What Class Should I Choose in Destiny 1?

Choosing your class in Destiny 1 is the first major decision you’ll make, and it significantly shapes your gameplay experience. There isn’t a “best” class overall, as each has its strengths and weaknesses, and excels in different areas. However, for new players seeking a forgiving and straightforward experience, the Titan is often recommended. Its focus on defense and powerful melee abilities provides a solid foundation for learning the game’s mechanics. Hunters are ideal for players who enjoy agility, precision, and stealth-based gameplay. Warlocks, on the other hand, offer versatility, powerful support abilities, and devastating offensive potential, but often require more tactical play. Ultimately, the best class for you depends on your preferred playstyle.

Diving Deeper into the Classes

Titans: The Unstoppable Force

Titans are the defenders of the Light, characterized by their resilience and offensive capabilities. Their primary stat is Armor, making them naturally more durable than Hunters or Warlocks.

• Class Ability: Barricade. Titans can deploy a barrier that provides cover for themselves and their allies.

• Subclasses:

  • Striker (Arc): Focused on aggressive melee attacks and unleashing powerful shockwaves. Think lightning-infused punches and area-of-effect damage. Great for clearing groups of enemies.
  • Defender (Void): The ultimate support class. Defenders can create a Ward of Dawn, a protective bubble that shields allies from damage and provides buffs. Crucial for challenging PvE content.
  • Sunbreaker (Solar): Hurls flaming hammers at enemies, creating explosions and setting the ground ablaze. Offers a mix of ranged and melee damage, with a focus on sustained damage output.

Titans are a solid choice for players who want to be on the front lines, soaking up damage and dishing out punishment. They are relatively easy to learn and are valuable in both PvE and PvP.

Hunters: Masters of Agility and Stealth

Hunters are the rogues of Destiny, emphasizing mobility, precision, and deception. Their primary stat is Agility, allowing them to move quickly and evade enemies.

• Class Ability: Dodge. Hunters can perform a quick dodge in any direction, allowing them to evade attacks or reposition themselves strategically.

• Subclasses:

  • Gunslinger (Solar): Focused on precision aiming and dealing high burst damage. The Golden Gun super allows Hunters to eliminate high-priority targets with ease. Excellent for PvP and boss encounters.
  • Bladedancer (Arc): Excels in close-quarters combat with rapid melee attacks and stealth abilities. Arc Blade is a deadly super for clearing groups of enemies or assassinating single targets. Requires a more aggressive and risk-taking playstyle.
  • Nightstalker (Void): Emphasizes support and control. The Shadowshot super tethers enemies, slowing them down and suppressing their abilities. Invaluable for team-based gameplay and controlling the battlefield. A strong choice for both PvE and PvP.

Hunters appeal to players who enjoy a fast-paced, reactive playstyle. They can be challenging to master but are incredibly rewarding in the hands of skilled players.

Warlocks: The Arcane Scholars

Warlocks are the scholars and spellcasters of Destiny, wielding powerful abilities fueled by the Traveler’s Light. Their primary stat is Recovery, allowing them to regenerate health quickly.

• Class Ability: Rift. Warlocks can create a Well of Radiance that continuously heals allies or an Empowering Rift that increases their damage output.

• Subclasses:

  • Voidwalker (Void): Focused on dealing massive damage with Void energy. Nova Bomb is a devastating super capable of wiping out entire groups of enemies. Excellent for both PvE and PvP.
  • Sunsinger (Solar): Provides strong support and self-resurrection. Radiance allows Warlocks to revive themselves upon death and enhances their abilities. Offers unparalleled survivability and utility.
  • Stormcaller (Arc): Unleashes bolts of lightning upon enemies, chaining damage and electrifying the battlefield. Stormtrance is a powerful super for clearing areas and disrupting enemy formations. A potent offensive class with good crowd control.

Warlocks are a versatile class suitable for players who enjoy strategic gameplay and powerful abilities. They require a good understanding of their abilities and positioning to maximize their effectiveness.

