Unlocking God-Tier: Masterworking Exotic Armor in Destiny 2

So, you’re staring at that beautiful piece of Exotic armor in Destiny 2, the one that perfectly complements your build, and you’re wondering, “Should I take the plunge and Masterwork it?” The short answer is: absolutely. Masterworking Exotic armor is a significant investment, but the returns are well worth it for dedicated Guardians looking to maximize their potential.

What exactly happens when you Masterwork Exotic armor? Here’s the breakdown:

• +2 to All Stats: This is the core benefit. Masterworking grants a permanent +2 stat boost to every single stat on the armor piece. That’s +2 Strength, Discipline, Intellect, Resilience, Recovery, and Mobility. While +2 might not sound like a lot, those incremental boosts add up, pushing you closer to those coveted 100-stat tiers, enabling faster ability recharges and improved survivability.
• Maximum Energy Capacity: Masterworked armor automatically grants the full 10 energy capacity, allowing you to equip a wider variety of mods, including those expensive, build-defining ones. This is crucial for fine-tuning your gameplay and maximizing your effectiveness in any activity.
• Fashion Upgrade: Although not a stat or gameplay benefit, Masterworking gives your armor a gold border around the icon, providing a visual indicator of your dedication and investment.

Masterworking an Exotic armor piece takes time and effort. It requires a substantial investment of resources, including Enhancement Cores, Enhancement Prisms, and the elusive Ascendant Shard. But the increased stats and mod capacity are invaluable for creating truly powerful and personalized builds. It allows you to create the best builds tailored to your individual playstyle in any type of content.

Why Masterwork Exotic Armor? The Long Game

Masterworking Exotic armor is not just about instant gratification. It’s a long-term investment in your Guardian’s power. Here’s why it matters:

• Build Versatility: Access to maximum energy allows for more diverse and effective builds. You can mix and match mods to tailor your loadout to specific activities, whether it’s a Nightfall strike, a Crucible match, or a Grandmaster Nightfall.
• Stat Optimization: Those extra +2 to all stats can be the difference between hitting a crucial stat tier (like 100 Resilience for damage resistance) and falling short. Optimizing your stats allows you to focus on key abilities or characteristics.
• Future-Proofing: As Destiny 2 evolves, new mods and gameplay changes are constantly introduced. Having Masterworked armor ensures you’re always prepared to adapt and take advantage of new opportunities, like using new seasonal artifact mods.
• Ascendant Shard Return: When the time comes that you no longer need the piece of exotic armor, dismantling it will yield an ascendant shard.

Farming for Materials: The Road to Masterwork

Gathering the necessary materials for Masterworking is an ongoing process. Here are some of the best ways to acquire Enhancement Cores, Enhancement Prisms, and Ascendant Shards:

• Nightfall: The Ordeal: Higher difficulty Nightfalls offer increased chances for Enhancement Prisms and Ascendant Shards as completion rewards.
• Master Nightmare Hunts: Another reliable source of Enhancement Prisms.
• Dismantling Masterworked Armor: Dismantling other Masterworked Legendary armor pieces will yield Enhancement Cores and Enhancement Prisms. Be careful though – don’t dismantle armor you might use.
• Spider’s Material Exchange: Although expensive, Spider occasionally sells Enhancement Cores and other materials in exchange for planetary resources and glimmer.
• Season Pass: The Season Pass often contains Enhancement Cores, Enhancement Prisms, and even Ascendant Shards as rewards for leveling up.
• Gunsmith Bounties: The Gunsmith offers daily bounties that reward Enhancement Cores upon completion.
• Trials of Osiris: Reaching certain milestones in Trials will reward you with Enhancement Prisms and Ascendant Shards.

Masterworking and Build Crafting: Synergy is Key

Masterworking Exotic armor is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to creating a powerful Destiny 2 build. Consider these factors:

• Stat Distribution: Focus on maximizing the stats that are most important for your chosen subclass and playstyle. For example, a Warlock using the Void subclass might prioritize Discipline and Recovery.
• Mod Selection: Carefully choose mods that synergize with your abilities, weapons, and subclass. Consider mods that reduce ability cooldowns, increase weapon damage, or provide additional survivability.
• Subclass Fragments and Aspects: Subclass fragments and aspects can significantly enhance your abilities and playstyle. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.
• Weapon Perks: Choose weapons with perks that complement your build. For example, a weapon with the Demolitionist perk can help recharge your grenade ability.

