Destiny 2 Newcomer's Handbook – Kicking Off Your Journey in Destiny 2 in 2023

Destiny 2 presents a dual experience. On one hand, it boasts a captivating universe rich in narrative, showcasing some of the most thrilling and inventive FPS multiplayer gameplay available in the gaming world. On the flip side, it can appear overwhelmingly complex, particularly for new players and those returning after a break.

The game’s reputation for being difficult to penetrate has influenced the overall perception of it, leading many who are drawn in by the captivating trailers and stories of cosmic adventures shared by friends to struggle with the experience. The overwhelming amount of information presented to newcomers, coupled with significant narrative gaps due to the removal of earlier content, can indeed validate this perception of inaccessibility.

Don’t worry, valued reader. We have put together a comprehensive guide for newcomers that will assist you in understanding the game, both in its mechanics and its evolving narrative. If you’ve been interested in playing Destiny 2 but have hesitated due to concerns about its complexity or felt daunted by the initial experience, this guide is just what you need.

Now is the moment to embark on your adventure in Destiny 2.

Destiny 2 Newcomer’s Handbook

Embarking on your adventure in Destiny 2 may appear overwhelming at the beginning, but by keeping a few key points in mind, you’ll quickly find yourself traversing different planets and battling humanity’s foes. Here’s what you should consider as you begin your journey in this distant future.

Selecting a Course

To start, let’s talk about your character class. In Destiny 2, you can choose from three distinct classes: Titan, Warlock, and Hunter.

Titans serve as your heavy hitters, positioned at the heart of the battle, absorbing damage while confronting adversaries in close quarters. They often wield shields to safeguard their allies and possess skills that inflict massive damage on enemies in their vicinity.

Warlocks provide assistance to their fellow guardians by enhancing damage output or increasing healing capabilities, all while employing elemental spells to inflict damage from a distance. Consider them as learned fighters, wielding powerful magical abilities to equalize the odds in battle.

At last, we introduce the Hunters. These rogue warriors, skilled scouts, and lethal assassins prioritize agility and deception, maneuvering through the battlefield and leaving a trail of fallen foes behind. Proficient in evading attacks while inflicting their own, they excel in both melee and ranged combat.

Every class presents its own distinct fantasy, ranging from the resilient Titans to the swift and lethal Hunters. However, all classes have access to every type of weapon, allowing for the possibility of a Warlock excelling with shotguns or a Titan wielding sniper rifles.

Their skills play a crucial role in defining their function in combat, so don’t hesitate to experiment and discover what aligns best with your gameplay preferences. More information about these skills will be provided later in this guide.

Initial Assignment

Upon launching Destiny 2, you’ll find yourself in the Cosmodrome on Earth, experiencing your resurrection for the first time. This introductory mission equips you with some fundamental weapons and familiarizes you with the gameplay mechanics, making it highly advisable to complete it. During this mission, you’ll learn about movement, your abilities, and you’ll also encounter your Ghost, which will be discussed in more detail later.

This quest transitions into multiple additional story missions, allowing you to encounter various characters, navigate the Cosmodrome, and acquire transportation. For newcomers, completing these missions is crucial, as they provide the foundational knowledge necessary for your entire journey. Essentially, if you’re progressing through the A Guardian Rises quest, you’re on the right track.

This quest will ultimately guide you to the Vanguard playlist, a fundamental type of repeatable mission that you can engage in for enjoyment, rewards, and pieces of the narrative.

Avoid Interruptions

One of the challenges when beginning your journey in Destiny 2 is that the game is quite insistent on encouraging you to explore various activities.

If you log out while playing for the first time, upon your return, you might encounter a cutscene, which will be followed by a loading screen, ultimately leading you to the latest content, like the Witch Queen missions or a quest from the current season.

If you find yourself in this situation, just access the director (by default, the M key on PC) and return to the Cosmodrome on Earth to proceed with A Guardian Rises or any other quests you were engaged in.

In Destiny 2, there’s no need to rush, so feel free to take your time exploring the storylines or quests you’re currently engaged in. You can always visit locations such as Savathûn’s Throne World at a later time.