Making Your Choice

Consider these factors when choosing your class:

• Playstyle: Do you prefer to be on the front lines, supporting your team, or dealing high burst damage?
• Difficulty: Some classes and subclasses are easier to learn than others.
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best class is the one you enjoy playing the most. Experiment with each class and subclass to find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which class is the most popular in Destiny 1?

Historically, Hunters have been the most popular class in Destiny 1, followed by Warlocks and then Titans. However, popularity can fluctuate based on meta shifts and subclass buffs/nerfs.

2. Which class is the least played in Destiny 1?

Titans are often the least played class in Destiny 1, though the difference in player base size between Titans and Warlocks is often not drastically different.

3. Is one class inherently better than the others in Destiny 1?

No. All three classes are balanced and viable in Destiny 1. Each class has its strengths and weaknesses, and success depends more on player skill and playstyle than on the inherent power of the class itself.

4. Which class is best for solo players in Destiny 1?

Warlocks are generally considered good for solo play due to their strong recovery stat and self-sustaining abilities, particularly the Sunsinger subclass with its self-resurrection. Hunters also excel in solo play thanks to their stealth and evasive maneuvers.

5. Which class is best for PvE (Player vs. Environment) in Destiny 1?

All classes are viable in PvE. Titans are great for tanking and providing support, Hunters excel at damage dealing and crowd control, and Warlocks offer versatility and powerful offensive abilities. Specific subclass choices can heavily influence PvE effectiveness.

6. Which class is best for PvP (Player vs. Player) in Destiny 1?

Hunters are often considered strong in PvP due to their agility and high burst damage potential. However, Titans and Warlocks can also be very effective in PvP with the right builds and playstyles. The Gunslinger Hunter and Voidwalker Warlock subclasses are popular choices for PvP.

7. How different are the classes in Destiny 1 compared to Destiny 2?

While the core class identities remain the same, there are significant differences in abilities, subclasses, and overall gameplay mechanics between Destiny 1 and Destiny 2. Some subclasses have been reworked or replaced, and the stat system has been modified.

8. Can I change my class after starting the game in Destiny 1?

No. You cannot change your class once you have created your character. You will need to create a new character to play a different class.

9. Do all classes have the same number of subclasses in Destiny 1?

Yes. Each class has three subclasses in Destiny 1: one for each element (Arc, Solar, and Void).

10. How does the leveling system work in Destiny 1? Does my class impact this system?

The leveling system in Destiny 1 primarily revolves around increasing your Light level through acquiring gear with higher Light stats. Your class does not directly impact the leveling system, but the abilities and perks of your chosen class and subclass can certainly make the process easier or more efficient.

11. Are there any class-specific weapons or armor in Destiny 1?

There are class-specific armor pieces in Destiny 1, offering unique stat bonuses and aesthetics for each class. There are no class-specific weapons.

12. Which class requires the most skill to master in Destiny 1?

This is subjective, but many players consider Hunters to require a higher skill ceiling due to their reliance on precision aiming and timing. Warlocks often require more tactical awareness and positioning due to their reliance on support abilities.

13. Does my race choice (Human, Awoken, Exo) affect my class abilities or gameplay in Destiny 1?

No. Your race choice is purely cosmetic and does not affect your class abilities, stats, or gameplay in any way.

14. Which subclass is easiest to play in Destiny 1 for new players?

For Titans, the Striker subclass is generally considered the easiest for new players due to its straightforward melee focus. For Hunters, Gunslinger is relatively easy to pick up. For Warlocks, Voidwalker provides strong offensive capabilities.

15. Where can I learn more about Destiny 1 and its classes?

You can find more information on the Destiny Wiki, various Destiny community forums (like Reddit’s r/DestinyTheGame), and by watching gameplay videos on YouTube. Understanding how video games can aid learning can be insightful, you can learn more by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org. Games Learning Society is dedicated to the study of learning and engagement in games.

Choosing a class in Destiny 1 is a crucial first step, but don’t overthink it! Experiment, have fun, and find the playstyle that resonates with you. Good luck, Guardian!