Howdy, Guardians! Today, we’ll be talking about Destiny 2 leveling and how to do it the right way. This game handles leveling in a slightly different way compared to more traditional online games where you increase your level by obtaining experience points and passing certain XP milestones.
In this guide, we’ll cover Destiny 2 light level caps, talk about what they mean, and what they are in numbers for the current season. Then we’ll discuss ways to reach said caps - what kind of items you’ll want to acquire and where to get them. Further into the article, we’ll give you some tips and advice about fast leveling for every season. The game gets constant content updates, but it never really changes the way players must increase their power. So, once you’ve read this guide, you’ll be prepared to reach the top in every season and every expansion.
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Destiny 2 The Final Shape Power Level Changes
There are a lot of changes to Power Level coming with the Final Shape. Here, we'll talk about every new feature and update to the progression system in Destiny 2.
First, let's talk about a new system called Fireteam Power. From now on, when you group up with other players and create a fireteam, it will be assigned its own Power Level. The player with the highest Power Level in a group will become the Power Leader. The other players' Power Level in a fireteam will be increased to Power Leader -5. This means that if the Power Leader has Power Level 2000, then other players will become Power Level 1995. The Fireteam Power will determine what difficulty you choose to play, but the rewards that will drop from the activity will still be tied to the original Power Level of each individual Fireteam member.
In the next section, we'll display the power caps active from the release the Final Shape expansion. For now, let's conitue our introduction to other Power Level related changes.
One such change is the Power Disabled and Power Enabled activities. Power Disabled activities mean that you can play them at any Power Level. You can't out-level the enemies of that activity, and its difficulty will not change whether you're Power Level 1900 or 2000. The Power Disabled activities include:
- Story Campaigns (normal and legendary)
- Seasonal story missions
- Free-roam destinations
- Some legacy content
- Crucible
Power Enabled activities have something called Activity Power Cap, and this is where your Power Level will actually matter. If you've surpassed the Activity Power Cap, the activity will feel easier compared to if your Power Level was lower than the Activity Power Cap. The Power Enabled activities include:
- Vanguard playlists
- Nightfalls
- Seasonal activities
- Exotic Mission Rotators
- Trials of Osiris
- Raids
- Dungeons
Each activity Power Cap relates to one of five possible activity difficulties.
| Activity Power Cap | Difficulty |
| 1945 | Standard |
| 1995 | Advanced |
| 2005 | Expert |
| 2010 | Master |
| 2020 | Grandmaster |
But that's not all. Starting from Final Shape, your Power Level will be shared between all characters (and classes) on your account. The cross-character Power progression, as the developers call it, means that no matter what character you play, you'll be getting rewards that are close to the highest Power Level of all of your characters. For example, if your Titan has the highest Power Level and you switch to play Warlock, you'll still be getting loot with the Power Level of your Titan.
That's about all of the changes that will happen to how Power Levels work in the Final Shape!
Destiny 2 Level Caps
First, let’s discuss the way the game handles the power creep. In D2, you don’t get your regular levels; instead, your progress is marked by a different number - the power level. This number represents the sum of all the gear and weapons you have equipped. In other words, you can even decrease it if you take off some of your gear. With that said, there are also several milestones that you’ll need to surpass on your way to the absolute maximum power cap. By the way, Destiny 2 max light level 2024 in The Final Shape becomes 2000. So, here's a breakdown of power caps for Final Shape:
| Power Level Band | Power Level Value | Sources |
| New Character | 1900 | Whenever you create a new character, this is the power level you begin your adventures with. |
| Soft Cap | 1940 | Rares, Legendaries (non-sunset), Exotics, Vendor packages |
| Hard Cap | 1990 | Activities with Powerful Gear rewards, Prime Engrams |
| Pinnacle Cap | 2000 | High-level Nightfalls, Raids, and other pinnacle sources |
What you see in this table, you must be wondering - “well, these numbers seem random!”. Yes, they’re not your conventional levels that go from 1 to 60 or 100. The reason for this number to be so high is that whenever the game has had one of its most refining updates a few years ago, it has redefined how these numbers are accounted for. Since then, every season and every expansion, the absolute Destiny 2 light level cap has been moved up and up. Usually, each season you get an increase by 10 while expansions can add even more. However, what’s interesting is that the most recent season has not received the traditional cap power increase and it remained the same as last season, so what’s changed?
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What You Need to Reach The Cap
When you think about reaching the caps as milestones, it becomes easier to remember what kind of equipment you need to go from one cap to the next. Here’s what you’re going to need on each stage:
- Soft cap - this one is the easiest to reach as nearly anything you do in the game is going to give you gear that increases your power level and brings you closer to the Destiny 2 soft cap Season 23.
