The Caretaker encounter is the first boss fight in the new Vow of the Disciple Raid in Destiny 2, and it's a multi-step engagement that requires players to complete a recurring setup for every damage phase. In addition to defeating the boss itself, the six-Guardian fireteam will have to defeat red and yellow bar enemies, collect symbols, and stun the Caretaker itself. It's the second encounter in the Raid overall, and much like the other encounters, it has time-sensitive objectives that cannot be avoided.
Even though the Caretaker has a massive amount of health, Guardians should avoid using the Gjallarhorn Exotic Rocket Launcher. The damage phase of this fight requires the team to rotate from one plate to the next that are a few feet outside of the Obelisk, while the Caretaker remains in the center. For that reason, the best weapons to use for this damage phase are Sniper Rifles, Fusion Rifles, Sleeper Stimulant, and other Linear Fusion Rifles. It's also best if one player is using the Divinity Exotic Trace Rifle since the fireteam will be rotating positions. The fireteam won't be able to use the plates for a long time before they change, so Divinity will allow everyone to make the most of each damage phase.
The Caretaker boss fight uses the same set of symbols from the Acquisition encounter in the Vow of the Disciple Raid, as well as similar Obelisk mechanics. Likewise, the encounter begins as soon as someone shoots one of the Darkness relics to open the door to the vault. It's at this point that enemies will spawn, and the Caretaker will teleport from their post to the central platform just down the stairs. Unless the Raid boss is stunned, they will continuously make their way up the staircase to touch the Obelisk. As soon as that happens, the whole fireteam will instantly wipe and the encounter will need to start over once more.
Destiny 2 Vow Of The Disciple: Caretaker Mechanics & Damage Phase
Positioning is very important in this encounter, as the Caretaker can only be stunned if its back is exposed. Every weapon in Season of the Risen can be used to stun the Caretaker, though it's best to have a strong primary weapon ready as the Guardian who stuns the Caretaker will also need to shoot the "orbs" that fly from its back. Either a Titan or Warlock of the fireteam, essentially any teammate with strong defensive capabilities, should be down by the Caretaker as it makes its way up the stairs. When its face glows yellow, shoot it to stagger the boss and its backpack will open up. Other teammates can then shoot the opening to stun the Caretaker. This process will need to be repeated several times in order to give two other fireteam members enough time to collect symbols.
Thanks to the updated Void builds in Destiny 2, Hunters are best suited for collecting the symbols as they can turn invisible to avoid the wizards inside. These wizards have a substantial amount of health and cannot be defeated in a timely fashion, so it's best to avoid them and keep moving altogether. One teammate needs to run into the room to collect symbols, then return to the doorway while a second teammate shoots it open. The teammate with the symbols can then shoot the symbols they collected on the Obelisk, while the second Hunter or fireteam member collects a second set of symbols. They switch places once more, and after nine symbols have been collected and shot correctly the Caretaker will continue its way up the stairs for the first damage phase.
Caretaker Damage Phases Weapons & Supers
- Weapons: Sniper Rifles or Rapid-Fire Fusion Rifles, Linear Fusion Rifles, Witherhoard with its Catalyst unlocked, Divinity
- Titan Supers: Ward of Dawn, Thundercrash
- Warlock Supers: Well of Radiance, Nova Bomb Cataclysm
- Hunter Supers: Shadowshot Moebius Quiver
Any combination of Sniper Rifles, Rapid-Fire Fusion Rifles, or Witherhoard with a Linear Fusion Rifle is perfect for all of the Caretaker damage phases, particularly as long as one Guardian has Divinity equipped. Only one Titan needs to use the Ward of Dawn so that the Fireteam can receive the Weapon of Light 35% damage buff, but the others can run Thundercrash if the Caretaker steps through the first plate. Likewise, only one Warlock needs to use a Well of Radiance, while any others can equip a Warlock Void build, specifically the Nova Bomb Cataclysm that breaks the Super into smaller homing orbs upon impact. Lastly, the Hunter Shadowshot Moebius Quiver will damage the Caretaker and its orbs simultaneously as it tethers everything.
Caretaker Damage Phases 2, 3, & Final Stand In Destiny 2
After the first damage phase has finished, two sets of stairs will drop down allowing the fireteam to reach the next level. Although the layout of the next floor is slightly different, the process of setting up the damage phase remains the same. One Guardian will need to set up the Caretaker stun, three Guardians will have to clear out enemies and shoot the open back of the boss to stun them, and the remaining two Guardians have to collect the symbols in another room and shoot the corresponding symbols on the Obelisk. Destiny 2's new Funnelweb SMG is a perfect weapon to use for all three roles if Guardians have its God Roll, and it's particularly ideal for any player using a Void subclass.
Once the second damage phase is complete, another set of stairs will drop down, and the fireteam will need to repeat the process a third time. Once again, the floor layout changes, but everyone should keep a similar role. The only major requirement is that the team must make sure the Caretaker's health is lowered to the final sliver so that the "Final Stand" portion of the encounter can be completed. After the Caretaker leaves again, a final flight of stairs will drop down, and the last damage phase begins as soon as a team member steps on the first plate. At this point, some of the fireteam members may want to equip Outbreak Perfected, one of Destiny 2's most powerful PvE Exotic primaries, if they're low on Special or Heavy ammo for another Exotic weapon.
With every last bit of ammo, ability, and Super, the six Guardians must use everything they have to finish off the Caretaker. If they fail to do so, the Vow of the Disciple Raid boss will wipe the entire team, and they'll have to begin this whole encounter over again. The team may want to consider holding off on using their Supers again in the third phase and save them for the Final Stand to ensure they'll complete this Destiny 2 encounter when it matters most.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Google Stadia.