Do Bounties Count Towards Rank? A Comprehensive Guide
The simple answer to the question, “Do bounties count towards rank?” is: it depends. Bounties, in games like Destiny 2 and Red Dead Online, offer various rewards, and while some do contribute to vendor rank or specific reputation gains, many others focus solely on experience points (XP) or other currencies. The key is understanding the different types of bounties and their associated rewards. Not all bounties are created equal; some are designed to help you level up your character, others to progress specific vendors, and still others to gain experience with specific weapons. This article will dive into the specifics of how bounties contribute to ranking up in different contexts, offering you a clear understanding and a more efficient approach to your gaming strategies.
Understanding Bounty Types and Rank Progression
Bounties, generally, are tasks or missions offered by non-player characters (NPCs) that, once completed, reward you. But these rewards can be varied. In Destiny 2, for example, you have Daily, Weekly, and Additional Bounties. These mainly reward you with XP, Glimmer, and occasionally other currencies but are no longer a primary source for Vanguard, Crucible, or Gambit reputation. However, there are exceptions. Some seasonal bounties are designed to reward players with reputation for those specific vendors. Past seasons like the “Season of the Haunted” and the “Season of the Seraph” offered reputation rank boosts through their respective bounties.
Trials bounties, on the other hand, do directly affect Crucible rank. Specifically, the weekly Trials bounties provide a substantial 35 Crucible Rank Points, while the daily Trials bounties yield 15 Crucible Rank Points. This means that if you are trying to level up your Crucible rank, focusing on these specific bounties while engaging with the Trials of Osiris is a good approach.
Crucially, for many games, the distinction lies in whether a bounty specifically states that it will award a reputation rank. If it doesn’t, it’s more likely focused on XP, in-game currency, or item rewards rather than contributing to your vendor standing. Similarly, in Red Dead Online, Bounty Hunter rank is directly tied to completing Bounty Hunter missions, not necessarily every bounty you come across. However, Bounty Hunter role bounties will award experience toward the role.
The Importance of Reading Bounty Descriptions
The critical takeaway is to always read the bounty descriptions carefully. Pay close attention to the listed rewards. If the bounty only mentions XP, Glimmer, or other currencies, it’s unlikely to affect your vendor rank. It is crucial to know that challenges, which were changed to bounties in earlier updates, no longer contribute toward specific achievements or ranks like they used to, further underscoring the importance of understanding each bounty’s function.
XP vs. Rank: Knowing the Difference
It’s crucial to differentiate between XP and rank. Experience points are used to level up your character or weapons, while vendor rank is specific to your standing with various NPCs or factions. While bounties can be a great source of XP, those that directly contribute to rank are much less common. They often involve engaging in specific activities or quests tied directly to a faction. Understanding this difference is key to optimizing your gameplay to achieve your goals efficiently, whether it’s leveling up your character or unlocking new rewards from vendor ranks.
Types of Bounties and Their Rewards
To summarize, the types of bounties that directly impact your vendor ranks are typically those that are:
- Specifically labeled with “Crucible Rank Points”, like Trials Bounties
- Seasonal bounties that state a vendor rank reward
- Role bounties that increase experience toward the role level
Otherwise, bounties are mainly a source of XP. For example:
- Weekly bounties typically provide the highest XP (around 12,000)
- Daily bounties offer a moderate amount of XP (around 6,000)
- Additional/Repeatable daily bounties provide less XP (around 4,000), but are great for grinding when you’ve completed all the non-repeatable bounties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between bounties and rank progression:
1. Do Vanguard bounties progress Vanguard rank?
Not usually. Traditional Vanguard bounties primarily focus on providing XP and Glimmer, rather than Vanguard reputation. Keep an eye out for specific seasonal bounties that may offer this in limited quantities.
2. Do Crucible bounties give Crucible reputation?
Most basic Crucible bounties do not reward Crucible reputation. Only those that specifically state they provide Crucible Rank Points, like the Trials Bounties.
3. Do Gambit bounties increase Gambit rank?
No, similar to Vanguard and Crucible, standard Gambit bounties mainly reward XP and Glimmer, not Gambit reputation.
4. How do Trials bounties affect rank?
Trials weekly bounties will reward players with 35 Crucible Rank Points, and daily trials bounties will reward players with 15 Crucible Rank Points, directly impacting your rank progression within the Crucible.
5. What are the best bounties to focus on for XP?
Prioritize weekly bounties first due to their high XP yield (12,000), followed by daily bounties (6,000), and lastly additional/repeatable bounties (4,000).
6. Do bounties carry over from one season to another or new DLC?
Generally, yes. Saved bounties will carry over to the new season or DLC, allowing you to cash them in for experience. This is a good tactic for gaining a boost at the beginning of new content drops.
7. Are there specific NPCs that give bounties that reward rank?
Some NPCs may give out specific bounties for reputation. In the past, bounty trackers like Xander 99-40 or Petra gave bounties that reward reputation. However, most bounties now focus on XP. Check each NPC for bounties to verify their rewards.
8. Do bounties count as “challenges”?
Not anymore. With Forsaken and later updates, challenges were converted to bounties. However, the term “Challenges” was reintroduced with Beyond Light, referring to a different kind of activity.
9. Do completed bounties carry over between acts?
In games that have “acts,” such as some action RPGs, the completed bounties often provide rewards upon completion of the act, such as a Horadric Cache.
10. Do legendary bounties offer more rewards?
Legendary Bounties typically offer greater rewards and more challenging gameplay compared to standard bounties in games that feature them, like Red Dead Online.
11. How much time should I spend on legendary bounties?
Aim to complete Legendary Bounties in about 30 minutes, as they have a 48-minute cooldown, so completing the mission fully is best for maximizing rewards.
12. What is the maximum Bounty Hunter rank in games like Red Dead Online?
The maximum rank for a Bounty Hunter in Red Dead Online is 30.
13. Do win streaks in Crucible increase rank progression?
Yes, in Destiny 2, win streaks in Crucible matches will significantly increase your rank gains, with the bonus accumulating up to 5 consecutive wins before resetting.
14. Do bounties help with weapon XP?
While not their main purpose, bounties do provide XP that can contribute toward weapon leveling. The most efficient way to gain weapon experience in Destiny 2 is via Seasonal Activities, Altars of Sorrow, and the Shuro-Chi encounter.
15. What is the quickest method for gaining weapon XP?
The Shuro-Chi encounter in the Last Wish Raid is widely considered the most efficient method for farming weapon XP due to the high number of enemies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether bounties count towards rank depends greatly on the specific bounty type and the game in question. While many bounties provide XP, Glimmer, or other currencies, only a select few directly contribute to your vendor rank or reputation progress. Always read the bounty descriptions carefully, prioritize the correct types of bounties, and utilize other activities to maximize your overall progress. Understanding the nuances of these systems allows for a far more strategic and effective gaming experience.