What’s the Point of Emblems in Destiny?
Emblems in Destiny, at their core, are about personalization and displaying your achievements. They serve as a visual representation of your identity within the game, acting as a personalized banner that other players see on your profile, in activities, and even on loading screens. They’re a way to show off accomplishments, commemorate special events, and express your style. Beyond just aesthetics, some emblems also act as a subtle (or not-so-subtle) indicator of your skill, dedication, or time spent in the game. In essence, they are digital badges of honor.
Deeper Dive: Emblems as Identity and Achievement
Think of emblems as your Guardian’s calling card. They’re often the first thing other players see and can spark curiosity, recognition, or even a bit of envy. But their significance goes deeper than just looking cool.
Showcasing Accomplishments
Many emblems are tied directly to specific achievements within Destiny 2. These might include:
- Completing difficult activities: Raids, Grandmaster Nightfalls, and Trials of Osiris often have emblems tied to their completion, signifying skill and teamwork.
- Reaching certain milestones: Achieving a specific rank in the Crucible or Gambit, completing a seasonal challenge, or participating in a limited-time event.
- Demonstrating mastery: Some emblems require players to demonstrate exceptional skill, such as completing a raid with specific challenges or achieving a high K/D ratio in PvP.
Earning these emblems is a testament to your dedication and skill, and displaying them allows you to proudly showcase your hard-earned triumphs.
Commemorating Special Events
Destiny 2 is known for its dynamic seasonal events and limited-time activities. Emblems are frequently released to commemorate these occasions, providing a lasting reminder of your participation. These might include:
- Seasonal events: The Dawning, Festival of the Lost, and Solstice of Heroes all feature unique emblems.
- Anniversaries: Bungie’s anniversaries and Destiny’s milestones are often celebrated with special emblems.
- Collaborations: Occasionally, emblems are released in collaboration with other brands or events.
These commemorative emblems offer a tangible connection to specific moments in Destiny’s history.
Expressing Your Style
Beyond achievements and events, some emblems are simply about personal expression. They might feature unique designs, represent specific factions or characters, or simply appeal to your aesthetic sensibilities.
- General Aesthetic: A wide range of emblems are available just to look aesthetically pleasing.
- Faction Allegiance: You can show your support for your favorite factions or characters with emblems.
- Rare or Exotic Finds: Some emblems are intentionally hard to find, becoming something of a status symbol.
Choosing an emblem that reflects your personal style allows you to further customize your Guardian’s identity.
More Than Just a Pretty Picture
While the visual aspect of emblems is undoubtedly important, their true value lies in the stories they tell. Each emblem represents a journey, an accomplishment, or a connection to the Destiny universe. They’re a conversation starter, a badge of honor, and a reflection of your unique experience as a Guardian. They are often used as a way to determine if players have met the requirements to do end-game content with certain groups. Some emblems even act as trackers, displaying statistics such as total raid clears or Crucible kills, further enhancing their significance. The point of emblems in Destiny extends far beyond mere decoration; they’re an integral part of the game’s social fabric and a powerful means of self-expression.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Emblems in Destiny 2
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about emblems in Destiny 2, designed to provide further insight into their acquisition, usage, and significance:
1. How do I equip an emblem in Destiny 2?
To equip an emblem, navigate to your Character screen. Select the “Appearance” option, then choose the “Emblem” slot. From there, you can browse your collection and select the emblem you wish to display.
2. Where can I find new emblems?
Emblems can be obtained from a variety of sources:
- Activities: Completing specific activities like raids, dungeons, and Crucible matches.
- Quests: Completing certain quests or questlines.
- Season Pass: Reaching specific tiers in the season pass.
- Eververse Store: Purchasing them with Silver or Bright Dust.
- Special Promotions: Redeeming codes from special promotions or events.
- Bungie Rewards: Earning them through Bungie Rewards by completing challenges.
3. Are some emblems rarer than others?
Yes, some emblems are significantly rarer than others due to the difficulty or exclusivity of their acquisition method. Emblems earned from challenging activities, limited-time events, or special promotions tend to be more coveted.
4. Can emblems track my stats?
Yes, some emblems have trackers that display various stats, such as total raid clears, Crucible kills, or Gambit matches played. These trackers can be enabled or disabled in the emblem’s details.
5. What are Bungie Rewards emblems?
Bungie Rewards emblems are earned by completing specific challenges or milestones in the game and then claiming them through the Bungie Rewards program on the Bungie website. These often require purchasing physical merchandise as well.
6. How do I redeem a promotional emblem code?
To redeem a promotional emblem code, visit the Bungie website and log in with your Destiny 2 account. Navigate to the code redemption page and enter the code. The emblem will then be added to your collection.
7. Can I trade or gift emblems to other players?
No, emblems cannot be traded or gifted to other players. They are bound to the account that earned or acquired them.
8. Are there any emblems that are no longer obtainable?
Yes, many emblems are time-limited and are no longer obtainable after their respective events or seasons have ended. These “vaulted” emblems are particularly sought after by collectors.
9. What are Animated Emblems and how do I get them?
Animated Emblems are a newer type of emblem that feature a small animation. These are typically acquired through seasonal events, Eververse, or as Bungie Rewards.
10. How do I know what an emblem represents?
The description of the emblem often provides clues about its origin and significance. Checking online resources, such as Destiny wikis and forums, can also provide additional information.
11. Do emblems affect gameplay?
No, emblems are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay in any way. They are simply a visual representation of your achievements and style.
12. Can I preview an emblem before equipping it?
Yes, you can preview an emblem in the emblem selection screen before equipping it to see how it looks on your character.
13. What happens if I delete a character with emblems?
The emblems earned on that character will remain in your collection and can be equipped on other characters on the same account. Emblems are account-bound, not character-bound.
14. Why are some emblems so expensive in the Eververse store?
The price of emblems in the Eververse store can vary depending on their rarity, design, and associated animations. Some emblems are considered more desirable and are therefore priced higher.
15. How often are new emblems added to Destiny 2?
New emblems are regularly added to Destiny 2 with each new season, event, and expansion. Bungie frequently introduces new emblems to keep the game fresh and reward player engagement.
In conclusion, emblems are far more than just pretty icons in Destiny 2. They’re a vital part of the game’s identity, allowing players to express themselves, showcase their accomplishments, and connect with the Destiny community in a meaningful way.