Learn everything about Trials of Osiris in Destiny 2. Matchmaking, rewards, Lighthouse access, and best strategies. Guide 2025 by Dving.
Trials of Osiris is Destiny 2’s most intense and high-stakes PvP mode. It is a test of skill, teamwork, and strategy that demands the best from every Guardian. Unlike other PvP modes, Trials offers some of the most prestigious rewards, making it a proving ground for those seeking to establish their dominance in the Crucible.
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Origins & Lore
The Trials of Osiris originated in Destiny 1, first appearing in the House of Wolves expansion. It was introduced as a weekly PvP tournament, where only the strongest fireteams could achieve victory. The concept was simple yet ruthless—win seven matches in a row without losing, and you would gain access to the Lighthouse, a hidden location where only the best could claim powerful loot.
This mode was inspired by the exiled Warlock Osiris, who once served as a Vanguard Commander but was later cast out for his controversial views. His followers, known as the Cult of Osiris, dedicated themselves to discovering the most skilled Guardians through this trial-by-combat approach. Though Osiris himself was absent for much of Destiny’s history, his philosophy endured in the Trials, where only those who could adapt and overcome would rise above the rest.
Trials of Osiris in Destiny 2
When Trials of Osiris returned to Destiny 2, it retained its high-stakes format but underwent multiple adjustments over time. Saint-14, the legendary Titan, took over as the new overseer, bringing a fresh perspective and new reward systems.
However, Trials has not been without controversy. Many players found it too punishing, with matchmaking favoring only the most elite fireteams, leaving casual players with little chance of success. Finding a strong, coordinated team became a necessity, pushing solo players away.
With Episode: Heresy, Bungie has revamped Trials of Osiris once again, making the experience more rewarding and accessible while keeping its competitive core intact. Now, instead of only rewarding flawless runs, Trials grants meaningful progression for all players, allowing more Guardians to access its high-tier loot.
Why Trials of Osiris Still Matters
Despite its challenges, Trials of Osiris remains the pinnacle of PvP in Destiny 2. It is the mode where skill and strategy matter most, where teamwork is tested at the highest level, and where some of the best weapons and armor in the game can be obtained.
With new changes that make it more rewarding for a broader audience, Trials is evolving, but it still maintains its reputation as Destiny 2’s ultimate competitive challenge.
When Does Trials of Osiris Start?
Trials of Osiris is a weekend-only PvP mode, active from Friday reset to Tuesday reset.
Reset Schedule:
- Daylight Saving Time (March–November): 10:00 AM Pacific (UTC -7 / 1700 UTC).
- Standard Time (November–March): 9:00 AM Pacific (UTC -8 / 1700 UTC).
Trials does not run during:
- The first week of a new season (if there is a Power level increase).
- Any week with a new raid launch.
- When Iron Banner is active.
Players can find Trials of Osiris in the Crucible tab in the Director.
How Trials of Osiris Works
Originally, Trials was all about going flawless (winning 7-0). However, with Episode: Heresy, Bungie introduced a performance-based system that rewards players based on overall match wins, rather than requiring a perfect streak.
Core Mechanics of Trials
- 3v3 Elimination Format – The first team to win five rounds wins the match.
- Limited Revives – Reviving teammates is possible but requires strategy.
- New Matchmaking System – Challenger Pool & Practice Pool replace the old Flawless Pool.
- Lighthouse Access – A Flawless run is no longer required; winning seven total matches grants access.
- Win-Based Rewards – The higher the win streak, the better the loot.
These adjustments ensure more players can enjoy Trials, while elite rewards remain exclusive to top competitors.
Trials Passages & Matchmaking
To participate in Trials, players must purchase a Passage from Saint-14 in the Tower.
Available Passages:
| Passage | Effect |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Passage | Win seven total matches (Flawless not required) to access Lighthouse & Adept rewards. Higher win streaks provide additional loot. |
| Trials Passage | Allows players to farm reputation & loot, but does not grant Lighthouse access. |
New Matchmaking System
Instead of the old Flawless Pool, players are now grouped based on performance:
- Challenger Pool – For players on high win streaks. Connection-based matchmaking (CBMM) ensures fairer matches.
