Table of Contents

Can You Buy Legendary Shards in Destiny 2? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is no, you cannot directly buy Legendary Shards in Destiny 2 with real money or other in-game currencies in the traditional sense. There isn’t a vendor who sells them like they sell Glimmer or Enhancement Prisms. However, there are ways to acquire them more efficiently than others, and some methods involve spending other resources. Think of it less as buying shards and more as converting other resources into shards. Let’s dive deep into the world of Legendary Shards and explore all the nuances of acquiring them.

Understanding Legendary Shards

Legendary Shards are a crucial in-game currency in Destiny 2. They’re used for a variety of essential activities, from masterworking gear to focusing Engrams and even purchasing items from vendors like Xur. Managing your shard economy effectively is a key part of optimizing your Destiny 2 experience. With their removal looming, players are scrambling to spend them effectively.

The Primary Source: Dismantling Gear

The most common and reliable method for obtaining Legendary Shards is by dismantling Legendary and Exotic gear. Every time you dismantle a piece of Legendary or Exotic equipment, you’ll receive a certain number of shards.

Legendary Gear: Typically yields 4 Legendary Shards.
Exotic Gear: Typically yields 6 Legendary Shards.

This makes gameplay loop crucial. The more you play, the more gear you acquire, and the more shards you can earn by dismantling unwanted items.

Indirect Methods of Acquisition

While you can’t buy them directly, several indirect methods allow you to accumulate shards more efficiently:

Core Activities: Participating in Crucible, Gambit, and Vanguard Ops will reward you with gear that can be dismantled for shards.
Bounties: Completing bounties often awards legendary engrams or gear.
Season Pass: The Season Pass often includes Legendary Shards as rewards at various tiers.
Xur’s Treasure Hoard: Purchasing Treasure Keys allows you to open chests at Xur’s horde, which contain weapons that can be dismantled.

Spending Glimmer to Acquire Shards (Indirectly)

The article does mention that you can exchange 3000 Glimmer for 1 shard. While not a direct purchase of shards, it’s a method to convert your overflow of glimmer, which is relatively easy to obtain, into this essential currency.

Strategies for Farming Legendary Shards

Since direct purchasing isn’t an option, mastering shard farming techniques is essential. Here’s a breakdown of effective strategies:

Maximize Gear Drops: Focus on activities that offer a high volume of Legendary and Exotic gear. Strikes, Gambit, and Crucible are excellent choices. Also, participating in events and activities with high drop rates for legendary engrams.
Optimize Dismantling: Develop a system for quickly assessing and dismantling unwanted gear. Utilize third-party apps or websites to identify low-stat rolls and undesirable perks to streamline the process.
Engage with Seasonal Content: Seasonal activities often offer unique gear and rewards that can be dismantled for shards. Keep an eye out for opportunities to maximize your shard income through seasonal content.
Take Advantage of Double Rewards: Keep an eye out for weeks or events where playlist activities offer double rewards. These weeks can greatly boost your ability to acquire shards, materials, and other currencies.
Manage Your Vault: Keep your vault organized and regularly prune unwanted items. An organized vault makes dismantling faster and prevents you from accidentally deleting valuable gear.
Engram Focusing: Although focusing engrams costs shards, use it to get very specific pieces of gear. These gears can be dismantled for more shards or higher stats than typical gears.

The Imminent Removal of Legendary Shards and What to Do

The article highlights a critical piece of information: Legendary Shards will be removed from Destiny 2 starting in Season 23. This has significant implications for players who have accumulated a large stockpile of shards. Here’s what you need to do:

Spend Wisely: Prioritize spending your shards on essential resources, such as Enhancement Prisms, Enhancement Cores, Upgrade Modules, and materials for weapon crafting.
Purchase Exotic Gear from Xur: Xur’s inventory rotates weekly and often features desirable Exotic weapons and armor. Purchase any items that you don’t already own, even if you don’t plan to use them immediately. You can always dismantle them later for Glimmer and other materials after the shard economy vanishes.
Masterwork Your Gear: Use shards to masterwork your favorite gear, as masterworking provides significant stat bonuses and enhances your build.
Prepare for the Transition: As Legendary Shards are removed, Bungie will likely introduce alternative methods for acquiring resources that previously required shards. Stay informed about these changes and adapt your gameplay accordingly.

