Kicking Off the Criticality Mission
Starting the Criticality mission in Destiny 2's Edge of Fate expansion puts you straight into chaos. The Ionian energy reactor is on the verge of going nuclear, and you're the only one who can stop it. As soon as the mission starts, you're thrown into a heated zone swarming with Vex enemies.
Keep your loadout flexible—this first part is about clearing waves while locating initial power nodes. Focus on crowd control weapons like SMGs or auto rifles and bring something strong for burst damage like a rocket launcher or linear fusion rifle.
Once you clear the initial area, expect a quick prompt from your ghost and teammates discussing the reactor meltdown risk. It sets the tone: this is not a slow-paced grind; it’s a fast-moving objective with high stakes.
Navigating to the Reactor Core
You’ll be directed toward the reactor's lower levels. Here, you'll find multiple hostile groups attempting to overrun the path. Stay on the move and use cover often—Vex minotaurs and hydras will start showing up in this stretch.
Your job is to locate and disable energy nodes as you progress. They’re marked, but you'll be multitasking between clearing enemies and manually deactivating each one. Watch for exposed coolant pipes and electrical surges—they give you a clue on where to look.
Use high mobility subclasses (like Arc Hunter or Strand Warlock) to make dodging easier. If you go down, the respawn timer is forgiving in solo, but still try to avoid unnecessary deaths as the mission escalates quickly.
First Reactor Encounter and Coolant Route
Once you hit the central room, the fight gets tighter. You’ll be given new directions: route the coolant back to the core. The area’s layout starts resembling a mini-dungeon—multiple levels, narrow corridors, and vertical drops.
You'll need to find and activate coolant valves. These are tucked behind pressure doors and flanked by Vex turrets and snipers. Prioritize clearing snipers first. Don’t just push in—take your time and use grenades to control choke points.
After activating the valves, you’ll see a visual shift—steam begins venting from reactor pipes, and new paths open up. It's a sign you're making progress.
Rescuing the Ionians
Now the mission pivots to rescue. NPC chatter will alert you that the Ionians are scattered and vulnerable to the blast radius. You’re tasked with buying them time to escape, which means dealing with multiple enemy waves while holding your ground.
Expect increased aggression from enemies. Vex Wyverns begin spawning, and they’ll push hard. Use your Super here—don’t save it. Time it to clear high-threat targets like shielded enemies or large mobs.
Survivability is key. If you’re struggling, consider using exotics like Ophidian Aspect or Wormhusk Crown for instant healing or ability recharge. This phase lasts until your allies confirm evac progress.
Descending Beneath the Reactor
At this point, you're directed underneath the reactor—an unstable zone filled with environmental hazards. The coolant reservoir is cracked, and your path is full of platforming challenges and enemy ambushes.
You’ll navigate through dark tunnels with flickering lights. Thermal surges can cause random damage pulses, so don’t linger in heated areas. Equip mods that boost resilience or give damage resistance when surrounded.
Keep an eye on the ground—many enemies hide behind coolant vents. This part is more about awareness than combat power. Push forward slowly and stick close to walls when you can.
Anomalies and Cryptic Messages
Here’s where the narrative gets a bit surreal. As you move closer to the reactor, audio and visual cues begin to distort. The Nine start to intervene—sort of. You’ll hear glitchy messages, see sudden visions, and experience brief time shifts.
Ignore these distractions when fighting. Mechanically, this phase is the same—enemy waves, node interactions, and traversal. But don’t miss the lore. There’s valuable backstory hidden in the dialogue between Orin, Aora, and the Guardian.
A dialogue loop will trigger, ending with the unsettling realization that the Nine might not be here to help at all. It adds urgency—and isolation—to the mission.
Reactor Breach and Final Node Objective
You’re now at the heart of the meltdown. The final coolant node must be disabled to prevent a full collapse. Enemies here are more coordinated, and you’ll be dodging energy blasts while juggling mission mechanics.
