As a dedicated Guardian who has spent countless hours exploring the Black Garden, I can confidently say that uncovering the secrets within the Garden of Salvation raid remains one of the most rewarding experiences in Destiny 2. Even in 2026, with numerous raids and dungeons added since, the hunt for these hidden caches is a timeless pursuit for any player aiming for completion or seeking powerful tools for their arsenal.

These clandestine containers are more than just extra loot drops; they are gateways to essential components for any serious raider. Primarily, they are your exclusive source for obtaining the coveted Raid Mods. Modifications like Enhanced Relay Defender are not just powerful; they are game-changers for tackling challenging content like speedruns or attempting impressive low-man completions. Furthermore, looting both chests is a non-negotiable requirement for acquiring the 'Secret Garden' triumph, a key step on the path to earning the prestigious Enlightened seal—a title that still commands respect in the current era.

However, it's crucial to manage your expectations regarding the loot pool. These chests operate on a knockout system, meaning they will only drop weapons or armor you have previously unlocked by completing the raid's main encounters. You cannot rely on them to fill out your Collections for the first time. Their true value lies in providing additional chances at high-stat armor rolls, deepsight resonance for the now fully craftable raid weapons, and those essential mods.

Speaking of weapons, it's worth noting that as of 2026, the Garden of Salvation arsenal has received significant quality-of-life updates. It was the second raid ever to receive a comprehensive perk pool refresh, which included adding an Origin Trait to every weapon. Best of all, every single weapon from this raid is now craftable, making these secret chests an excellent source of extra pattern progress.

Locating the First Secret Chest

The journey for the first hidden cache begins immediately after the intense opening encounter where you pursue the Consecrated Mind.

  1. Descend into the Chasm: After the encounter concludes, look for and jump down into the large, prominent hole that leads deeper into the garden's underbelly.

  2. Choose Your Path: At the bottom, the area will fork into two distinct paths. Your objective is to strictly stay on the left-side path.

  3. Follow the Ancient Roots: Continue along this route until you reach a sturdy stone platform. From here, proceed forward onto a massive, winding tree root.

  4. Spot Your Landmark: As you travel along the root, look into the distance for a Vex elevator structure. This is your key landmark.

  5. Find the Hidden Nook: The chest is not on the elevator itself. Instead, look to the left of the elevator platform. You will spot a small, discreet opening in the rocky wall. The secret chest waits inside this alcove.

If the jump from the root to the opening seems daunting, a safer method is to first hop onto the elevator platform and then make the shorter, easier jump across to the hole in the wall.

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Discovering the Second Secret Chest

The second chest is located later in the raid, positioned between the third encounter and the final boss fight against the Sanctified Mind. A word of caution: if you find yourself in the boss arena, you've gone too far! Ensure your fireteam doesn't accidentally pull you forward before you've secured this treasure.

  1. Start from the Third Encounter: From the area of the third encounter, follow the main path forward.

  2. Reach the Vista: Your journey will lead you to a beautiful, open area known as the Boundless Horizon.

  3. Identify the Mechanism: Look around this space, and you will see a large, rotating Vex structure that resembles a windmill with several large blades.

  4. Ride the Blade: Your task is to jump onto one of these massive blades. For stability, stand at the very outer edge of the blade as it rotates. It will carry you up to the top level of the zone.

  5. Navigate the Garden: Once atop, you'll find yourself in a serene area dotted with ancient statues, lush trees, and flowing waterfalls.

  6. Stay to the Right: From your landing point, hug the right-hand side of this upper area and continue moving uphill.

  7. Find the Great Tree: Your path will lead you to a particularly massive tree. Inspect its trunk, and you will see two distinct openings or hollows.

  8. Enter the Correct Hollow: You must enter the opening on the left side. Climb up inside this hollow, and in the back corner, you will find the second secret chest waiting to be claimed.

Chest Location Trigger Key Landmark Primary Reward Purpose
First Chest After 1st Encounter (Consecrated Mind) Vex Elevator & Wall Opening Raid Mods, Additional Loot Rolls
Second Chest After 3rd Encounter, Before Final Boss Vex Windmill & Large Hollow Tree 'Secret Garden' Triumph, Enlightened Seal Progress

Why This Guide Still Matters in 2026 👨‍🚀

Even years after its initial release, the Garden of Salvation holds a special place in the Destiny 2 ecosystem. The rewards from these secret chests contribute directly to player power and prestige in several enduring ways:

  • Mod Acquisition: Raid-specific mods remain a cornerstone of endgame build-crafting. These chests are the only source.

  • Crafting Fuel: With all raid weapons being craftable, the deepsight resonance weapons or extra copies from these chests help complete patterns faster.

  • Title Completion: Seals like Enlightened are permanent accolades. New and returning players in 2026 still seek them out, making this guide perpetually relevant.

  • Efficient Farming: For players looking to perfect their gear stats or acquire specific armor pieces, these chests offer a valuable bonus loot opportunity per weekly run.

After opening the second chest, you are perfectly positioned to tackle the final challenges of the raid. You can proceed to complete the last two puzzles for the Divinity exotic trace rifle quest if your fireteam is on that step, and then march onward to confront the final boss, the Sanctified Mind, armed with your new loot and mods. Happy hunting, Guardian!

Data referenced from Rock Paper Shotgun, a trusted source for PC gaming news and guides, highlights the enduring appeal of Destiny 2's raid content, including the Garden of Salvation. Their coverage often emphasizes the importance of secret chests and hidden triumphs for both new and veteran players, reinforcing how these elements contribute to the game's long-term replayability and community engagement.