Can You Transfer Destiny 1 Weapons to Destiny 2? The Definitive Answer

No, you cannot transfer weapons or any other gear from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2. While the prospect of wielding your perfectly rolled Eyasluna or Gjallarhorn in the sequel might be appealing, Bungie made a deliberate decision to leave behind the loot of the past. This decision was made to ensure a fresh start for all players and to facilitate significant changes to the game’s systems without being constrained by legacy items. Though your Guardian’s general appearance carries over, your hard-earned arsenal does not. Let’s explore the reasons behind this and what did make the jump between the two games.

Why No Weapon Transfers? A Necessary Reset

The decision not to allow weapon transfers from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2 wasn’t arbitrary. Several factors contributed to this choice:

• Balance and Design Changes: Destiny 2 introduced significant changes to the weapon system, including new weapon archetypes, perks, and the introduction of the energy and kinetic weapon slots. Carrying over weapons from Destiny 1, which were balanced around a different system, would have created immediate imbalances and severely limited Bungie’s ability to iterate on the game’s design.

• Power Creep Avoidance: Power creep, the gradual increase in the power of weapons and gear over time, is a common concern in games with long lifecycles. Transferring Destiny 1 weapons would have immediately set a high power baseline, making it difficult to introduce meaningful upgrades in Destiny 2. It also would’ve been a slap in the face to players just getting into the series.

• Fresh Start for All Players: Bungie wanted to create a level playing field for all players, regardless of whether they played Destiny 1 or not. Allowing weapon transfers would have given veteran players a significant advantage over newcomers, which would have made it harder for new players to get into the game.

• Technical Limitations: The Destiny engine underwent significant revisions between the first and second game. Transferring every item across such a divide would have been technically challenging, and it may have delayed the release of the sequel.

What Did Carry Over? The Legacy of Your Guardian

While your weapons and gear didn’t make the jump, your character appearance and your general Destiny 1 accomplishments did have a minor effect on Destiny 2. Here’s what transferred:

• Character Appearance: You were given the option to recreate your Destiny 1 character’s appearance in Destiny 2. This meant your race, gender, and facial features could be imported, allowing you to maintain a visual connection to your previous Guardian.

• Dialogue Changes: Destiny 2 recognized players who had previously played Destiny 1. Certain dialogue lines were altered to acknowledge your past accomplishments and history with characters like the Speaker. This was more of an easter egg, and it also did not affect the story in any meaningful way.

These minor carryovers were a way for Bungie to acknowledge your investment in Destiny 1 without compromising the integrity of Destiny 2’s gameplay and progression systems. As many fans of the Games Learning Society know, maintaining balance is key to a good game.

Destiny 1: A Fond Farewell

Although you can no longer transfer anything from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2, it’s important to remember Destiny 1 as an experience. It left an undeniable impact on the gaming landscape. While no longer receiving updates, the core experience remains playable for those who wish to revisit it. Let’s delve into some common questions surrounding the transition between these two monumental games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does armor carry over from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2?

No, armor does not carry over from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2. Just like weapons, armor was left behind to facilitate the new progression systems.

2. Is Destiny 1 still active?

Destiny 1 content through Destiny: Rise of Iron remains accessible on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. While the game no longer receives updates, players can still participate in many of its activities.

3. What happens to my Destiny 1 characters if I start playing Destiny 2?

Your Destiny 1 characters remain accessible in Destiny 1. Starting Destiny 2 does not affect them in any way. However, you will need to create a new character in Destiny 2.

4. Will there be a Destiny 3?

The future of the Destiny franchise is unclear. While rumors persist, Bungie has not officially announced Destiny 3. The focus remains on expanding and evolving Destiny 2.

5. How can I transfer my progress between Destiny 2 platforms?

Destiny 2 offers Cross Save, allowing you to transfer your characters, loot, and progress between different platforms (e.g., PC, PlayStation, Xbox). This feature is only available for Destiny 2, not Destiny 1.

6. What is shared between Destiny 2 characters?

In Destiny 2, many items and resources are shared between characters, including season pass progress, triumphs, and most inventory items. However, quest progress and bounties are character-specific.

7. Am I the same Guardian in Destiny 1 and Destiny 2?

Lore-wise, yes. It’s linked to your account, and the game acknowledges your Destiny 1 accomplishments through minor dialogue changes.

8. Can I gameshare Destiny 1 DLC?

Accessing Destiny content through gamesharing may not grant access to all DLC, add-ons, or promotional items. This depends on the platform and specific sharing rules.

9. What are the main differences between Destiny 1 and Destiny 2?

Destiny 2 introduced significant changes to the weapon system, subclass specializations, and overall gameplay mechanics compared to Destiny 1. Destiny 2’s progression system is also much more refined and engaging.

10. Which class is the most popular in Destiny 2?

Hunters are generally the most popular class in Destiny 2, followed by Warlocks and then Titans.

11. Is Destiny 1 worth buying in 2024?

Whether Destiny 1 is worth buying in 2024 depends on your preferences. It offers a complete story experience that hasn’t been cut away. If you’re interested in experiencing the original Destiny’s campaign and world, it can be worth the investment.

12. Is Destiny 2 going to end?

No, Destiny 2 is not ending. Bungie has confirmed that the game will continue with new stories, factions, and threats beyond the current narrative arc.

13. Can I play Destiny 1 on PS5?

Destiny 1 is playable on PS5 through backwards compatibility. However, some PS4 features may be absent.

14. Will Cayde-6 come back?

Cayde-6, who was killed in Forsaken, is returning in The Final Shape expansion. The specifics of his return remain to be seen. There won’t be a Cayde-7 though.

15. Is it worth keeping old weapons in Destiny 2?

It is worth keeping old weapons in Destiny 2. The armor is effectively worthless; your can use transmog to turn them into ornaments though, so you’ll be able to keep old appearances. As far as weapons go, keep your favorites and delete the rest. Some of those sunset weapons might’ve been reissued, so you might find a better version of what you already have.

Conclusion: Embracing the New

While the inability to transfer weapons from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2 might have been disappointing for some, it was a necessary decision to allow the sequel to evolve and improve upon its predecessor. Destiny 2 offers its own unique loot and challenges, and the lack of weapon transfers ensures a fair and balanced experience for all players. So, Guardians, embrace the new and forge your legend anew! And, just as the Games Learning Society focuses on understanding how games educate and entertain, we can appreciate the design decisions that shaped Destiny 2 into the game it is today. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.