Complete Campaign Missions Sequentially

Certainly! Here’s a rephrased version:This piece of advice comes with a disclaimer: you have the freedom to choose your own path and sequence. However, as a newcomer, we suggest that you play through the campaigns in the recommended order to gain a solid understanding of the game and its mechanics.

In the year 2023, the following items would be:

1. Shadowkeep
2. Beyond Light
3. The Queen of Witches

Next, focus on the ongoing season to gain a comprehensive understanding of the content that is currently accessible.

Destiny 2 Strategies and Advice

Now that you’ve begun your journey in the game, here are some essential tips and tricks for Destiny 2 that will enhance your experience. We’ll keep it straightforward and focus on the fundamentals to give you a solid foundation.

Grasping the Concept of Leveling

In Destiny 2, the concept of character progression differs from what you might find in other games. Rather than gaining experience points to increase your character’s level, your level is influenced by the equipment you have equipped.

In straightforward terms, larger figures on your equipment indicate a higher level, which influences both your damage output and your damage resistance.

Additional statistics influence various aspects such as the speed of health regeneration, movement pace, and the recharge rate of your abilities. You can view these stats on your character screen, and hovering your mouse over them will reveal their effects and your current values. Each piece of equipment will impact these statistics, so to maximize your character’s strength, it’s important to monitor these values closely.

Identify Vulnerabilities

If you have experience with contemporary first-person shooters, you likely understand the significance of targeting enemies’ heads. In Destiny 2, this remains crucial, although there are some notable exceptions.

Since you’re primarily not engaging with human opponents, the ‘head’ of the creature you’re targeting might not necessarily be its vulnerable spot. Vex, the robotic AIs, typically display bright weak points located at the center of their bodies. Meanwhile, the heavily armored Cabal not only have weak points on their heads but also on the vents of their powered suits.

Focusing on the vulnerabilities of your adversaries will enhance your effectiveness in battles. Additionally, this approach will increase your enjoyment!

Experiment with Fresh Armaments

All classes have access to every kind of weapon, so even though Warlocks might seem a bit more vulnerable in battle, there’s nothing stopping you from equipping them with melee weapons and charging straight into the action.

Numerous websites and viewpoints exist online that claim to identify the top weapons for PvP, PvE, and more. However, we won’t be making those claims. Instead, we encourage you to experiment with different options. Discover what suits your playstyle. Dismiss the current meta and choose a loadout that you enjoy, then concentrate on mastering that.

Ultimately, it’s your game. Don’t allow anyone, especially not us, to dictate how you should play.

Explore Unconventional Options

Exotics represent the most elusive type of equipment. When you acquire one, the yellow icons will indicate its rarity, and each Exotic comes with unique effects that can significantly alter your gameplay experience.

Although they are uncommon, you will eventually find yourself using them frequently during gameplay. Similar to weapons, it’s advisable to try them out. Certain items will boost your abilities, while others may produce unusual and intriguing effects. There may be some that you don’t prefer, so it’s important to discover what aligns with your preferred playstyle and what enhances your overall experience.

Mobility is Essential

Destiny 2 is primarily a shooting game, but it places a significant emphasis on movement. Each class is equipped with abilities like double jumping, gliding, and a rocket-powered vehicle known as a Sparrow. Numerous dungeons and challenges incorporate puzzle-platforming elements, making it essential to master jumping techniques, timing, and movement strategies to reach the rewards at the conclusion of each encounter.

Moreover, numerous regions are vast, offering a plethora of sights and activities. You’ll quickly become accustomed to navigating with your Sparrow, so it’s essential to master cornering techniques and the optimal moments to utilize your boost to fully take advantage of the ramps.

Skills Matter More Than You Realize

In the past, Destiny 2 primarily focused on shooting mechanics. Although shooting remains the core activity, the significance of class abilities has greatly increased.

Every class offers four distinct ability types to select from (and you can change them at any time). Solar focuses on fire-related powers, Void harnesses purple energy for magical effects, Arc specializes in lightning strikes, and Stasis is centered around ice and cold abilities. Each subclass provides various choices, including multiple super abilities, different grenade options, and various passive effects that you can customize.

