A Destiny 2 raid carry helps you finish a six-player raid with an experienced Guardian guiding your fireteam. You play your own character, learn the mechanics as you go and finish encounters you might struggle to clear alone. Prepare your character, check your loadout and be ready to communicate.
Last updated: November 3, 2026. Written by the Guardian Sherpa Team.
What is a raid carry?
A raid carry is a guided run through a raid. Raids are the largest group activities in Destiny 2, built around coordinated mechanics where each player has a job. In a self-play carry you take part yourself while your Sherpa explains what to do at each encounter, calls out timing and steps in on the hardest steps so the team keeps moving.
Raids reward patience and communication more than raw damage. Most encounters ask the team to split into roles, handle a mechanic on a timer, then deal damage in a short window. A single missed callout can reset an encounter, which is why many players find a guided run faster and less stressful than learning a raid through repeated wipes with strangers. If you are new to the idea, our guide to how a self-play carry works covers the whole order process.
How does a raid carry order work?
You choose a raid from our services, pay through Shopify checkout and confirm your details on a private order page. A Sherpa accepts the order, and until that moment you can cancel for a full refund. At the agreed time you receive a fireteam invite on your own account. Your Sherpa starts with a short briefing and a loadout check, then walks you through each encounter before you attempt it. After the run you have 48 hours to report any problem.
How do I prepare for a raid carry?
- Update the game and check the activity's recommended power level in the in-game director.
- Bring a flexible loadout with a weapon for each damage type you can use and a build you are comfortable with.
- Bring consumables and mods you already use, and tell your Sherpa about anything unusual so they can plan around it.
- Use a headset so you can hear callouts and ask questions quickly.
- Confirm your platform and crossplay settings so the fireteam invite reaches you.
- Clear your schedule for the time your Sherpa and you agreed on your order page.
What roles do players take in a raid?
Exact roles change from raid to raid and encounter to encounter, so your Sherpa assigns them for the encounter in front of you. These are the jobs you will meet most often.
New players are usually given the simpler jobs first, such as add clear or damage, while the Sherpa takes on the most punishing mechanic. As you gain confidence the Sherpa can hand you more responsibility if you ask.
Which raids can I get a carry for?
Guardian Sherpa lists ten raids. Prices are for a full clear and start at the figures below; the price you see on the product page before checkout is the price you pay.
Flawless-goal runs are priced at double the full-clear price. Availability can change with the weekly rotation, so browse the current list on our services page and check our weekly posts for what is in rotation.
Which raid should I start with?
Older raids such as Vault of Glass, Garden of Salvation and Deep Stone Crypt are common first raids, and they cost less than the newest ones. Tell your Sherpa which raids you have already cleared and what you want out of the run, whether that is learning the mechanics, finishing a triumph or earning a specific piece of loot, and they will recommend a starting point.
How long does a raid carry take?
Raid length varies with the activity and the team, so treat these as planning ranges rather than promises. A full raid is generally a multi-hour commitment, and newer raids with more mechanics usually take longer than older ones. Your Sherpa gives an estimate for your specific raid on the order page before the run starts. Block out extra time on top of that estimate, because a stubborn encounter can take several attempts.
Raid carry, coaching or doing it solo?
| Raid carry | Coaching | Solo or friends | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Clearing a specific raid | Getting better at raids in general | Players with a ready, experienced team |
| You play | Your own character, with a Sherpa | Your own character, with a coach advising | Your own character |
| Starting cost | From $30 | From $29 | Free |
If you would rather build your own skills first, try a coaching session and read the coaching guide.
What is included, and what is not?
A raid carry includes a Sherpa who joins your fireteam, explains each encounter, assigns roles and guides the run. It does not include a guaranteed drop, because raid loot is random, and it never involves anyone playing your character. Results in a long, multi-encounter activity also depend on the whole team, which is why we describe each service on its page before you pay.
What are common raid mistakes?
- Rushing the briefing. Encounters are short once you understand them. Let your Sherpa finish the explanation.
- Not asking about your role. Confirm what you are responsible for before each attempt.
- Running low on ammo or abilities. Bring a loadout that works through a full encounter and not just the first phase.
- Leaving early. Departing mid-run can end the attempt for the whole fireteam.
- Expecting every drop. Loot is random, and the carry guarantees guidance rather than a specific item.
Is it safe for my account?
A self-play carry carries less risk than services where someone else logs in as you, but it cannot be risk-free. We never ask for your password and you join through a normal in-game invite. See our account safety page and FAQ.
What does a typical encounter look like?
Most raid encounters follow the same rhythm, even though the details differ. Knowing the rhythm makes the first attempt less intimidating.
Briefing and positions
Your Sherpa explains the goal of the encounter, where each role stands and what the danger signals look like. This usually takes a couple of minutes and is the best time to ask questions.
The mechanic phase
The team handles the encounter's core mechanic, such as a timed task, a puzzle-like sequence or keeping a zone clear. Callouts matter most here, so keep voice chat clear and short.
The damage phase and the reset
Once the mechanic is solved the boss becomes vulnerable and everyone focuses on damage. If the attempt fails, the team resets, the Sherpa explains what went wrong and you try again. A wipe is part of learning, not a failure of the carry.
How do I get the most out of the run?
- Tell your Sherpa your goal at the start, whether that is learning, finishing a triumph or simply a first clear.
- Take notes after each encounter if you plan to run the raid again by yourself.
- Ask for the reasoning behind each callout so you can repeat it later.
- Keep water and a charger nearby so you can play to the end of the booked window.
Related guides
- Destiny 2 dungeon carry guide for three-player activities
- Exotic and catalyst guide
- Titles and seals guide
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Destiny 2 raid carry cost?
Guardian Sherpa raid carries run from $30 for Crota's End to $75 for Salvation's Edge for a full clear, with flawless-goal runs at double the full-clear price. All ten raids are listed with prices on the product pages, and the price you see is the price you pay.
How long does a raid carry take?
Duration depends on the raid and the team. Your Sherpa gives an estimate for your specific raid on the order page before the run starts, and newer raids with more mechanics take longer than older ones. Treat any estimate as a planning range, not a promise.
Which raid should I start with?
Older raids such as Vault of Glass, Garden of Salvation and Deep Stone Crypt are common first raids. Tell your Sherpa which raids you have done and they will recommend a starting point and explain every encounter as you go.
Do I need a perfect build to join a raid carry?
No. Bring a build you know well, weapons for the damage types you can use and a headset. Your Sherpa checks your loadout before the first encounter and suggests small changes that fit how you already play, so you do not need a meta setup.
Can I ask questions during the run?
Yes, and you should. Your Sherpa explains each encounter before you attempt it and can repeat or simplify a mechanic. Asking early saves time, because a misunderstood callout is the most common reason an encounter resets.
Do I have to share my Destiny 2 login?
No. Self-play means you stay signed in on your own account and join our fireteam through a normal in-game invite. On self-play orders we never ask for your password, your email login or your platform credentials. Piloted orders need secure account access, shared only after payment through your private order page. Read the account safety page for the full policy.
Can I cancel my order for a refund?
Yes, up to the moment a Sherpa accepts your order. Until then you can cancel from your order page for a full refund to the original payment method. After a Sherpa accepts, the customer-side cancel option closes, but our team can still cancel, refund or reschedule if something goes wrong. See the refund policy.
How do I book and what happens next?
Pick the run type on the product page and check out. You get a private order page where you confirm your platform, Bungie name and a time window. A Sherpa accepts the order, you receive a fireteam invite at the agreed time, and you play the activity together. Afterwards you have a 48-hour review window. The step-by-step guide covers each stage.