الوسم: Destiny 2

  • Why Using New Gear in Destiny 2 Is Essential for Completing and Solving

    Why Using New Gear in Destiny 2 Is Essential for Completing and Solving

    Destiny 2’s sandbox received significant updates in the Edge of Fate expansion. Items are now classified by tiers, the Power grind system has been changed, and content is accessed through the Portal directory. As a result, navigating the game has become more complex than before.

    One important update that many players overlook is the New Gear system. This system labels new expansion drops as high-value items, giving them bonuses that last for the next six months. New Gear provides a clear boost in PvE performance and is necessary for tackling some of the game’s toughest challenges. Here’s a simple guide explaining how the New Gear system works and what advantages it offers.

    What Is New Gear?

    New Gear refers to items released during the latest expansion, including new weapons, armor pieces, and Exotics. Sometimes, Bungie designates older Exotics as New Gear during a particular expansion to promote diverse loadouts in both PvE and PvP.

    All items marked as New Gear have a teal icon in the top-left corner of their icon. If an item doesn’t have this teal background, it’s from an earlier season and doesn’t count as New Gear for your build. You can view which Exotics are tagged as New Gear in the Collections menu under the “Featured Gear” section.

    Note: New Gear tags change with each new expansion.

    Benefits of New Gear

    New Gear items come with built-in benefits that enhance gameplay:

    • Weapons deal increased damage
    • Armor provides extra damage resistance
    • All New Gear grants an additional score multiplier during Portal activities, plus the option to use the Avant Garde modifier for even higher scores

    Increased Weapon Damage

    Weapons with the New Gear tag do more damage in all PvE activities. The amount of bonus damage depends on the weapon’s tier, with Exotics flagged as Tier 5. Higher-tier weapons provide bigger damage boosts, going from 2% at Tier 1 to 10% at Tier 5.

    Damage Resistance

    Armor tagged as New Gear offers damage resistance based on its tier. At Tier 5, each piece provides a 3% reduction in damage, including Exotics, which count as Tier 5 armor. Wearing a full set of Tier 5 New Gear results in a 15% damage reduction during PvE content, stacking with other damage reduction effects.

    Avant Garde Modifier

    Most Portal activities allow the Avant Garde mode, which limits your loadout to only New Gear. This can earn you a moderate score bonus but is usually less effective than using Equipment Lock. For Conquests—activities that raise your Guardian Rank—you’ll want at least one build set up strictly with New Gear to maximize efficiency.

    Sources of New Gear

    New Gear mostly drops from featured portal content and new expansion activities. For the Edge of Fate expansion, this includes all content on Kepler, the Desert Perpetual raid, and other portal activities. When a new expansion arrives, the current New Gear rotates to new items associated with the latest expansion, and older New Gear is no longer tagged as such.

    Exotics tagged as New Gear will rotate every six months with each expansion release. Bungie highlights new Exotics and also includes select older Exotics to encourage experimentation with different builds.

    All Exotic New Gear Options

    Below is a list of current Exotics marked as New Gear, organized by class and weapon type:

    Warlock Hunter Titan Weapon
    Felwinter’s Helm The Dragon’s Shadow Precious Scars Dead Man’s Tale
    Fallen Sunstar Mask of Bakris Wormgod Caress Wicked Implement
    Nothing Manacles Blight Ranger Ursa Furiosa Outbreak Perfected
    Ballidorse Wrathweavers Cyrtarachne’s Façade Icefall Mantle Barrow-Dyad
    Starfire Protocol Mask of Fealty Point-Contact Cannon Brace Lumina
    Wings of Sacred Dawn Khepri’s Sting Pyrogale Gauntlets Wish-Keeper
    Mantle of Battle Harmony Oathkeeper Wishful Ignorance New Land Beyond
    Mataiodoxia Athrys’s Embrace Crest of Alpha Lupi Ager’s Scepter
    Rime-coat Raiment Renewal Grasps Actium War Rig The Navigator
    Geomag Stabilizers Caliban’s Hand Mk. 44 Stand Asides Arbalest
    Promethium Spur Gifted Conviction Peregrine Greaves Centrifuse
    Boots of the Assembler Lucky Pants Phoenix Cradle Tommy’s Matchbook
    Secant Filaments Star-Eater Scales The Path of Burnings Steps Choir of One
    Swarmers Speedloader Slacks Abeyant Leap Polaris Lance
    Eunoia Moirai Melas Panoplia Graviton Lance
    Eriana’s Vow
    Devil’s Ruin
    Hierarchy of Needs
    Slayer’s Fang
    Lodestar
    Legend of Acrius
    Microcosm
    Winterbite
    Worldline Zero
    Finality’s Auger
    Third Iteration
    Graviton Spike
    Whirling Ovation

    This list is updated regularly as Bungie introduces new Exotics during expansions, with each item’s New Gear status lasting about six months.

  • Kepler Weapon God Rolls – Destiny 2: The Edge Of Fate Completing & Solving

    Kepler Weapon God Rolls – Destiny 2: The Edge Of Fate Completing & Solving

    On Kepler, there are six new weapons to find, most of which are good choices for both PvE and PvP. As you level up your Power Level and explore Kepler’s world tiers, you’ll encounter stronger versions of these weapons thanks to the new gear tier system. If you’re looking to expand your armory or want different options, chasing these weapons is worth your time. Here are the best rolls to look for.

    Agape
    Agape is the first Solar hand cannon that fires two bursts. It pairs well with Solar subclasses like Ember of Empyrean or Ember of Benevolence. This setup is great for hunters who want to boost damage or quickly clear adds. While some two-burst hand cannons are better for boss DPS, Agape shines for adding damage and crowd control. It’s especially useful in PvP if you don’t mind its unusual firing pattern. Recommended perks include Outlaw and Master of Arms to maximize damage, and stability improvements are crucial to to reduce flinch. For PvP, consider perks that support Solar abilities, like Heal Clip for healing when reloading near allies and Enhanced Precision Instrument to lower TTK to about 0.57 seconds if you have a 200 weapon stat or Radiant.

    Giver’s Blessing
    A fast-firing auto rifle that is simple but effective in PvE for low to mid-tier content. With perks like Kinetic Tremors, it can stun larger foes, and Shoot to Loot makes it handy for farming. In PvP, this rifle is less dominant compared to other options but can still work well with perks like Moving Target for aim assist and Zen Moment to improve stability. Its effective range is about 28 meters, so stay within that zone for best results. Recommended perks are Extended Barrel, Flared Magwell, Outlaw, and Master of Arms for PvE, or Full Bore, Ricochet Rounds, and either Heal Clip or Encore for PvP.

    Last Thursday
    Once a powerhouse, Last Thursday has been nerfed in PvP but can still be deadly with the right perks, especially if you run damage-enhancing options like Elemental Honing. Pair it with Moving Target to improve hit detection. It’s an average weapon in PvE, best used with perks like Demolitionist and Frenzy. To get two-burst kills in PvP, perks like Range and Elemental Honing are helpful, but note that many current weapons can drop enemies faster, making this less desirable unless you prefer a burst shot style.

    Precipial
    Precipial is a solid choice if you need a good energy shotgun or a reliable Arc shotgun. The recommended PvE perks are Threat Detector and Opening Shot, or Lone Wolf combined with Discord or Slideshot for versatility. It boasts a perk pool that’s tough to beat, making it a top pick for PvP. For PvP, strong rolls include Full Bore, Ricochet Rounds, and perks like Threat Detector or Lone Wolf, with Opening Shot or Discord as options for the last perk slot.

    Sublimation
    Sublimation is a low-meta Scout rifle, suitable if you’re looking for a precision energy sniper or to fill the energy slot. In PvE, perks like Rapid Hit and Voltshot provide decent add-clear, but given other weapons with faster TTKs, it’s not a top-tier pick. In PvP, it’s mainly for niche or specific builds; perks like Moving Target and Explosive Payload make it a decent duo. Its perk pool isn’t very compelling for serious PvP or endgame PvE, and it’s best to skip unless you need a reliable Arc scout for a specific loadout.

    Ulterior Observation
    Ulterior Observation is a 600 RPM Stasis machine gun similar to Pro Memoria. Use it with perks like Subsistence and Killing Tally for add clearing, or Headstone and Dragonfly for fun, low-tier content. Its stability improves greatly when equipped with Moving Target and Dynamic Sway Reduction. Although not as strong as some LMGs, it’s a reliable choice for consistent headshot farming in PvP. The recommended perks include Arrowhead Brake, Ricochet Rounds, Subsistence, and Killing Tally for PvE, or Arrowhead Brake, Ricochet Rounds, Moving Target, and Dynamic Sway Reduction for PvP.


    Note: For each weapon, the best rolls depend on your playstyle and the activities you focus on. In the end, most of these weapons perform well with specific perks tailored to PvE or PvP use, so choose rolls that complement your preferred combat style.

  • How to Unlock the Sharpshooter Title in Destiny 2 by Completing & Solving

    How to Unlock the Sharpshooter Title in Destiny 2 by Completing & Solving

    During Arms Week in Destiny 2, there’s a special title called Sharpshooter that players can earn by completing specific challenges. You unlock the title by finishing Ada-1’s quests and progressing through the event’s reward track, then you can upgrade it with extra challenges during the week. Earning this title is pretty straightforward but can be slow because the experience points (XP) progress slowly on the event pass. Here’s a quick guide on how to complete the four triumphs associated with the Sharpshooter title, including tips to make the process easier.

    Ephemeral Arsenal

    There are three volatile weapon mods available each Arms Week, all of which can be obtained through Ada-1’s quests in the Shooting Range. After the initial introduction quest, your main task is to land kills with the weekly curated weapon. For example, if the curated weapon is the Phoneutria Fera, which is a hand cannon, your volatile mod quests will ask for hand cannon kills. You only need to gather all the mods during one week because they expire after the event ends. If you miss this chance, you’ll have to wait until Arms Week returns to try again. The quests are generally simple and can be completed in about 30 minutes of gameplay.