Furthermore, the subclasses have undergone a complete overhaul and are now significantly more potent than before, making their mastery essential for successful combat.

There’s plenty to navigate, but understanding your abilities and preferences is key to connecting with your selected class and maximizing your gaming experience. Take your time; you’ll begin with just one subclass and unlock additional ones as you progress through quests. You’ll become proficient in no time.

Patrol missions, bounty hunting, and community events.

Numerous regions in Destiny 2 feature a variety of small, repeatable tasks that you can complete in exchange for rewards.

Patrols are scattered throughout the regions, and by pressing Tab, you can typically view their icons in your vicinity. You can engage with them one by one, and they provide small, manageable tasks that typically reward you with experience points and in-game currency.

Bounties are typically provided by non-playable characters (NPCs) and are a significant aspect of the gameplay. These tasks often revolve around eliminating targets with particular weapons or completing specific goals, and they generally yield higher rewards compared to regular patrols. Feel free to take on multiple bounties to maximize your gains!

Public Events will now be visible on your map when you’re in the vicinity. When you arrive at these events, you can participate in a mini-mission alongside other players in the area, typically rewarding you with a significant amount of experience and a chest to loot. Sounds appealing!

Curated collections of music, curated collections of music, curated collections of music.

At the upper section of the Director map, you’ll notice various icons representing playlists. Each icon highlights a distinct category of activities, serving as your primary source of engaging tasks that typically aren’t directly tied to quests.

Vanguard strikes consist of a sequence of missions that you undertake alongside other players, primarily focusing on PvE gameplay. Gambit combines PvE and PvP elements, featuring two teams that compete to summon and defeat a boss. Meanwhile, the Crucible is dedicated to the various PvP modes available in the game. Additionally, there is a Legends section that includes some classic content, like the Vault of Glass raid.

All of these are referred to as ‘playlists’ since you’ll team up and progress through a collection of maps or missions. Typically, you’ll receive better rewards for completing several at a time instead of sporadically participating. However, you are free to jump into a strike or two during a quick break, for instance.

Utilize the Mobile Application

Numerous games provide mobile applications, but the Destiny 2 app stands out as one of the finest available. It not only enables you to team up with others and manage your inventory, but it also lets you browse vendors and accept bounties without the need to navigate to the in-game NPCs.

It’s fair to say that this is a significant way to save time. Since Destiny 2 requires a few moments to start up and log in, developing a routine of checking for new bounties before you begin playing will ensure you’re always prepared to dive right in.

Above all else: Capture Images

Destiny offers a wealth of sights and activities, and while this introductory guide provides a solid foundation, it can only scratch the surface without becoming excessively lengthy. Therefore, we conclude this collection of tips and tricks with the following recommendations:

At its essence, this game is a shooter, and the experience of wielding its diverse arsenal is outstanding. It’s challenging to discover another first-person shooter that delivers such a satisfying sensation. If you find yourself bogged down by quests, lore, or missions, simply enter a zone and start shooting. Engage in a strike or enjoy a playlist. Take a moment to reconnect with the fundamental gameplay of blasting enemies and embodying a stylish space wizard from a distant future.

Focus on everything else later.

Destiny 2 Narrative Overview

Many newcomers to the game tend to struggle with the narrative, feeling overwhelmed by the characters, plots, and terminology. To help you navigate the intricate storyline of Destiny 2, we’ve gathered the essential points and fundamental concepts you should be familiar with to stay afloat as you delve deeper into the game’s expansive lore.

Caution: The following content contains spoilers for Destiny 2: Shadowkeep and earlier.

Background of the Destiny Narrative

As you begin your journey in Destiny 2, you’ll be treated to a cinematic sequence depicting individuals arriving on Mars in the present day, only to discover a massive sphere that is unleashing a downpour.

Introducing the Traveler, an enigmatic entity that has roamed the cosmos for thousands of years, empowering civilizations to combat the looming threat of Darkness.

Upon its discovery, we entered a prosperous era, during which we expanded across the solar system, utilizing cutting-edge technology to transform the moons and planets we encountered.

Ultimately, everything reached a conclusion with the Collapse. The Darkness located us, plunging humanity back into a primitive state, until the Traveler stepped in once more to confront the Darkness and drive it away from the system.

