Leveling Up: A Deep Dive into Weapon XP and Maxing Out Your Arsenal in Destiny 2

So, you’re grinding away in Destiny 2, chasing that perfect weapon roll and maximizing your effectiveness in the fight against the Darkness. A crucial part of that journey is weapon leveling. But how many kills does it actually take to max out a weapon in Destiny 2? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t as straightforward as a single number. It depends on the type of weapon, the activities you’re engaging in, and whether you’re crafting or using a traditional drop.

For crafted weapons, primary and special weapons require approximately 140 kills per level, while heavy weapons need around 80 kills per level. Crafted weapons have a maximum level of 16, which unlocks all normal and enhanced perks. However, there’s technically no ‘maximum level’ for weapons in Destiny 2 overall! You can continue using your favorite weapons and flexing your super-high weapon levels far beyond level 16, although these extra levels provide no gameplay benefits.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of weapon XP, crafting, and the fastest ways to level up your gear.

Understanding Weapon XP in Destiny 2

Weapon Levels: The Foundation

Weapon leveling is a core mechanic for crafted weapons. By defeating enemies and completing activities with a specific weapon equipped, you accumulate weapon XP. Each level gained unlocks higher-quality frames and more available perks, allowing you to customize your weapon to your exact playstyle.

Factors Influencing Weapon XP Gain

Several factors influence how quickly you earn weapon XP:

• Enemy Type: Killing tougher enemies, like Champions or bosses, grants more XP than defeating basic fodder enemies.
• Activity Type: Certain activities offer significantly higher XP gains. We’ll discuss the best farms later in the article.
• Kill Streaks: Maintaining a consistent kill streak can slightly boost your XP gains.
• Activity Completion: Simply having the weapon equipped while completing activities like Strikes, Crucible matches, or Raids passively contributes to its XP level.

Crafted vs. Non-Crafted Weapons

It’s important to distinguish between crafted weapons and those obtained from engrams or activity drops. Crafted weapons follow a structured leveling system up to level 16, as explained above. Non-crafted weapons, on the other hand, do not have levels in the same way. These weapons can be upgraded to Masterworks, but this process involves using materials rather than accumulating XP.

Masterworking a Legendary weapon enhances its stats, grants a kill tracker, and generates Orbs of Power on multi-kills. The process involves investing a significant amount of materials, like glimmer, shards, and enhancement cores, to reach Tier 10 Masterwork. This upgrade path doesn’t have kills requirements.

The Fastest XP Farms: Leveling Up Efficiently

Okay, so you know how to level up weapons, but where’s the best place to do it? Here are some of the most efficient XP farms:

1. Shuro Chi (Last Wish Raid)

This is the undisputed champion of weapon XP farms. The Shuro Chi encounter in the Last Wish raid provides a dense wave of enemies perfect for racking up kills quickly. The best part? You don’t need to clear any other part of the raid. Simply use the wishing wall to teleport directly to the encounter. Rallying for Special or Heavy weapon ammo is an essential strategy, maximizing your XP.

2. Altars of Sorrow (Moon)

This public event on the Moon is another excellent choice. Waves of enemies constantly spawn, providing a steady stream of XP. The Altar is also relatively accessible, allowing for continuous farming sessions.

3. Seasonal Activities

Seasonal activities often feature increased enemy density and rewarding gameplay loops that contribute significantly to weapon XP. Keep an eye on the current season’s activity and experiment to see if it’s a good fit for your weapon leveling goals.

4. Completing General Activities

Even casual gameplay can contribute meaningfully to weapon XP. Strikes, Crucible matches, and Gambit matches provide passive XP gains simply for having the weapon equipped during the activity.

Maximizing Your Weapon Leveling

Here are a few tips and tricks to optimize your weapon leveling process:

• Focus on High-Density Activities: Prioritize activities with a constant stream of enemies, like those mentioned above.
• Match Your Loadout to the Activity: Equip weapons that are effective against the enemy types in your chosen activity.
• Use Ammo Efficiently: Conserve ammo and utilize Special and Heavy weapons strategically to maximize your kill count.
• Consider Weapon Perks: Perks that improve reload speed, magazine size, or damage output can all contribute to faster leveling.

