Hitting the Soft Cap in Destiny 2: A Speedrunner’s Guide
The quickest way to hit the soft cap in Destiny 2 is to simply play the game. Almost any activity will reward you with gear that increases your Power level up to the soft cap. While this sounds simple, efficient play can significantly reduce the time it takes. Focus on activities that offer frequent gear drops, such as Public Events, Strikes, Crucible matches, or Gambit matches. Completing the campaign on Normal difficulty is also a viable option. However, for the absolute fastest boost, especially when a new expansion drops, clearing the campaign on Legendary difficulty is the most optimal way to reach the soft cap, as you will receive a full set of gear at or above the soft cap upon completion.
Understanding Power Level Caps in Destiny 2
Destiny 2’s Power Level system can seem daunting, but it breaks down into distinct phases. Knowing these phases is crucial for efficient progression.
- Soft Cap: The initial target. Reaching this cap is straightforward, as nearly all activities provide upgrades.
- Powerful Cap: This is the next major milestone. After hitting the soft cap, you need to engage with specific activities that reward Powerful Gear to continue leveling.
- Pinnacle Cap: The final hurdle. Only a limited number of activities offer Pinnacle Gear, making the grind to the pinnacle cap the most challenging and time-consuming.
Efficient Strategies for Reaching the Soft Cap
While simply playing will get you there, some strategies are more efficient than others:
- Prioritize High-Drop Activities: Focus on activities with frequent gear rewards. Strikes, Crucible, Gambit, and even well-populated patrol zones with frequent Public Events are excellent choices.
- Check Vendors Regularly: Vendors like Lord Shaxx (Crucible), Commander Zavala (Strikes), and the Drifter (Gambit) provide Engrams for completing bounties. These Engrams can often offer Power level upgrades.
- Don’t Hoard Gear: Equip your highest Power level gear immediately. The game calculates your potential drops based on your highest equipable Power level, not your current loadout.
- Complete the Campaign: Progressing through the main campaign, even on normal difficulty, offers a steady stream of gear upgrades.
- Legendary Campaign (If Available): As mentioned, this offers the fastest route to (or even beyond) the soft cap at the start of a new expansion. The guaranteed high-level gear makes it an optimal choice.
- Utilize Season Pass Rewards: Pay attention to the Season Pass. It often contains armor and weapon drops that can boost your Power level significantly.
- Play Multiple Characters: If you have the time, leveling multiple characters can accelerate your overall progression. Gear earned on one character can be transferred to another, boosting their starting Power level.
FAQs: Soft Cap and Power Leveling in Destiny 2
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of hitting the soft cap and navigating the Power level system in Destiny 2.
1. What is the current soft cap in Destiny 2?
The soft cap changes with each expansion and season. Always check the current season’s information for the most up-to-date value. Currently, the soft cap in Destiny 2 is 1750.
2. What does “soft cap” mean in Destiny 2?
“Soft cap” refers to the Power level where almost any activity in the game will reward you with gear that increases your Power level. It’s the initial, relatively easy-to-reach Power level milestone.
3. How do I increase my Power level after hitting the soft cap?
After reaching the soft cap, you need to focus on activities that reward Powerful Gear. These activities are marked on the Director with a gold star or other specific icon.
4. What activities reward Powerful Gear?
Powerful Gear sources vary each week. Check the Director for activities like completing weekly challenges for Crucible, Strikes, Gambit, certain story missions, and vendor challenges.
5. What is Pinnacle Gear, and how do I obtain it?
Pinnacle Gear represents the highest tier of rewards. It’s obtained from a limited number of endgame activities, such as Raids, Trials of Osiris, Iron Banner, Grandmaster Nightfalls, and completing certain pinnacle challenges.
6. Is it worth doing the campaign on Legendary difficulty?
Yes, if your goal is to reach the soft cap quickly at the start of an expansion. The guaranteed set of high-level gear is a significant time saver. Also, you get exclusive rewards like Exotic armor and armor bundle.
7. What happens if I don’t have the latest DLC?
Your Power level progression will be limited by the highest Power level attainable in the content you own. You won’t be able to access activities or gear above that limit.
8. Can I reach the soft cap as a free-to-play player?
Yes, you can reach the soft cap as a free-to-play player. However, your access to activities that reward Powerful and Pinnacle Gear will be limited.
9. How does Power level affect my gameplay?
Your Power level directly impacts your damage output and resistance to damage in combat. Being underleveled can make activities significantly more challenging, while being overleveled can make them easier.
10. What is the difference between Power level and Artifact Power?
Your base Power level comes from the average of your equipped gear. Artifact Power is an additional Power bonus earned by gaining XP throughout a season. Artifact Power is temporary and resets each season.
11. How important is my gear’s stats?
While Power level is crucial for overall effectiveness, gear stats also play a significant role. High stats in key areas like Resilience, Recovery, and Discipline can significantly enhance your build and performance.
12. How can I optimize my gear stats?
You can optimize your gear stats by using armor mods, focusing armor engrams with vendors, and farming specific activities known to drop high-stat armor, such as Pit of Heresy.
13. How rare is 1k voices in Destiny 2?
One Thousand Voices has a 10% chance to appear in one of the 24 chests at the end of the Last Wish raid in Destiny 2. The chests can only be opened with the Ethereal keys, which drop from Riven of the Thousand Voices, the final boss of the raid.
14. What is hard capped vs soft capped?
A hard cap is the maximum amount of money a company hopes to raise in an ICO. On the other hand, a soft cap is the least amount of funds creators need to launch their project.
15. Is Destiny 2 a time sink?
Unless you have no job, a ton of free time, or your job is literally playing Destiny, it’s a huge time sink which adds almost no value to the player.
Conclusion
Reaching the soft cap in Destiny 2 is the first step towards engaging with endgame content. By understanding the Power level system, prioritizing efficient activities, and utilizing available resources, you can quickly and effectively reach the soft cap and begin your journey towards higher Power levels and more challenging content. Learning through games is exciting, and you can find resources at Games Learning Society to explore how games enhance education and skills. Visit them at GamesLearningSociety.org.