This section plays like a mini-raid encounter. Watch for rotating coolant fans, unstable walkways, and periodic surges that throw off your aim. Patience is key. Rotate around the arena and use your environment wisely.
The node isn’t hard to find—but getting to it while under fire is. If you have a defensive subclass, this is the time to switch (Titan Bubble or Warlock Well works wonders). Once the node is destroyed, the reactor begins stabilizing.
Cinematic and Collapse Echoes
After stabilizing the core, the mission pauses for a bit. You’ll get a full cutscene showcasing what Aora sees—visions of Earth during the Collapse, strange timelines, and surreal imagery.
This is lore-heavy, so pay attention. While it doesn’t change gameplay, it frames the emotional impact of the mission. There’s frustration, betrayal, and a realization that the Nine are manipulating outcomes, not saving anyone.
Use this time to resupply if possible. The final battle is about to kick off, and it’s no joke.
Hydra Separation and Reactor Detachment
Your final combat objective is to sever a massive Hydra connected to the core. It’s not a typical boss—this one is anchored to the reactor and can’t be taken down with brute force.
Your goal is to split the Hydra from its tethers. Target the glowing reactor anchors around the arena. Destroy each to weaken the Hydra’s shield. Once all anchors are destroyed, it becomes vulnerable.
The Hydra itself hits hard—laser blasts, tracking missiles, and AoE shockwaves. Stay mobile, use jump pads in the arena to reposition quickly, and time your burst damage.
Defeating the Hydra marks the successful shutdown of the Criticality event.
Post-Mission Fallout and Dialogue Wrap-Up
After the Hydra falls, the energy levels stabilize. You’ll hear from Aora, who reflects on the mission’s outcome and her defiance against the Nine. It’s a defining moment of character development—she’s choosing agency over manipulation.
Your ghost confirms the generators are stable for now, but it’s clear this is a temporary fix. The Ionian power systems will hold, but this won’t be the last time you’re called back.
The mission ends with a brief fade-out and XP rewards. If completed solo, you also unlock a Triumph tied to the Edge of Fate solo challenges.
Tips for Running Criticality Again
Running Criticality a second time unlocks new modifiers, including tougher enemy groups and disabled radar. Prepare differently for replays:
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Use mods that reduce elemental damage.
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Bring weapons with anti-barrier or overload perks.
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Equip an exotic armor piece that boosts survivability under pressure.
Repeat runs can also drop bonus lore entries and resources like Ascendant Alloy or Deep Engrams. Worth it if you’re farming for rare gear or reputation boosts.
Conclusion: Hold the Line, Guardian
The Criticality mission in Destiny 2: Edge of Fate is one of the most intense solo challenges in recent content. Between the reactor meltdown, endless Vex assaults, and the eerie involvement of the Nine, it’s more than just a technical fight—it’s a full narrative experience.
By learning the layout, controlling the battlefield, and using the right gear, you can beat it solo without too many retries. Whether you're here for lore or loot, this mission delivers. And if the Nine won’t help, you already know—you’ve got this handled.
Good luck out there, Guardian.
FAQs: Destiny 2 Criticality Mission
Q: How long does it take to complete the Criticality mission solo?
A: On average, it takes 20–35 minutes depending on skill, loadout, and familiarity with the encounter phases.
Q: Can the Criticality mission be replayed for loot?
A: Yes. Replayable missions may offer additional resources, Triumph progress, or deep gear drops on repeat runs.
Q: What’s the best subclass to use for Criticality?
A: Arc Hunters and Strand Warlocks offer strong mobility, while Titans can benefit from survivability during reactor encounters.
Q: Are there checkpoints during the mission?
A: No traditional checkpoints, but each phase is clearly segmented and progress saves when you exit or disconnect.
Q: Does completing the mission unlock anything?
A: Yes. Completion may unlock Triumphs, lore entries, or contribute to seasonal progression and quest milestones.
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