Unleash the Sun: A Guide to Solar Ignitions in Destiny 2

To ignite combatants with Solar effects in Destiny 2, you need to apply 100 stacks of Scorch to a target. Once that threshold is met, the target will Ignite, dealing significant burst damage and often creating additional Solar effects. There are various ways to apply Scorch, including specific weapons, Solar abilities (grenades, melee, class abilities, and Supers), and Fragments that enhance your Solar subclass. Let’s delve into the fiery details and become masters of Solar destruction!

Understanding the Basics: Scorch, Ignite, and Solar 3.0

Before we dive into specific methods, let’s solidify our understanding of the core mechanics. Solar 3.0 reworked the Solar subclass, introducing Scorch and Ignite as key verbs.

• Scorch: A debuff applied to enemies that deals Solar damage over time. The damage and duration increase with each stack of Scorch.

• Ignite: A powerful Solar explosion that occurs when an enemy reaches 100 Scorch stacks. Ignitions deal high damage and can affect nearby enemies. They are a core component of Solar builds and offer immense potential for both single-target and area-of-effect damage.

Now, let’s explore the diverse arsenal at our disposal for triggering these devastating Solar reactions.

Weapons of Incineration: Solar Armaments

Many weapons, especially those with Solar affinities or specific perks, can apply Scorch or contribute to Ignitions. Here’s a look at some notable contenders:

• Sunshot: This Exotic hand cannon is a powerhouse for Solar builds. It not only applies 10 Scorch stacks with its Sun Blast perk upon defeating a target, but it also causes enemies to explode, further spreading Scorch to surrounding foes. Mastering Sunshot is a fantastic way to chain Ignitions and clear rooms with ease.

• Skyburner’s Oath: This Exotic Scout Rifle offers a unique advantage. Firing from the hip lobs explosive slugs that apply Scorch to the target. Its versatility makes it a solid choice for applying Scorch from a safe distance.

• Prometheus Lens: This Exotic Trace Rifle emits a Solar beam that creates a field of heat energy. Sustained damage applies Scorch to the target, making it effective for building stacks quickly.

• Weapons with Incandescent: This perk, a Solar variant of Dragonfly, Scorches targets upon defeating enemies. Weapons with Incandescent are excellent for ad-clear and setting up Ignitions.

Remember that Scorch Cannons deal kinetic damage upon impact followed by a solar explosion so they can provide an initial burst of damage.

The Power Within: Solar Subclass Abilities

Your Solar subclass abilities are crucial tools for applying Scorch and triggering Ignitions.

• Warlock: The Incinerator Snap melee ability can apply a significant amount of Scorch, potentially even triggering an Ignition on its own if aimed correctly. Pair this with fragments and aspects that enhance scorch, and you can easily set things ablaze.

• Hunter: While Hunters don’t have a melee ability that automatically Ignites like some classes, they excel at applying Scorch with Knife Trick. With Ember of Ashes, landing all three knives in Knife Trick applies 90 Scorch stacks. Ember of Torches grants radiant buffs, increasing damage with melee hits.

• Titan: Titans rely on charged melee abilities and grenades to apply Scorch. Though they may lack a clear-cut ignition melee, their Solar hammers and abilities still offer solid scorch options.

Enhancing the Flame: Solar Fragments

Fragments are modifications that enhance your Solar subclass, providing additional benefits and effects. Some Fragments are specifically designed to improve your Scorch and Ignition capabilities.

• Ember of Ashes: This Fragment increases the amount of Scorch applied by your abilities. This is essential for builds focused on triggering frequent Ignitions.

• Ember of Char: This Fragment causes your Ignitions to apply Scorch to nearby enemies, creating a chain reaction of fiery explosions.

• Ember of Eruption: This Fragment increases the size of your Ignitions, making them more effective at clearing groups of enemies.

• Ember of Torches: Whenever you land a powered melee hit on an enemy, you and allies near you gain the Radiant buff, increasing your damage.

These Fragments can significantly boost your Scorch and Ignition potential, turning you into a walking inferno.

Building Your Solar Ignition Build

Crafting a powerful Solar Ignition build requires careful consideration of your weapon choices, subclass abilities, and Fragments. The goal is to maximize your ability to apply Scorch and trigger Ignitions efficiently.