    Within Scope

    This triumph involves landing kills with weapons that have volatile weapon mods installed. Each volatile mod is only usable on curated weapons for that specific Arms Week—for example, if hand cannons like Phoneutria Fera are curated, then all hand cannons you own can be equipped with volatile mods for that week, including older models. The mods you need to use are:

    • Fragmentation Rounds: causes targets to explode with submunitions upon precision kills.
    • Cowboy Grip: greatly improves hipfire accuracy.
    • Chaotic Munitions: applies random effects on kills.

    Ada’s Anarchy

    This challenge revolves around playing in the Arms Week: Hardware playlist, a special Crucible mode where abilities are disabled and volatile mods are enabled. It’s a casual PvP setup designed for testing Ada-1’s new prototype guns and volatile mods. You earn progress by completing matches, with more progress awarded for wins. Interestingly, you don’t have to use curated weapons here; any strong PvP weapons like Hawkmoon or 390 RPM pulse rifles work well.

    Rushed Recoil

    To complete this, you need to land kills with weapons that have volatile mods equipped. As with Within Scope, you can only use volatile mods attached to curated weapons for that week. The mods needed are the same as above: Fragmentation Rounds, Cowboy Grip, and Chaotic Munitions. Use these mods on your curated weapons to get the kills required for this triumph.

    Complete the Rewards Track

    Arms Week has its own reward track similar to the seasonal battle pass. Earning XP through daily and weekly challenges will push you closer to the top, with enough progress to reach rank 20. Daily challenges give half a rank each, while the weekly ones give a couple of levels. If you want to reach rank 20 quickly, complete all challenges, or you can buy reroll chips with Silver to swap out incomplete challenges. A few reroll chips are given through the reward pass, but you’re limited to three re-rolls per week.

  • How Arms Day Works in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate — Completing and Solving

    How Arms Day Works in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate — Completing and Solving

    Arms Day is back in Destiny 2 as Arms Week. Since the Witness has been defeated, Ada-1 can now focus on improving the Guardian’s weapons as they explore the edges of Sol. During certain parts of the current season, an Arms Week event will be announced. During this time, a specific weapon archetype will be selected as the featured weapon family, unlocking exclusive volatile mods you can use in combat.

    Arms Week is also a great chance to get some awesome loot. Many weapons feature experimental frames and unusual perk combinations, making this event worthwhile if you want to add some unique rolls to your collection. Here’s a full guide on how Arms Week functions in Destiny 2.


    What Is Arms Week?

    Arms Week is a short-term event that introduces experimental weapons and mods into the game. It lasts for one week and usually centers around a specific weapon type, such as hand cannons, shotguns, or trace rifles. Ada-1 has been testing different weapon frames and has some prototype weapons for you to try out in the field. Complete Ada-1’s introductory quest located in the Shooting Range and play activities to earn Combat Telemetry, the event currency used to buy Arms Week weapons.


    Initial Calibration Quest

    When Arms Week begins, an event banner will appear in the Portal menu. Clicking on it will show the current reward track and objectives. Head to the Shooting Range in the Tower and talk to Ada-1, who will give you the “Initial Calibration” quest. This task involves using that week’s chosen weapon archetype to eliminate targets. Complete her quests and then return to her to receive your first volatile mod. You can install this mod on any weapon matching the week’s focus, even older weapons not under the new Gear Tier system. After installing the mod, talk to Ada-1 again to finish the “Initial Calibration” and unlock her shop for the rest of the week.


    Earning Combat Telemetry

    Completing activities during Arms Week rewards you with Combat Telemetry, which can be exchanged for Arms Week weapons at Ada-1’s shop in the Shooting Range. In our experience, solo playlist activities like Caldera are the best way to farm Telemetry—roughly 25 Telemetry are earned every three minutes. Use your Telemetry to buy Arms Week Engrams or focus your engrams into the curated weapon of the week. Engram costs are 25 Telemetry; weapon focuses usually cost about 25–30, depending on the weapon. It’s best to focus engrams on the highlighted weapon, for example, the Phoneutria Fera shotgun during shotgun weeks.


    Arms Week Weapons

    There are four weapons tied to the event, with one chosen as the curated weapon each week. You can focus your engrams toward this weapon to chase specific perks. If the weapon you want isn’t available in Ada-1’s shop, you’ll need to wait until a future Arms Week. Some examples include:

    • Phoneutria Fera (Hand Cannon): Features perks like Transcendent Moment and Barrel Constrictor, with a Spread Shot frame firing at 100 RPM and solar damage. When enemies are nearby, final blows boost weapon damage, reload, and handling until you die.
    • Ribbontail (Trace Rifle): Has perks such as Proximity Power and Wellspring, firing at 1,000 RPM with Strand damage and an Adaptive Frame. It’s a high-rate weapon with effects that can be customized through perks.
    • Synanceia (Sword): Offers traits like Chain Reaction and Eager Edge, with a Wave Frame that deals solar damage. Final blows trigger explosions, and the sword is great for melee combat.
    • Trachinus (Shotgun): Features perks like Rapid Hit and Leading from Gold. It’s a 90 RPM rapid-fire slug shotgun with solar damage, ideal for close-range fights.

    Remember, the selected weapon for the week can be upgraded and rerolled via engrams focused through Ada-1. The exact perks and options may change each event.


    Volatile Mods

    Weapons compatible with the current Arms Week focus can use volatile mods. Completing the introductory quest from Ada-1 grants a special perk called Fragmentation Rounds, causing targets to explode violently when you land precision kills. This perk can be applied to any weapon matching the week’s theme, even older ones. Additional volatile mod quests can be unlocked after finishing “Initial Calibration.” Note that some mods are disabled in PvP and raids; check their details to avoid issues.

    Important: Volatile mods only last for the duration of Arms Week, so use them while you can.

    All Volatile Mods Include:

    Mod Archetype Description Disabled in PvP/Raids
    Fragmentation Rounds Hand Cannons Explosive submunitions from precision hits Yes
    Cowboy Grip Hand Cannons Improves hipfire performance Yes
    Chaotic Munitions Hand Cannons Final blows create random effects Yes
    Others Various Additional effects for specific weapons Check specific mod restrictions

    Arms Week Hardware

    Besides weapons, Arms Week also introduces new hardware. During the event, there’s an exclusive Crucible playlist called “Arms Week: Hardware,” which disables abilities and supers but allows volatile mod use. This environment is perfect for experimenting with new weapons and volatile mods in low-stakes PvP.


    Challenges and Rewards

    Each day, Ada-1 offers three Daily Challenges and one Weekly Challenge. Completing these earns event XP and Tokens, progressing an exclusive battle pass-style reward track filled with upgrade materials, currencies, and special weapon variants. Daily Challenges are straightforward—defeat targets, land kills with the focus weapon, or complete PvP matches, earning half an event rank and ten Tokens each. The Weekly Challenge takes more time but grants more XP and Tokens. Prioritize completing the Weekly Challenge first.


    Reward Shop

    Tokens earned during Arms Week can be spent in the event’s reward shop, accessible through the Arms Week tab. You can purchase upgrade components and reroll your weapons’ perks with Arms Week-specific Reroll Chips. These chips are also obtainable through the reward track but are limited in quantity. Reroll Chips reset the daily challenges, allowing you to reattempt getting the perks you desire on weapon engrams.

    Using these features, players can maximize their loot and experiment with new weapon setups during Arms Week.

  • Where to Find All Graviton Spike Catalysts in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate

    Where to Find All Graviton Spike Catalysts in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate

    Graviton Spike: Exclusive Exotic Weapon in Destiny 2

    Graviton Spike is a new exotic hand cannon introduced in Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate. It fires at 150 RPM and has a unique ability to transform between an Arc lightweight frame and a Stasis shotgun. This makes it a flexible weapon suitable for many player setups, especially if you change damage types often or run Lucky Pants.

    Getting Started with the Catalyst

    After obtaining the weapon, you’ll need to unlock its intrinsic perks and four catalysts to maximize its power. This guide will tell you where to find all four catalysts. Each catalyst consists of three parts, which you can find in any order. You can use the table of contents to jump to the missing parts.

    Rapid Hit Catalyst

    Destiny 2 Graviton Spike Catalyst Rapid Hit

    Rapid precision hits temporarily increase stability and reload speed.

    Note: These parts are only available on Fabled difficulty.

    Part 1 – The Stacks

    Travel to The Outer Steppes, located in the northwest area of the map. Once there, head to the Outer Wastes, the same location as the first campaign mission. Destroy the three disruptors in the arena (shown above), then look for a yellow-shaped pod near an exit. Use the weapon’s Arc fire to open the pod, then switch to Stasis to break the crystal inside. Shattering it will slow down the fan nearby. Slide into the area and interact with the Rosetta terminal to get the first part of the catalyst.

    Part 2 – Curtilage Divide

    Fast travel to Curtilage Divide. Proceed through Augur’s Bethel and take the left path at the fork. Continue until you reach a room with a Relocator cannon puzzle. Use Graviton Spike to damage a ceiling pod, which will slow a spinning panel. Destroy the three energy cells protecting it, then use the cannon to shoot the Relocator pylon at the other side of the room. Use the teleporter to access the hidden chamber and retrieve the next part.

    Part 3 – Caldera

    From the Caldera hub, go down the stairs and move left along the wall. Use Graviton Spike on the fan above and the nearby pod to break it. Use Matterspark to go through the tunnel that drops into a small office. Inside, you’ll find the final part of the catalyst waiting in this area.

    Subsistence Catalyst

    Destiny 2 Graviton Spike Catalyst Subsistence

    Defeating targets partially reloads the weapon’s magazine from reserves.

    Note: These parts are available only on Fabled difficulty.

    Part 1 – Caldera

    Start outside the Caldera hub. Head down the stairs, then turn left and go to the end of the area. Find the fan above and the Graviton Spike pod nearby. Break the pod, then use Matterspark to run through the tunnel. The path ends in a small office where you can find the catalyst component inside.