Beyond Level 16: The Pursuit of Perfection

While crafted weapons stop unlocking new perks at level 16, there’s still value in continuing to use your favorite weapons. Think of it as a way to demonstrate your dedication to the weapon and showcase your expertise with it. While there are no additional gameplay benefits, a level 100+ weapon is a badge of honor!

Crafting and the Games Learning Society

The crafting system in Destiny 2 encourages players to experiment with weapon builds and customize their gear to match their playstyle. This element of experimentation, combined with goal-setting and continuous feedback, aligns with many of the principles promoted by the Games Learning Society. The GamesLearningSociety.org fosters understanding the link between game design and learning. Crafting can foster a better appreciation of weapon stats and a deeper appreciation for what makes for effective gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens when my crafted weapon reaches level 20?

Once a crafted weapon reaches level 20, it gains an Adept Masterwork. This grants a small bump to the weapon’s core stats (stability, handling, range, and reload speed). Note that only weapons with these levels or above gain the Masterwork.

2. Do kills in the Crucible count towards weapon XP?

Yes! Players earn weapon XP for every enemy player they kill in the Crucible, although the XP per kill may vary depending on the game mode.

3. Does Power Level affect weapon XP gains?

No, Power Level does not affect weapon XP gains. However, a higher Power Level will help you kill enemies more efficiently, which indirectly increases your XP rate.

4. What is the fastest way to level up a heavy weapon?

The Shuro Chi encounter is the fastest method for leveling any weapon, including heavy weapons. However, since heavy ammo is limited, it’s crucial to rally for ammo before each encounter.

5. Can I level up a weapon simply by having it equipped?

Yes, you passively gain weapon XP simply by having a weapon equipped while completing activities. However, killing enemies is a much faster method.

6. Is there a way to reset a weapon’s level?

No, there is no way to reset a weapon’s level in Destiny 2.

7. Do bounties affect weapon XP gains?

No, completing bounties does not directly affect weapon XP gains. However, bounties often require you to kill enemies, which indirectly contributes to weapon XP.

8. What is the ‘god roll’ for a crafted weapon?

A ‘god roll’ refers to the ideal combination of perks for a specific weapon. This is subjective and depends on your personal playstyle and the activities you’re engaging in.

9. Are double XP weekends a thing in Destiny 2?

While Destiny 2 doesn’t have frequent “double XP” weekends specifically for weapons like some other games, certain seasonal events or promotions may offer XP boosts that can indirectly benefit weapon leveling. Check Bungie’s official channels for announcements.

10. Does using a ghost shell mod that grants bonus XP affect weapon XP?

While Ghost Shell mods that boost overall XP gains won’t directly impact weapon XP, they can help you level up your Season Pass faster, unlocking resources that can be used to improve your weapons.

11. Is there a limit to how many weapons I can craft?

There is no limit to the number of weapons you can craft. However, crafting requires resources, so you’ll need to grind for materials.

12. How do I unlock new weapon patterns?

Weapon patterns are typically unlocked by completing specific quests, activities, or by attuning Deepsight Resonance weapons. Check the crafting table at the Enclave on Mars for more information.

13. What’s the benefit of enhanced perks on crafted weapons?

Enhanced perks offer a slightly improved version of the standard perk. These improvements can include increased stat boosts, longer durations, or more powerful effects.

14. Is weapon crafting worth it in Destiny 2?

Absolutely! Weapon crafting allows you to customize your weapons to your exact preferences and create powerful builds that perfectly complement your playstyle.

15. Will my weapon’s level affect its performance in PvP?

No, weapon level does not affect its performance in PvP. However, the perks you unlock by leveling a crafted weapon can provide a significant advantage.

Final Thoughts

Leveling up weapons in Destiny 2 is a rewarding process that allows you to fine-tune your arsenal and achieve your full potential as a Guardian. By understanding the mechanics of weapon XP, utilizing efficient farming methods, and carefully selecting your perks, you can dominate the battlefield and conquer even the most challenging content. Now get out there and start leveling up!