- Hard cap - this next step is a bit more difficult to get to, as you will need to focus on repeatable taste to get Engrams - your reward loot boxes that guarantee to give you gear of a specific rarity - Legendaries and Exotics
- Pinnacle Cap - this is where you double down on the weekly tasks and focus on the most challenging endgame content in pursuit of the most powerful and exclusive rewards. This is also where you really start feeling those restrictions for the amount of rewards you can receive set by the developers to keep you returning to the game and farming over and over again.
To sum things up, when you start the game, you’re going to reach the soft cap simply by equipping every new piece of gear that you get. Every piece is going to increase your overall power level Destiny 2 by a smidge. Little by little you’re going to get there and after that, for the hard cap, you’re going to be focusing on the daily bounties that you could do in a day for each of the vendors. Of course, to get the maximum amount of progress reaching the next cap, you’d need to finish the bounties for all vendors, which would take you a lot of hours in a day. Completing the weekly bounties obviously takes more time but the rewards will push you towards your next milestone even further. BLOG20
Then, once you’re there, the final step, those last 10 power levels are going to be a bitch to get through. This is where you’re going to be gunning for those super, extremely rare raid and trials rewards. This is going to be the only source for you to reach the final Destiny 2 power cap. Most players manage to get there before the season ends and seeing how the current season will last longer than any other, you have all the chances to take claim that achievement for yourself.
The Activities That You Will Need to Play
So far we’ve talked about the powerful cap Destiny 2 and the things you need to get there. But where do you actually get all of that stuff? This is the part where we’ll go over the activities.
- Legendary Campaign (Lightfall)
Want to know how to increase light level Destiny 2? Start by Completing the entire Lightfall campaign mission on Legendary difficulty. This challenge offers the ultimate Destiny 2 experience, taking you through a cinematic journey filled with significant lore revelations. Your reward for overcoming this pinnacle achievement is a full set of 1,770 Power gear.
- Prime Engrams
Decrypt Prime Engrams obtained from defeated enemies or certain vendors' reward tracks. This is the best way to increase light level Destiny 2. It involves decoding rare drops that sporadically appear in your journey. Decrypting these engrams results in a Power boost of +3.
- Core Playlists
Complete co-op Strikes, PvP Crucible matches, and PvPvE Gambit matches to earn powerful gear. Engaging in these core activities is the best way to level up in Destiny 2 for new players as it offers a diverse and challenging experience. Win or lose, you’ll get your reward, but wins are guaranteed to give you more potent gear. Successful completion provides a notable Power boost of +3.
- Gunsmith Bounties
Complete 8 Gunsmith bounties for Banshee-44. These bounties, focusing on weapon-related tasks like killing a certain amount of enemies with a specific type of weapon, contribute to your overall progression. Upon completion, you gain a Power boost of +3.
- Crucible Labs
Complete 3 matches in the Crucible Labs playlist. These are unconventional, not fully tested, but fun PvP modes that can’t make it into the core playlist. They’re usually extremely fun, but they can be a bit unbalanced. A successful completion rewards you with a Power boost of +3.
- Competitive PvP
Complete 3 Survival games. Test your mettle in competitive Survival mode where each player gets only one life, and emerge victorious in three matches to gain a Power boost of +3.
- Glory Rank Ups
Increase your Glory division or subdivision rank. Climbing the ranks in Crucible showcases your prowess in competitive PvP, and each rank-up grants a Power boost of +3.
- Nimbus' Challenge
Gain reputation points with Nimbus who is the main vendor on the Neptune. Completing tasks that earn you Nimbus' favor results in a Power boost of +3.
Also, complete activities on Neomuna. Successfully finishing tasks on Neomuna grants you a Power boost of +3.
- Dares of Eternity
Complete 3 Dares of Eternity runs. This is a fun little game mode that everyone can do, it represents a series of both enemy encounters and platform-jumping races. Opt for the daring challenge of completing these runs, with Legend difficulty providing additional progress. Successfully finishing these runs grants a Power boost of +3.
- Weekly Campaign Mission
Complete the weekly campaign mission on any difficulty. This straightforward task encourages regular engagement with the game's narrative content. By completing the weekly campaign mission, regardless of the difficulty chosen, you earn a Power boost of +3.
- Defiant Battlegrounds
Complete 3 Defiant Battlegrounds in the playlist. Engage in the intense action of Defiant Battlegrounds, conquering challenges within the playlist. Completing three of these battlegrounds rewards you with a notable Power boost of +3.
- Aquatic Operations
Complete 8 bounties for the Aquatic Operations vendor aboard the H.E.L.M. Immerse yourself in Aquatic Operations, completing bounties offered by the vendor. Successfully completing eight bounties earns you a Power boost of +3.
