Unraveling Strand Meditations: Your Guide to Destiny 2: Lightfall’s Currency
The primary currency for unlocking and upgrading the Strand subclass in Destiny 2: Lightfall is Strand Meditations. These are earned through various activities on Neomuna and are used exclusively at the Pouka Pond in the Hall of Heroes to purchase new abilities, fragments, and grenades for your Strand subclass. This is your guide to understanding and maximizing your gains of this vital currency.
Understanding Strand Meditations
Strand Meditations are specifically tied to the Strand subclass, a new power centered around manipulating the threads of reality. Think of it as harnessing the very fabric of existence. Unlike Light subclasses, which often unlock abilities through simple progression, Strand requires deliberate investment of this unique currency. This provides a sense of progress and customization, allowing players to tailor their Strand build to their preferred playstyle.
How to Acquire Strand Meditations
Earning Strand Meditations is key to fully unlocking the potential of the subclass. Here’s a breakdown of the most reliable methods:
- Defeating Enemies with Strand: This is the most consistent method. Any enemy defeated with Strand abilities, weapons empowered by Strand, or while under the influence of Strand effects will contribute to your Strand Meditation gains. Focus on using Strand subclasses in your daily activities for consistent gains.
- Neomuna High-Value Targets: Keep an eye out for High-Value Targets (HVTs) roaming Neomuna. These powerful enemies offer a significant boost to your Strand Meditation reserves upon defeat. Coordinating with other players can make these encounters even more rewarding.
- Neomuna Patrols: Completing patrols on Neomuna, especially those with bonus rewards will provide Strand Meditations. While individually the reward may be small, patrols are quick to complete and can be a lucrative source of Strand Meditations.
- Neomuna Public Events: Participating in and completing Public Events on Neomuna is another effective method. Heroic Public Events provide even more Strand Meditations than regular ones, so work with other players to trigger the heroic versions.
- Neomuna Quests: Keep an eye on quests offered on Neomuna. These often feature objectives that reward you with a substantial amount of Strand Meditations upon completion.
- Nimbus Vendor Rank 18: By progressing your reputation with Nimbus, the vendor on Neomuna, you’ll receive a large chunk of Strand Meditations upon reaching rank 18. Focus on completing bounties and activities that reward Nimbus reputation to reach this milestone.
Spending Your Strand Meditations
Once you’ve gathered a good amount of Strand Meditations, head to the Pouka Pond in the Hall of Heroes. Interacting with the pond allows you to spend your currency on:
- New Grenades: Unlock alternative grenade types like the Shackle Grenade and Threadling Grenade, each costing 50 Strand Meditations. Each provides unique crowd control or damage dealing capabilities.
- Aspects and Fragments: Unlock new aspects and fragments that further customize your Strand subclass. Aspects grant unique abilities and playstyle modifiers, while fragments offer stat boosts and additional effects.
Maximizing Your Strand Meditation Gains
Here are a few tips to help you optimize your Strand Meditation farming:
- Prioritize Neomuna Activities: Focus your gameplay on Neomuna to take advantage of the various Strand Meditation sources available there.
- Coordinate with Fireteams: Team up with other players to tackle High-Value Targets and Public Events more efficiently.
- Utilize Strand Builds: Employing Strand abilities and weapons during activities ensures a steady stream of Strand Meditation gains from enemy defeats.
- Complete Bounties: Make sure you are always completing relevant bounties to maximize rewards and reputation gains that lead to additional currency.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for in-game events or promotions that may offer bonus Strand Meditation rewards.
Additional Information
Why Strand Meditations Matter
The Strand subclass is a game-changer in Destiny 2. By mastering Strand Meditations, you’re not just unlocking new abilities; you’re unlocking new ways to play the game. Experiment with different builds, explore the synergy between Strand abilities and weapons, and discover the true potential of this powerful subclass.