This had a profound impact on the Traveler, leading it to perform its final act of sending forth Ghosts—fragments of its essence, each possessing a unique personality. Their mission was to locate the remains of the deceased and resurrect them. However, this act came at a great price, leaving the Traveler in a state of dormancy, broken and lifeless, suspended above the Earth’s surface as a symbol of its sacrifice.

You have emerged as one of the newly awakened, now referred to as a Guardian – a protector of humanity, bestowed with extraordinary abilities and the chance to resurrect after death. However, the cost of this transformation is the loss of your past memories, allowing you to begin your existence anew.

Players can select from three distinct character types: humans (the familiar beings we all know), Awoken (humans transformed by encounters with mysterious forces), or Exos (robots that contain human minds). The choice you make does not impact the storyline, but all three types—Exos, Awoken, and Humans—represent the final remnants of humanity standing against the encroaching Darkness.

The narrative of Destiny 1

In the first installment of Destiny, players journeyed to the Last City, the final stronghold of humanity on Earth, constructed beneath the hovering Traveler. Within this city, players met The Speaker, the figurehead who represented the Traveler.

From this point, the player embarked on quests to protect the Last City and ensure the survival of humanity, even while facing numerous formidable adversaries. The initial foes we faced were the Hive, an alien species that reveres the Darkness and flourishes on chaos. Following them were the Vex, a tiny robotic race that operates mechanical bodies and aims to dominate the universe through an AI-driven simulation of existence.

In the inaugural year of Destiny 1, the player character, referred to as the Young Wolf, ventured into the Vex’s Black Garden to confront a Darkness residing at its center. Simultaneously, a Hive deity known as Crota sought to conquer Earth, but his ambitions were quickly thwarted through the efforts of the player and Eris Morn, a dedicated scholar who sacrificed greatly to explore the mysteries of the Darkness.

This year marked the arrival of the Fallen, a four-armed extraterrestrial race that was once favored by the Traveler before it departed for our solar system. Eager to regain the Traveler, referred to by them as the ‘Great Machine,’ they launched an invasion of the Last City, initiating a series of confrontations.

In the second year of Destiny, the expansion known as The Taken King was launched, introducing Oryx, the father of Crota, along with his Taken army. The Taken are familiar foes from earlier encounters, but they have been pulled from the fabric of reality, resulting in their hazy, shadowy appearances and formidable abilities. Ultimately, Oryx, the Taken King, was vanquished with the help of the Young Wolf, a group of Guardians, Eris Morn, and the beloved Exo Hunter, Cayde-6.

Destiny 1 came to a close with the revelation of SIVA, a technology powered by nanites. The Fallen utilized this to transform themselves into cyborgs. Fortunately, the legendary Guardian Lord Saladin, alongside the player, succeeded in eliminating SIVA, vanquishing the Fallen, and bringing about a new period of tranquility for the Last City.

Destiny 2

In our exploration of Destiny 2, we will delve into the storyline until we arrive at the playable content, as this offers the most immersive way to engage with the expansive narrative crafted by Bungie.

The Crimson Conflict

Unfortunately, that tranquility was short-lived.

Introducing the Cabal, a militaristic alien race that has subdued countless star systems in their pursuit of honor and dominance. Under the command of the formidable Dominus Ghaul, they successfully captured the Last City and stripped the Guardians of their powers by imprisoning the Traveler, effectively isolating it from its Ghosts.

Ghaul underestimated the Young Wolf, who successfully harnessed a fragment of the Traveler to restore their abilities. In a frantic assassination attempt, the Young Wolf, along with Titan Commander Zavala, Warlock Ikora Rey, and Cayde-6, confronted Ghaul. He absorbed Light taken from the Traveler, transforming into a massive, temporary creature that posed a grave danger to the entire solar system.

Fortunately, the Traveler refused to accept the situation, awakening and restoring itself after years of inactivity, reclaiming its Light from Dominus Ghaul and becoming complete again.

As this occurred, a burst of Light radiated across the galaxy, signaling to the Darkness that the Traveler had emerged victorious from their previous confrontation.