    Part 2 – Aionian Campus

    Travel to Aionian Campus. From the spawn point, cross the landing zone and use the Matterspark portal. Go down the tunnel on the right when the path splits. Use a Matterweave pillar to clear debris covering a fan outside. Break the debris with Graviton Spike, then fling the debris away. Enter the structure to claim the part inside.

    Part 3 – The Singularity

    From Caldera, return via the Matterspark portal to The Stacks. Proceed along the path to The Singularity. In the area, go up the structure in the corner and use the Matterspark tunnel to ascend. Find and disable the fan with Graviton Spike. Down the chute is a boss — it is a tough fight and can despawn if you wipe. It’s recommended to bring a friend who stays above to avoid reloading the zone if the boss despawns. Defeating it rewards you with the third component.

    Transcendent Zen Catalyst

    Destiny 2 Graviton Spike Catalyst Transcendent Zen

    Final blows grant bonus stats, depending on the weapon’s damage type. Light elements boost stability and handling, dark elements improve range and aim assist. While equipped with Transcendent Zen, you get both bonuses.

    Note: These parts are only obtainable on Mythic difficulty.

    Part 1 – Caldera

    Start outside the Caldera hub. Descend the stairs, then turn left and go to the end of the building. Find the fan with a Graviton Spike pod next to it. Break the pod, then run through the tunnel using Matterspark. At the end, you’ll reach a small room with the component inside.

    Part 2 – The Stellar Sink

    Navigate to The Stellar Sink within Assimilated Easement. Inside, find and activate a Relocator cannon to charge the Vex pylon. Use it to freeze a fan across the arena. Then, become a Matterspark ball and attack the pylon to unlock a cage. Use the fan to reach the component hidden inside the area.

  • Completing All Seasonal Hub Rewards in Destiny 2: Edge of Fate

    Completing All Seasonal Hub Rewards in Destiny 2: Edge of Fate

    The launch of Destiny 2’s Edge of Fate expansion has introduced significant changes to the game’s system. Most activities are now accessed via the updated Portal UI, and the reward system for various content has been notably revamped. One major change comes from the introduction of Seasonal Challenges, which used to allow players to earn substantial XP and Bright Dust through account-specific triumphs.

    This system has been replaced by a new seasonal hub that updates weekly. If you aim to progress through the battle pass or enhance your Portal rewards, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with this new feature. This guide will explain how the seasonal hub operates in The Edge of Fate and outline its reward structure.

    What Is the Seasonal Hub?

    The seasonal hub is a new progression system that has taken the place of Seasonal Challenges. To access it, open the Portal and click on the “Seasonal Hub” tab on the right side of the interface. This hub serves as a free battle pass that resets every week, granting rewards such as Powerful Engrams, redeemable loot tokens, and upgrade materials.

    Advancing in the Seasonal Hub

    Your progress in the seasonal hub is determined by completing Daily and Weekly Challenges. If you participated in the Heavy Metal event in Heresy, the mechanics are similar. Each day, you’ll find three new Daily Challenges available in this section. Completing these tasks will earn you XP, Bright Dust, bonus loot in a Portal playlist, and contribute to your Weekly Rank.

    Each challenge completed adds to your Weekly Rank, which can reach a maximum of 20. Daily Challenges typically yield about one rank each, while Weekly Challenges can provide three to four ranks depending on their complexity. This rank will dictate your progression in the seasonal hub and how many rewards are accessible to you, similar to a battle pass system.

    Daily Challenges

    Daily Challenges consist of three objectives that can easily be achieved through regular gameplay. They act like bounties tracked across your account. By finishing a daily challenge, you’ll gain a Weekly Rank, a small amount of XP, Bright Dust, and a bonus drop from a random Portal playlist—the specific playlist affected will be indicated when you complete the challenge.

    Weekly Challenges

    Every week, five new challenges will be introduced, each lasting for seven days. These require more effort than typical Daily Challenges. Successfully completing one will grant you multiple Weekly Ranks, several battle pass ranks, and a significant amount of XP. If you have time, these challenges are definitely worth tackling.

    Rewards from the Seasonal Hub

    not need to own the current season or any downloadable content to use this reward track; it’s available for everyone at no cost. Below is a summary of the rewards you can expect as you progress through each rank.

    Rank

    Reward

    Notes

    Rank 1

    Strange Coin x11

    Can be traded at Xur in the Tower on weekends.

    Rank 2

    Enhancement Core x10

    Used for gear infusion and armor upgrades.

    Rank 3

    Unstable Core x25

    Used for infusing gear above the hard cap.


    Expires at season’s end.

    Rank 4

    Seasonal Bonus Powerful Gear

    Can drop items up to the Seasonal Power Cap.

    Rank 5

    Bright Dust x150

    Can be exchanged for Eververse items.

    Rank 6

    Strange Coin x13

    Can be traded at Xur in the Tower on weekends.

    Rank 7

    Armory Requisition I

    Can be redeemed at Zavala in the Tower for a Vanguard reward.


    Must be used within the week it’s acquired.

    Rank 8

    Enhancement Prism x2

    Utilized for armor upgrades.

    Rank 9

    Seasonal Bonus Powerful Gear

    Can drop items up to the Seasonal Power Cap.

    Rank 10

    Arsenal Credit

    Can be redeemed at Zavala in the Tower for a specific weapon.


    Choose from three options. Additional options unlock as you progress.

    Rank 11

    Strange Coin x17

    Can be traded at Xur in the Tower on weekends.

    Rank 12

    Armory Requisition II

    Can be redeemed at Zavala in the Tower for a Vanguard reward.


    Must be used within the week it’s acquired.

    Rank 13

    Unstable Core x50

    Used to infuse gear above the hard cap.


    Expires at season’s end.

    Rank 14

    Seasonal Bonus Powerful Gear

    Can drop items up to the Seasonal Power Cap.

    Rank 15

    Arsenal Expansion I

    Vanguard arsenal now has four options, up from three.

    Rank 16

    Ascendant Shard x1

    Used for masterworking armor.

    Rank 17

    Exotic Cipher x1

    Used to buy Exotics from the Exotic Kiosk in the Tower.

    Rank 18

    Bright Dust x450

    Can be exchanged for Eververse items.

    Rank 19

    Exotic Engram

    Decrypt at Rahool in the Tower to retrieve an Exotic item.

    Rank 20

    Arsenal Expansion II

    Vanguard arsenal now has five options, up from three.

  • Understanding Portal’s Difficulty Modifiers in Destiny 2: Completing Solving Challenges

    Understanding Portal’s Difficulty Modifiers in Destiny 2: Completing Solving Challenges

    In the latest expansion of Destiny 2, titled The Edge of Fate, almost all PvE content has undergone significant changes. A revamped Portal menu has transformed the way activities are accessed and initiated within the game. Additionally, a new gear tier system has introduced long-term loot goals for nearly all new items, encompassing both weapons and armor.

    So, what influences the gear tiers you receive? The answer lies in difficulty modifiers, a new feature that lets you customize your experience in all PvE activities. By selecting modifiers that match your playstyle and increasing the difficulty, you can enhance your Power level while also acquiring better gear across the board.

    What Are Difficulty Modifiers?

    Most activities you can access via the Portal come equipped with difficulty modifiers. Before starting an activity, you can click the “Customize” button to tweak the mission settings. In older expansions, difficulties were fixed with set modifiers. Now, you have the freedom to choose all modifiers yourself.

    Every modifier you add will adjust your activity score. This score determines the quality of the rewards you receive at the end of the activity. Increasing the Power requirement and applying optional modifiers boosts the gear tier for all items that drop, including the number of drops.

    How to Add Activity Modifiers

    Once you’ve picked your activity, use the “Customize” button to open the modifier page. Here, you’ll find a variety of options to explore.

    Note that these options are not applicable to Crucible playlists.

    • Difficulty: This represents the base Power of the activity and forms the foundation for all rewards.
    • Rule Modifiers: These are game-imposed adjustments that cannot be altered.
    • Challenge Modifiers: Optional changes that increase the game’s difficulty, making enemies tougher or diminishing player capabilities.
    • Player Stakes: Extra rules affecting rewards, such as time limits, which are also unchangeable.
    • Boons and Events: Helpful modifiers that make gameplay easier if you plan your strategy around them.

    Base Difficulty

    Before applying any modifiers, you must first choose the activity’s base difficulty, which sets the initial Power levels and health scaling of enemies. Higher difficulties result in tougher opponents and significant health increases.

    Choosing a harder difficulty comes with advantages, particularly regarding rewards. The tougher the base difficulty, the better your score can become. Reaching a high score at Grandmaster level may grant you T5 weapons and armor, the best available in the game.

    Challenge Modifiers

    After selecting a base difficulty, you can introduce modifiers. Challenge modifiers let you alter enemy characteristics and introduce new gameplay challenges that penalize certain strategies. Aim for modifiers that don’t negatively impact your build to enhance your score.

    Caution: Certain modifiers can raise the activity’s Power level.

    Banes are specific modifiers that give enemies new abilities, such as summoning mini enemies when damaged continuously. You can select two banes at advanced difficulty levels, with more available at higher tiers.

    Challenge Modifiers introduce additional mechanics, such as enemies applying slow effects on melee hits. Some can be advantageous, depending on your playstyle. For instance, the Oscillation Trade-Off modifier alternates weapon damage, which could be beneficial if you frequently switch weapons.

    Boons and Events

    This category focuses on bonuses that enhance your build, allowing you to choose up to three boons, each offering distinct advantages. One popular choice is the Grappler modifier, which replaces your grenade with three charges that recharge instantly upon contact with a surface. While you can’t use Grapple for melee attacks, it greatly enhances mobility, making speedrunning easier.

    Activity Score and Rewards

    Every modifier you activate will influence your mission’s activity score. Similar to how Nightfalls operated in the past, a higher activity score opens the door to better rewards and increased Power boosts. A baseline score is set at B, which can rise to A, but exceeding A or dropping below B doesn’t have any effect. Your objective is to add enough modifiers to achieve an A rank.