- Deep Dives
Complete 3 tiers of Deep Dive. Embark on the depths of Deep Dive, conquering its challenges across three tiers. Successfully completing all three tiers rewards you with a significant Power boost of +3.
- Bastion Of The Anthem Anatheme
Complete 8 bounties for Riven aboard the H.E.L.M. Undertake bounties from Riven, contributing to the overall progression. Successfully completing eight bounties grants you a Power boost of +3.
- Season Of The Wish Activities
Complete 4 pathways of Riven's Lair or The Coil. Conquer the challenges presented in Riven's Lair or The Coil, completing four distinct pathways. Your mastery of these activities is rewarded with a notable Power boost of +4.
- Trials of Osiris (Win 3 Matches)
Win 3 Trials matches on the same card. Prove your skill in the competitive Trials of Osiris mode by achieving victory in three matches on a single card. Your success in this challenging arena earns you a Power boost of +4.
- Trials of Osiris (Win 5 Matches)
Win 5 Trials matches on the same card. You gotta win in five matches on a single card. This remarkable accomplishment awards you with a substantial Power boost of +5.
These are the main activities you can participate in to get your fix of power level increase. Just bear in mind that the availability of certain activities ranges from season to season, meaning that it is common for seasons to remove activities and add new ones. Always check the in-game Director to find out what kind of game modes are currently available. This doesn’t, however, concern the core playlist which never changes.
Why Do Power Levels Matter?
The relevance of Power Levels remains a pivotal aspect, particularly for those aspiring to engage in Seasonal or Endgame content. While numerous activities may not demand high Power Levels, the crux lies in the fact that for endeavors into the realm of endgame challenges and seasonal pursuits, Power Level proves more crucial than ever before.
Certain activities impose a minimum Power Level requirement or allow for Power Level advantages, making it imperative for guardians to consider their Power Level seriously in these scenarios. The following activities enforce specific Power Level prerequisites or enable Power Level advantages:
- Raids
- Iron Banner
- Grandmaster Nightfalls
- Nightfall: Master
- Nightfall: Legend
- Nightfall: Hero
- Solo Lost Sectors: Master
- Solo Lost Sectors: Legend
- Trials of Osiris
Understanding the intricacies of Power Level scaling becomes essential, particularly when deviating from the recommended Power Levels set by the game. Damage scaling plays a pivotal role in this dynamic – the lower your Power Level compared to your adversary, the more damage you incur and the less damage you deal. Conversely, a higher Power Level provides a defensive advantage, reducing damage taken and enhancing the damage dealt. A comprehensive chart illustrates the nuances of Destiny 2's damage scaling.
Here’s a simple example - enter the current Legendary Dungeon when you’re below the required Power Level and feel what’s it like when you’re not strong enough in D2.
For those grappling with the challenges of specific activities, a solution emerges in the form of increasing one's Power Level, encompassing enhancements earned through the seasonal artifact. In essence, while lower Power Levels may suffice for several activities, the journey toward progression and conquering endgame endeavors necessitates a dedicated commitment to Power Level grinding. This delicate balance underscores the continued importance of Power Levels in Destiny 2, shaping the gaming experience for guardians seeking mastery and triumph in the game's diverse challenges.
Leveling Tips and Tricks
Now let’s discuss the fastest way to increase light level Destiny 2, of which there’s more than one. To efficiently increase your Max Power Level in Destiny 2, adopt a strategic approach. Begin by completing Pinnacle Gear challenges when your items share a similar Power level, utilizing the major boost to one slot to even out other slots with Powerful Gear rewards. Ensure you capitalize on bounties during weeklies to accelerate your Artifact's progression through the earned XP, directly impacting your Power level. For those with multiple characters, prioritize leveling the character you play/like the least first. After completing their leveling, transfer weapons to your second character, then repeat the process for your main character, ensuring completion of every weekly milestone for a swift journey to the hard cap within the first week of a season.
Reaching the soft cap swiftly involves understanding how to optimize Powerful drops. Clear the Lightfall campaign on Legendary difficulty to rapidly reach 1,770 Power, acquiring a full gear set. Prioritize obtaining Powerful Gear rewards with the largest Power level jump for quicker leveling. After claiming a Pinnacle Gear reward, follow a pattern of completing three to four Powerful Gear weeklies, claiming a Powerful Gear (+4 or +5) reward, and repeating the cycle. Optionally, engage in the Competitive Crucible Playlist to even out your gear. If you dislike Competitive play, complete seasonal activity and vendor challenges at the H.E.L.M. To catch up on the Power level scale, consider replacing T2 and T3 Powerful Gear rewards with Pinnacle sources.
The order of completing Pinnacle and Powerful rewards matters. Start by obtaining a reward that grants a massive Power jump, then focus on leveling your Crucible Glory rank or completing seasonal weeklies to balance your gear quickly. Following this approach, you can reach the Destiny 2 hard cap within one or two weeks of a season.
