Alright, guardians, let's take a trip down memory lane. It's 2026, and Destiny 2 has evolved a ton since Season of Plunder, but I still remember the grind like it was yesterday. Week 3 of that pirate-themed season had some solid challenges, and if you're a new light looking to understand how weekly challenges work, or a veteran feeling nostalgic, this guide is for you. So grab your favorite hand cannon, and let's dive in.

Back in Season of Plunder, Week 3 was all about mixing up your activities. You had to do seasonal stuff like Ketchcrash and Expeditions, continue the Sails of the Shipstealer story, and also put in some work in Crucible, Gambit, and Nightfalls. The rewards were worth it: XP, Repute, and Bright Dust. So let's crack on and break down each challenge.

Antiquarian III 🏺

Return the third relic to the H.E.L.M. Also, make sure to defeat Cabal. Defeating them with finishers will award bonus progress.

  • Relic placed

  • Cabal 0%

Rewards: Repute, Challenger XP+

I remember this one being a piece of cake. Just pop into the H.E.L.M., drop off that relic, and then go ham on some Cabal. Using finishers is the way to go—it's like taking candy from a baby. Bonus progress means you'll knock this out in no time.

Ketchcrasher I 🏴☠️

In Ketchcrash, destroy shield generators in the Maintenance Bay, hack terminals in the Treasure Hoard, and destroy storage tanks in Ether Storage.

  • Shield generators destroyed 0/5

  • Terminals hacked 0/5

  • Ether tanks destroyed 0/10

Rewards: Repute, Challenger XP

Ketchcrash is a blast, and this challenge is straightforward. I just ran the activity a few times and smashed out all the objectives. Shield generators, terminals, ether tanks—no sweat. You'll be done in a jiffy.

how-i-tackled-week-3-challenges-in-destiny-2-s-season-of-plunder-image-0

Nessus Activities 🌌

On Nessus, earn progress by completing bounties, patrols, public events, and Lost Sectors.

Rewards: Challenger XP+, Bright Dust

Nessus is a chill planet, and this challenge is easy peasy. I just grabbed a bunch of bounties from Failsafe, did some patrols, and ran a few Lost Sectors. Before I knew it, the challenge was done. Bright Dust is always nice, so this is a no-brainer.

Mid-Range Calibration 🔫

Calibrate mid-range weapons—Hand Cannons, Glaives, Auto Rifles, Fusion Rifles, Machine Guns—on Nessus. Bonus progress for rapidly defeating combatants.

Rewards: Challenger XP+, Bright Dust

This one is all about using the right tools. I love Hand Cannons, so I just equipped my favorite and went to town on Nessus. Rapid kills give bonus progress, so find a good spot with lots of enemies and let loose. It's like shooting fish in a barrel.

Iron Sharpens Iron ⚔️

Complete Crucible matches. Earn bonus progress in Iron Banner and for victories.

Rewards: Challenger XP+, Bright Dust

Ah, the Crucible. This is where the sweaty players live. I'm more of a PvE guy, but I still jumped in. Iron Banner matches give bonus progress, so if it's available, definitely play that. Even if you're a casual, just playing a few matches will get you there. No biggie.

Sextant Navigation I 🧭

Collect Map Fragments and Treasure Coordinates during Season of Plunder. Earn Map Fragments in Ketchcrash and Treasure Coordinates through ritual activities.

  • Map Fragments 0/60

  • Treasure Coordinates 0/600

Rewards: Challenger XP

This is a grind, no doubt. You need 60 Map Fragments and 600 Treasure Coordinates. I just played a bunch of Ketchcrash and ritual activities like strikes and Gambit. It takes a while, but it's worth it for the XP. Just put on some music and zone out.

Cannonade 💥

Defeat targets with Machine Guns. Defeating combatants in Expedition and defeating Guardians will award bonus progress.

Rewards: Challenger XP

Machine Guns are fun, and this challenge lets you go wild. I took my favorite MG into Expedition and mowed down everything in sight. Guardians in Crucible also count, so if you're feeling brave, hop into PvP. Either way, it's a blast.

Power Broker ⚡

Reach Power Level 1570 by earning powerful rewards and Prime Engrams.

Rewards: Challenger XP+, Bright Dust

Back in Season of Plunder, 1570 was the soft cap. Now in 2026, that's ancient history, but the principle is the same. Just do your powerful gear activities and you'll get there. I remember grinding this out in the first couple weeks, so by Week 3, I was already there. Easy.

Primeval Entourage 👹

Defeat Taken in Gambit. Earn bonus progress for defeating tougher combatants.

Rewards: Challenger XP+, Bright Dust

Gambit is a love-it-or-hate-it mode. I'm in the love-it camp. This challenge just asks you to kill Taken, and tougher enemies give more progress. So focus on the big guys—like the Primeval and its minions. You'll get it done in a few matches.

Ultimate Champion 🏆

Defeat Champions in any Nightfall strike on Hero difficulty or higher. Earn bonus progress at higher difficulty tiers.

Rewards: Challenger XP+, Bright Dust

Champions can be a pain, but with the right mods, they're not too bad. I ran a few Nightfalls on Hero and just focused on taking them down. Higher difficulties give more progress, so if you're feeling confident, crank it up. It's a nice challenge for those who want to test their skills.

So there you have it—Week 3 of Season of Plunder. Even though it's 2026 and we're deep into whatever new season Bungie has cooked up, looking back at these challenges reminds me of the good old days. The structure is similar to what we have now, so new players can still learn a thing or two. Just remember to have fun, mix up your activities, and don't forget to use finishers on those Cabal. Happy hunting, guardians!