    Since modifiers aren’t applicable in PvP, all drops depend on your current Power level and match performance, which also applies to Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner.

    The chosen base difficulty dictates the reward rank, ranging from Copper to Platinum. Picking a greater difficulty level will raise this ranking, impacting the Power level and gear tier of all items earned from rewards.

    To secure top-tier gear in this expansion, aim for an A rank in Grandmaster content. This requires reaching a Power level of at least 350, paired with a solid build. While boons can help, they won’t trivialize the challenge. Completing this high-level difficulty rewards you with T5 gear and significant Power boosts for your character.

  • Completing Destiny 2: How to Solve the Portal Mechanics

    Completing Destiny 2: How to Solve the Portal Mechanics

    Bungie has completely revamped the interface of Destiny 2 with the new Edge of Fate expansion. The new system, called the Portal, has replaced the Director and organized various playlists to help players find activities with ease. Now, there’s no need to memorize each destination’s layout to locate an activity.

    If you’re a newcomer or returning player to Destiny 2, the Portal system might seem a little overwhelming. Although it marks a significant change for the game, using this playlist system becomes straightforward once you understand its mechanics. In this guide, we’ll explore how the Portal operates, what each playlist offers, and give a brief overview of the new difficulty system.

    What Is the Portal?

    The Portal is a new starting point that takes over the role of the old Director map. From this Portal menu, you can access any activity in Destiny 2, whether it’s from the latest expansion or older content that has been brought back. However, keep in mind that not all older content is available; only selected activities are currently playable.

    Upon launching Destiny, you will notice an “Open Portal” button replacing the old Director map. Clicking on it will reveal a menu filled with various options:

    • Latest Expansion: Displays the most recent content update. Choosing this will guide you to that expansion’s location or, if it’s unavailable, the opening mission of the campaign.
    • Playlists: There are four playlists to explore: Solo, Fireteam, Pinnacle, and Crucible.
    • Seasonal Hub: This replaces the old Seasonal Challenges with listings of daily and weekly challenges that you can complete for rewards.
    • Tower: This option takes you to the Tower, the central hub of Destiny 2.

    If you’re new to Destiny 2, a good strategy is to start with the latest expansion and then grind one of the playlists for better gear. Expansions typically introduce new subclass features, types of gear, and titles. When your inventory is full, head over to the Tower to decode any Engrams you’ve obtained and stash any high-value items in your Vault.

    Playlists

    Experienced players might notice that significant activities—like Vanguard content, lost sectors, dungeons, and raids—are missing. They’ve been grouped into playlists that you can find at the bottom of the Portal interface. Now, activities in Destiny 2 are organized by playlist types.

    Playlist

    Activities

    Notes

    Solo Ops

    Remixed versions of lost sectors, empire hunts, and strikes designed for solo play.

    • Solo only
    • No matchmaking
    • Most activities take 5-10 minutes.
    • Lower reward yield

    Fireteam Ops

    Previously known as Vanguard Ops. Includes strikes, battlegrounds, empire hunts, and seasonal content.

    • Three players
    • Matchmaking enabled
    • Most activities take 10-15 minutes
    • Moderate reward yield

    Pinnacle Ops

    Longer, non-matchmade activities. Includes Exotic missions and challenging seasonal content like The Coil.

    • Three players
    • No matchmaking
    • Activities typically take 20-40 minutes
    • High reward yield

    Crucible

    Player vs. player (PvP). Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner are included in this playlist.

    • 3v3 or 6v6
    • Matchmaking enabled
    • Matches last 5-15 minutes
    • Moderate reward yield

    When you enter the Portal, selecting a playlist will show you a grid of available missions. Choosing an activity will set up a matchmaking lobby and, if relevant, a difficulty card that you can adjust before starting. We’ll go more in-depth about difficulty modifiers in the next section.

    For most players, Fireteam Ops is where you’ll want to be. This playlist includes almost all matchmade content in Destiny 2 accessible for players of all skill levels, covering strikes, battlegrounds, and earlier seasonal activities like Savathun’s Spire. The available seasonal content will shift with each quarterly update.

    All four playlists offer rewards related to the completed activity. For instance, completing the Crucible playlist grants PvP gear as its reward. Completion rewards always translate to Power increases for your character, so feel free to grind through any playlist, as there is no more weekly time limitation.

    Destiny 2 Seasonal Hub

    Finishing daily and weekly challenges under the “Seasonal Hub” section of the Portal grants account rewards, including Strange Coins, Seasonal Gear Engrams, and tokens for redemption at Zavala.

    The reward system resets weekly, replacing the previous Seasonal Challenge framework.

    Where Can I Find Raids and Dungeons?

    Destiny 2 Director Map Desaturated

    Currently, raids and dungeons aren’t linked to any playlist at the launch of the new system. It’s likely they will be included in the Pinnacle Ops playlist later on. For now, you can find dungeons and raids at their specific locations on the “World” map, which was previously known as the Director. If you are a new or returning player, the activities can be located in the destinations outlined below.

    Destination

    Raids

    Dungeons

    Moon

    Savathun’s Throne World

    • Spire of the Watcher
    • Sundered Doctrine

    Cosmodrome

    Neomuna

    Pale Heart

    Europa

    Dreaming City

    Legends

    • Vault of Glass
    • Crota’s End
    • King’s Fall
    • Prophecy
    • Ghosts of the Deep

    Difficulty Modifiers

    Destiny 2 Portal Difficulty Modifiers

    Almost every activity in the Portal menu offers difficulty modifiers, excluding PvP. This optional difficulty system enables you to adjust Power Levels, bonuses, and penalties throughout the activity. By adding these modifiers, you can aim for a higher score, which will translate into better rewards. Higher scores yield higher-quality loot, including items of greater gear tiers and additional drops.

    Before starting an activity, click the “Customize” button to access the difficulty modifiers page. From there, you can set your Power deficit to establish the primary score for the activity. You can adjust this using Challenge Modifiers and Boon & Event Modifiers. Using these tools effectively can boost your score and enhance the quality of the loot. A more detailed guide on the difficulty system is on its way, so stay tuned for more information.

  • Completing Destiny 2: Solving the Recast of Iconic Voice Actors

    Completing Destiny 2: Solving the Recast of Iconic Voice Actors

    Destiny 2 has launched its first expansion of the Year of Prophecy, called The Edge of Fate. Fans noticed that some characters in this expansion sound different, such as Ikora Rey, who was originally voiced by Gina Torres. In The Edge of Fate, her voice resembles that of Savathun from The Witch Queen, voiced by Debra Wilson.

    Bungie was unable to record voice lines with their usual group of voice actors during the production of The Edge of Fate. This was likely due to the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike, which focused on protecting performers from AI recreations of their voices.

    As a result, several characters in Edge of Fate, including Ikora, Orin, and Chioma, do not have their original voice actors. Sometimes, characters are completely silent.

    With the strike resolved, Bungie is now working on re-recording the voice lines for these characters.

    Bungie Is Re-Recording Voice Lines

    In a recent update, Bungie announced, “We are pleased to share that these issues have been resolved, and we’re actively re-recording lines for affected characters. While we do not have a specific date for when these lines will be updated, we aim for a future update. We will provide more details when available.”

    The Edge of Fate is the first expansion for Destiny 2 under a new plan that features two major expansions each year rather than four seasons. The next expansion, called Renegades, is expected to be influenced by Star Wars, although it won’t be a direct crossover.

    The SAG-AFTRA strike ended on June 18, and the union stated that important safeguards are now in place to protect actors from the misuse of AI to recreate their voices.

    It’s still unclear whether this agreement will effectively prevent future exploitation of voice actors’ work.

    Destiny 2’s The Edge of Fate expansion is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.

    Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate

    Released
    July 15, 2025

    ESRB
    Teen / Blood, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Language, Violence

  • Completing Desert Perpetual Raid Builds: A Solving Guide

    The new Desert Perpetual raid in Destiny 2’s Edge of Fate expansion is set to challenge your Guardian like never before. For the first 48 hours, players will encounter a Contest difficulty mode, featuring tougher enemies and a significant Power level deficit. Finishing the campaign on Legendary will elevate your Power Level to the necessary mark, but there’s more to be prepared for.

    Successfully navigating this raid, especially at tougher levels, will necessitate strong builds and effective teamwork. While we can’t assist with the coordination part, we can provide you with some recommended builds to kick things off. In this guide, we’ll share nine builds specifically designed for conquering the Desert Perpetual raid—three for each Guardian class.


    Hunter Builds

    Destiny 2 Hunter Prismatic

    Prismatic – Threaded Ascension

    This build is designed to handle adds swiftly while minimizing your exposure to danger. With the Threaded Spike as your melee, you can tag numerous enemies with Sever, cutting their damage by 40%. Following this, use Ascension to jolt nearby targets, activating Gambler’s Dodge to reset Threaded Spike and unleash another damaging throw. Threaded Spike autonomously tracks enemies as long as you hit a target.

    Amplified, which you gain from Ascension, provides an extra 15% damage resistance and increases your chances of dodging enemy projectiles. Coupled with Facet of Protection, you’ll earn x1 Restoration each time you gather an Orb of Power—something that happens frequently thanks to x3 Heavy Handed mods on your gloves and two Powerful Attraction mods on your class item.

    Ascension activates armor mods, allowing you to trigger your aerial spin to collect nearby orbs. Incorporate some surge mods on your legs, and while this build may not eclipse a dedicated Celestial Nighthawk loadout for DPS, it still holds its ground.

    Prismatic – Celestial Nighthawk DPS

    When it comes to dealing damage to bosses, Hunters excel with Blade Barrage or Golden Gun – Marksman. Given that Blade Barrage is tied to the Gunslinger subclass, which is often considered the least powerful for Hunters, we’ll focus on Golden Gun for the Prismatic raid. Using Celestial Nighthawk will enhance Golden Gun to deliver a single, high-damage shot. You can amplify this further with Facet of Courage along with the new Super stat—at 200 Super, your Golden Gun will inflict 45% more damage, which is slightly more than the effects of two Star-Eater Scales stacks.