- Practice Pool – For players who have lost matches. Uses performance-based matchmaking (PBMM) to keep matches competitive.
This ensures players face opponents at their skill level, preventing extreme skill gaps.
Maps & Strategies
Each week, Trials takes place on a single map, affecting strategies and loadouts.
- Large maps (Widow’s Court, Midtown) – Best for Pulse Rifles, Snipers.
- Small maps (The Cauldron, Javelin-4) – Encourage Shotguns, SMGs, melee combat.
- Vertical maps (Bannerfall, Endless Vale) – Reward mobility subclasses.
With Episode: Heresy, Bungie expanded the Trials map pool, adding more diversity to the experience.
New Rewards System & Lighthouse Changes
With Episode: Heresy, Trials loot is now based on total wins, rather than flawless runs.
| Win Streak | Reward |
|---|---|
| 1-3 Wins | Standard Trials gear & reputation boosts. |
| 4-6 Wins | Enhanced Trials gear, extra Engrams. |
| 7 Wins (Flawless) | Adept weapons, Lighthouse rewards, exclusive cosmetics. |
Losses no longer reset progress, and reputation for losses has been increased 10x.
Lighthouse Access Changes – No Longer Requires Flawless Runs
One of the most significant changes is that the Lighthouse is now open to all players who secure seven total wins—whether Flawless or not. This means that any Guardian who fights their way to seven victories in a single weekend can visit the Lighthouse to claim exclusive rewards.
However, Flawless runs (7-0) still provide the best rewards, including:
- Adept Weapons
- Special Trials Engrams
- Exclusive Cosmetic Loot
For those who struggle to win seven consecutive games, Bungie has implemented a progression-based win system, allowing players to reach The Lighthouse through persistence rather than perfection.
Adept Weapons & How to Earn Them
Adept Weapons remain the most powerful Trials rewards, featuring enhanced stats and special Adept Mods. These weapons are only available through Trials of Osiris and continue to be one of the most sought-after rewards in the PvP ecosystem.
There are now two primary ways to obtain Adept Weapons:
- Flawless Players (7-0) – Guardians who go flawless will receive an Adept weapon from the Lighthouse chest alongside additional loot bonuses.
- Non-Flawless Players (7 Total Wins) – Players who reach seven wins, even with losses, can visit the Lighthouse but will not receive Adept weapons automatically. Instead, they can focus Trials Engrams to work towards acquiring them.
Win Streak-Based Loot Rewards
Instead of requiring a perfect streak, Bungie has introduced a weekly win streak system (1-7 consecutive wins), allowing non-Flawless players to still obtain high-tier loot if they perform well across multiple games.
| Win Streak | Reward |
|---|---|
| 1-3 Wins | Standard Trials gear & reputation boosts. |
| 4-6 Wins | Enhanced Trials gear, additional Trials Engrams. |
| 7 Wins (Flawless) | Guaranteed Adept weapons, extra Lighthouse rewards, and exclusive cosmetics. |
Lighthouse Chest Rewards
The Lighthouse chest now provides two types of rewards, ensuring that all players have a reason to return weekly.
- Repeatable Lighthouse Rewards – Earned every time a player completes a Lighthouse Passage, no matter how many times they’ve won that weekend.
- Weekly Win Streak Rewards (1-7 Wins in a Row) – These require consistent wins (no mercy). The higher your streak, the better the rewards, with exclusive Adept loot tied to reaching 7 consecutive wins.
This new system balances accessibility with prestige, allowing casual players to farm Trials gear, while ensuring that Flawless players still earn the best loot.
Flawless Armor Glows & Exclusive Cosmetics
Flawless Guardians can still show off their victories through Flawless Armor Glows, which have also received an update.
- Armor glows now reflect weekly Trials performance. Unlike before, where Flawless was a one-time reward, players must consistently perform well each weekend to maintain their glow.
- New Trials-exclusive cosmetics include:
- A brand-new Trials armor set.
