Should I Keep Sunsetted Weapons in Destiny 2? A Veteran Guardian’s Guide
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The short answer is: it depends. While sunsetting – the practice of capping the maximum power level of gear – is largely a thing of the past in Destiny 2, there are still specific scenarios where keeping your old, sunsetted weapons might be worthwhile. Ultimately, the decision boils down to your playstyle, sentimental value, and the specific weapon in question. Let’s dive into the nuances of this decision.
Understanding Sunsetting and Its Impact
First, a little history. Sunsetting was introduced as a way to keep the Destiny 2 meta fresh and encourage players to chase new gear. The idea was that by limiting the power level of older weapons, players would be incentivized to seek out new and potentially more powerful alternatives. This mechanic primarily impacted weapons from Shadowkeep, Vex Offensive, and older content, capping them at a power level of 1060.
Now that Bungie has largely abandoned this system, how does this impact your sunsetted gear? They are no longer viable for endgame content where power level matters such as Trials of Osiris, Grandmaster Nightfalls, or the newest raid.
Why You Might Want to Keep Sunsetted Weapons
Despite their limitations, here’s why you might want to hold on to some of those old relics:
- Nostalgia and Sentimental Value: Let’s face it, some weapons just feel good to use. Maybe it was your first raid drop, or perhaps it carried you through countless Crucible matches. If a weapon holds special significance, keeping it around for the memories is perfectly valid.
- Low-Level Content: Sunsetted weapons are still perfectly usable in activities where power level doesn’t matter. This includes older raids like the Leviathan, many patrol zones, and older story missions. Sometimes, it’s fun to revisit these activities with your old favorites.
- Cosmetics and Transmog: While you can’t infuse sunsetted armor to current power levels, you can use it for transmog. This allows you to change the appearance of your current armor to match the look of your old set. So even if the stats are obsolete, you can still rock that vintage look.
- Collections: Storing a copy in your Collections is advisable. This ensures you can always reacquire it (with a random roll) if you ever decide you want it back.
- Experimentation and Fun: Sometimes it’s fun to grab a few friends and head into patrol zones, using underpowered weapons to make the experience more enjoyable.
When You Should Dismantle Sunsetted Weapons
Now for the harsh reality: there are plenty of good reasons to dismantle those sunsetted weapons and free up vault space:
- Limited Vault Space: Vault space is a precious commodity in Destiny 2. Holding onto dozens of sunsetted weapons simply because “you might need them someday” is usually not a good strategy. Be selective and only keep the ones you truly love.
- Better Alternatives Exist: Power creep is real. Newer weapons often have better perk combinations, stats, and overall performance than their sunsetted counterparts. Even if you loved a particular weapon, there’s a good chance a newer version will be even better.
- No Endgame Viability: As mentioned earlier, sunsetted weapons are completely useless in endgame content. If you’re primarily focused on activities like raids, Trials of Osiris, and Grandmaster Nightfalls, there’s no reason to hold onto them.
- Reissued Versions: Keep an eye out for weapons that have been reissued. This means that Bungie has brought them back into the loot pool with updated power levels and perk pools. If a weapon you love has been reissued, dismantle the sunsetted version and chase the new one.
Making the Decision: A Step-by-Step Guide
Still unsure what to do? Here’s a simple process to help you decide:
- Identify Your Playstyle: Are you a hardcore endgame player? A casual patrol zone explorer? This will heavily influence your decision.
- Assess the Weapon: Does it have a unique perk combination you can’t find elsewhere? Is it simply fun to use?
- Check for Reissues: Has the weapon been reissued with a higher power level?
- Consider Sentimental Value: Is there a reason you’re emotionally attached to the weapon?
- Be Ruthless: If the answer to most of these questions is “no,” it’s probably time to dismantle it.
Beyond Weapons: What About Armor?
Sunsetted armor follows a similar principle. You can’t infuse it up to current light levels, so it has no practical use in high-level activities. However, the introduction of transmog has given old armor sets a new lease on life. You can use transmog to apply the appearance of your favorite sunsetted armor to your current gear, allowing you to maintain your style without sacrificing performance.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to keep sunsetted weapons in Destiny 2 is a personal one. There’s no right or wrong answer. Weigh the factors outlined above, be honest with yourself about your playstyle, and make the decision that’s right for you. And remember, vault space is a precious resource! Use it wisely.
Further Learning
For those interested in the broader implications of gaming, education, and society, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about sunsetting and old gear in Destiny 2:
- Is sunsetting still a thing in Destiny 2? No, Bungie has largely abandoned sunsetting for expansion content and most gear. Some older seasons may still have this mechanic in place.
- Can I use sunsetted weapons in the Crucible? Yes, in the standard Crucible playlists where power level is disabled. However, they are not viable in Iron Banner or Trials of Osiris.
- What happens if I try to infuse a sunsetted weapon? You won’t be able to infuse it beyond its maximum power level.
- Will sunsetted raids ever be brought back with updated power levels? Bungie has not announced any plans to update the power levels of sunsetted raids.
- Can I get the same perks on a reissued weapon as I had on my sunsetted version? Possibly, but perk pools change with each reissue, so it’s not guaranteed.
- Is it worth grinding for a god roll on a sunsetted weapon? Not unless you’re only planning to use it in low-level content or for sentimental reasons.
- How do I transmog my old armor? Visit Ada-1 in the Tower. She will allow you to convert armor pieces into universal ornaments using Synthweave.
- What should I do with sunsetted armor that I don’t want to transmog? Dismantle it to free up vault space.
- Are there any sunsetted weapons that are still considered “meta” in some situations? Some niche weapons might have unique perk combinations that are still useful, but generally, newer weapons are superior.
- If a weapon is sunsetted, does it affect its performance in PvE? Yes, in high-level PvE content where power level matters. It will deal significantly less damage.
- How can I tell if a weapon is sunsetted? Check the weapon’s details. If the maximum power level is capped at 1060 or lower, it’s sunsetted.
- Will Bungie ever bring back sunsetting? It’s unlikely, given the negative feedback from players.
- What’s the best way to manage my vault space? Regularly review your inventory, dismantle unwanted items, and use the Destiny Item Manager (DIM) to efficiently move items between your characters and the vault.
- Are Exotic weapons affected by sunsetting? No, Exotic weapons are not subject to sunsetting.
- If I dismantle a sunsetted weapon, can I reacquire it from Collections? Yes, but it will come with a random roll.