What To Do First in Destiny 2: Lightfall
So, Lightfall has arrived, and you’re stepping into the vibrant, yet perilous, neon-drenched city of Neomuna. You might be a seasoned Guardian or a fresh recruit; either way, you’re likely wondering, “What should I do first?” The answer is straightforward: complete the first mission. This seemingly simple act unlocks the core components of the expansion, giving you access to Neomuna, and most importantly, the new seasonal artifact. This artifact isn’t just another item; it’s the gateway to powerful seasonal perks, now passives instead of equippable mods, significantly impacting your gameplay.
However, there’s a lot more to digest after that initial foray. Let’s break down the immediate priorities and ensure you make the most of your Lightfall experience.
Diving Deeper into Lightfall’s Launch
Immediately After the First Mission
After securing the seasonal artifact, your next step should focus on experiencing the core story. This means continuing through the Lightfall campaign. Don’t skip it! Even if you’re tempted, playing through the campaign is the only way to unlock essential rewards, progress your power level, and truly understand the narrative of the expansion. While the option to skip the campaign exists, it doesn’t grant you the corresponding triumphs, gear, or the proper campaign experience. Think of it this way: you’re not buying a story skip; you’re just missing out on everything the story has to offer.
Focusing on Power Level
As you progress through the campaign and other activities, pay close attention to your power level. All players start Lightfall at a base level of 1600. Gear drops will continuously boost this to the soft cap of 1750. After reaching this point, acquiring powerful gear through specific activities and missions will be crucial to reach the pinnacle cap of 1800. This means, instead of focusing on any one thing, be aware of your power level and make sure each activity you take is boosting you incrementally. This will mean you don’t waste time on activities that don’t boost your power level and don’t waste time on activities that can only boost you by 1-2 levels, when a different activity could boost you by 5-6.
Mastering the New Subclass: Strand
Lightfall introduces the Strand subclass, and early mastery is essential. The campaign incorporates the core mechanics of Strand, guiding you through its use. But don’t stop there. Experiment with different abilities and aspects. Practice moving through the environment with your grapple, using the subclass to its full potential. One of the hardest missions of the campaign, Headlong, is designed to help you grasp the power of Strand. So, don’t be afraid to take a break from the campaign to truly understand your new power. The grapple will be a gamechanger.
Understanding the New Destination: Neomuna
Take your time to explore the new destination of Neomuna. This neon-lit city offers various activities including patrols, public events, and lost sectors which are free for all players to access. These aren’t just for sightseeing though; they are perfect for farming materials, practicing your build, and gaining experience for the new subclass. Familiarizing yourself with the map will be vital for future engagements and quests.
Understanding the Seasonal Pass and Seasonal Content
The seasonal pass is also important, as it will give you experience boosts, materials, and more. You can also obtain the seasonal weapons which may be powerful. Also, remember to complete the seasonal activities that drop in Neomuna. These can be important for material gains, power level increases, and will lead to new weapons and armor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further help you navigate your start in Destiny 2: Lightfall:
1. Is Lightfall good for beginners?
Yes, Lightfall is an excellent place to begin Destiny 2. The expansion introduces a fresh destination, new mechanics, and a more accessible story, which is designed for both new players and returning veterans. The new streamlined experience should be much less confusing.
2. Do I need to finish the Witch Queen campaign before Lightfall?
While not strictly required, experiencing the Witch Queen campaign will provide crucial context for Lightfall’s story. It will give you better insight into the unfolding narrative of the Traveler, Witness, and Guardians and their journey.
3. Can I skip the Lightfall campaign?
Yes, you can purchase a campaign skip, but it does not automatically complete the campaign in terms of unlocks. You still need to play it to earn the rewards and achievements and experience it fully.
4. What weapons should I be crafting before Lightfall?
While some weapons may be sunset, and it may be too late for some players, the general consensus is that crafting weapons like Thoughtless, Ikelos SMG, Hollow Denial, Disparity, Tarnished Mettle, Explosive Personality, and Fire and Forget are good choices.
5. What’s the easiest class to play in Lightfall?
Many players find the Titan class to be the most straightforward to learn and play, making it a good choice for beginners. This doesn’t mean other classes are bad for beginners; it just means Titans may be more forgiving.
6. What’s the best gun in Lightfall?
Currently, the Quicksilver Storm exotic auto rifle is considered to be one of the best, performing well in both PvE and PvP with its ability to switch to a grenade launcher. Remember, to gain access to this exotic you need the Lightfall DLC.
7. What is the hardest mission in Lightfall?
Besides the final encounter with Calus, many players find the Headlong mission to be the most difficult, as it tests your knowledge and mastery of the new Strand subclass mechanics.
8. What activities can free-to-play players do in Lightfall?
Free players can explore all locations and participate in activities such as patrols, public events, and lost sectors. They cannot play the campaign, and many of the exotic weapons and armor will be inaccessible.
9. How long does it take to complete the Lightfall campaign?
The campaign should take about 5 to 8 hours to complete on Normal difficulty, making it easily achievable in a couple of casual gaming sessions.
10. What is getting vaulted with Lightfall?
All seasonal content from Season of the Risen through Season of the Seraph has been vaulted, so you can’t farm for those materials or weapons anymore.
11. Should I play Lightfall on Legendary difficulty?
Playing on Legendary difficulty provides twice as many rewards following major fights and is a great way to quickly increase your power level, if you are up for the challenge.
12. Is Lightfall as good as Witch Queen?
While it does have its fans, generally Lightfall is considered not as expansive or impactful as the Witch Queen expansion in terms of overall content and player engagement. Many feel it could have done more.
13. Do you get Beyond Light if you buy Lightfall?
No, expansions are sold separately. You’ll need to purchase the Legacy Collection to get access to past content.
14. Can I jump straight into Witch Queen?
Yes, all Guardians start at a base power level, meaning you can jump directly into the Witch Queen content regardless of your current power level. However, it is good to get up to a power level of 1360 before you start the Witch Queen campaign.
15. What is the rarest gun in Destiny 2?
The rarest weapon fluctuates, but currently Whistler’s Whim and other rare drops like The Inquisitor, Touch of Malice, Collective Obligation and Heartshadow are among the most difficult weapons to obtain.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on your Lightfall journey is a thrilling experience. Start by completing the first mission, engaging with the story, focusing on your power level, mastering Strand, and exploring Neomuna. Don’t skip the campaign, and don’t forget to take advantage of the new seasonal pass and activities! By focusing on these initial steps, you’ll be well-equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead and immerse yourself fully in all that Destiny 2: Lightfall has to offer.