Whether you like it or hate it, there’s no denying that Destiny 2’s Crucible is one of the game’s most popular activities. PvP activities are just that: one guardian pits their strength against another, or two teams vie for the glory of Shaxx’s compliments. Of course, the battlegrounds for these conflicts are Destiny 2’s Crucible maps, spanning the whole universe in players’ quests to gather that sweet loot. But all of this begs the question: which are the best maps in Destiny 2 for dueling?
10. Disjunction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubGKLhrEUVU
Newly added with Destiny 2’s Season of the Haunted just a few months ago, Disjunction has acquired quite the negative taste for most players due to its banality, reinforced over many forced replays (Bungie! Add map voting already!)
I don’t hate it too badly, but its long stretches of land and sniper lanes make for some pretty high-quality long-range duels. However, most people use these for snipers, linear fusions, and Jotunn, so this is probably not the best map for dueling.
Disjunction full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Disjunction
9. The Burnout
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=296
Seventy percent of the time, the map’s chemistry disallows people from getting double teamed, making it great for multi-pronged attacks in Trials of Osiris. You’re pretty much guaranteed to get a decent duel unless you overextend yourself and keep away from spawns, but the rotating platforms in the middle of the map often cut off engagements that otherwise would have happened. They also leave you prone to snipers in inopportune situations, which is a problem for dueling.
The Burnout full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/The_Burnout
8. Cauldron
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=386
I really just enjoy this map’s aesthetic, as well as appreciate its capacity for dueling. However, this really depends on how the other team is playing: if they’re more conservative, like in Trials, you’ll end up getting double teamed more.
If they’re playing the map how it’s supposed to be played (because it’s smaller), you’ll end up with more aggressive shotgun and fusion rifle spammers. But, at least you’ll end up with more 1v1s.
Cauldron full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/The_Cauldron
7. Distant Shore
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=530
Distant Shore is a D2 classic map, but is a staple for crucible players. It’s divided pretty evenly into a sniper lane side and a primary weapon dueling side with a wide lane down the middle that could be used for either.
It depends on how you play this map to determine what kind of engagements you get. If you like dueling, stick to the right side of the sniper lane on the left. You’ll have to watch yourself from three different directions, so consider getting someone to watch your back.
Distant Shore full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Distant_Shore
6. Exodus Blue
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=723
With only one dedicated sniping lane, Exodus Blue has some real opportunity for dueling when it comes to the back of the map. The rusty cars provide great cover for all those seeking to duel, and the unevenness of the terrain prevents fusion rifles and shotguns from dominating.
While this isn’t quite the case in the front of the map, you can still get a good duel at all corners.
Exodus Blue full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Exodus_Blue
5. Radiant Cliffs
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=1155
Radiant Cliffs is good for dueling, but only if you play cover well. This map’s insanely long sniping lanes make for some pretty cheap kills on blueberries who don’t play cover well, and the uneven terrain isn’t the best for strafing. Other than that, however, Radiant Cliffs is good for dueling due to the ability to use long lanes as Hand Cannon target practice.
Radiant Cliffs full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Radiant_Cliffs
4. Twilight Gap
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=1398
Twilight Gap is a good all-round map: inside you may fall prey to a fusion rifle or a shotgun, but outside is a primary weapon junkie’s paradise.
Sniping is easier said than done on this map, but the dedicated could pull it off with a bit of practice. All in all, if you play the map right, you’ll be safe from most special weapons and team stacks.
Twilight Gap full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Twilight_Gap
3. Cathedral of Dusk
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=357
The newest reissued map from Destiny 1 coming in the Season of Plunder, Cathedral of Dusk has enough nooks and crannies to hide in for cover or to lie in wait. If a team sticks together like glue and moves around inside, all hope of a 1v1 is lost.
However, since this is likely not to happen most of the time, the map usually separates teams with its complex, almost maze-like construction, making it better for 1v1s.
Cathedral of Dusk full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Cathedral_of_Dusk
2. Eternity
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=694
While not my favorite map, Eternity is pure and simple. The map’s contours are almost specifically tailored for mid ranged weapons, as sniper lanes are easily noticed and quickly eliminated.
The closer nature of the map does allow shotguns to thrive, however, but a good guardian will know exactly when and where to keep their distance. Moreover, learning this map is a total breeze due to its simplicity, making it outclassed by only one other map.
Eternity full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Eternity_(map)
1. Javelin-4
https://youtu.be/05jiOt8rhMQ?t=993
Javelin-4 is as simple as Eternity, but without the banality and unoriginality of the aesthetic coupled with more robust cover. The smaller hallways are good for SMGs, Sidearms, and Fusion Rifles, and the longer ones are good for Auto Rifles and Hand Cannons.
Playing on corners on this map is probably the single best way to secure 1v1s in the game, and that’s why it’s the best. Not that this is the favorite map of a lot of people (including me) but it’s the best for 1v1s.
Javelin-4 full details: https://www.destinypedia.com/Javelin-4
If you enjoyed this article, do me a favor by dropping a comment below. Be sure to check out my other articles for more Destiny 2 content. And if you’ve ever wanted to get into writing, I can give you some friendly advice at thewritersrack.com, where I blog daily Monday-Friday. Looking for your next fantasy fiction read? You might want to check out Praetors of Lost Magic, Book 1: The Mage’s Gambit on Amazon, soon to be a finished trilogy!
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