Should I Dismantle My Exotics? A Destiny 2 Guide to Exotic Gear Management
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The short answer: Generally, no, you shouldn’t dismantle your exotics without careful consideration. Exotics are powerful pieces of gear that can significantly enhance your gameplay, and dismantling them without a good reason can be a costly mistake. However, there are specific scenarios where dismantling an exotic might be a viable, even beneficial, strategy. This guide will walk you through those scenarios, helping you make informed decisions about your exotic gear in Destiny 2.
When Dismantling Exotics Makes Sense
Before you start hitting that dismantle button, consider these situations where it might be advantageous:
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Duplicate Exotics with Superior Stats: If you find a duplicate exotic armor piece with a noticeably better stat distribution than your current one, dismantling the old one can be worthwhile. The article mentions that dismantling a Masterworked Exotic Armor does award one Ascendant Shard, but this gear costs three to make. Even though it’s not the most efficient method, it’s still worth it if players found the same piece of Masterworked Exotic Armor with significantly better stats. This is especially true if the stats align perfectly with your build goals.
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Insufficient Vault Space: Destiny 2 players are perpetually battling vault space limitations. If you’re desperate for room and have multiple copies of an exotic that you know you’ll never use (perhaps an armor piece for a class you don’t play), dismantling it is a valid option.
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Strategic Shard Farming: Dismantling exotics grants Legendary Shards. While not the primary method of shard acquisition, it can be a useful supplement, especially during events or when you need to purchase items from vendors like Xûr. The article notes that you can get six Legendary Shards for dismantling exotics.
Why You Should Think Twice Before Dismantling
Despite the situations above, dismantling exotics should be approached cautiously:
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Exotic Rarity: Exotics are, by definition, rare. Obtaining specific exotics, especially those tied to quests or challenging activities, can be time-consuming. Dismantling them means you’ll have to reacquire them later if you change your mind. You can buy copies of the Exotics you’ve already found for 10 Legendary shards whenever you want.
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Build Versatility: Even exotics you don’t currently use might become valuable in future builds. Game updates, subclass changes, and new mods can drastically alter the meta, making previously ignored exotics powerful.
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Masterworking Costs: Masterworking exotics is expensive, requiring Ascendant Shards. While you get one Ascendant Shard back for dismantling a Masterworked exotic, you’re still losing two. This can significantly impede your progress towards masterworking other gear.
Evaluating Exotic Armor Stats
The article references the importance of stats on armor. Here’s a closer look at what to consider:
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Stat Distribution: Pay attention to the allocation of stats like Resilience, Recovery, Discipline, Intellect, Strength, and Mobility. Identify which stats are most crucial for your chosen subclass and playstyle. High-stat armor rolls are highly valuable. Armor randomly rolls with a stat total, ranging from 48-68. Exotics also follow this rule, although some Exotics added before the Shadowkeep expansion can achieve a stat total of 70.
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Affinity: Consider the elemental affinity of the armor piece. This determines which mods can be slotted into the armor. Aligning affinity with your build can unlock powerful synergies.
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Total Stat Value: Aim for armor with a high total stat value (60+). This gives you more flexibility in customizing your build with mods.
Exotic Weapons: An Even Stronger Case for Keeping
The decision to dismantle exotic weapons should be even more heavily scrutinized than armor.
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Unique Perks: Exotic weapons often possess unique perks that drastically alter their performance and utility. These perks are often impossible to replicate with legendary weapons.
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Quest Requirements: Some quests may require you to use specific exotic weapons. Dismantling these weapons means you’ll have to reacquire them to complete the quest.
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Collection Management: Some players simply enjoy collecting every exotic weapon in the game. Dismantling exotics hinders this goal.
Utilizing the Exotic Kiosk
The Monument to Lost Lights, located in the Tower, provides a means of reacquiring older exotics.
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Cost: Purchasing exotics from the Kiosk requires various resources, including Exotic Ciphers, Glimmer, and Legendary Shards.
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Access: Not all exotics are available at the Kiosk. Some must be obtained through specific activities or quests.
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Limited Availability: Some exotics are only available during certain seasons or events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dismantling Exotics
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify your understanding of exotic gear management:
1. What happens when I dismantle an exotic?
You receive Legendary Shards and some Glimmer. The article notes that Exotic gear dismantles into six Legendary Shards.
2. Can I get my exotic back if I dismantle it?
Yes, you can reacquire most exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights (Exotic Kiosk) in the Tower, provided you have the necessary resources.
3. How many Legendary Shards do I get for dismantling an exotic?
You receive six Legendary Shards.
4. Does dismantling a Masterworked exotic refund all the materials?
No, dismantling a fully Masterworked Exotic armor piece will refund only one Ascendant Shard of the three you spent.
5. Is it better to infuse or dismantle duplicate exotics?
If the duplicate exotic has a higher power level and you plan to use the weapon, infusing it into your preferred exotic is better. If the power level isn’t significant, dismantling it for shards is a viable alternative.
6. Are exotics always better than Legendaries?
They aren’t always better, but chances are there is an exotic that will fit a gear slot better than a legendary because it benefits the subclass, build, and playstyle better.
7. How many exotics can I wear at once?
You can equip one exotic weapon and one exotic piece of armor simultaneously.
8. What is the highest possible stat roll on exotic armor?
Armor randomly rolls with a stat total, ranging from 48-68. Exotics also follow this rule, although some Exotics added before the Shadowkeep expansion can achieve a stat total of 70.
9. How much does Xûr charge for exotic armor?
Xûr’s Exotic armor pieces cost 23 Legendary Shards each. The Exotic weapon costs 29 Legendary shards.
10. Can I infuse an exotic into a legendary?
Yes, Infusion only works on Legendary and Exotic gear, not Rare (blue) gear. It requires one Legendary Shard and 500 Glimmer to perform an Infusion.
11. Is there a way to improve the stats on my exotic armor?
Yes, by acquiring new rolls of the same armor piece. Additionally, you can use mods to enhance specific stats.
12. What should I look for when dismantling any gear in Destiny 2?
Consider the gear’s power level, stat distribution (for armor), perks (for weapons), and your current needs for resources like Legendary Shards.
13. If I accidentally dismantle an exotic, can I get it back immediately?
Not immediately. You’ll need to visit the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower and repurchase it, provided you have the necessary materials.
14. What is the rarest loot in Destiny 2?
Rarest Destiny 2 loot includes Day One Raid Emblems, The Wolves Unleashed, Solo Flawless Dungeon Emblems, and more. These often signify significant accomplishments.
15. Where can I learn more about Destiny 2 strategies and best practices?
You can find valuable resources and community discussions on various Destiny 2 forums, websites, and YouTube channels. Educational websites such as the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org, may also have relevant content on understanding game mechanics and player strategy.
Conclusion
Dismantling exotics in Destiny 2 should be a calculated decision based on your specific needs and circumstances. While it can be a useful tactic for managing resources or optimizing your gear, it’s crucial to weigh the potential benefits against the value of these rare and powerful items. Understanding the nuances of exotic gear management will help you make informed choices and maximize your effectiveness in the game.