The Osiris Curse

In the Curse of Osiris expansion, players journeyed to Mercury to assist the legendary Warlock Osiris in combating the Vex. The Vex were utilizing their simulation, the Infinite Forest, to devise a strategy for universal domination. Recognizing the threat, Osiris, along with his Ghost Sagira, the Young Wolf, and Ikora Rey, confronted and defeated the Vex Mind Panoptes, ultimately putting a stop to their plans. Osiris then took on the responsibility of safeguarding the Infinite Forest.

Warmind

On their journey to Mars, the player came across the long-lost Guardian Ana Bray, the formidable human-engineered defense AI called Rasputin, and the malevolent Hive Worm God, Xol. In this encounter, the Young Wolf triumphed over Xol and reactivated Rasputin, allowing the AI to reestablish its presence in the solar system. Rasputin then deployed satellites known as Warsats, which are designed to protect humanity from emerging dangers, restoring Rasputin to its former role as the guardian of the solar system.

Forsaken

Conversations with veteran Destiny 2 players often reveal that Forsaken stands out as a significant highlight for many. Rather than emphasizing grand, world-altering occurrences, this expansion took a more intimate approach, concentrating on character-driven stories.

In a distant future, it becomes evident that prisons remain a necessity. Within one such facility, the Prison of Elders, a breakout and riot capture the interest of Cayde-6, the player, along with Petra Venj, who has previously assisted on several occasions in earlier expansions.

The unrest was triggered by a newly emerged group called The Scorn, a faction of resurrected Fallen who now followed a different leader: Uldren Sov. Uldren, who had made several appearances in the game, is the brother of Mara Sov, the queen of the Awoken. However, having been driven to madness by a multi-dimensional entity called Riven, he had betrayed the Awoken, intent on their annihilation.

Deep within the confines of the prison, the Scorn launched a surprise attack on Cayde-6, obliterating his Ghost and rendering him susceptible to assassination. In a striking and unforgettable scene from Destiny 2, Uldren Sov took Cayde-6’s life, using the Guardian’s own weapon to do so.

Subsequently, the Young Wolf embarked on a mission to eliminate the leaders of the Scorn, aiming to lure out Uldren Sov and exact vengeance once and for all. In the end, the player discovered the presence of Riven, ultimately defeating both Riven and Uldren Sov. However, the true identity of the one who delivered the final blow to the traitor remains a mystery, as it is unclear whether it was the player or Petra Venj who fired the shot.

The narrative concludes with a lone Ghost discovering the remains of Uldren Sov, examining the body in a manner reminiscent of how the player was initially scanned at the beginning of their adventure.

Shadowkeep and what lies ahead

This concludes our summary of the narrative. As of 2023, players can still engage with the Shadowkeep and Beyond Light campaigns to familiarize themselves with the storyline, and we highly encourage taking the time to do so.

To explore all the expansions in chronological order, including Shadowkeep and the latest releases, visit this blog post for additional insights about Destiny 2.

Purchase Destiny 2 Now

You should now have a clearer understanding of how to dive into Destiny 2, whether you’re a newcomer or someone who has previously stepped away from the game. If you’re considering starting Destiny 2, the ideal starting point is the Destiny 2 Legacy Collection, followed by Destiny 2: The Witch Queen. If you enjoy your experience, be prepared to explore Destiny 2: Lightfall, set to release in 2023, and get excited for the future. Keep your focus, Guardian, and prepare to explore the cosmos.

• Tags
• Destiny 2
• Destiny 2: Beyond Light Expansion
• Destiny 2: Forsaken Expansion
• Destiny 2: Shadowkeep Expansion
• Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
• Main

Share

Genshin Impact Newcomer’s Handbook 2023Upcoming Article: 2023 Guide for New Players of No Man’s Sky

Alex McHugh serves as our social media manager, dedicated to bringing you the most recent promotions and the most questionable humor imaginable. A passionate RPG enthusiast, he considers the realm of Tamriel from the Elder Scrolls series as his second home. When he’s not immersed in gaming, you might catch him meticulously painting his Word Bearers army for Warhammer 40k or crafting his own stories. Check out his articles for Green Man Gaming here.