1. Choose your Class and Subclass: Each class has unique strengths and weaknesses regarding Solar Ignitions. Experiment with different subclasses and abilities to find what suits your playstyle.

2. Select your Weapons: Equip weapons that apply Scorch or synergize with your Solar abilities. Sunshot, Skyburner’s Oath, and weapons with Incandescent are excellent choices.

3. Optimize your Fragments: Choose Fragments that enhance your Scorch and Ignition capabilities. Ember of Ashes, Ember of Char, and Ember of Eruption are essential for Ignition-focused builds.

4. Master your Rotation: Practice your ability rotation to maximize Scorch application and trigger Ignitions consistently. This involves using your abilities, weapons, and melee attacks in a coordinated manner.

5. Consider Mods: Though wells of light do not work in PVP, charged with light mods do. Some of the mods, such as High-Energy Fire, are strong in PvP and worth using.

By following these steps, you can create a devastating Solar Ignition build that dominates both PvE and PvP content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know how much Scorch I’m applying?

Unfortunately, Destiny 2 doesn’t explicitly display the exact number of Scorch stacks you’re applying with each ability or weapon. However, you can gauge the effectiveness by observing enemy behavior. Enemies visibly react to Scorch, and the more stacks they have, the more pronounced the effect. Experiment with different abilities and weapons to get a feel for how much Scorch they apply.

Does Scorch damage stack with other damage over time effects?

Yes! Scorch damage stacks with other damage over time effects, such as burns from grenades or weapon perks. This can lead to significant damage output, especially against tougher enemies.

Can I ignite myself or my allies with Scorch?

No, you cannot ignite yourself or your allies with Scorch. Scorch only affects enemies.

Does resilience affect Scorch damage?

Resilience primarily affects your health and shield capacity. It does not directly impact Scorch damage.

Does airborne effectiveness affect Scorch?

Airborne effectiveness does not directly affect Scorch damage.

How does restoration fit in with solar damage?

You continuously regenerate health and shields over time.

Can I trigger Ignitions with Solar Grenades alone?

While Solar Grenades deal Solar damage, they don’t directly apply Scorch. However, with the right Fragments and build, you can use Solar Grenades to set up Ignitions by weakening enemies and applying some initial Solar damage.

Are there any Exotic armor pieces that specifically enhance Solar Ignitions?

Yes, several Exotic armor pieces enhance Solar gameplay, but none specifically enhance Ignitions. However, some, like Sunbracers for Warlocks, can indirectly boost Ignition potential by providing more frequent access to Solar grenades, which can then apply scorch.

Does subclass affect my abilities?

Yes, choosing the correct subclass allows specific builds like solar for igniting enemies.

How does melee help solar builds?

When you land a powered melee hit on an enemy, you and allies near you gain the Radiant buff, increasing your damage.

Does the Crucible affect Ignitions?

Yes, Ignitions are effective in the Crucible, offering powerful burst damage and area denial. However, enemies are generally tougher in PvP, so you’ll need to be strategic about applying Scorch and triggering Ignitions.

Do champions take damage from scorch?

Champions can certainly be affected by Scorch, and they will take Solar damage over time. However, they do have increased health and resistance, so igniting champions is not as easy as taking down minor enemies.

Does dragonfly affect enemies?

Recently released Solar weapons can roll with Incandescent, a Solar variant of Dragonfly that Scorches targets.

Is there a best mod for Sunshot?

The Masterwork for the weapon increases range and stability, making it even more dangerous with precision hits, something that means the Sunshot Catalyst is easily the best mod.

What does ember of char do?

Ember of char will allow your ignitions to apply scorch which can cause a chain reaction if enemies are close together.

Ignite the Competition!

Mastering Solar Ignitions in Destiny 2 requires a combination of knowledge, skill, and a bit of pyromaniacal glee. By understanding the mechanics of Scorch and Ignite, utilizing the right weapons and abilities, and crafting a synergistic build, you can unleash the sun and incinerate your foes. Remember to experiment, adapt, and most importantly, have fun! Perhaps you can learn more about how to be a master gamer from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Now go forth, Guardian, and let the solar fires burn bright!