- A Trials-themed Ghost Shell, Sparrow, and Ship.
- New emblems and shaders tied to high win streaks.
This system ensures that Flawless status remains prestigious, while also rewarding players who engage with Trials regularly.
Trials Matchmaking & Flawless Pool (Updated for Heresy)
One of the biggest changes in Episode: Heresy is the removal of the Flawless Pool, which previously forced Flawless players into a harder matchmaking bracket.
Instead, Trials of Osiris matchmaking now works based on win streaks, rather than whether a player has gone Flawless.
How the Challenger & Practice Pools Work
Instead of separating Flawless players, Bungie now uses two matchmaking pools that adjust based on performance:
-
Challenger Pool (For High Streaks)
- Includes players on active win streaks.
- Uses connection-based matchmaking (CBMM) to prioritize fairer games.
- No skill-based matchmaking (SBMM)—players are matched purely on win streaks.
-
Practice Pool (For Casual Play)
- Players who have lost matches will be placed in this pool.
- Uses weekly performance-based matchmaking (PBMM) to ensure fairer matchups.
- Includes protections to prevent farming/stomping by highly skilled players.
This new matchmaking system prevents extreme skill disparities, while allowing dedicated teams to farm rewards without ruining the experience for casual players.
No Mercy for Streak-Based Rewards
One of the biggest changes is the new win streak system. Players who want the highest-tier loot must maintain a consistent win streak.
- No mercy system – Streak-based rewards require continuous wins.
- True test of endurance & skill – Only the most skilled teams will secure the best rewards.
- Encourages high-level play – Trials now rewards consistency over a single lucky Flawless run.
This makes Trials a true test for those chasing top-tier loot, while also offering a steady progression path for everyone.
Solo Players & Matchmaking Adjustments
For years, solo players struggled in Trials due to constantly facing full fireteams. With Episode: Heresy, Bungie has implemented fireteam-based matchmaking to help.
- Solo players are now prioritized to match against other solos and duos.
- Reduces frustration from facing stacked teams.
- Encourages more players to try Trials, improving overall participation.
Additionally, reputation gains are now 10x higher on losses, ensuring that even struggling players make progress.
How Flawless Status Affects Matchmaking
Going Flawless no longer locks players into a separate, harder matchmaking pool.
- Difficulty is now determined by a player’s win streak & performance.
- Flawless players are no longer restricted from playing with non-Flawless friends.
- Top-tier loot is tied to streak rewards, not a one-time Flawless status.
This removes the punishment for Flawless players, allowing them to continue competing without being forced into harder matches.
Winning in Trials: Best Strategies & Tips
With Trials of Osiris now more accessible, players need to adjust their strategies to match the new system.
Five Essential Tips for Trials Success
- Play as a Team – Communication, revive economy, and sticking together are key to winning.
- Adapt Loadouts Based on Win Streaks –
- Early Wins (1-3 streak): Aggressive weapons (SMGs, Shotguns, Hand Cannons).
- Mid Streak (4-6 wins): Pulse Rifles, Scout Rifles, Fusion Rifles for counterplay.
- Final Win (7-0 Flawless): Survivability-focused builds, positioning over aggression.
- Control the Map & Revives – Holding angles, controlling revives, and playing the zone can secure wins.
- Play Smart – Avoid Hero Plays – Patience, positioning, and knowing when to fight are crucial.
- Understand Matchmaking & Play Accordingly – If you're struggling, consider playing in the Practice Pool to farm reputation.
Conclusion
With Episode: Heresy, Trials of Osiris has transformed into a more rewarding, more accessible PvP experience. Flawless runs still provide the best rewards, but consistent play now ensures progression for all players.
The introduction of improved matchmaking, win-streak-based rewards, and reputation scaling means Trials is no longer exclusive to the top 1%. It remains the ultimate PvP challenge, but now all players can earn meaningful rewards.
Whether you aim to dominate in PvP, unlock Adept weapons, or simply test your skills, Trials of Osiris now offers a more balanced, engaging, and rewarding experience.