Destiny 2 players frequently need to farm Taken enemies for bounties, seasonal challenges, Dawning ingredients like Taken Butter, or triumphs requiring specific kill counts. Taken blights infest various locations across planets and activities, offering reliable spots for grinding. This guide highlights the most efficient areas based on community strategies and proven methods, optimized for solo or group play.
Why Farm Taken Enemies?
Taken enemies drop unique resources and progress key objectives. During events like Dawning, they yield Taken Butter, essential for baking festive items. Bounties from vendors like the Drifter or seasonal tracks demand hundreds of kills, while triumphs in expansions such as Forsaken or The Final Shape require targeted farming. Efficient spots minimize time while maximizing drops and experience.
Top Strike for Quick Taken Kills: Lake of Shadows
The Lake of Shadows strike on the EDZ stands out as the premier choice for fast, repeatable Taken farming. This Nightfall-eligible activity is short, lasting under 10 minutes on normal mode, and packed exclusively with Taken foes from start to finish.
- Spawn in the Shadowkeep area and battle through blighted corridors filled with Thrall and Wizards.
- Mid-encounter features Nobles and Phalanxes, providing champion kills for seasonal modifiers.
- The boss, Shadowsoft, summons endless adds, allowing infinite farming if you avoid DPS phases.
Load into the strike via the Director or Vanguard playlist. For endless runs, defeat the boss minimally and let wipes respawn enemies. This method suits free-to-play players without expansions.
Elite Option: Shattered Throne Dungeon
For high-level gear and powerful Taken, head to the Shattered Throne dungeon in the Dreaming City. Accessible weekly via the oracle engine during the curse’s final week (three curse cycle), it demands a high Power Level but rewards with pinnacle gear.
- First encounter in the tether room spawns waves of Taken Knights and Ogres.
- Thrall hallways before the Vorgeth boss offer dense packs for area-of-effect clears.
- Solo runs yield the most efficient farming, as checkpoints allow repeatable sections.
Enter via the Dreaming City patrol, interact with the oracle, and navigate to the dungeon. Bring Well of Radiance or Banner of War for sustain. This spot excels for triumphs needing ‘powerful Taken’ kills.
Raid Exploit: Last Wish Shuro Chi Encounter
Owners of Forsaken can exploit the Last Wish raid’s Shuro Chi checkpoint for unparalleled density. Launch the raid from the Tower, proceed to the Tower of Opened Eyes, and input the secret wish code (search ‘Shuro Chi wish’ for symbols).
- Jump to the hidden platform past the first encounter door.
- Shoot symbols in sequence to teleport to Shuro Chi.
- Doors open, unleashing hordes of Taken Thrall, Nobles, and Wizards in a confined space.
- Bring raid banners for ammo; die to respawn waves repeatedly.
This yields hundreds of kills per hour, ideal for butter farming or high-score bounties. Group up for safety, but solo is viable with add-clearing exotics like Thunderlord.
Lost Sectors: Reliable Patrol Alternatives
Public areas and Lost Sectors provide casual farming without activity locks. Io’s Lost Sectors (pre-sunsetting) and EDZ Sludge spots remain viable via legacy content.
| Location | Kills per Run | Reset Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aphelion’s Rest (Dreaming City) | 50-70 | 10 min | Thrall-heavy, heroic possible |
| EDZ Sludge Lost Sectors | 40-60 | 5 min | Quick clears, public events nearby |
| Io Rupture | 30-50 | 15 min | Pre-Beyond Light, still accessible |
These reset frequently, suiting low-commitment sessions. Patrol Dreaming City for roaming packs during high-curse weeks.
Advanced Strategies and Loadouts
Maximize efficiency with optimal builds. Focus on add-clear weapons:
- Primary: Trinity Ghoul or Riskrunner for chain lightning.
- Heavy: Thunderlord, Gjallarhorn, or Forbearance for wave clears.
- Subclass: Strand Broodweaver for Threadlings or Prismatic with Well for survivability.
In Gambit, Taken invasions provide bonus kills during matches. For butter, prioritize Shuro Chi or Lake of Shadows, as drops scale with density. Matchmaking strikes during Nightfall surges for modifiers boosting enemy spawns.
Event-Specific Tips: Dawning and Beyond
During Dawning (December events), Taken Butter demands volume farming. Combine strikes with public events in EDZ or Dreaming City. Post-Lightfall, new activities like The Reckoning or Fear’s Embrace missions on Phobos/Mars offer fresh Taken density. Monitor patch notes for rotations, as sandbox changes affect viability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest Taken farm in Destiny 2?
Lake of Shadows strike for speed; Shuro Chi for density.
Do I need Forsaken for best spots?
Yes for Shattered Throne/Last Wish; Lake of Shadows is free-to-play friendly.
How to farm Taken Butter efficiently?
Shuro Chi wish or Lake of Shadows; expect 50-100 per run.
Best solo Taken farm?
Shattered Throne or EDZ Lost Sectors for control.
Are there new Taken farms in The Final Shape?
Check Pale Heart patrols; legacy spots remain meta.
Conclusion
Farming Taken in Destiny 2 rewards preparation and location choice. Start with Lake of Shadows for accessibility, scale to raids for power. Adapt loadouts to content and track weekly rotations for peaks.
References
- Destiny 2: Where to farm Taken in 2022 — Turtle Beach. 2022-01-01. https://www.turtlebeach.com/blog/destiny-2-taken-farm
- Where to farm Taken Butter Destiny 2 — YouTube. 2023-12-01.
- ULTIMATE Destiny 2 Taken Farm Strategy! — YouTube. 2021-11-01.
- Where to Farm Taken Butter — Ten Ton Hammer. 2023-12-15. https://www.tentonhammer.com/guides/where-to-farm-taken-butter
- Where to kill taken? Destiny 2 Forums — Bungie.net. 2017-12-20. https://www.bungie.net/sv/Forums/Post/240660926
- Taken location for Taken butter Dawning 2024 — Steam Community. 2024-12-01. https://steamcommunity.com/app/1085660/discussions/0/592884272741796900/
- Good place to kill lots of taken? — GameFAQs. 2023-01-01. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/704532-destiny/72890038