you're slightly under-leveled, with Solar and Stasis Surges and a Void Threat. It's perfect for learning the ropes and grabbing your first Wish-Keeper.

• Legend Difficulty is where the real challenge—and rewards—are. Here's the breakdown:

Modifier	Legend Effect
Power Limit	-15 Power Delta
Surges	Solar & Strand
Overcharge	Bow (Seasonal Artifact weapons get +25% damage!)
Threat	Void
Champions	Unstoppable (in first & third encounters)
Shields	Arc & Void
Shocker	Defeated Goblins spawn damaging Arc pools

See that Overcharge? It's a game-changer. A good Legend Bow build can absolutely shred here. But those Unstoppable Champions demand respect.

What Should I Bring?

This is where your build matters. I've tested countless loadouts, and here's what consistently works best for me in 2026.

Subclass Picks:

• Hunters: You can't beat Threadrunner. The mobility from Grapple is insane for this mission's arenas. Pair it with Cyrtarachne's Facade for free Woven Mail. Prefer stealth? Nightstalker with Devour and invisibility is a safe, powerful choice.

• Titans: Berserker with Synthoceps is pure, unadulterated violence, perfect for deleting those tough Obdurate Phalanxes. If you want more sustain, Sunbreaker with Restoration is a fantastic alternative.

• Warlocks: Is anyone surprised? Dawnblade with Sunbracers is still a top-tier pick for solo and group play, offering infinite grenades and incredible healing. For a more controlled, crowd-focused run, Shadebinder is an excellent option.

Weapon Loadout:

My go-to formula is simple:

1. Kinetic Slot: A workhorse special weapon. Think The Supremacy (sniper), Scatter Signal (fusion rifle), or the ever-reliable Conditional Finality.

2. Energy Slot: An Exotic Primary. Why? With Heavy Ammo Finder mods, you'll be swimming in purple bricks. It's the most efficient ammo economy for a long mission.

3. Heavy Slot: Rocket Launchers for burst damage. Exotics like Dragon's Breath or Leviathan's Breath are phenomenal for boss DPS if you move your Exotic to this slot.

🗺️ Navigating the Mission: A Step-by-Step Journey

Alright, let's talk about the mission itself. It's a marathon, not a sprint, broken into key sections.

1. Traverse The Black Garden

Remember the Garden of Salvation? This opening section works the same way. You'll be shooting those familiar oval-shaped growths to create platforms. Follow the natural path of moss and branches. It's a scenic warm-up before you meet the Taken outside.

2. Open The Way & The Buff System

This is your tutorial for the mission's core mechanic. You'll find glowing circles that grant buffs:

• Sire's Obligation (Blue/White): Lets you see symbols above Taken Phalanxes and damage them.

• Dam's Gift (Orange): Allows you to walk through deadly orange fog unharmed.

• Crowned by Dragons: The combined buff, granting both effects.

Your first real test is the "Open the Way" encounter. A large gate shows three Last Wish symbols (e.g., Dragon, Eight Snake, Bird). You must find and defeat the Phalanxes projecting those symbols in the exact order shown. Grab Sire's Obligation, identify the symbols on the Phalanxes around the arena, and take them down.

3. Access The Transit Mechanism

Now, Dam's Gift becomes crucial. Your goal is to overload three Vex stations, each guarded by a nasty Wyvern. The catch? The paths are covered in that orange fog. Grab the buff, sprint through the fog to a station, kill the Wyvern to drop its shield, and deposit your energy. Rinse and repeat three times. Pro tip: The second station is inside the fog, so watch your buff timer!

4. Deactivate The Barrier & Final Boss

The next barrier combines both mechanics. Grab BOTH buffs to become Crowned by Dragons. Now you can see the gate's symbols and traverse fog to reach Phalanxes hiding in caves. Defeat them in order to proceed.

Finally, you face Akardon, Pitiless Mind. This is a marathon boss fight. Plant a Rally Flag before you jump down!

• Akardon starts with two Obdurate Phalanxes that give him rotating Hydra shields. Kill them first.

• He constantly spawns Seeker drones that can detain you, even pulling you out of your Super. Clear them before attempting damage phases.

• The fight is about buff management, add control, and finding safe moments to dump your Heavy ammo. Use cover, leverage healing (Devour/Restoration), and be patient.

💎 Hunting for Hidden Chests & Catalysts

Why run Starcrossed more than once? For the loot and the upgrades!

Hidden Chests

There are four hidden chests, each granting a reprised Undying weapon (good red-border chance!) and an intrinsic upgrade for Wish-Keeper. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Chest #1 (Overland): At the very start, after the first Vex, turn around and look down for a hidden platform.

2. Chest #2 (Overland): When you first exit to the Black Garden exterior, look left for an orange "Ram's Gift" circle. Stand in it, then look toward the waterfall for a path.

3. Chest #3 (Traverse The Garden): After the first encounter, when you get the Dam's Gift tutorial, jump to the left column's lip for a buff upgrade, then head into the fog and up the left stairs.

4. Chest #4 (Roost): After the second encounter and the shifting platform puzzle, grab the Dam's Gift buff in a room, then double back to find a narrow slit in the wall.

Unlocking Wish-Keeper's Full Potential

The real endgame is powering up your new bow. After your first clear, visit Mara Sov in the H.E.L.M. She'll give you quests for four Exotic Catalysts. You need to find "Constellations" in the world and then complete Starcrossed on Legend.

Catalyst Quest	Location	Reward (Catalyst)
Constellation: Tower	Starcrossed, Overland (near first Sire's Obligation)	Enduring Snare Refit (longer traps)
Constellation: Lock	Dreaming City, Spine of Keres	Multi-Threaded Snare Refit (traps suspend more targets)
Constellation: Pair	Starcrossed, Roost (after 2nd encounter)	Vorpal Weapon Refit (+20% boss damage)
Constellation: Wish	Dreaming City, Gardens of Esila	Hatchling Refit (Precision kills spawn a Threadling)

The process is always the same: Find Riven's message, equip Wish-Keeper, shoot the glowing stars in the sky to form the constellation, collect the inscription, and then finish a Legend Starcrossed run. The Hatchling catalyst, which finally dropped a couple years back, is especially nasty on a Strand build.

So, there you have it. Starcrossed is a dense, rewarding piece of content that has stood the test of time since the Season of the Wish. It tests your combat skills, your puzzle-solving, and your dedication to the loot grind. What are you waiting for, Guardian? The Black Garden—and your perfect Wish-Keeper—are calling.