Understanding the Stat Caps and Tiers

Destiny 2’s stat system is based on tiers. Each stat caps at 100, and reaching each 10-point tier (10, 20, 30, etc.) provides a noticeable benefit. For example, reaching 100 Discipline significantly reduces your grenade cooldown.

Aim for the stat tiers that are most impactful for your build, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explores the different stat combinations, as well as player behavior and game mechanics in many titles. Understanding those principles is crucial for achieving optimal results in Destiny 2.

Making the Decision: Which Exotics to Masterwork?

Not all Exotics are created equal. Some are simply more useful and versatile than others. When deciding which Exotics to Masterwork, consider these factors:

• Your Playstyle: Choose Exotics that complement your preferred playstyle and subclass.
• Activity Type: Consider the activities you spend the most time playing. Some Exotics are better suited for PvE, while others excel in PvP.
• Build Synergy: Select Exotics that synergize well with your existing build and weapon loadout.
• Meta Shifts: Keep an eye on the Destiny 2 meta. Some Exotics become more or less powerful as gameplay changes.

It’s About The Journey

Masterworking Exotic armor in Destiny 2 is a significant undertaking, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By understanding the benefits, gathering the necessary materials, and optimizing your build, you can unlock your Guardian’s full potential and dominate any activity. Remember to experiment, adapt, and have fun along the way. The journey to becoming a truly powerful Guardian is an ongoing one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Masterworking Exotic armor change its appearance?

No, Masterworking Exotic armor does not change its physical appearance. It only adds a gold border around the armor’s icon in your inventory and character screen.

2. Can I Masterwork the same Exotic armor piece multiple times?

No, you can only Masterwork an Exotic armor piece once. Once it’s Masterworked, it will have the +2 to all stats and full energy capacity permanently.

3. Is it possible to Masterwork Exotic armor obtained from the Exotic Archive?

Yes, you can Masterwork Exotic armor obtained from the Exotic Archive, just like any other Exotic armor piece.

4. What happens if I dismantle a Masterworked Exotic armor piece?

When you dismantle a Masterworked Exotic armor piece, you will receive an Ascendant Shard. You will also receive some glimmer.

5. Does Masterworking Exotic armor affect its Power Level?

No, Masterworking Exotic armor does not directly affect its Power Level. Power Level is determined by the base stats of the armor and any infusion applied.

6. Is Masterworking Exotic armor account-wide?

No, Masterworking is not account-wide. Each individual piece of Exotic armor must be Masterworked separately.

7. Can I Masterwork Exotic armor on all three of my characters?

Yes, you can Masterwork Exotic armor on all three of your characters, provided you have the necessary resources and Exotic armor pieces.

8. Are there any Exotic armor pieces that are not worth Masterworking?

While most Exotic armor pieces benefit from Masterworking, some are considered less impactful or versatile than others. Ultimately, the best Exotics to Masterwork depend on your personal playstyle and build preferences. Research and consider your needs before investing.

9. How long does it typically take to Masterwork a single piece of Exotic armor?

The time it takes to Masterwork an Exotic armor piece varies depending on your access to resources and your play frequency. Farming the necessary materials can take several hours or even days.

10. Does the season pass offer any assistance in masterworking exotic armor?

The season pass often offers enhancement cores, enhancement prisms, and ascendant shards. All of these are needed for masterworking armor.

11. Can you target farm for exotic armor with high stats?

The best sources for high-stat exotic armor are Legend and Master Lost Sectors. These activities have a chance to drop exotic armor, and completing them at higher difficulties increases the chances of obtaining armor with desirable stat distributions.

12. What is the best way to obtain Enhancement Prisms?

The best way to farm Enhancement Prisms is by completing Master Nightmare Hunts. These activities offer a relatively high drop rate of Enhancement Prisms.

13. How can I get Ascendant Shards quickly?

Ascendant Shards are best obtained by completing high-level Nightfall: The Ordeal activities on Master or Grandmaster difficulty. These provide the highest chance for Ascendant Shard drops upon completion.

14. What is the value of resilience in Destiny 2?

Resilience provides damage reduction, so it is very valuable. It also lowers barricade cooldown, which is very useful for titans.

15. Where can I learn more about Destiny 2 builds and strategy?

There are many resources available online, including YouTube channels, websites, and community forums dedicated to Destiny 2 build crafting and strategy. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org provides theoretical and practical insights into the mechanics that drive these types of games. Experimentation and community resources provide insight as well.