    To maintain your survival during the encounter, we recommend employing Stylish Executioner. This will allow you to become invisible each time you eliminate a debuffed enemy. You can trigger this with Gunpowder Gamble or through weapons with elemental perks like Chill Clip or Incandescent. The Facet of Protection generates Restoration when you create Orbs of Power, which can be accomplished with Firepower mods on your gloves.

    For actual DPS, running Still Hunt alongside Hezen Vengeance is your best bet. Celestial Nighthawk will turn the Golden Gun shot from Still Hunt into a one-time, high-damage round. Fire a Golden Gun shot, deplete your magazine, switch to Hezen Vengeance, fire off a few rockets, switch back to Still Hunt, and repeat. If you’re utilizing Bait and Switch, you’ll need to fire the weapon in your Kinetic slot during your DPS rotations as well to maintain the perk. It’s a demanding playstyle but yields exceptional DPS.

    Strand – Whirling Maelstrom

    DIM Link
    Subclass Threadrunner
    Exotic Cyrtarachne’s Facade


    Alternative: Moiria

    Ideal Stats Weapons + Grenade


    Gunner Archetype

    Role Add Clear & Boss DPS

    Titan Builds

    Destiny 2 Titan Prismatic

    Prismatic – Consecration Titan

    Details for the Prismatic – Consecration Titan build will be provided here.

    Arc – Storm’s Keep

    Bolt Charge may not receive benefits from artifact perks this season, but Storm’s Keep remains a solid choice in today’s gameplay. Utilizing Rally Barricade in conjunction with the Storm’s Keep Aspect effectively transforms your team’s weapons into Thunderlord. These lightning strikes can enhance your team’s DPS with little effort.

    If your focus is purely on damage, equip Cuirass of the Falling Star to significantly amplify your Thundercrash damage. However, if your priority lies more in clearing adds or leveraging machine guns as a DPS method, Actium War Rig is a great option this season. It is featured as an Exotic and received notable buffs, enhancing ammo generation and damage for auto rifles and machine guns, including Choir of One.

    This might not make Thunderlord an ideal choice for Contest, but it’s certainly worth considering.

    Strand – Stronghold

    DIM Link
    Subclass Berserker
    Exotic Stronghold
    Ideal Stats Melee + Health


    Brawler Archetype

    Role Tank & Melee DPS
    Stronghold is essentially the closest thing to a tank build in Destiny 2. Blocking with your sword draws all enemy attention and maximizes your sword’s guard ability. If you defeat enemies shortly after blocking, you gain x2 Restoration for a considerable time. Pair this with Into the Fray for an easy source of Woven Mail, enhancing your survivability.

    As for swords, your best bet is Abyssal Edge from Episode: Heresy. Flash Counter will allow you to deal damage while blocking, which counts as landing an attack to build Redirection stacks. Block a few hits, then strike the target with a sword that deals 100% more damage. If you lack this sword, any one with Flash Counter is an excellent choice.

    Give this setup a shot if you’re tasked with drawing enemy fire or engaging a boss up close. If your team requires additional damage, you can easily switch to Striker to enable Bolt Charge while near a barricade.


    Warlock Builds

    Destiny 2 Warlock Prismatic

    Prismatic – Lightning Surge

    With the Prismatic raid, utilizing Song of Flame allows you to constantly provide Radiant uptime and damage resistance for your team during boss fights. Make sure another Warlock is using Well of Radiance, allowing your team to withstand nearly anything that Contest difficulty throws at you.

    Solar – Medic

    This build is straightforward—simply drop a Healing Grenade to provide health for your team and use your Healing Rift for extra support and a Hellion companion to burn enemies. Cast Well of Radiance to enhance your team’s DPS during boss encounters, making you the ultimate support player. If needed, consider using a healing Auto Rifle like No Hesitation for even more support in Contest mode.

    Solar – Sunbracers

    DIM Link
    Subclass Dawnblade
    Exotic Sunbracers
    Ideal Stats Grenade + Super


    Grenadier Archetype

    Role Add Clear & Boss DPS
    Sunbracers remains an excellent Exotic for aggressive players who want to give their Dawnblade a more explosive twist. With Solar Grenade equipped, getting a melee kill will effectively grant you three additional grenades. Touch of Flame will empower your Solar Grenade to fire magma blobs, allowing you to take down yellow bars and even some minibosses with ease.

  • Completing Gear Tiers in Destiny 2: A Guide to Solving the System

    Completing Gear Tiers in Destiny 2: A Guide to Solving the System

    The itemization system in Destiny 2 is undergoing significant changes with The Edge of Fate expansion. Both weapons and armor will now follow a new rarity classification known as gear tiers, affecting their stats and overall performance. Guardians will need to tackle challenging endgame content to obtain the very best items.

    Since both armor and weapons are affected by this update, it’s crucial to grasp how gear tiers operate before starting your hunt for new equipment. This guide details how gear tiers function, how to obtain higher-rarity items, and addresses some frequently asked questions about the new system.

    Understanding Gear Tiers

    Gear tiers serve as a rarity classification that indicates an item’s strength. Every piece of equipment you earn from The Edge of Fate onward will have a gear tier rating displayed by teal markers on its inventory icon. The top tier is Tier 5, which is obtained from the game’s most challenging activities.

    Higher gear tiers affect items in various ways:

    • Weapons gain improved perks, barrels, magazines, and even unique traits.
    • Armor features higher overall stats and increased mod capacity.

    As you complete tougher tasks, you’ll gather better-quality gear. Any items you acquired prior to The Edge of Fate will not be classified under this new system. Items from the Rite of the Nine’s adept weapons compare to Tier 3 gear with this update, and high-tier armor rolls also align with Tier 3 standards.

    How Gear Tiers Operate

    Every non-Exotic weapon and piece of armor you acquire will include a gear tier displayed on the item card, marked by teal indicators on the item’s icon. The gear tier is influenced by the activity you engage in, with more difficult tasks yielding higher-tier items. Weapons and armor enhance differently with tiers, as outlined below.

    Tier Weapons Armor
    Tier 1 Standard weapon; no enhanced traits or perks 52-57 stat total
    Tier 2 Drops with improved traits. 58-63 stat total
    Tier 3 Includes two enhanced traits per column. 64-69 stat total
    Tier 4 Enhanced barrel, magazine, and mod choices. 70-75 stat total; 11 mod energy
    Tier 5 Enhanced origin traits; three enhanced traits per column; unique holofoil design. 75 stat total; stat tuning

    Weapons benefit from additional perk options and improved features at higher tiers. Tier 3 allows two perks per column, while Tier 5 provides three perks. This makes it easier to chase desirable perk combinations. Higher tiers also enhance properties like perks, barrels, magazine options, mods, and even origin traits at Tier 5. Such perks generally perform better or activate more easily, while enhanced stat modifications typically offer a 10-15 percent improvement.

    Moreover, all Tier 5 weapons feature a unique holofoil design along with on-kill effects.

    Armor provides stronger stat totals at higher tiers. Tier 3 armor matches the best from previous expansions. Tier 4 armor offers an extra point for installing mods, reaching up to 11 energy. Securing Tier 5 armor grants a fifth mod socket dedicated to stat tuning, allowing you to adjust five points from any stat to reallocate elsewhere.

    It’s essential to note that Exotics do not follow this new tier system. Exotic weapons remain untiered, while armor rolls around the Tier 2 range. However, armor still gains advantages from the changes brought by Armor 3.0, allowing fully-mastered armor pieces to reach up to 78 stats at the high end. Exotic class items, however, are treated as Tier 5 armor drops in this new setup.

    How to Acquire Higher-Tier Items

    The difficulty of content is your key method for accessing gear tiers. More challenging activities will yield higher-quality items. Before starting an activity, you can adjust the difficulty modifiers for your character, which can vary from helpful boosts to significant penalties that require perfect execution.

    Choosing modifiers that ramp up the challenge boosts the maximum score you can achieve for that activity, rated from C- to A+. Your base difficulty and your final score factor into an item’s gear tier. The best loot drops from Grandmaster difficulties or harder, especially with an A+ score.

    Gear Tier Thresholds

    Tier Base Difficulty Minimum Score
    Tier 1 Normal C or higher
    Tier 2 Adept C+ or higher
    Tier 3 Legend B or higher
    Tier 4 Master B+ or higher
    Tier 5 Grandmaster or Ultimate A+

    Frequently Asked Questions about Gear Tiers

    Gear tiers represent a major evolution in itemization within Destiny 2, and it’s normal to have questions about such a significant change. Below, we address some common queries regarding the gear tier system as it pertains to Exotics, PvP, and more.

    Are Low-Tier Items Useful?

    Weapons definitely can be, but armor usually isn’t. Gear tiers don’t heavily impact weapon damage output or perk effectiveness; therefore, a T1 weapon with a solid perk combination can outperform a Tier 5 weapon with poor options. This means strong weapons from your collection still retain their value. For instance, just because a rocket launcher has enhanced barrels and mods doesn’t make Hezen Vengeance obsolete; the stat differences are minimal.

    Armor, on the other hand, is significantly affected by this new system. T5 armor boasts the highest possible stat totals, more mod points, and a tuning socket for adjusting stats. Considering the advantages from Armor 3.0’s new bonus system, it’s clear that these new armor pieces will likely take the place of everything in your Vault.

    Will Older Items Get Gear Tiers?

    No, there is no retroactive application of gear tiers to older items. Pieces obtained prior to The Edge of Fate will remain unchanged, although armor stats will be converted to the new Armor 3.0 metrics. Weapons will continue to operate as they previously did.

    Exotic class items have a unique case; all such items will drop with stat archetypes and feature Tier 5 armor capabilities, but they won’t be classified as tiered like Legendary armor. No other items will be included in this way.

    How Are Exotics Assessed in the Gear Tier System?

