An Alluring Challenge: The Sundered Doctrine Dungeon
Destiny 2’s Sundered Doctrine dungeon has captured the attention of many players with its enthralling story, intriguing mechanics, and the potential to focus loot after completing the Drowning Labyrinth quest. The dungeon’s drops are a significant draw, offering four new and unique weapons, each with its own set of perks. However, to take advantage of the loot focusing feature, players must first embark on a time-consuming quest, which, while lengthy, is well worth the effort for those who desire more control over their loot drops. This guide will walk you through the process of unlocking and using the weapon and armor focusing feature, as discovered by content creator Skarrow9, known for his prowess in solving Destiny 2’s most complex puzzles.
Unlocking Weapon and Armor Focusing in the Sundered Doctrine Dungeon
Before you can start focusing your drops, you need to complete the Drowning Labyrinth quest. This quest is a bit of a marathon, requiring you to find three sets of three worms spread out across the dungeon. The quest involves multiple clears, typically four or five, due to its nonlinear nature. You must find the worms, reset the dungeon, and then clear the final encounter. While the process can be tedious, the reward is more than worthwhile: the ability to choose your loot after completing the dungeon. This feature is similar to the one found in the Rogue Network quest for Vesper’s Host, but it is significantly more straightforward and less convoluted.
Focusing Your Loot: The Final Steps
Once you have completed the Drowning Labyrinth quest, head back to the Hidden base camp. Here, you will find a new document to the left of the dial. Input the final code (Worm, Give, Guardian) to receive a message above your Super bar, indicating that you have done it correctly. You should also see a buff called "Fully Initiated" on the left side of your screen. Next, turn around and locate a crate on the front-right side of the camp. A symbol will appear above the crate, representing the item you are focusing on. If the symbol is blank, it means you are not targeting any specific drops. It’s important to note that focusing on armor you haven’t obtained can sometimes result in duplicate drops, as Skarrow9 warns.
Navigating the Symbol Rooms
There are nine symbols in total, with three located before each major encounter in the dungeon. These symbols are essential for focusing your loot, and each one corresponds to a specific item. Here’s a detailed breakdown of where to find each symbol:
Witness (Chest Armor)
The first symbol, Witness, is just across from the Hidden base camp, below the bridge leading to the rest of the dungeon. If you’re unsure where to go, use your Ghost to spot the invisible platforms. Interact with the Witness symbol to focus your drop into a chest piece. This symbol is straightforward and easy to locate, making it a good starting point for those new to focusing loot.
Hive (Helmet)
The Hive symbol, which focuses your loot into a helmet, is located in the area with red and white lights. After clearing the two Subjugators and crawling through a hidden passage in the wall, you will need to jump down through the first hole with red lights. You’ll land beside an Activate prompt, which opens up the room containing the Hive symbol. If you can’t find it, keep dropping until you reach a muddy floor, then hop on the rock and jump to the opposite ledge. Once there, you should see the prompt.
Guardian (Class Item)
The Guardian symbol, which focuses your drop into a class item, is found in the flooded area with one of the objectives from the Drowning Labyrinth quest. After dropping down past the Hive room, clear the enemies and look to the right side of the entrance to find a wall. Climb onto the wall and shoot the door to open the room with the Guardian symbol. While this drop may not be as useful in regular runs, it can be crucial for guaranteeing an Artifice drop on Master difficulty.
Focusing Items Between the First and Second Encounters
The next three symbols are located between the first and second major encounters in the dungeon. Each symbol is strategically placed to test your navigational skills and attention to detail.
Give (Gauntlets)
The Give symbol, which focuses your drop into gauntlets, is just after the first encounter where you activated the control room during the Drowning Labyrinth quest. This symbol is located on the far left side of the zone, parallel to the door you enter to continue the dungeon. Simply interact with the symbol to target the gauntlets for your drop.
Grief (Shotgun)
To focus on the Unworthy shotgun, you need to find the Grief symbol. This is located in the incline area that tries to throw you into a gap, reminiscent of the Duality encounter. Stand on the right wall in this room to trigger the door that leads to the Grief symbol. Be cautious and avoid the rolling traps to reach this crucial symbol.
Knowledge/Remember (Scout Rifle)
The Knowledge/Remember symbol, which focuses your drop into the Unworthy scout rifle, is in the area with the rolling traps. At the far end of the hallway with the traps, look to the left for an interact prompt. While Sundered Doctrine labels this symbol as "Remember," players familiar with Vow of the Disciple will recognize it as "Knowledge." Interact with this symbol to set your focus on the scout rifle.
Focusing Items Between the Zoetic Lockset and Kerrev, the Erased
The final three symbols are located between the Zoetic Lockset and the final boss, Kerrev, the Erased. These symbols are a bit more challenging to find but offer valuable rewards.
Darkness (Hand Cannon)
The Darkness symbol, which focuses your drop into the Unloved hand cannon, is in the room with the Worm and Enter glyphs. As you enter this room, look for a door on the left side. The second secret chest, which you can claim once you complete the dungeon, will be on your right. Interact with the Darkness symbol to target the hand cannon for your drop.
Worm (Trace Rifle)
The Worm symbol, fittingly, is found in the room with the enormous Worm symbol on the wall. As you walk into this room, locate the door on the left side. The room with the symbol is slightly above and to the left of this door. Shoot the door to enter the room and interact with the symbol to change your end-of-activity drop into the Unsworn trace rifle.
Fleet (Leg Armor)
The final symbol, Fleet, is located right after the room with the Worm and Enter symbols. Instead of following the intended path and shooting the door open, look to your left for a part of the wall that appears lighter and different from the surrounding area. Stand on this section to open the room with the Fleet symbol, which focuses your drop into leg armor. This symbol is a bit harder to spot but is crucial for completing the focusing process.
Claiming Your Focused Drop
After defeating Kerrev, the Erased, head to Rhulk’s vault to claim your focused drop. This is the same chest that provided the class item and the Finality’s Auger catalyst if you had the Exotic beforehand. You can focus your loot once per character per week, giving you a valuable tool to enhance your gear collection. Whether you’re aiming for a specific weapon or piece of armor, the focusing feature in Sundered Doctrine offers a level of control that can significantly impact your Destiny 2 experience.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your time and effort in the Sundered Doctrine dungeon are rewarded with the exact items you desire, making each run more purposeful and enjoyable. The journey may be long, but the satisfaction of obtaining the gear you need is undoubtedly worth it. Happy hunting, Guardians!
