Is it Worth Keeping Old Weapons in Destiny 2? A Veteran Guardian’s Guide
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So, you’re staring at your vault in Destiny 2, overflowing with weapons you haven’t touched in seasons. Dust motes dance in the light filtering through the Tower windows, reflecting off the static charge of countless energy weapons. The question burns: Is it really worth hoarding all this gear?
The short answer is: it depends. While Bungie has implemented systems to alleviate the “vault clogging” issue, the decision to dismantle or retain a weapon requires careful consideration of its intrinsic value, potential utility, and sentimental significance. Don’t automatically trash everything; instead, approach your vault with a discerning eye.
Diving Deeper: The Pros and Cons of Weapon Retention
Before we get to the FAQs, let’s break down the key factors that should influence your decision-making:
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The Collections Tab: This is your safety net. Most weapons you’ve acquired can be re-obtained from the Collections tab for a small cost (usually Glimmer and Legendary Shards). This means if you decide you need a particular weapon later, you can generally get it back. This alone eliminates the need to keep 90% of your drops.
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Sunset Weapons & Their Limited Usefulness: Remember the days of Sunsetting? While that system is gone, many older weapons are still Sunset, meaning they can’t be infused to the current Power Level cap. This renders them unusable in activities that require a specific Power Level, such as endgame content like Raids, Grandmaster Nightfalls, and Trials of Osiris. However, they are still viable in many playlists like Strikes, Gambit, Crucible (Quickplay), and older Raids and Dungeons. If you enjoy using a particular Sunset weapon and don’t mind its limitations, there’s no harm in keeping it.
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The Allure of God Rolls: “God Rolls” are subjective but generally refer to weapons with perk combinations that synergize incredibly well, maximizing their effectiveness in a specific activity (PvE or PvP). If you have a weapon with a god roll, even if it’s slightly outdated, it might be worth keeping for nostalgic reasons or for when a specific meta shift makes it viable again.
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Build Potential & Armor Synergies: Some older weapons have unique perk combinations that enable specific builds, particularly when combined with certain armor mods or Exotic armor pieces. As an example, the “Wellspring” and “Demolitionist” perks can create near-infinite ability uptime when paired with armor mods that reduce ability cooldowns.
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Vault Space Considerations: This is the ultimate limiting factor. Destiny 2’s vault space has been increased over time, but it’s still finite. Constantly juggling weapons and armor can become tedious. Be ruthless; if you haven’t used a weapon in months and it doesn’t serve a unique purpose, it’s probably time to let it go.
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The “Fun Factor”: Let’s be honest, sometimes you keep a weapon simply because you enjoy using it. Maybe it has a satisfying feel, a cool sound effect, or a connection to a memorable moment in the game. Don’t underestimate the power of the “fun factor.” After all, games are meant to be enjoyed.
Discerning What to Keep: A Practical Checklist
To help you decide which weapons deserve a place in your vault, ask yourself these questions:
- Is this weapon Sunset? If so, is it enjoyable enough to use in playlists where Power Level doesn’t matter?
- Does this weapon have a God Roll or a highly desirable perk combination?
- Does this weapon enable a specific build or synergy with my armor?
- Is this weapon easily re-obtainable from the Collections tab?
- Have I used this weapon in the past month?
- Do I genuinely enjoy using this weapon?
If the answer to most of these questions is “no,” it’s probably safe to dismantle the weapon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Destiny 2 Weapons
1. What are Sunset weapons, and why should I care?
Sunset weapons are weapons that can no longer be infused to the current maximum Power Level. While still usable in many activities, they are ineffective in endgame content.
2. How do I know if a weapon is Sunset?
Sunset weapons will have a greyed-out Power Level icon and will not be able to be infused with higher-level gear.
3. Can I still use Sunset weapons in the Crucible?
Yes, in playlists like Quickplay, where Power Level advantages are disabled.
4. What’s the Collections tab, and how does it work?
The Collections tab allows you to re-acquire most weapons and armor you’ve previously obtained. It’s a valuable tool for freeing up vault space. It costs glimmer, legendary shards and other materials depending on the rarity of the gear you are pulling out.
5. Are there any weapons I can’t re-obtain from the Collections tab?
Yes, some weapons, particularly those tied to limited-time events or specific quests that are no longer available, cannot be re-acquired.
6. What’s a “God Roll,” and why is it important?
A God Roll is a weapon with an optimal combination of perks that maximizes its effectiveness. These are highly sought after by players looking to optimize their builds.
7. How do I know if my weapon has a good roll?
Research popular perk combinations for specific weapons. Websites and community resources like Light.gg are invaluable for identifying desirable rolls.
8. Should I keep multiple copies of the same weapon with different rolls?
Potentially, if the different rolls cater to different playstyles or activities (e.g., one roll for PvE and another for PvP). However, be mindful of vault space.
9. What are “origin perks”, and how can I take advantage of them?
Origin Perks are weapon perks tied to the source of the weapon. These perks have a wide range of effectiveness and are typically the deciding factor in many peoples weapon rolls. These typically give small benefits like increasing reload speed after using your grenade, increasing handling after being airborne and more.
10. Should I dismantle Deepsight weapons after I’ve extracted their pattern?
Once you’ve extracted the pattern from a Deepsight weapon, dismantling it is generally safe unless you particularly enjoy using the weapon itself.
11. Is it worth masterworking weapons?
Masterworking enhances a weapon’s stats and adds a kill tracker. It’s worthwhile for weapons you use frequently and want to optimize.
12. What’s more important: Power Level or Perks?
It depends on the activity. For activities with Power Level requirements, having a high enough Power Level is essential. However, for other activities, perks can be more impactful.
13. What are some of the best resources for learning about weapon perks and builds?
Websites like Light.gg, Destiny Item Manager (DIM), and various Destiny 2 community forums are excellent resources. Also, check out the GamesLearningSociety.org for resources on video game based learnings and communities.
14. Are Exotic weapons always better than Legendary weapons?
No. Exotic weapons have unique perks, but Legendary weapons can sometimes be more versatile or synergistic with specific builds.
15. What should I prioritize when I’m running out of vault space?
Prioritize keeping weapons with God Rolls, unique perks, or sentimental value. Dismantle duplicates and weapons you haven’t used in a long time.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to keep old weapons in Destiny 2 is a personal one. Consider your playstyle, build preferences, and vault space constraints. By carefully evaluating your weapon collection, you can ensure that your vault is filled with valuable tools that enhance your Destiny 2 experience, not just digital clutter. Happy hunting, Guardians! Remember to check out the Games Learning Society for more insights on gaming and its educational applications.