    Exotic armor is categorized as Tier 2 with Armor 3.0 functions. All Exotic armor received will have 11 mod energy, a stat total ranging between 58-63, and gain +15 points when fully masterworked. Exotic class items stand out—they’re treated as Tier 5 armor drops with specific stat traits based on the perks included in your roll.

    Exotic weapons are not being integrated into the gear tier system. Their functionality will remain consistent with previous seasons.

    Are Crafted Weapons Tiered?

    No, crafted weapons do not fall under the gear tier system. These weapons will keep their crafting functionalities within The Edge of Fate, but they won’t be recognized as tiered gear—they remain functionally like Tier 2 weapons.

    What Will Happen to Adept Weapons?

    The adept weapons concept is being phased out. While all adept weapons you possess remain usable and come with adept mods, there will be no new adept weapons created; Tier 5 weapons have replaced this system.

  • Completing Lootapalooza Week in Destiny 2: What to Know

    Completing Lootapalooza Week in Destiny 2: What to Know

    The last week of Destiny 2’s Rite of the Nine event features a fun new twist known as “Lootapalooza.” During this final week, players will experience significantly higher drop rates for dungeon weapons and Nonary Manifolds. Moreover, new Nonary Manifold chests have been introduced, ensuring gold-standard weapon drops.

    If you’re on the hunt for a specific item from this event, now is the time to dive in and grab what you need. In this overview, we’ll explain how the Lootapalooza event works and highlight the fresh content added by Bungie for this week.

    What Is Lootapalooza?

    Lootapalooza is an unofficial term for a short-term loot event that takes place during the last week of Rite of the Nine. From July 8 until the launch of The Edge of Fate, players participating in the Rite of the Nine dungeons—Spire of the Watcher, Ghosts of the Deep, and Prophecy—will notice a significant increase in the drop rates for Nonary Manifolds and dungeon weapons. While encounter rewards remain unchanged, your odds of snagging a dungeon weapon from defeated foes are considerably better than usual.

    In addition, Bungie is rolling out extra rewards to maximize the fun of this event.

    • Free Nonary Engrams: Chatting with The Emissary each day will give you a free Nonary Engram.
      • There’s a bug that allows players to get an engram for each character, so take advantage of it!
    • Weapon Focusing: A newly opened area in the Rite of the Nine hub lets you open chests that guarantee specific weapon drops.
    • Mystikos Quest: This quest challenges you to complete all three Rite of the Nine dungeons this week, contributing to the Eternal title.

    Mystikos Dungeon Gauntlet Quest

    Destiny 2 Mystikos Quest

    The Mystikos quest is a new challenge available during the closing week of the Rite of the Nine. It requires you to complete all three ROTN dungeons before the next weekly reset. The dungeons can be tackled on Eternity difficulty; the Explorer and Ultimatum modes do not count. Finishing this quest will complete the “Running the Gauntlet” Triumph for the Eternal title. If you prefer to skip a specific Triumph under the Eternal title, you can choose to complete Mystikos as an alternative.

    Weapon Focusing

    A new feature has been introduced in the final room of the Rite of the Nine hub called weapon focusing. This should help you target specific weapons more easily. When you enter the Rite of the Nine hub, head to the top of the spire and jump onto the tower. A platform glowing in pink will teleport you to a secret room filled with chests.

    In this room, each chest guarantees a specific weapon from the event. For instance, if there’s a chest located next to Long Arm, opening that chest will always reward you with a Long Arm weapon. You’ll find a standard weapon chest (costing 325 Nonary Manifolds) and an adept weapon chest (costing 450 Nonary Manifolds). You can open these chests as often as you like, so be sure to use any spare Manifolds on weapons you want before the Rite of the Nine event wraps up next Tuesday.

  • Completing the Challenge: Solving DPS Weapons in Destiny 2

    Completing the Challenge: Solving DPS Weapons in Destiny 2

    Bungie constantly evolves the meta in Destiny 2, refreshing the weapon landscape each season. This includes extensive balance adjustments, reworkings of Exotic weapons, new Artifact perks, and weapons that surpass earlier powerhouses in damage. For dedicated players, keeping up with what’s effective in the game can be quite demanding.

    This guide is designed to assist returning players in re-entering endgame PvE content by providing a snapshot of the current popular strategies and weapons. We’ll explore effective damage strategies, suggest solid DPS builds, and recommend the best weapons for endgame activities.

    Our focus here is on practical usability rather than theoretical damage figures. For those who want to dive into the numerical details, check out Aegis’ DPS spreadsheet for more in-depth statistics.

    Popular DPS Strategies

    Current Meta Weapons

    As of Episode: Heresy, the prevailing DPS meta in PvE mostly revolves around Linear Fusion Rifles outfitted with the Particle Reconstruction artifact mod. This mod applies up to a 29% weaken effect on targets and allows partial magazine refills, significantly enhancing sustained damage. Using the recently updated The Queenbreaker, which fires in a burst of three rounds, is arguably the simplest and most effective DPS strategy available. Just aim and fire.

    Another favorite this season is the Lord of Wolves. This shotgun delivers more damage than many heavy weapons. Approach your target closely and hip-fire; avoid aiming down sights. The hip-fire DPS is incredibly high and inflicts constant Scorch, leading to frequent Ignitions for more damage. If you pair this with a Storm’s Keep Barricade, you’ll trigger even more Bolt Charge detonations.

    This season, Hezen Vengeance from Vault of Glass has taken the DPS scene by storm. Its timed variant allows the player to double the rocket capacity after activating their Super for 20 seconds, basically offering an enhanced version of Clown Cartridge for free. Most players opt for Envious Arsenal combined with Bait and Switch (or Elemental Honing) to obliterate bosses by firing two rockets, swapping, and repeating. This setup achieves unmatched rocket DPS—no other launcher can compete.

    Meta DPS Builds

    Top Heavy Weapons

    Destiny 2 Hezen Vengeance

    This season, Hezen Vengeance stands out as the premier choice for Heavy DPS. This rocket launcher can essentially double its magazine size, allowing for remarkable damage output. When your Super ends, it stores two rockets for about 20 seconds, making it efficient when used with Envious Arsenal and Bait and Switch.

    For fights where precision damage is viable, consider using The Queenbreaker with the Particle Reconstruction mod. This combination provides a strong weakening effect simply through firing your Linear Fusion Rifle, and The Queenbreaker’s rapid fire rate generally surpasses many long-range DPS options.

    Weapon

    Source

    Notes

    Hezen Vengeance

    Vault of Glass raid

    Envious Arsenal + Bait and Switch (or Elemental Honing)
    Highest rocket DPS in the game. Origin trait doubles its magazine size.

    The Queenbreaker

    Exotic Engrams

    Combat Sights
    Highest DPS for a linear fusion rifle.

    VS Velocity Baton

    Vesper’s Host dungeon

    Envious Arsenal + Bait and Switch
    Best DPS for a grenade launcher. High burst damage but lower overall.

    Grand Overture

    Exotic Kiosk

    Shots charge a rocket barrage. Hold reload to fire the barrage.
    Outstanding burst DPS; good ongoing damage otherwise.

    Scintillation

    Nightfall reward

    Rewind Rounds + Bait and Switch
    Great alternative to Queenbreaker without using your Exotic slot.

    Gjallarhorn

    And Out Fly The Wolves quest

    Grants nearby rocket launchers Wolfpack Rounds, increasing DPS significantly.
    Essential for optimal rocket DPS in six-player activities.

    Winterbite

    Strider quest

    Melee attacks deal increased damage and inflict Slow.
    Great sword alternative for specific scenarios, such as Ecthar in Ghosts of the Deep.

    Top Special Weapons

    Guardian shooting Lord of Wolves in Destiny 2.

    Special weapon damage is surprisingly competitive in the current game environment. Lord of Wolves stands out here, capable of sustaining damage comparable to a rocket launcher while delivering even more total damage. If masterworked, it will also trigger Ignitions during damage phases, boosting overall damage output.

    Other solid choices include Cloudstrike for backup damage, Praedyth’s Revenge for more sustained performance, and Unvoiced for strong close-range DPS.

    Weapon

    Source

    Notes

    Lord of Wolves

    Exotic Engrams

    Increased damage when hip-firing, inflict Scorch with the catalyst.
    Outstanding close-range DPS.

    Cloudstrike

    Empire Hunts

    Rapid precision hits spawn a lightning strike.
    Effective as a backup DPS choice.

    Ergo Sum

    Pale Heart content

    Features random Exotic perks.
    Can provide nearby swords with Wolfpack Rounds.

    New Land Beyond

    Edge of Fate preorder bonus

    Damage scales based on precision hits.
    Strong overall damage output.

    Praedyth’s Revenge

    Vault of Glass raid

    Envious Arsenal or Fourth Time’s the Charm + Bait and Switch or Elemental Honing
    Best DPS among Legendary snipers.

    Unvoiced

    Sundered Doctrine dungeon

    Redirection + Bait and Switch
    Highest DPS from a Legendary shotgun with ramped Redirection.

    Izanagi’s Burden

    Exotic Kiosk

    Holding reload transforms the magazine into a high-damage shot.
    Excellent burst damage option.

    Still Hunt

    Wild Card quest

    Precision hits build energy, allowing you to load Golden Gun rounds.
    Good for Hunters with Celestial Nighthawk.

    Top Primary Weapons

    Destiny 2 Outbreak Perfected Exotic

    While primary weapons aren’t typically used for boss damage, there are cases where having one as a backup is advantageous. Lucky Pants enable Hunters to use 180 and 260 RPM hand cannons effectively in place of heavy weapons. Ignoring Exotic armor, standout options include Outbreak Perfected when used strategically within a team, and Barrow-Dyad with its Taken Ambition perk. The Final Warning is also a solid choice if you’re comfortable with its unique charge-up mechanic.

    Weapon

    Source

    Notes

    Outbreak Perfected

    Zero Hour Exotic mission

    Shots generate nanites that attach to targets, boosting damage.
    Effective DPS when multiple team members use it.

    Final Warning

    The Final Strand quest

    Rapid precision hits generate a lightning strike.
    Useful as a supplementary DPS option.