For faster leveling, leverage Prime Engrams as a technically unlimited source of Powerful gear. Decrypt them promptly, as their Power Level is determined when found. Engage in challenging activities like Raids or Dungeons to earn more Prime Engrams, aiding in reaching the Powerful cap faster or equalizing gear while chasing the Pinnacle cap.
If managing multiple characters, follow the same leveling steps, starting with your least important character. Transfer its highest Power Level weapons to the next character and repeat the process. This would actually be your fastest way to level up Destiny 2 for one character - using multiple.
Identifying easy Pinnacle sources in Destiny 2, Playlist Pinnacles and achieving 100,000 in Nightfall: The Ordeal are recommended as they grant +1 Power Level and are relatively easy. These strategies present easier ways to gradually reach the max Light Level cap.
In conclusion, leveling up swiftly in Destiny 2 is crucial for accessing challenging and rewarding activities. As you approach the Pinnacle cap, Legend Lost Sectors provide challenging solo activities to earn Exotic armor. Nightfall weapons with different difficulty settings and matchmaking options are also recommended for easing into more challenging content.
Conclusion
This concludes our leveling guide for D2. Now you know how the whole system works as well as what you need to do and how to get max light Destiny 2. There are a lot of moving elements and the progress is structured in such a way that rewards players for participating in absolutely all, without exceptions, activities and game modes. Take advantage of the many sources where you can get your loot and abuse the repeatable tasks that you can accept and complete on multiple Guardians.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy the game, because the grind means nothing if at the end of it, you’re not happy with how you’ve spent your time. If you feel burned out, remember that the game’s support isn’t ending any time soon and there will be more seasons to play. Sometimes, it's best to take a break. Alternatively, if you can enjoy the services from SkyCoach that will achieve any goal you want to set without your direct involvement. This will prevent burnout and let you continue to enjoy the game by playing the way you want to play!
F.A.Q.
What Is the Light Level Cap in Destiny 2?
The light level cap in Destiny 2 is the maximum power level that players can achieve in a given season. As of now, it is set at 1810 for Destiny 2: Lightfall.
How High Can Your Light Level Go in Destiny 2?
The maximum light level a Guardian can attain in Destiny 2 is determined by the current season's cap. As of the Lightfall season, the peak light level is 1810.
What Is the New Light Level Cap in Destiny 2: Lightfall?
In Destiny 2: Lightfall, the new light level cap is 1810, reflecting the pinnacle of power progression for Guardians during this specific season.
How to Get 1810 Gear?
To obtain 1810 gear in Destiny 2, players need to engage in various high-level activities that offer Powerful and Pinnacle Gear rewards. This includes completing challenging endgame content like Nightfalls, Raids, and other pinnacle sources.
How Do You Get Out of the Soft Cap in Destiny 2?
To surpass the soft cap in Destiny 2, players need to focus on acquiring more powerful gear. Engaging in activities like Strikes, Crucible matches, and Gambit matches, as well as opening vendor packages and decrypting Prime Engrams, can help progress beyond the soft cap.
What Is the Current Power Cap in Destiny 2?
As of the current season, the power cap in Destiny 2 is set at 1810. This is the maximum achievable power level for Guardians during the Lightfall season.
What Is the Soft Cap in Season 22?
The soft cap in Season 22 of Destiny 2 is the power level at which the rate of power progression significantly slows down. For this season, the soft cap is at 1750.
How to Get to 1750 Destiny 2?
To reach the 1750 power level in Destiny 2, players should focus on acquiring gear through various in-game activities. Completing Strikes, Crucible matches, Gambit matches, and opening vendor packages are effective ways to progress beyond the soft cap.
How Does Power Level Affect Damage Destiny 2?
In Destiny 2, power level directly influences the damage dealt and taken by a Guardian. A higher power level compared to the enemy provides a defensive advantage, reducing damage taken and increasing damage dealt. Conversely, a lower power level results in increased damage taken and decreased damage dealt.
What Is the Highest Power Level in Lightfall?
The highest power level attainable in Destiny 2: Lightfall is 1810. This pinnacle power level represents the zenith of a Guardian's strength during the specific season.
Does Your Power Level Reset Every Season Destiny 2?
No, a Guardian's power level does not reset entirely at the beginning of each season in Destiny 2. However, the power level progression starts anew, and players must work towards reaching the new season's power cap.
How Does Power Level Work in Destiny 2 Reddit?
In Destiny 2, discussions on power level dynamics, strategies, and tips often take place on the Destiny 2 subreddit. The subreddit provides a platform for Guardians to share insights, seek advice, and stay updated on changes related to power level mechanics in the game.