Strand: A Deeper Dive
Strand itself is fascinating. It allows Guardians to manipulate the connections between all things. This leads to powerful crowd control, enhanced mobility, and devastating offensive capabilities. From grappling across vast distances to suspending enemies in mid-air, Strand opens up a whole new dimension of combat possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to own Lightfall to earn Strand Meditations?
Yes, you must own the Lightfall expansion to access the Strand subclass and earn Strand Meditations. Without Lightfall, you will not have access to Neomuna, the Pouka Pond, or any of the activities that reward Strand Meditations.
2. Can I share Strand Meditations between characters?
No, Strand Meditations are character-specific. Each of your characters will need to earn their own Strand Meditations to unlock and upgrade their Strand subclass. This encourages players to engage with the content on multiple characters.
3. Is there a limit to how many Strand Meditations I can hold?
There is no known limit to the number of Strand Meditations you can hold. Feel free to hoard them until you find an upgrade you really want.
4. Are there any seasonal activities that reward Strand Meditations?
Seasonal activities that take place on Neomuna may also reward Strand Meditations, especially if the seasonal story is thematically connected to Strand. Keep an eye on seasonal challenges and quests for opportunities to earn more.
5. What’s the fastest way to farm Strand Meditations?
There’s no single “fastest” method, but a combination of completing High-Value Targets, Public Events, and Patrols while consistently using Strand abilities is generally considered the most efficient approach. Focusing on activities where you can rapidly defeat enemies with Strand abilities is key.
6. Do difficulty levels affect Strand Meditation drops?
Higher difficulty levels in activities like Public Events or Lost Sectors on Neomuna may offer slightly increased Strand Meditation rewards, but the difference is usually minimal. Focus on activities you can complete quickly and consistently, regardless of difficulty.
7. Can I get Strand Meditations from Crucible or Gambit matches?
While unlikely, there might be specific Crucible or Gambit activities that take place on Neomuna and indirectly contribute to the accumulation of Strand Meditations through defeating enemies with Strand weapons or subclass. The primary source remains Neomuna activities.
8. What happens if I complete the Lightfall campaign on multiple characters?
Completing the Lightfall campaign on multiple characters grants them access to the Strand subclass immediately. This enables you to then earn and spend Strand Meditations on each character separately.
9. Can I use Silver to buy Strand Meditations?
No, Strand Meditations cannot be purchased with Silver or any other real-money currency. They must be earned through in-game activities. This ensures that all players have to engage with the content to unlock the full potential of Strand.
10. Will Strand Meditations be reset at the start of a new season?
There’s no indication that Strand Meditations will be reset at the start of new seasons. They are intended to be a persistent currency for unlocking and upgrading your Strand subclass.
11. What is the best way to optimize my Strand build?
The best way to optimize your Strand build is to experiment with different Aspects, Fragments, and weapons that synergize well with the subclass. Consider your preferred playstyle and tailor your build accordingly.
12. How much does it cost to unlock all Strand abilities?
The total cost to unlock all Strand grenades, Aspects, and Fragments will vary as more content is added. However, you should anticipate needing several hundred Strand Meditations. The game developers have created a living game, and we can see more aspects and fragments added over time.
13. Where do I find the Pouka Pond in the Hall of Heroes?
The Pouka Pond is located in the Hall of Heroes on Neomuna. After completing the Lightfall campaign, you will be directed to the Hall of Heroes. The pond is centrally located and easily accessible.
14. Do certain Strand weapons increase my chances of getting Strand Meditations?
No, using Strand weapons does not directly increase your chances of getting Strand Meditations. However, dealing damage with Strand weapons can help you defeat enemies faster, which indirectly increases your farming efficiency.
15. Are there any resources to stay up-to-date on Strand strategies?
Yes, many Destiny 2 communities online offer guides, tips, and strategies for maximizing your Strand potential. Platforms like YouTube, Reddit (r/DestinyTheGame), and dedicated Destiny 2 websites and blogs are valuable resources. Also, consider exploring resources available through organizations dedicated to understanding games, such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.