Welcome, Guardians! Embarking on your journey in the expansive universe of Destiny 2 can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience. With a vast array of lore, activities, and equipment at your disposal, the game offers a complex and rich environment. This comprehensive guide is designed to simplify your initial experiences and equip you with essential knowledge to excel as a Guardian of the Traveler.
Choosing Your Guardian’s Class
The first and most crucial decision in Destiny 2 involves selecting your Guardian’s class. Each class provides a distinct playstyle and set of abilities, fundamentally shaping your gameplay experience. The available classes are:
Hunter
Hunters embody agility and daring, excelling in mobility and quick reflexes. Their unique ability, dodge, allows them to evade attacks or enhance their weapon reloads. This versatility makes Hunters exceptionally effective in both offense and defense.
Titan
Titans are the paragons of strength and resilience, adept at both aggressive assaults and defensive maneuvers. Their signature ability, barricade, can create a protective shield or a defensive wall, providing significant strategic advantages during combat.
Warlock
Warlocks channel the mysteries of the universe, utilizing their powers to heal allies or unleash devastating attacks. Their ability, rift, can either provide healing or boost damage output, offering critical support during intense battles.
Customizing Your Guardian
After selecting your class, you will proceed to customize your Guardian’s appearance. Destiny 2 offers three races:
- Humans: Resilient survivors of Earth, known for their adaptability.
- Awoken: Elegant and enigmatic beings with a profound connection to the universe.
- Exos: Advanced robotic warriors with human consciousness, offering a unique aesthetic.
Remember, your choice of race is permanent, so take your time to tailor your Guardian’s look to your preferences.
Beginning Your Journey
Your adventure commences in the Cosmodrome, where you will encounter Shaw Han, your initial ally. Shaw Han will introduce you to the fundamental mechanics of the game, including:
- Navigating the Environment: Familiarize yourself with the various terrains and areas.
- Using Your Weapons: Learn the basics of weapon handling and combat.
- Understanding Your Radar: Utilize your radar for situational awareness and navigation.
Additionally, you will receive your first Sparrow, a vehicle for rapid travel, and a Jumpship, which enables solar system exploration. Should you find yourself uncertain, consult the quest tab in the director menu to track your objectives effectively.
Power Level and Gear
Your Guardian’s power level, displayed in the top right of your character screen, signifies your overall strength. Progressing through the game involves acquiring and equipping weapons and armor with higher power levels. To enhance your gear, you can either equip new items or infuse them into existing equipment. Note that infusion requires items to be in the same slot.
Weapon and Armor Rarities
Destiny 2 categorizes weapons and armor into five rarities:
- Common
- Uncommon
- Rare
- Legendary
- Exotic
As you advance, you will encounter legendary weapons with random perks. Experiment with various combinations to discover what best suits your playstyle. Use your vault to store valuable gear for future use.
Ammo Types and Elemental Affinities
Weapons in Destiny 2 utilize three primary ammo types:
- Primary: Unlimited ammo
- Special: Limited ammo, indicated by green bricks
- Power: Limited ammo, indicated by purple bricks
Additionally, there are six elemental affinities:
- Kinetic
- Arc
- Solar
- Void
- Stasis
- Strand
Matching weapon elements with enemy shields can trigger elemental explosions, significantly enhancing your combat effectiveness.
Materials and Currencies
Two primary currencies are crucial for gear enhancement:
- Glimmer: Earned by defeating enemies and completing activities. Spend Glimmer to upgrade your subclass and unlock new abilities.
- Upgrade Modules: Acquired through gunsmith bounties or purchased from vendors like Banshee-44 and Ada-1 in the Tower.
Important Vendors and Guardian Ranks
The Tower functions as Destiny 2’s main social hub, featuring key vendors such as Ikora Rey, who provides subclass components and New Light Kits. These kits offer curated gear sets and quests that award Exotic armor pieces.
Guardian Ranks present a structured progression system, guiding you through various objectives and rewarding you with valuable items such as armor mods, loadout slots, and pinnacle gear. Regular visits to the Tower are essential for tracking your progress and obtaining new objectives.
Key Activities for New Guardians
Destiny 2 offers a diverse range of activities to help you grow as a Guardian. Essential activities include:
Gambit
A hybrid PvE/PvP mode where teams compete to bank motes and defeat a Primeval.
Crucible
Pure PvP combat with various modes, including free-for-all, 3v3, and 6v6 matches.
Vanguard Strikes
Cooperative PvE missions culminating in challenging boss fights.
Raids
High-difficulty, six-player endgame activities with intricate mechanics and substantial rewards. Notable raids include King’s Fall, Crota’s End, and Vault of Glass.
Prophecy Dungeon
A unique dungeon featuring waves of enemies and a final boss, Kell Echo.
Patrols, Lost Sectors, and Public Events
Open-world activities offering diverse objectives and rewards.
Seasonal and Special Events
Limited-time events such as Guardian Games, Solstice of Heroes, Festival of the Lost, and The Dawning, each with unique themes and rewards.
Dares of Eternity
A six-player, round-based PvE activity featuring various challenges and rewards.
Final Tips for New Guardians
- Experiment with Different Weapons: Explore various weapons and perks to find your ideal playstyle.
- Join a Clan: Clans provide support, additional rewards, and opportunities for group play.
- Stay Updated: Follow Destiny 2 news and updates to remain informed about new content and events.
- Play with Friends: Enjoy a more rewarding experience by playing with friends or clanmates.
Eyes up, Guardian! Embrace your adventure, master your abilities, and defend the Last City against all threats. See you starside!