    Barrow-Dyad

    Episode: Heresy content

    Taken Ambition launches high-damage projectiles, charging with sustained damage.
    Effective DPS when paired with Peacekeepers.

    Malfeasance

    Gambit quest

    Shots embed in the target; five projectiles trigger an explosion.
    Good damage output when paired with Lucky Pants.

  • Completing Your Prep for Destiny 2’s Edge of Fate Expansion

    Completing Your Prep for Destiny 2’s Edge of Fate Expansion

    The upcoming Edge of Fate expansion for Destiny 2 is set to bring sweeping changes to the game’s core mechanics. Expect new item tiers, customizable difficulty settings, and significant updates to buildcrafting with the introduction of Armor 3.0. These updates will fundamentally alter gameplay and affect all players.

    As you prepare for The Edge of Fate, this guide offers tips on how to get ready, from managing your Vault to focusing on less conventional strategies like acquiring rare armor rolls.

    Collect Mobility and Intellect Armor

    This may seem like specialized advice, but it’s crucial for players wanting to dive into Armor 3.0 right away. Changes to how armor stats were set will make certain combinations unattainable once Edge of Fate goes live. If you’re focused on optimizing your build, it would be wise to gather these current ‘illegal’ rolls before they vanish.

    Here are the stat combos that will no longer be available in Edge of Fate:

    Old Stat Names New Stat Names
    Mobility + Intellect Weapons + Super
    Mobility + Strength Weapons + Melee
    Resilience + Discipline Health + Grenade
    Resilience + Intellect Health + Super
    Recovery + Discipline Class + Grenade
    Recovery + Intellect Class + Super
    Recovery + Strength Class + Melee

    The most noteworthy change is with Mobility + Weapons, which will shift to Weapons + Super. Since no armor archetypes in the expansion will combine these two stats, you’ll need to experiment with different sets to achieve similar outcomes. However, your new combinations likely won’t reach the same levels as a complete set obtained beforehand.

    Keep in mind that all armor will be transitioned to Armor 3.0. While your total stats will remain unchanged, existing armor will adapt from Mobility, Resilience, and Recovery to Weapons, Health, and Class, respectively. By collecting these hard-to-get rolls now, you’ll enhance your options for builds in the new expansion.

    Organize Your Vault

    ergo sum vault destiny 2

    The lead-up to a new expansion is the ideal opportunity to declutter your Vault. Vault space will not expand with Edge of Fate, meaning you’ll be limited to 700 slots to accommodate all the new gear. To prepare for the new tiered items and whatever else Guardians may find on Kepler, it’s vital to have a well-organized Vault.

    While it’s tempting to clear everything out, don’t dispose of all your armor and weapons. Current items won’t become obsolete with the new tier system. Top-tier weapons will still hold their own, and your existing high-stat armor will be comparable to T3 gear in the upcoming expansion. Moreover, T4 and T5 items might not be accessible until after the raid launches. If you’re aiming to compete in Contest mode, hold onto your current gear.

    Here’s what to consider deleting:

    • Weapon duplicates: If you own multiple versions of the same weapon, keep only what you need. Craftable items can replace duplicates.
    • Armor rolls: Dispose of armor with total stats below 60 or uneven distributions. Armor 3.0 will reward precise stats, making general rolls less useful.
    • Exotics: You can safely delete unused Exotic weapons. Keep Exotic armor only if it has strong stat distributions.

      • Ada-1 will offer vouchers for Exotic armor once the expansion drops, allowing you to target your desired stats.
    • Class items: Retain only Exotic class items. Legendary class items will become outdated shortly after the expansion.

      • Exotic class items will receive retroactive stats, so you don’t need to farm them again.

    Ideally, aim for 200 open slots in your Vault, or 300 if possible. With the new gear system, managing armor and weapon rolls will be more complex. At the very least, ensure enough space to store a set for each build you commonly play. While weapons won’t become less effective, your existing armor may not compete once you start with endgame content. Make sure to have enough room.

    Finish This Year’s Seasonal Quests

    Destiny 2 Taken Osseous Curse Quest

    When Edge of Fate arrives, elements from Episode Echoes, Revenant, and Heresy will be removed. If you’re looking to obtain weapons from these seasons, it’s important to complete all associated quests before they disappear.

    It’s especially recommended that you finish Episode: Echoes, as the final part of this questline gives you access to the Choir of One Exotic via the Encore mission. This Exotic is incredibly versatile, effective for clearing trash enemies, damaging Champions, and delivering solid burst damage in hipfire mode. Also, Echoes marks the last season with craftable weapons; both Revenant and Heresy will only feature random rolls.

    Gather Upgrade Materials

    Destiny 2 Ascendant Shards

    As you start collecting new items with the expansion, you’ll likely replace your existing armor with higher-tier sets. Masterworking an entire set can rapidly become costly, particularly if you aim to upgrade new Exotic rolls. It’s essential to stockpile Ascendant Shards, Enhancement Prisms, and Enhancement Cores to prepare for the inevitable upgrades when you adjust your builds.

    While Grandmaster Nightfalls won’t be available right away, prioritize gathering Ascendant Shards. You can farm Enhancement Cores and Prisms through adjustable-difficulty PvE content, but accumulating Ascendant Shards requires more effort outside of GMs. Ensure you have a full stack before the expansion launches so you’re ready to enhance any high-quality armor you acquire.

    Pursue God Rolls

    Destiny 2 Tinasha's Mastery-1

    The current season has brought some powerful weapons that may outperform the new tiered items introduced in Edge of Fate. Make sure to acquire these weapons before the expansion launches:

    • Hezen Vengeance (Vault of Glass)
      : This may be the strongest Heavy weapon available. It excels in hotswap DPS rotations and can effectively double its magazine size thanks to its origin trait.
    • Tinasha’s Mastery (Iron Banner)
      : A Stasis Rocket Sidearm that features Chill Clip, making it effective against all Champion types with Anti-Barrier rounds.
    • Lost Signal (Echoes Content)
      : This Stasis damage Area-Denial GL is excellent for eliminating adds and generating Darkness Transcendence energy on Prismatic.

      • Also, the VS Velocity Baton from Vesper’s Host is impressive and is always obtainable.
    • VS Chill Inhibitor (Vesper’s Host)
      : The best Heavy GL available, combining Envious Arsenal and Bait and Switch for astonishing burst damage.
  • Quick Guide to Completing Adept Weapons in Destiny 2: Rite of the Nine

    Quick Guide to Completing Adept Weapons in Destiny 2: Rite of the Nine

    The Rite of the Nine event in Destiny 2 has introduced adept loot to dungeons for the first time in the series. Guardians can explore the Nine’s enhanced dungeons on Ultimatum difficulty to acquire Adept weapons, including rare holofoil variants. The fewer times your fireteam dies during the encounters, the more perks you’ll earn on your adept weapon.

    Hunting for the ideal adept weapon can be quite time-consuming, especially since some dungeons can be quite challenging. Fortunately, there are a couple of encounters that can be farmed easily, whether alone or with a full team. Gear up with a solid build, dive into Ultimatum difficulty, and tackle these encounters to gather a stockpile of adept weapons.

    Ghosts Of The Deep Ritual Farm

    Dungeon

    Ghosts of the Deep

    Encounter

    Hive Ritual (Opening)

    For quick adept weapon drops from Ghosts of the Deep, focus on the Hive Ritual opening encounter. This has been modified in Rite of the Nine to require only three runes instead of four, significantly speeding up the encounter. Keep an eye on the numerous Lucent Moths, but with a solid add-clear build and some damage mitigation, you should be good to go.

    There’s no need for teammates or complicated strategies. Just clear the encounter as quickly as possible while avoiding deaths. Prismatic is excellent for all three classes, giving access to Transcendence for added damage resistance and ability uptime. Hunters can focus on Combination Blow or Ascension spam; Titans can make use of Consecration, and Warlocks can use the recently enhanced Lightning Surge to take down the Hive. Just watch out for the Moths.

    Equip a Sword with the Eager Edge perk for faster movement during this encounter, as it will be a key component of the battle.

    Since this is Ghosts of the Deep, you’ll only receive weapons from this dungeon. If you want adept drops from other dungeons, you’ll need to farm in those locations or use the loot chest in the Rite of the Nine hub.

    Ghosts Of The Deep Lucent Hive Checkpoint Farm

    Destiny 2 Ghosts of the Deep Lucent Hive Checkpoint

    Dungeon

    Ghosts of the Deep

    Encounter

    First Traversal Section (After Opening)

    If the exploding moths from the opening encounter are a hassle, try the traversal section after the first encounter. There’s a checkpoint about halfway through that places your fireteam at the start of the seafloor section. Continue navigating until you encounter the Lucent Hive miniboss. Defeat the Hive Guardian and loot the chest; this won’t reset the checkpoint, so you can repeatedly farm the boss.

    This method takes about the same amount of time as the initial encounter if executed efficiently. However, if you’re struggling to manage the moths or maintain your health, this alternate strategy could be easier. Just bring a strong weapon to eliminate the Hive Guardian swiftly, and you should have no problem farming this solo.

    Spire Of The Watcher Akelous Farm

    Destiny 2 Spire of the Watcher Harpy Boss

    Dungeon

    Spire of the Watcher

    Encounter

    Akelous (Second Encounter)

    For loot from Spire of the Watcher, the easiest encounter is probably Akelous, the giant Harpy boss located at the peak of the Seraph Tower. If you’re in a team, make sure each player charges a pylon on the tower while eliminating adds. When ready, activate the fourth pylon to initiate the damage phase. A group utilizing Storm’s Keep on Striker Titan, along with some Radiant form and The Queenbreaker with Particle Reconstruction should be able to take down Akelous in just two phases.

    If you aim for a one-phase clear, have two players use Thundercrash along with Cuirass of the Falling Star and the No Limits Artifact perk. The third member should be a Warlock employing Well of Radiance and Sanguine Alchemy for maximum surge damage. Everyone should unleash their ultimates when Akelous becomes vulnerable, then focus on spamming Queenbreaker until the boss falls.