The Broader Context: Game Economy and Learning

The design of Destiny 2’s economy, including the acquisition and use of Legendary Shards, reflects broader principles of game design. The scarcity of resources, the grind for powerful gear, and the interplay between different currencies are all carefully crafted to engage players and encourage long-term participation. Understanding these design principles can enhance your appreciation for the game and its mechanics. For more insights into game design and its impact on learning, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, an organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and education. Exploring the GamesLearningSociety.org helps understand the deeper mechanics behind games like Destiny 2.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly are Legendary Shards used for in Destiny 2?

Legendary Shards are a core currency used for a wide range of activities, including:

Masterworking weapons and armor
Focusing Engrams at vendors
Purchasing materials from vendors like Spider and Rahool
Infusing gear to raise its power level
Buying Exotic items from Xur

2. How many Legendary Shards do I get from dismantling a Legendary item?

You typically receive 4 Legendary Shards from dismantling a Legendary item.

3. How many Legendary Shards do I get from dismantling an Exotic item?

You typically receive 6 Legendary Shards from dismantling an Exotic item.

4. Is there a limit to how many Legendary Shards I can hold?

While Glimmer is capped at 250,000, Legendary Shards are practically limitless. There is no known maximum shard capacity.

5. Can I buy Ascendant Shards with Legendary Shards?

No, Ascendant Shards cannot be directly purchased with Legendary Shards. They are acquired through high-level activities and can be purchased from Master Rahool using Enhancement Prisms and Glimmer.

6. Where is the best place to farm Legendary Shards?

The best approach is to maximize overall gear drops then break them down. Focusing on playlist activities and making use of double reward weeks is ideal.

7. What should I do with my Legendary Shards before they are removed?

Prioritize spending them on Enhancement Prisms, Enhancement Cores, Upgrade Modules, Exotic gear from Xur, and masterworking your favorite gear.

8. Will Legendary Shards be replaced by a new currency?

Bungie has not explicitly stated what will replace Legendary Shards, but it is likely that a new system or currency will be introduced to address the functions that shards currently serve.

9. Can I exchange Legendary Shards for Glimmer?

No, there is no direct way to exchange Legendary Shards for Glimmer. However, you can dismantle shaders to receive Glimmer.

10. What happens to my Legendary Shards after they are removed?

Bungie has not yet detailed the exact process, but it is likely that remaining shards will either be converted into another resource or simply removed from player inventories. Stay tuned for official announcements.

11. Are there any items that I should avoid dismantling for Legendary Shards?

Avoid dismantling god-rolled weapons or armor with high stat rolls. These items are valuable for your builds and gameplay. Also, consider the perks on gear before dismantling, as certain perks can be highly sought after.

12. Can I infuse Exotic gear with Legendary Shards?

Yes, infusing Exotic gear requires Legendary Shards and Glimmer.

13. Does Xur sell items for Legendary Shards?

Yes, Xur sells both Legendary and Exotic items for Legendary Shards. He appears every weekend in a random location and offers a rotating selection of gear.

14. How do I get more Enhancement Prisms to buy Ascendant Shards?

Enhancement Prisms can be earned by completing Nightfall: The Ordeal activities, Master Empire Hunts, and by purchasing them from Master Rahool using Enhancement Cores and Glimmer.

15. Will my Exotic items be affected by the removal of Legendary Shards?

While the precise impact is still unknown, it’s likely that Exotic items will still require resources for upgrading and masterworking, even after the removal of Legendary Shards. The specific resources required may change.

Can you buy Legendary Shards?