    Chest Farming

    Destiny 2 Rite of the Nine Reward Chest

    Location

    Rite of the Nine Hub

    Loot

    Any adept weapons you’ve earned

    Every encounter completed during the Rite of the Nine will reward you with Nonary Manifolds, which can be exchanged at the reward chest in the event hub. There’s a small chance any adept weapon you’ve acquired will drop from this chest. Your currently attuned weapon has a higher likelihood of appearing as well. Each use of the chest costs 250 Nonary Manifolds.

  • Completing Relativism God Rolls – Destiny 2: The Final Shape

    Prismatic is Destiny 2’s approach to multiclassing, enabling Guardians to blend abilities from different subclasses to craft their perfect build. This customization is also available for Exotic class items, which are the first to feature random rolls. Notably, these class items drop with two perks instead of the usual one.

    Among the Exotic class items, Relativism stands out as one of the strongest options for Hunters. This cloak offers plenty of possibilities for exciting builds focused on ability spamming, weaponry, and even enhancing gameplay in Crucible matches. In this guide, we’ll explore the best perk combinations to aim for when hunting for this cloak in Dual Destiny and Xur’s shop. First, let’s review all the perks that can be obtained with Relativism.

    All Relativism Perks

    Destiny 2 All Relativism Perks


    Column One

    Column Two

    Spirit Of The Assassin


    Invisibility granted from finishers and powered melee kills.

    Spirit Of The Star-Eater


    Orbs of Power boost your Super damage, maxing at +70% with six stacks when your Super is charged.

    Spirit Of The Ophidian


    +35 handling for all weapons.

    Spirit Of Verity


    Kills with grenades matching your Super’s element give escalating damage and regeneration bonuses up to +100%.

    Spirit Of Inmost Light


    Ability casting speeds up the regeneration of other abilities by +400% (stacks twice). Class abilities recharge 25% faster per stack.

    Spirit Of Synthoceps


    Melee attacks deal +165% damage with three or more enemies within 15m; Glaives deal +100% more damage.

    Relativism is packed with excellent perk options, allowing Hunters to delve deeply into abilities, weapon damage, or bolster their neutral game to impressive levels. Almost every Prismatic Hunter build will benefit from using this class item.

    For PvE setups, a standout combination includes Spirit Of Caliban with either Spirit Of Synthoceps or Spirit Of The Liar. Caliban enables your powered melee kills to cause Solar explosions, which can synergize well with Combination Blow to enhance melee gameplay, similar to Arcstrider’s mechanics but with Prismatic’s enhanced Fragments and Transcendence mode. Liar’s Handshake provides better single-target damage, while Synthoceps offers a broader damage buff for melee actions.

    If you prefer an ability-focused class item more suited for groups, consider pairing Spirit Of Inmost Light with Spirit Of Cyrtarachne. This combination allows for rapid ability recovery, ensuring that crucial buffs like Woven Mail are consistently active, enhancing your survivability and effectiveness in fast-paced combat scenarios.

    In terms of weapon-centric builds, Spirit Of Foetracer and Spirit Of Gyrfalcon create a formidable duo. While weapon builds may not be as favored these days, this combination can effectively refresh Gyrfalcon each time you trigger Stylish Executioner, allowing Volatile explosions to boost damage and create impressive AoE effects.

    When it comes to Crucible play, consider combining Spirit Of The Ophidian with Spirit Of The Coyote for enhanced weapon handling and increased dodge capabilities, making it easier to leverage dodge-centric Aspects and improve survivability.

  • Completing the Community Chess Puzzle in Destiny 2: Heresy

    Completing the Community Chess Puzzle in Destiny 2: Heresy

    Destiny 2: Heresy presents a community puzzle where players, known as Guardians, must collaborate to crack a challenging chess game. Located in Eris’ Throne World, this challenge can be quite tricky. However, you’ll first need to gather 60 chess pieces scattered throughout various locations.

    Once you successfully complete the puzzle, you’ll earn the En Passant triumph along with an Exotic Ship, a Shader, an Emblem, and some resources. This guide covers everything you need to know about locating the chess puzzle, the 27 solutions (including the final one), and the associated rewards.

    Accessing the Chess Puzzle

    To unlock the puzzle, you need to collect all 60 Chess Pieces found across the solar system. While the majority are in the Nether, a few can also be discovered in the European Dead Zone, Europa, Tower, and more. Here’s a list of their locations:

    Source

    Chess Pieces Found

    Nether

    24

    Eris’ Flat

    4

    Tower

    3

    European Dead Zone

    2

    Europa

    2

    Court of Blades

    5

    Drifter

    5

    Path of Resolve

    3

    Path of Ambition

    3

    Secrets in Dreadnaught

    9

    You can also join someone who has already collected all 60 Chess Pieces. Once in the instance, they can promote you to Fireteam Leader before leaving.

    After solving the puzzle in another player’s session, you can access it directly without needing to collect any chess pieces.

    To find the puzzle, go to Eris’s Apartment in The Last City. From there, enter the Hive Portal to reach her Throne World. Drop down from the center platform to uncover a concealed room with a chessboard that prompts you with ‘Pick up the King?’. Engage with it to access the Unknown Antechamber for puzzle-solving.

    Once you’ve found the Unknown Antechamber, you will gain instant access to the Middlegame and Endgame puzzle versions, which you can select from The Last City node in your Director.

    This is beneficial if you forgot to claim rewards or were unable to pick them up due to limited inventory space.

    Solving the Middlegame Chess Puzzle

    Inside the Unknown Antechamber, you’ll find a large chessboard marked with letters A to H and numbers 1 to 8. Surrounding the board are various plates with different functions. Here’s a rundown of these plates:

    Plate

    Function

    Chess Pieces

    There are five plates for different chess pieces: Pawn, Rook, Knight, Queen, and Bishop. Step on a plate and shoot a grid to place a chess piece on it. A single shot from a Primary Weapon is sufficient.

    Delete

    This option allows you to remove a piece.

    Take

    This allows you to capture a piece currently on the chessboard.

    Undo

    This reverts your most recent move.

    Reset

    This resets the entire chessboard.

    You need to complete 27 puzzles to achieve the ‘En Passant’ triumph. To solve a puzzle, arrange the pieces to create a checkmate position. You will see the message ‘Absolute Pin’ on your screen once you solve it. After continuing to complete puzzles, you will receive Glimmer, Seasonal Weapons, and Lore Entries.

    Below is a table containing the solutions to all 27 puzzles. Stand on the appropriate plate, shoot the correct grid, and repeat until all sequences are complete:

    Puzzle

    Solution

    1

    Pawn to E6

    2

    Rook to H8

    3

    Pawn to E5

    4

    Knight to D4, Pawn to E4, Pawn to F4

    5

    Knight to D5, Pawn to E6

    6

    Pawn to D1

    7

    Pawn to D7, Bishop to E5, Pawn to F4, Knight to G7

    8

    Knight to C6, Rook to D2

    9

    Delete F6

    10

    Pawn to E4, Knight to D7, Bishop to F5

    11

    Pawn to C6, Pawn to D7, Pawn to E6

    12

    Take E4

    13

    Bishop to E5

    14

    Pawn to B7, Pawn to F7, Knight to D6

    15

    Knight to D7, Knight to E7

    16

    Delete F2, Knight to F2

    17

    Take C3, Take F6

    18

    Bishop to C5, Knight to D3, Knight to F5

    19

    Delete D7, Delete E2

    20

    Bishop to E8

    21

    Bishop to E2

    22

    Knight to E5

    23

    Knight to E3

    24

    Delete D5, Knight to C4, Pawn to B6, Pawn to B7, Knight to H3

    25

    Take F5, Delete D4, Delete H4, Queen to D7

    26

    Knight to B4, Bishop to D5, Queen to E7

    27

    Take C4, Take D6, Take E3, Take F5

    Middlegame Puzzle Skip

    If you don’t need rewards from the middlegame puzzle, you can follow the steps below to jump straight to the endgame puzzle:

    • Bishop to G7
    • Pawn to F4
    • Pawn to A6
    • Knight to B2
    • Queen to D7

    If executed correctly, this will take you directly to the endgame variant of the puzzle, bypassing the need to complete all 27 puzzles.

    Endgame Chess Puzzle Solution

    After finishing all 27 puzzles or using the skip option, interact with the water basin that states ‘The Water Reveals…’ to get an aerial view of the chessboard along with a special Signal Frequency on the left side of your screen. This is part of a community puzzle that took over 30 hours of teamwork to solve.

    To solve the endgame puzzle, arrange the pieces in the following order:

    Chess Piece

    Placement

    Queen

    A6, A8, B6, C3, D6, E7, H4

    Rook

    A4, B5, C2, F6, G2, G6, G8

    Bishop

    A3, C6, D1, D3, E3, E5, H1

    Knight

    B7, C1, D4, E1, F5, H2, H6

    Pawn

    A5, B2, D5, F1, F2, G1, H5

    step on the correct plate, such as for the Queen, and shoot A6, A8, B6, etc. We strongly advise against using weapons with area effects to avoid hitting multiple grids at once.

    After arranging the pieces, go to the balcony to ‘Offer Your Answer’. If everything is correct, this will set the entire chessboard ablaze, and a chest will appear in front of you.

    Don’t forget to redeem JGN–PX4–DFN at Bungie Digital Rewards for the Secret Signal emblem.

    Endgame Puzzle Rewards

    Once the endgame puzzle is resolved, open the chest to claim your rewards:

    1. Deinterlace — an Exotic Ship
    2. Umbral Rumble — Shader
    3. Enigmatology — Emblem
    4. Exotic Cipher
    5. Ascendant Shards
    6. Strange Coins
    7. Curio of the Nine

    After collecting your rewards, interact with the water basin that states, ‘The Water Reveals All…’ to view a cutscene featuring the Drifter and your Guardian. This is a short teaser for the Edge of Fate expansion.